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GMC Terrain AT4 Review

by Mark | Jul 12, 2022 | 0 comments

The 2022 GMC Terrain AT4 is more of a country rambler than a trail-conquering SUV, but it looks the part

A side view of the black 2022 GMC Terrain small suv

The 2022 GMC Terrain AT4 is new the lineup and has standard all-wheel drive and special off-roading elements. Pricing starts at $37,145. (Photography by Mark Maynard)

Overview
Pricing
5 Star Safety Rating
Interior Function
Back Seats and Cargo
Performance and Fuel Economy
Ride and Handling
Why Buy the 2022 GMC Terrain AT4?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

Ggeneral Motors’ GMC division is panning for pay dirt in its off-road-defined AT4 sub-brand. It was launched in 2019 and is now offered across its line of SUVs and pickups. New to the AT4 lineup (All Terrain 4WD) is the 2022 GMC Terrain AT4 small SUV.

All-Terrain4 is a premium treatment, which GMC says is bringing in more affluent and younger customers new to GMC. According to GMC market research, their truck owners are 3.5-times more likely to actively use their vehicle for camping and carrying outdoor sports gear.

The AT4 treatment is primarily a cosmetics package. Among the AT4 design accents are a black-chrome finish to the grille and exterior trim, with gloss black roof rails. The Terrain AT4 has exclusively styled 17-inch gloss-black painted aluminum wheels with Goodyear Sport Terrain tires. There is a front steel skid plate and a traction select system with modes of standard AWD, front-wheel drive, and off-road.

The Terrain SUV steering wheel and dashboard

A hands-on control center.

GMC Terrain Overview

The Terrain is GMC’s smallest vehicle and slots below the Acadia midsize SUV. The Terrain debuted in April 2009 as a 2010 model, sharing an architecture with the Chevrolet Equinox. For the 2013 model year, the GMC Terrain introduced the Denali trim, which featured more chrome and slightly improved interior quality.

The Terrain had its first midcycle refresh in 2016. And the second-generation GMC Terrain debuted in 2017 for the 2018 model year.

In February 2020, General Motors unveiled a refreshed version of the GMC Terrain that would go on sale in mid-2020 as a 2021 model. However, production issues and pandemic-related complications delayed its release. The lightly facelifted Terrain finally went on sale in summer 2021 as a 2022 model.

AT4 trim features.

New For the 2022 Terrain

Redesigned front fascia and grille designs.
Redesigned LED headlamps and LED taillamps on all models.
New 18-inch and 19-inch wheel designs.
Three new exterior colors, $495 each: Marine Metallic (mid-blue), Desert Sand Metallic (AT4 only), and Cayenne Red Metallic, which is a 2022 color only, and a new red will be introduced for 2023.
New interior trim elements and fabrics.
Tech Package made available for SLT and AT4. The package includes HD Surround Vision, a new Head-Up Display, and front and rear park assist.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.
Built-in Amazon Alexa.

Terrain front seats in a black and gray interior

Headroom of 38.2 inches with the panoramic sunroof should fit most adults.

GMC Terrain Pricing

For 2022, the GMC Terrain is sold in four trim levels of SLE, SLT, AT4 and Denali. All have the same powertrain of a 170-hp, turbocharged and direct-injected 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and a nine-speed automatic transmission. AWD models include terrain modes and a low mode for hill-descent towing control.

Starting prices range from $31,045 for the front-wheel-drive SLE to $39,745 for the Denali with standard all-wheel drive. Retail pricing includes the $1,395 freight charge from San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Today’s tester is the Terrain AT4 with standard AWD. Its pricing starts at $37,145 and totaled $41,810 with five options.

Check here for current GMC Terrain pricing. And find current offers and incentives here.

GMC Terrain Safety Features

With its full suite of safety features, the GMC Terrain has earned NHTSA’s top overall five-star safety rating. The rating includes five stars for the driver and front passenger in a frontal crash; five stars front and rear in a side crash; and four stars for risk of rollover.

