2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid: Australia Misses Out on All-Wheel Drive

2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid: Australia Misses Out on All-Wheel Drive
Want a great rate on your next car?
Enquire now
Matt Brand pointing to the buy menuJacob Brooke pointing to the buy menu

The 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid, set to hit Australian shores in the first quarter of 2024, has been greenlit for local sales. Official government documents have provided insights into the specifications and features of this anticipated model.

The Australian version of the Sportage Hybrid will exclusively feature a front-wheel drive, contrasting with some of its US models. This decision might position Kia at a slight disadvantage against all-wheel drive competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER.

Kia's leadership has previously voiced concerns about the Sportage Hybrid's pricing in comparison to the RAV4. However, Kia Australia has clarified that while the Sportage Hybrid will be available, it won't dominate their lineup in the same way Toyota has emphasized hybrids in its RAV4 range.

The hybrid's powertrain, mirroring the larger Kia Sorento Hybrid, combines a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor, supplemented by a 1.49kWh battery. This battery is exclusively recharged by the petrol engine. The combined output stands at 169kW/350Nm, channeled through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

In terms of design and features, the Sportage Hybrid will offer at least two variants in Australia. An entry-level variant, potentially aligning with the SX or SX+ models, will sport 17-inch alloy wheels. In contrast, the flagship variants, likely mirroring the SX+ or GT-Line, will feature 18-inch wheels, a reduction from the usual 19-inch for aerodynamic efficiency.

Equipment levels for the hybrid are anticipated to align with the existing petrol and diesel models. A notable addition is Kia’s semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist system, which will come standard for the hybrid. There's potential for this feature to be integrated across all Sportage models in a future update.

The hybrid's braked towing capacity is consistent with the petrol auto Sportage variants at 1650kg.

Kia Australia's head of product planning and training, Roland Rivero, has indicated that the supply for the Sportage Hybrid will be more abundant than the Sorento hybrid. However, it's expected to be limited to a few hundred units monthly, compared to the overall sales of approximately 1200-1300 units per month.

Lastly, the Sportage Hybrid, sourced from Korea, will maintain the longer wheelbase seen in the petrol and diesel models. A variant with a shorter wheelbase is manufactured in Slovakia for European consumers.

In the current market, the Kia Sportage ranks as Australia's sixth most popular internal-combustion mid-size SUV, trailing behind models like the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5.

Are you interested in a
Kia
and looking for the best price?

FAQ

keyboard_arrow_down

keyboard_arrow_down

keyboard_arrow_down

keyboard_arrow_down

keyboard_arrow_down

keyboard_arrow_down

Find your perfect car with ease – click for a free, seamless journey with CarSauce and Motor Scout!
Matt Brand
Matt Brand is the driving force behind CarSauce, having initially launched the YouTube channel "Matt Brand Cars" in 2020. With his unique blend of humor, distinctive style, and deep automotive knowledge, Matt quickly grew the channel to over 120,000 subscribers. Before founding CarSauce, Matt worked in Management Consulting at KPMG and in the Aviation industry, leveraging his Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Melbourne. His background in business and consulting, combined with his passion for cars, has shaped CarSauce into a trusted source for automotive news and reviews. As the founder, Matt continues to set the tone for the brand, blending entertainment with expertise.
Read more

Other

Kia

News

An Electric Replacement for the Kia Picanto is Looking Likely

An Electric Replacement for the Kia Picanto is Looking Likely

Kia has a new small electric car in the works according to it's President and CEO.
Jack MacKenzie
Jul 9, 2025 2:49 PM
Kia Tasman Conquers Beer O’Clock Hill

Kia Tasman Conquers Beer O’Clock Hill

The Kia Tasman has successfully taken on one of Australia's hardest off-road challenges at The Springs 4x4 Adventure Park in Queensland.
Jack MacKenzie
Jun 30, 2025 1:03 PM
2026 Kia Tasman Dual Cab Ute Drive Away Pricing Confirmed

2026 Kia Tasman Dual Cab Ute Drive Away Pricing Confirmed

Australian prices for the 2026 Kia Tasman Dual Cab Pick-up confirmed to start at $46,490 Drive-Away ahead of its arrival in July.
Jack MacKenzie
Jun 19, 2025 9:52 AM

Other car news

IONIQ 6 N Debuts as Hyundai’s Highest Performance EV Yet

IONIQ 6 N Debuts as Hyundai’s Highest Performance EV Yet

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N has been revealed as the brand’s most powerful EV yet, with up to 478kW and 0–100km/h in 3.2s.
Jack MacKenzie
Jul 11, 2025 11:36 AM
Next i20 N or i30 N to Go Hybrid, Hyundai Confirms

Next i20 N or i30 N to Go Hybrid, Hyundai Confirms

Hyundai confirms next-gen N cars like i20 N or i30 N will feature hybrid powertrains
Matt Brand
Jul 10, 2025 9:44 PM
Hyundai N Developing All-New, Affordable Performance EV

Hyundai N Developing All-New, Affordable Performance EV

Hyundai N is developing an all-new affordable performance EV using 400V tech, separate from IONIQ 5 N and 6 N, now in advanced engineering.
Matt Brand
Jul 10, 2025 9:32 PM

Sign up to our newsletter

Be the first to know when we drop new car reviews.

By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Thank you! Welcome to the Car Sauce community!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
© 2024 Car Sauce. All right reserved.
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Terms and Conditions