Review: 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX

Review: 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX

Kia continues to bring style and efficiency to the midsize SUV market with the 2024 Sportage Hybrid SX.

We spent the weekend testing it out, running errands, and taking family drives, and the experience was as sleek and smooth as the car's sporty design.

Here’s our take on what this hybrid in the SX grade brings to the table.

Initial Impressions

Exterior Design

Kia’s design language is all about sharp angles and futuristic vibes, and the 2024 Sportage Hybrid SX fits right in. The daytime running lights look like they’ve been slashed across the grille with a knife—bold and edgy.

The body shape is sleek and swept back, giving it a sporty, athletic look rather than some others in the market that appear meandering and cumbersome.

Interior Design

Inside, the Sportage Hybrid SX strikes a nice balance between practicality and comfort. The cloth seats are surprisingly comfy, and the headrests are especially nice.

The piano black elements throughout the interior might not be everyone’s favourite, but they blend nicely into the overall aesthetic here.

Kia has been clever with their dashboard design. The dual-function entertainment and climate control centre saves space, leaving room for the large infotainment screen above and a handy storage compartment below. However, the gear shifter dial looks a bit lonely with blank buttons surrounding it where extra features would live in higher trims.

Power and Performance

Engine and Hybrid System

The heart of the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX is a 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine, paired with an electric motor to produce a combined 169kW of power and 350Nm of torque. That’s plenty of zip for everyday driving and suburban cruising.

Official fuel consumption figures come in at a very respectable 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres. After our weekend of running errands, we saw a real-world figure of 5.1 litres per 100 kilometres so we were pretty happy with the accuracy of the official numbers.

If you’re the competitive type who likes to see how low you can get your fuel consumption, the Sportage Hybrid SX includes Eco, Sport and Smart drive modes. Experiment with these to find the ideal combination needed to extend your mileage.

Driving Experience

As expected from a family SUV, the driving experience is smooth and comfortable. Kia tunes all its models locally to ensure they handle Australia’s unique road conditions, and it shows.

At low speeds, the hybrid system operates almost like an EV—quiet and silky. You’ll notice the switch between electric and petrol power now and again, but it’s more of a gentle reminder than an annoyance.

Around town, the Sportage Hybrid feels light and manoeuvrable—maybe thanks to an improved turning radius. On the highway, it holds its own, feeling stable where some other vehicles can get a bit wobbly at high speeds.

Overall, it’s a comfortable ride that keeps you relaxed, whether you’re stuck in traffic or cruising along.

Comfort and Space

Seating

Comfort is key in the Sportage Hybrid SX. The seats are supportive, and there’s plenty of legroom for all passengers—even adults in the back seats won’t feel cramped. The flat floor in the second row adds to that sense of space, making this an excellent choice for families with growing kids.

However, if you’re after luxury touches like heated or ventilated seats, you’ll need to bump up to one of the higher trims.

Storage and Practicality

The cargo space is another big win. With all the seats up, you get a generous 586 litres, and if you fold the second row flat, that jumps to 1,872 litres.

It’s a leader in its segment for rear cargo space, so whether you’re packing for a road trip or just loading up after a big shop, the Sportage has you covered.

We also appreciated the front cubby below the infotainment system. It’s perfect for stashing small items like your phone or wallet, and it has both USB-A and USB-C outlets for easy charging. In higher trims, this is where you’ll find the wireless charging pad.

Infotainment and Technology

Infotainment System

The SX trim sports a sharp 12.3-inch LCD infotainment touchscreen that’s responsive and easy to navigate. If you go for the GT-Line, you’ll get the fancy curved display with a matching 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

We were a little sad to miss out on wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the SX trim—though weirdly, these features are available in the base model of the petrol-powered Sportage. That said, the built-in Kia satellite navigation system comes with 10 years of traffic info and map updates, which is a nice touch.

The six-speaker sound system in the SX does the job just fine, but if you’re an audiophile, you might want to look at the GT-Line’s 8-speaker Harmon Kardon setup.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Safety Features

We love it when advanced safety features come standard, and the Sportage Hybrid SX doesn’t disappoint. The blind spot warning and collision avoidance systems gave us peace of mind, and the haptic feedback on the steering wheel felt intuitive.

One feature we didn’t expect to love as much as we did was the Lead Vehicle Departure Alert. If you’re distracted at a red light the car will nudge you to get moving when the vehicle in front takes off. It’s also surprisingly useful in the drive-thru when you're preoccupied with finding the right playlist rather than noticing the vehicle ahead has moved onto the next window!

Ratings

The Sportage range earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2022, with top marks in adult and child occupant protection.

It also scored well in the Safety Assist category, although there’s a bit of room for improvement when it comes to Vulnerable Road User Protection.

Pricing and Value

Price

The Kia Sportage Hybrid SX is competitively priced, starting at just over $50,000 drive-away.

The jump to the GT-Line brings the price up to just under $60,000, but the extra features justify the increase.

Exterior paint options (beyond standard white) add another $520 to the price, and there are five colours to choose from in the SX and seven in the GT-Line.

Warranty and Service

Kia’s warranty package is one of the best in the business, with a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty (or 150,000km on the electrical components) and a seven-year capped-price servicing plan.

That’s peace of mind that stretches far beyond the initial purchase.

Summary

The 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX is a standout in the midsize SUV segment, blending style, space, and efficiency in a family-friendly package.

Its hybrid system delivers solid fuel savings without sacrificing performance, and it has enough tech and comfort features to keep everyone happy on long drives.

While the lack of wireless smartphone connectivity is a head-scratcher, the overall value and excellent warranty make it easy to overlook.

If you’re looking for a stylish, fuel-efficient SUV that’s perfect for the daily grind and family road trips alike, the Kia Sportage Hybrid SX is well worth your consideration.

Book a test drive online, or drop into Motorama Kia to check it out today.