Standard safety features on all Terrain models include six air bags, hill-descent control, and Stabilitrak traction controls.

And Terrain’s standard safety technologies are notable.

The GMC Pro Safety package layers on automatic emergency braking, a following distance indicator, forward collision alert and front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and auto-dimming IntelliBeam headlights.

And I would choose two more safety options because of their safeguards, which contributed to the top NHTSA safety rating:

GMC Pro Safety Plus, $645, includes Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist. The package also includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Safety Alert Seat.

Tech Package, $850, includes HD Surround Vision, Head-Up Display and Front and Rear Park Assist. The head-up display rises from a small plastic panel behind the gauge array. The small screen can be an obstruction to sightlines in heavy traffic, but it can be closed.

GMC Terrain AT4-specific 17-inch Goodyear Sport Terrain tires with gloss-black alloy wheels.

GMC Terrain Interior Function

Terrain designers pack a lot into a compact cabin, and that includes soundproofing.

With the many updates over the years, the AT4 cabin has a desirable collection of standard features. Among the conveniences are smart key entry with push-button ignition, leather-trimmed and perforated upholstery, HD rearview camera, heated steering wheel and two-function heated front seats, leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel with cruise controls and redundant audio controls, 4.2-inch color driver-info gauge display, eight-way power driver seat and a four-way power front passenger seat.

Headroom of 38.2 inches with the panoramic sunroof should fit most adults. Omit the sunroof and there is tall headspace of 40 inches. But the more significant fit consideration is what feels like a subcompact cabin. Shoulder and elbow room are snug, and the front seat bottoms are short in length for large-adult thigh support.

Sightlines are OK across the hood and at the side mirrors, but the ascending body line challenges over-the-shoulder views at the rear quarter. The rearview camera is a big help in cramped parking, but the screen is small; the optional 360-degree camera would be even better.

Making the most of a small space.

There are many areas, ledges, and nooks for small-item storage, front and rear.

At first glance, there is lots of black plastic throughout, with the good stuff up high where it is seen and felt. Harder plastics are below, which are suitable for scuff and wear resistance.

The shift console neatly packages an e-bin charging area with two USBs, audio input, and a 12-volt plug. But while there is ideal space for a wireless charging pad, there is no availability for that, yet. The armrest console box is deep with two more USBs and a slim pencil-box type of tray.

GMC Terrain Back Seat and Cargo

With the flat floor, a long 39.7 inches of legroom, reclining window seats, and the pano sunroof, the back seat is a pleasant but subcompact space. The three-position bench is short on adult thigh support, but the 60/40 folding seatback has a wide, fold-down armrest with a pair of can or small cup holders. Other conveniences include two more USB ports, a 12-volt plug, and a 120-volt, 150-watt household plug.

The cargo capability has an asset not talked about much by GMC. Because the front passenger seat can fold flat forward, it is possible to have almost 9 feet in length. Think of the possibilities for carrying lumber, ladders, stage props or long surfboards. It adds excellent utility, when few other small SUVs offer such a fold-forward front seat. But folding the seat is a bit of a struggle. The seat-side lever (at door-side) is about 2 inches too short to grasp easily with your hand wedged between the seat and door.

Raise the power-opening tailgate, and the cargo opening is wide at 43 ½ inches, with 29 ½ inches tall from floor to headliner. Fold the back seat for about 6 feet in length.

The cargo space includes a pair of seatback levers and a 12-volt plug but just two cargo tiedowns when four is the norm. There is no lighting or roller cover, but a $210 package includes the roller cover and a vertical cargo net.

Terrain back seat with long legroom and reclining seatbacks.

With the flat floor, a long 39.7 inches of legroom, reclining window seats, and the pano sunroof, the Terrain back seat is a pleasant but subcompact space.

Terrain AT4 Performance

The previous-gen Terrain had three turbocharged engine choices: a 252-hp, 2.0-liter; a 170-hp 1.5-liter; and a 137-hp 1.6-liter turbo-diesel, with 240 foot-pounds of torque.

