Also going hybrid: Driving the 2025 Sportage

Exactly ten years ago, Kia launched the 1.6-liter automatic Sportage in Israel at a market-shaking price of NIS 135,000. What was until then just another Korean crossover became a hit, suddenly priced like a family Toyota Corolla, or smaller crossovers such as the Nissan Juke.

In 2015, Kia ended the year as the top-selling manufacturer in Israel for the first time ever. The Sportage climbed to third place in the sales ranking. In 2016, Hyundai regained the lead over Kia, but the Sportage, which received a new generation while keeping the base model at a competitive price, became the best-selling model with over 14,000 units.

The automotive market was no longer the same, and the move accelerated the dominance of high SUVs. The Sportage also became one of the main market drivers, especially as its new generation added an active safety package previously unseen at its price level.

Since then, the Sportage’s powertrains have changed, the 1.6-liter base engine disappeared, and 2.0-liter and 1.6 turbo engines became standard. Sales remained strong, even though the Sportage always struggled with relatively high fuel consumption. Two years ago, hybrid and plug-in versions briefly appeared, but at NIS 230,000 and above, they were too expensive to achieve significant market penetration.

Now the hybrid returns at a much more competitive price: NIS 195,000 for the base Urban version, NIS 207,000 for the Premium we tested. This comes in a year when hybrid models are making a comeback due to fuel prices and the rising cost of living. Does Kia have a hit on its hands again?

What hasn’t changed is Kia’s compromise in the current generation between the need to control a million functions and the desire to use as few buttons as possible. Below the multimedia screen is a row of touch buttons that switch functions with a single press: Either shortcuts for key functions like radio and navigation, or full control of the climate system. It requires a short adjustment, but it’s still better than navigating through menus.

Side pillars slightly obstruct forward visibility, but seating positions are high and commanding, and finding an ideal position is easy, especially in the test model with an electrically adjustable driver’s seat.

Rear space is also very good, even offering reasonable room for a middle passenger, with a very low transmission tunnel. There is an air vent and two USB ports of each type.

The trunk is generous, with a volume of 587 liters, hooks, and a 12V socket. Importantly, despite being a hybrid, Kia managed to include a spare wheel underneath. The rear seats can be folded to increase cargo space to 1,780 liters by pulling a handle behind each of the two sections. Folding is quick, but returning them to place after transporting bicycles or large IKEA purchases is a bit cumbersome.

The base Urban trim comes with a 12.3-inch multimedia screen with Android and iPhone connectivity via cable (still not wireless), dual-zone climate control with rear vents, LED lighting, an electric handbrake, and 17-inch wheels.

The Premium adds 18-inch wheels and an electrically opening panoramic roof, electric adjustment for front seats with heating including the steering wheel, ambient lighting in the cabin, and an electric tailgate.

The power reduction adds 0.4 seconds to the 0-100 km/h acceleration, which now takes 8.4 seconds—the same as the hybrid RAV4. Performance is nimble and better when switching from Eco to Sport mode, which speeds up gear shifts, raises RPM slightly, and consumes more fuel and electricity. However, the Sportage is agile enough in normal mode, enjoying smoother and quieter shifts than the CVTs and dual-clutch gearboxes of most competitors. Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel allow quick up- or downshifts.

Beyond environmental benefits, this represents about NIS 3,000 annual savings for drivers covering the average 18,000 km per year for a new crossover, almost offsetting the additional cost compared to the equivalent turbo gasoline version over the usual three years of ownership. And this doesn’t even account for the lower maintenance costs and better residual value typical of hybrid models.

Ride comfort benefits from the added weight and smaller tires (19-inch on the gasoline version) with a slightly taller sidewall (55 vs. 50). This Sportage is no longer bouncy and absorbs shocks well, though suspension operation is not always quiet in a vehicle that generally offers good noise insulation.

Although it is cheaper than before—around NIS 200,000—even at current market prices, this is still a significant amount. You can complain about the cost of living or consider whether the Kia Niro, slightly smaller, lower, more economical, and NIS 20,000 cheaper, might do the job as well.