I was thrilled to finally get behind the wheel of the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid Earth - Kias latest offering to the hybrid market. The Kia Sportage has been a firm kiwi family favourite since launching here 30 years ago. I am a past Sportage owner myself, so I was excited to see what developments had come into play since my 2017 Sportage EX 2.0 petrol.

At first glance, I was impressed. The 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid Earth retains the stylish and modern design that Kia is known for. A sleek exterior with signature Kia design elements, including a bold grille, distinctive LED headlights, and a sporty profile.

Inside, it feels to me that Kia likes to prioritise comfort and technology. The Sportage Hybrid Earth offers spacious seating for passengers, this is due to the 175mm increase in overall length from the previous model. It features an easy-to-use infotainment system with a large touchscreen and smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), plus thoughtful innovations like a wireless phone charger that reminds you if you leave your phone behind. Handy, very handy indeed.

Kia has retained a strong emphasis on safety, equipping its vehicles with a large range of advanced safety features. The Sportage Hybrid Earth comes with features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and even more advanced systems like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

One of the key highlights of the 2024 Sportage Hybrid Earth is its hybrid powertrain. Kia's hybrid technology typically combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. This setup not only lowers fuel costs but also contributes to a quieter and smoother driving experience, especially in urban environments where hybrids excel.

In terms of performance, the Sportage Hybrid Earth delivers a good balance between power and efficiency.

• Engine Specifications:

• Maximum Power: 132 kW @ 5,500 rpm
• Maximum Torque: 265 Nm @ 1,500 - 4,500 rpm

• Hybrid System:

• Electric Motor Type: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM)
• Maximum Power (Electric Motor Only): 44 kW @ 1,600 - 2,000 rpm
• Battery Type: Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
• Battery Energy: 1.49 kWh
• Maximum Power (Combined): 169 kW
• Maximum Torque (Combined): 350 Nm

• Fuel Efficiency:

• Fuel Consumption - Combined 3P-WLTP: 5.4 L / 100km
• CO2 Emissions - Combined 3P-WLTP: 122 g / km

The electric motor provides instant torque, aiding acceleration, and responsiveness. The transition between electric and gasoline modes is seamless, offering a pleasant driving experience both in city traffic and on the highway, it would be great if there was a 4wd model, but unfortunately not in the hybrid variant.

Kia vehicles are known for their agile handling and comfortable ride quality. The Sportage Hybrid Earth features tuned suspension for New Zealand roads, ensuring a confident feel wherever the road may take you, whether its navigating tight city streets or cruising on the open highway.

Overall Impression:

For someone transitioning from a 2017 Sportage EX like me, the 2024 Sportage Hybrid Earth is likely to impress with its advancements in hybrid technology, enhanced interior features, and overall refinement. It combines the practicality and reliability of the Sportage with the efficiency and eco-friendliness of a hybrid drivetrain, making it a compelling choice for eco-conscious drivers who still value performance and style.

If you get the chance to test drive the Sportage Hybrid Earth, pay attention to how well it handles, and how seamlessly it integrates hybrid technology into your daily driving experience. This was one of the smoothest hybrids I have driven for a while.

Price (starting):

• Light Hybrid
  • Parallel Hybrid - 169kW
  • $53,990 +ORC

• Earth Hybrid vehicle tested.
  • Parallel Hybrid - 169kW
  • $55,390 +ORC

Pros

• Efficient 5.5 litres per 100km achieved with a mixture of motorway and urban driving from the claimed 5.4 litres per 100km well done Kia.
• Easy to drive.

Cons

• Turning Circle is not the best.
• Shared control panel takes a while to get used too.