For 2022, the 1.5-liter four-cylinder is the only choice, and it will feel underpowered to most drivers. The engine has fuel-economy ratings of 25 mpg city, 28 highway and 26 mpg combined, on 87 octane fuel. My best average was 29.2 mpg with much highway driving. Daily around-town driving yielded a max of 22.8 mpg. With careful driving, the AWD fuel tank of 15.6 gallons could yield a driving range of up to around 450 miles.

The Terrain’s 170-hp, turbocharged and direct-injected 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

Transmission

Gear engagement is by a short row of switches at the base of the center stack of cabin controls. The style and action are similar to window-lift switches. The process isn’t particularly smooth at first, but it gets easier in time.

The nine-speed automatic rolls easily through the gears, but the shifting performance is for fuel economy.

A Sport mode would be most helpful to put some spark into the acceleration, especially for the 3,659-pound Terrain. “Fuzzy logic” transmission calibrations attempt to provide shift performance keyed to the driver’s manner of driving. But when a burst of acceleration is needed, there is a three-count before tapping into the torque range of 2,000-4,000 rpm. By that time, the emergency is over. But the system continues to provide sharper performance for a while and then relaxes into mileage mode.

And remember to shift this transmission to Neutral when using an automatic car wash.

Levels of storage in the Terrain front door panels.

Low Mode

Somewhat unique to the transmission modes is an “L” setting at the transmission-select keys. This mode is for hill descents when towing. Engaging Low mode allows manual shifting and a one-pedal drive function to help control downhill speed by using engine braking.

The Terrain is rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds with an unbraked trailer.

Up to 9 feet in length for cargo capacity.

Fold the front passenger flat forward for almost 9 feet in length.

Terrain AT4 Ride and Handling

Despite what appears to be a blunt front end, the wind noise at highway speeds is well controlled and the cabin feels snug. The Terrain’s settled highway ride is due in part to its long wheelbase of 107.3 inches. It is a few inches longer than many of its compact-class competitors, including the Jeep Cherokee, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-30, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4.

The Terrain AT4 is more of a country rambler than a trail-conquering SUV, but it looks the part. GMC says it worked with Goodyear to develop a suitable Sport Terrain tire. The result is the 17-inch, 225/65 Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT. It has aggressive-looking tread blocks at the tread edge for the off-road stance. The tire has a fairly hard 680 treadwear rating, which translates to a 65,000-mile warranty.

Despite the off-roader appearance, the ride is not noisy or with vibration. The tall sidewall is good curb protection and contributes to the comfy ride quality, but the tires’ flex and softness also curb enthusiastic driving.

An independent suspension helps keep tires pressed to the pavement or trail; front MacPherson struts with coil springs and a stabilizer bar; four-link rear independent.

Four-wheel-disc brakes give a firm response without grab. For longer service, the brakes feature low-drag calipers and Duralife rotors formulated for hardness and to resist corrosion. The front rotors are 11.8 inches, with 11.3- inch rotors at the rear, with ABS and electronic stability control.

Underfloor storage, with the temporary spare below.

Underfloor cargo space.

Why Buy the 2022 GMC Terrain AT4?

The GMC Terrain is an economical vehicle with SUV function and low-cost maintenance. This current generation will be at its best when the weather is at its worst.

The mild redesign of 2022 will be short-lived. A more significant redesign (but not a complete re-engineering) is scheduled for 2024. But with all of the supply-chain issues that continue to impact vehicle production, it might be wise to wait for the redesigned 2024 models. The new Terrain will be much improved — but also more expensive.

A rear view of a Ebony Twilight black Terrain

The AT4 subbrand is bringing in more affluent and younger customers new to GMC.

