Cut-price Kia Sportage S Hybrid possible

Having already doubled the number of hybrid variants from two to four this year, Kia Australia has confirmed there could be even more electrified Sportages on the way, just don’t go waiting for a plug-in version.

During a media Q&A session at the 2025 Kia Sportage’s launch this week, local product chief Roland Rivero was asked about the scope of an NVES-inflicted range expansion and which overseas Sportage variants – plug-in hybrid (PHEV), front-drive turbo-petrol – could be on the cards for Australia.

“Plug-in hybrid at this point has not been developed for Australia and we’d probably have a hard time, now we have a mid-life product, to get that product developed for our market,” he said.

“Front-wheel drive 1.6 turbo … based on the supply we’ve been getting and demand … we’d probably be looking at a hybrid entry version first and foremost.”

With the hybrid-only Toyota RAV4 dominating sales charts and NVES about to come into effect, Kia could probably do with a couple more hybrid Sportages in its ranks; not so much to satisfy emissions regulations – the EV5 and EV3 have that covered – but simply bolster its bottom line.

Hybrid sales are up 18.3 per cent industry-wide this year ending May and was only one of two fuel types – the other being PHEV – to post positive growth on a year-on-year basis according to the latest round of VFacts data.

Despite having been front-drive-only until very recently and (still) offered on just two of the four trim levels, hybrids account for more than 20 per cent of all Sportage sales so far this year, a share that looks set to grow significantly now the all-wheel drive versions are available.

In fact, Kia is forecasting a 60:40 split in favour of the all-paw variants based on dealer feedback and customer enquiries, even though they carry a $3000 premium.

An entry-level front-drive hybrid would trim the electrified Sportage’s starting price down from $46,450 plus on-road costs to a theoretical $43,990 based on current pricing; just enough to undercut the closely-related Hyundai Tucson Hybrid (from $45,100) and come within range of the base RAV4 GX ($42,260).

The hybrids are also tipped to one day replace the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine – currently the most popular powertrain in the range and the last of its kind in the segment – that’s offered on every trim.

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