Kia Sportage SX HEV AWD 2025 Review

As usual for a mid-life update, the asking price of all pre-existing Sportage variants has increased, though the newly added 2025 Kia Sportage SX HEV AWD opens from $49,450 plus on-road costs (ORCs); a neat $3000 upstream of the front-drive version.

That makes it the second cheapest of the four hybrid variants now offered Down Under and the exact mid-point of the wider Sportage portfolio, with a standard equipment list headlined by cloth upholstery, a leather steering wheel, 18-inch alloys, rain-sensing wipers, a remote-folding second row, dual-zone climate control and a 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless phone projection, satnav and connected services.

There are a couple of key differences between the hybrid and internal-combustion SXs, though: the hybrid gets a space-saver spare wheel in place of a full-sizer and a rotary gear selector instead of a traditional lever.

Also present are all the usual and expected driver aids and active safety systems like autonomous emergency braking (frontal), blind-spot monitoring and collision avoidance, multi-collision braking, driver monitoring, lane-keeping and follow assist, highway driving assist, intelligent speed limit assist, and safe exit warning. There are seven airbags, including a front centre unit.

Under the bonnet you’ll find the same 1.6-litre turbo-petrol-electric hybrid system and six-speed automatic transmission as before, though a software recalibration has seen outputs increase from 169kW and 350Nm to 172kW and 367Nm.

Fuel economy has benefited massively too, with the claimed figure for the front-drive SX HEV being slashed from 5.9L/100km to 4.9L/100km. The newly added all-wheel drive will supposedly use 5.3L/100km on the combined cycle.

The all-paw versions also come with Kia’s trio of ‘terrain modes’ for voyages off the bitumen.

Two of the biggest issues that hindered the previous model included the absence of an all-wheel-drive powertrain and the lack of an Australian chassis tune – not that either was a deal-breaker.

The 2025 Kia Sportage SX HEV AWD makes amends on both counts and is now firmly at the pointy end of the competition in just about every respect. That new suspension tune is more stable and planted over Aussie roads while the on-demand (mechanical) all-wheel-drive system ensures a new level of traction and grip in less-than-ideal conditions.

You can feel the extra 17Nm of torque on throttle tip-in too; the updated Sportage Hybrid is just that little bit more willing as you start to accelerate and feels marginally stronger across the rev range, though its low-speed refinement and impressive electric range have been carried over untouched.

The cabin design and functionality is all exactly the same as before – read perfectly fine – save for the new EV-style two-spoke steering wheel, but this makes no difference at all to the driving experience.

Passenger accommodation in both rows is also as plentiful as before, with the same true of the 586-litre boot, below which you’ll find the space saver spare wheel.

The infotainment system is essentially a more polished version of what came before, meaning it’s one of the crisper and more intuitive systems to get familiar with and use on the fly.

We didn’t get a chance to test out the wireless phone projection during our heavily scheduled first drive of the new Sportage, but previous experience with other models fitted with the ‘ccNc’ operating system suggests it should largely be bug-free.

The Sportage has proven itself as the best mainstream mid-size SUV on the market time and time again, which means obviously there’s not a lot wrong with it – and that’s the pre-update version.

As mentioned, the facelift is all about subtle but meaningful upgrades, but one supposed upgrade that hasn’t had the desired effect is the new localised steering tune which, simply put, feels dead.

It’s accurate and reasonably weighted, but it lacks the fluidity and feel of the previous model’s setup.

Some of the differences between the newcomer’s steering and that of its predecessor can be attributed to the impacts of all- versus front-wheel drive but, even then, the new Sportage Hybrid’s tiller is just lifeless and artificial.

We also sampled the equivalent diesel on the drive loop and had no such quarrels, so this is a hybrid-specific issue.

Kia takes great pride in giving every individual model variant its own dedicated chassis and steering tune tailored to the spec, powertrain and resulting kerb weight. The average buyer will probably be oblivious to this or simply not care but, on a volume-selling, class-leading product like the Sportage, it stands out.

In a classic case of horses for courses, the hybrid powertrain is prone to some abruptness in hilly terrain when the drive battery runs low, the ECU answering the fading electric torque with a hurried downshift and a rush of revs from the compact 1.6-litre turbo engine. Some extra finessing here wouldn’t go astray, but it’s by no means offensive.

Our other two niggles are carried over from the old model: the dual-purpose climate control/multi-media panel is unnecessary and can be fiddly to use on the fly (and anecdotally prone to freezing in hot weather) while the SX’s centre console is awash with blank button spaces that underscore its second-from-bottom status in the spec hierarchy.

If you live in town, are in the market for a new hybrid mid-size SUV and don’t need all the toys, then you should absolutely take a look at the 2025 Kia Sportage SX HEV AWD – it’s reasonably priced against the competition, has a strong aftersales program, is good to drive, and is versatile and practical.

You could save $3000 and get a front-drive version but you’d lose the security and versatility all-wheel drive brings, elements this author deems essential in a well-rounded SUV, especially in the mid-size and large segments.

Yes, the steering could be better and to be honest, we’re not sold on the Sportage’s new look, but these issues are hardly dire for the average consumer, and we’re delighted to see Kia has fitted a steering wheel shortcut – a long hold of the mute button – to silence the newly added speed alert system.

If you regularly cover longer miles or live more rurally, then the diesel is still our pick with its lusty open-road performance and superior highway fuel consumption, but the hybrid is the one for townies and those regularly stuck in traffic.

2025 Kia Sportage SX HEV AWD at a glance:
Price: $49,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 132kW/265Nm (electric motor: 48kW/264Nm)
Combined output: 172kW/367Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 121g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five stars (ANCAP 2022)

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