2022 GMC Terrain AT4 Specifications

Body style: compact, 5-seat, 5-door AWD SUV

Engine: 170-hp, turbocharged and direct-injected 1.5-liter 4-cylinder; 203 lb.-ft. torque from 2,000-4,000 rpm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic with AWD terrain modes and a low mode for hill-descent towing control

Fuel economy: 25/28/26 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane

0-60 mph acceleration: 8.9 seconds

Trailering capacity: 1,500 pounds

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 15.6 gallons

Cargo space: 29.6-63.3 cubic feet (floor to headliner)

Front head/leg room: 38.2*/40.9 inches *40 inches without sunroof

Rear head/leg room: 38.2*/39.7 inches

Length/wheelbase: 182.3/107.3 inches

Curb weight: 3,659 pounds

Turning circle: 37.4 feet

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: smart key entry with push-button ignition, leather-trimmed and perforated upholstery, HD rearview camera, heated steering wheel and 2-function heated front seats, leather-wrapped 4-spoke steering wheel with cruise controls and redundant audio controls, 4.2-inch color driver-info gauge display, 8-way power driver seat, 4-way power front passenger seat, dual-zone climate control, LED headlights-taillights, running, hands-free power tailgate with a GMC logo projected on the precise spot.

Safety features include: 6 air bags, hill-descent control, and Stabilitrak traction control;

GMC Pro Safety (standard) includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and IntelliBeam headlights;

PRICING

Base price: $37,145, including $1,395 freight charge; price as tested $41,810.

Options on test vehicle: Ebony Twilight black metallic paint $495; Skyscape sunroof $1,495;

GMC Pro Safety Plus, $645, includes Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist. Also included are Adaptive Cruise Control and Safety Alert Seat;

Tech Package, $850, includes HD Surround Vision, Head-Up Display, and Front and Rear Park Assist;

Infotainment package, $1,180, includes 8-inch diagonal GMC Infotainment System with navigation, multi-touch display, AM/FM/SiriusXM radio, and Bose premium 7-speaker system

Where assembled: San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Warranty: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper with no-cost first scheduled maintenance; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain with roadside assistance and courtesy transportation

Kia Sportage Hybrid Review

by Mark | Jun 20, 2022 | 0 comments

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid emphasizes the human in the interface between driver and machine

An exterior view of a Vesta Blue 2023 Kia Sportage

The 2023 Kia Sportage is now in its fifth generation, and completely redesigned and re-engineered. (Photos courtesy of Kia Motors)

Overview
Pricing
5 Cool Things
Powertrains and Fuel Economy
Kia Sportage Hybrid Performance
Ride and Handling
Interior Function
Back Seats and Cargo
Why Buy the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Kia Sportage could have been put out of its misery after its 1995 debut in the U.S. This little SUV was the second model in the Kia lineup after the born-to-be-a-beater Sephia small sedan.

From my first test drive of the inaugural five-door Sportage, I remember the paint drips, the spongy seats, and the flimsy construction. But it was cheap to buy, its utility was family-friendly, and it had a can-do driving personality. It even had a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which at the time went beyond the coverage of most other brands.

The mid-1990s was the frontier for new small SUVs. The Kia Sportage was up against the already popular Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Yet, the Korean upstart endured and has taught some tricks to its competitors.

Today, more than 30 subcompact and compact SUVs are for sale in the U.S. And the 2023 Kia Sportage is now in its fifth generation, completely redesigned and re-engineered.

Since launching the first Sportage, Kia now sports five SUVs ranging from subcompact to large and battery electric (EV6). There are 12 models in the Kia lineup, of which seven are electrified or battery electric.

Among the competitors of the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid are the Honda CR-V Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

An interior view of the Sportage front seats

Front headroom is reasonably tall at 37.8 inches with the panoramic sunroof.

2023 Kia Sportage Overview

The Sportage has gone from one of the smallest SUVs in its class to one of the largest, Kia says. Its overall length is 7.1 inches longer than the previous generation, with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase.

The new Sportage is a half-inch taller and wider. Kia says the Sportage has class-leading rear legroom of 41.3 inches and best-in-class rear cargo capacity of 39.5 cubic feet when factoring in the dual-level cargo floor.

Kia moved the new Sportage chassis to the latest third generation “N3” platform of the Sorento midsize SUV. Building this compact SUV on a midsize foundation creates a rigid base and better driving dynamics, Kia says.

Using more “hot-stamped parts” and ultra-high-strength steel increased tensile strength and torsional stiffness. The result minimizes road, wind, and engine noise. And for a more traffic-calmed cabin, more sound-absorbing and insulating materials were added.

The larger Sportage is a market separator from Kia’s smaller SUVs, the Seltos and Niro.

SynTex leatherette upholstery is relaxed to the touch but feels durable.

2023 Kia Sportage Pricing

America loves a choice for just about any product and the 2023 Kia Sportage choices. It is available in seven trim levels with gasoline, hybrid, and (soon) plug-in hybrid powertrains. New for 2023 are two new “adventure-ready” X-Pro trim levels.

With standard all-wheel drive, the Sportage X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige have a 1.5-inch boost in ground clearance. X-Line models also have unique body and interior trims and options for new 19-inch all-terrain tires and the multi-terrain mode AWD system.

Sportage starting prices range from $27,285 for the LX front-wheel-drive model to $38,085 for the AWD X-Pro Prestige model.

The Sportage Hybrid has three trim levels of LX, EX, and SX-Prestige. Base pricing ranges from $28,585 for the LX FWD to $37,485 for the SX-Prestige AWD.

Today’s 2023 Sportage EX AWD tester came to $33,940 with options for the EX Premium package ($1,500) and carpet floor mats ($500).

The EX Premium package adds:

Panoramic sunroof with power sunshade.
Smart power tailgate;
LED interior lighting;
Dual illuminated sun visor vanity mirrors

Vehicle MSRPs include the $1,295 freight charge. Gasoline models are built at West Point, Ga.; electrified models are built in Gwangju, Korea.

Find current Kia Sportage pricing and incentives here.

The digital driver area of the Kia Sportage Hybrid.

5 Cool Things About Sportage

Driving range of more than 500 miles for the Sportage Hybrid.

Coat hanger re-imagined. A molded coat hanger behind the front headrests has a quasi-valet function. The plastic molded hangers give good collar support, but Kia also added a hook for a shopping bag or for organizing charging cables just below on the seatback. The robust coat hanger is a natural grip for back-seat occupants to use for a bit of leverage on exit.

8 standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Included are the newly available 360-degree Surround View Monitor with 3D View and live feed Blind-Spot View Monitor in the instrument cluster.

Leading Vehicle Departure Alert. For those too busy answering texts at the stoplight, the Sportage gives a chime to notify that the vehicle ahead is pulling away.

Dual level cargo floor. It adds 5 cubic feet in the low position and drops the floor about 3 1/2 inches. Floor-to-headliner height grows from 29 inches to 32 ½.

The very useful molded coat hanger on the front seatbacks.

The plastic molded coat hanger.

he seatback USB port and hook for a grocery bag or the organize a charging cable.

And the seatback USB port and bag hook.

Design Styles

Kia’s “Opposites United” exterior design “philosophy” applies smooth, soft surfaces offset by rugged, sheer forms. The treatment combines off-road confidence with cutting-edge modern cues, Kia says.

Design identifiers include Kia’s Tiger nose grille that spans the entire width of the front fascia. “Boomerang” daytime running lights push the uniquely shaped headlights to the outer corners. And angular fenders imply a sharp and strong presence, Kia says. The futuristic “notch-shaped” taillights connect by a thin black graphic across the tailgate.

Big sky views with the panoramic sunroof, in the EX premium package.

2023 Kia Sportage Powertrains

The base, nonturbocharged, direct-injection 187-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine replaces the outgoing 181-hp, 2.4-liter engine with direct injection. A new eight-speed automatic transmission replaces a six-speed automatic. Fuel economy ratings on the recommended 87 octane are 25/32/28 mpg city/highway/combined for front-wheel drive and 23/28/25 mpg AWD. (The 2.4-liter had fuel economy ratings of 23/30/26 mpg FWD and 21/25/23/ AWD.)

The 2023 Sportage Hybrid has a combined 227-hp from the turbocharged and direct-injected 1.6-liter four-cylinder and front and rear permanent magnet synchronous hybrid motors. The lithium pouch-style battery pack has 270 volts and 1.49kWh of energy.

The six-speed automatic transmission helps provide AWD fuel-economy ratings of 38/38/38 mpg on the recommended 87 octane. Front-drive hybrid Hybrid models have mileage ratings of 42/44/43 mpg city/highway/combined.

Around-town driving in my test week, I saw mileage in the mid-20s to the mid-40s. My highway mileage ratings were 36 to 41 mpg on average. The 13.7-gallon fuel tank will provide a generous cruising range of 500 to 520 miles.

The soon-to-be-released 2023 Sportage PHEV builds on the hybrid model’s powertrain. Its 177-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is supplemented by a 66.9kW electric motor and 13.8 kWh lithium-polymer battery. It has a targeted battery-electric driving range of 32 miles. Sales are expected to begin in July 2022 with pricing expected to start at around $35,000.

The 227-hp Sportage Hybrid powertrain has highway mileage ratings of 38 mpg with AWD or 44 mpg with front-drive.

The 227-hp Sportage Hybrid powertrain has highway mileage ratings of 38 mpg with AWD. (Mark Maynard)

Kia Sportage Hybrid Performance

The roll-on of hybrid power is linear and forceful. There are driver-selectable drive modes of Eco, Sport, Smart, and Snow (AWD only). The system defaults to Eco mode on start up, but I got the best fuel economy in Smart mode, which monitors driving style for the most efficient performance.

While paddle shifters are standard on the Sportage Hybrid, I did not feel the need to use them. There is an element of deceleration braking, which is useful to reduce on-and-off throttle use. The engineering of throttle uptake, braking engagement, and steering response is balanced and reassuring to the driver.

Low-rolling resistance Goodyear Assurance Finesse tires on the Sportage Hybrid

Low-rolling resistance Goodyear Assurance Finesse tires, 235/60 18-inch.

Sportage AWD Ride and Handling

The Sportage suspension is tuned for comfort, not sportiness — and that is an asset for this glorified family wagon. The independent suspension uses front MacPherson struts and a rear multilink setup with gas-pressurized shock absorbers front and rear. The ride can feel bouncy over city street transitions and lumpy sections of road, but it is never sloppy.

The ride quality is cushioned by the robust sidewall of the 235/60 18-inch Goodyear Assurance Finesse tires. These are all-season low-rolling-resistance tires to aid fuel economy, and they are not hard-rolling or squirmy in emergency maneuvers. (17-inch tires and wheels are standard on front-drive models.)

The active on-demand all-wheel-drive system, with terrain modes, is fully automatic with no driver engagement. The system routes power between the front and rear wheels depending on road and driving conditions.

Braking force is absolute from the 12.6-inch front rotors and 11.9-inch rear rotors. And the regenerative action of the braking is not noticeable.

The shifter console has tool-box function.

Driver Assist Technologies

All models of the 2023 Sportage have a suite of driver-assist technologies. Among them:

Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist with Car, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection;
Blind Spot Detection;
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist;
Lane Keeping and Following;
Driver Attention Warning with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert;
Rear Parking Sensors;
High Beam Assist.

For more semi-autonomous driving (two hands on the steering wheel), the EX model includes Blind Spot Collision Avoidance-Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance-Assist.

The e-bin with wireless charging.

Kia Sportage Interior Function

The Sportage interior reflects the design of high-end outdoor products, furniture, and modern architecture, Kia says. The treatment is intended to transform the cabin into a pleasant living space, complete with near-luxury, thoughtful features.

And it is a pleasant space, very well soundproofed, and with many details to emphasize the human in the machine interface. The most noticeable noise is the HVAC fan.

But it also is a highly digital space. Some functions of the infotainment screen require a two-finger tap that can take eyes away from the road.

The upper trim levels of the Sportage have a panoramic curved display that connects two 12.3-inch screens. One is the driver’s digital instrument cluster; the other is for infotainment and cabin controls, top center in the instrument panel.

Front headroom is reasonably tall at 37.8 inches with the panoramic sunroof (in the EX Premium package) or 39.6 inches without the sunroof.

“Boomerang” style running lights.

Asymmetrical Shift Console

The shift console has tool-box function to smartly arrange all the little things American drivers use every day:

Engine start button
Self-parking camera
Wireless charging
2 USB charging ports (including one C-type
Seat heaters

A pair of deep cup holders can be segmented by a nifty spring-activated grip for smaller cups or cans or leave the space open to secure a tablet.

The gear selector is a low and broad dial, but it will take some initial focus to rotate the dial. The lower trim levels have a traditional shift lever.

The EX cabin is well dressed in quality trim materials. SynTex leatherette (“animal-free”) upholstery is relaxed to the touch but feels durable. Perforated centers take the sweat from summer, but the Sportage EX does not have ventilated front seats.

The driver seat is 10-way power adjustable with lumbar support. But the front passenger has only a four-way manually adjusted seat.

From my testing of other higher trim level Kia models, I missed having a front power passenger seat, a front parking sensor, and the blind-spot view monitor. The blind-spot views activate in the gauge array, either left or right when the turn signals are used. And for the tester’s almost $34,000 price, it would not have been excessive to expect a cargo area roller cover, which is “available” for $150.

To get a front (eight-way) power passenger seat and front AND rear parking sensors requires moving up a trim level to the SX Prestige. It starts at $37,485, but floor mats and a roller cargo cover are still optional.

The Sportage back seats have long legroom of 41.3 inches

Back seat space is relaxed with long legroom and a reclining seatback.

Back Seat and Cargo Space

The back seat legroom in the Sportage is some of the longest in a passenger vehicle at 41.3 inches. Even with tall occupants in the front seats, there is adult leg space and footroom.

But three across on the 60/40 folding rear bench makes the space feel more subcompact than compact. And like nearly every rear bench seat, the center position is best as a short-run position or for the neighbor kid on a summer evening ice cream run. A low hump to the transmission-exhaust tunnel helps center seat footroom, but it is still a narrow, no-elbow-room position. The window seats are the best, separated by the cushy fold-down armrest with can holders.

There is an easy-fold function to the seatbacks. The seat-base handle, rather than a release tab at the top of the seatback, is for handier for an occupant to ease back the seat a few inches, or fold the seatback completely for cargo.

Cargo space is broad and tall, with an assist from the dual-level floor. The opening is 45 inches wide by 29 inches tall for 34.5 cubic feet behind the back seat. And the dual-level floor adds about 3 ½ inches more height in the low position. Fold the 60/40 seatback for 6 feet in length.

Cargo space is flexible with the dual-level floor.

Why Buy the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid?

The 2023 Kia Sportage has evolved to the top tier of family-life small SUVs. Its fuel economy will be a top attention-getter for motorists in the market. And the EX tester is a defining statement of “premium” materials, durable construction, and smart engineering. There are less expensive small SUVs, but few that compare to the Sportage Hybrid’s interior appearance and easy drivability.

Sportage owners considering the 2023 model will immediately appreciate the languid stretch of cabin space. It is a more horizontal environment rather than the vertical cabin orientation before. The tailgate glass is taller for better views, and the ride quality is far smoother, too.

The design is a study in providing special small features and details that make this small SUV a keeper. But there were a couple of missing details on the Sportage EX tester that prevented it from being a keeper for me (and her).

The girlfriend-wife did not like the “sitting in a bucket” front passenger seat. And a front parking sensor would take the creep out of edging closer to our garage door — and an inadvertent “Oops, too far.”

There is a $3,000 price difference between EX versions of the gas and hybrid models. But the value difference between the two powertrains is the enjoyable performance of the Sportage Hybrid with its much better fuel economy.

It might be worth considering the Sportage SX Prestige for those who plan to keep their new Sportage for the life of the powertrain and hybrid battery warranties: 10-years/100,000-miles.

The 2023 Sportage shares the midsize chassis of the Kia Sorento SUV.