Here’s a fun fact: We shot our five-pack hybrid crossover episode of The Big Test on the same day the Kia Sportage Turbo Hybrid was released in the Philippine market. Now, that was purely coincidental, and the shoot was already planned before the Sportage launch announcement, just for the information of everyone wondering why this model wasn’t included in the comparo. It speaks to how Kia is perceived in this competitive space.
Like the RAV4, the CR-V, the Tucson, the X-Trail, and the Forester, the Sportage also has both heritage and a new electrified powertrain. We jokingly suggested that once we reveal the winner, the Korean crossover should make a grand entrance as a surprise competitor or a wildcard. We were kidding, but we knew the Kia’s hybrid crossover could be a heavy hitter.
Top Gear Philippines executive editor Sharleen Banzon got to try it out in South Korea, while fellow staff writer Angelo Nieto took it for a spin on local roads. On both occasions, it certainly showed promise. Cut to the present, and we finally have a chance to put the returning Sportage through its paces.
Styling
This generation of the Sportage debuted just as the nameplate exited the Philippines in 2021. While it’s now five years old, a 2024 facelift has kept it shiny and fresh, and will continue to do so for years to come.
With the Sportage, we see the benefit of more avant-garde designs. If the wider tiger-face grille and the sharper headlights looked a bit too niche in 2024, they fit right in right now. The sportier elements, too, are still in fashion, especially the slicked-back roofline and the curved spoiler.
The six-spoke 18-inch wheels are unmistakably Kia and further elevate the Sportage’s distinct look and feel. There are also metallic accents and the blacked-out garnishes, and it might sound like a lot on paper, but Kia has managed to keep the overall impression neat—while still looking fast, of course.
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Interior
Sadly, the interior doesn’t have as much personality as the exterior. This top-of-the-line SX variant is outfitted in muted blue-and-black leather, and the drab colors can’t match the beautiful Heritage Blue paint job on the exterior.
This is definitely where the Sportage shows its age—but with those years come wisdom. Ergonomics are deeply commendable, as the 12.3-inch display is angled ever so slightly toward the driver for optimal accessibility, while still giving the front passenger a decent viewing angle and easy access.
Under those gloomy colors are decent cushioning and support, which make the Sportage generally comfortable. It should remain that way on long drives, but I did feel a bit cramped in the driver’s seat. There isn’t much headroom, and the lack of a sunroof makes the cockpit feel a bit confined. Interestingly, that isn’t the case in the second row, where the roofline rises and passengers get more real estate.
The layout of the cabin is also notably intuitive. There are USB-C ports smartly positioned throughout, along with bag hooks behind the front seats. The two-spoke steering wheel is equipped with tactile buttons, while the control bar has all functions neatly laid out. While I generally do not like touch-sensitive controls, the ease of use made it forgivable in this case.
What is less forgivable is the huge rotary gear selector. It takes up an inordinate amount of space, and I can’t help but think that a traditional gearshift would’ve looked better—while also taking up less of the center console. And while we did have the range-topping SX variant, there was a row of blank buttons next to the rotary, which suggests some features didn’t make it to our market. It’s a bit of a disappointment to look at, but the lively eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system alleviates some pain points.
In terms of cargo space, the Sportage should be able to accommodate around 580 liters. That should be good for about three to four small pieces of luggage, or backpacks and duffels for all five passengers. The tonneau cover is a nice touch, too.
Powertrain performance
Dull cabin aside, the Sportage’s performance is a better match to its cool, sporty look. Its spirited hybrid powertrain comprises a single electric motor, a 1.49kWh battery, and a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. While some may scoff at its lower displacement, it can deliver its 232hp and 367Nm of torque in a peppy fashion.
However, the Sportage needs some taming, as a heavy foot can incur a jerk or a worrisome rush of speed. After familiarizing myself with the six-speed automatic gearbox, it was mostly smooth sailing—until Sport mode beckoned and the drive hinted at how it could get responsibly reckless. The entire car feels much looser as power delivery quickens up with the lightest of taps on the throttle.
There’s even a polite roar from the 1.6-liter mill as you step on the accelerator with more urgency. This is not a common occurrence in an electrified vehicle, and it’s something that elicits a satisfied smile.
While that will definitely hurt fuel economy, the Sportage generally returned 14-15km/L in mixed use. Kia claims it is able to exceed the 20km/L mark, and that should be very doable with more highway driving in the mix. Overall, I can see most drivers just leaving it in Eco mode, as it is already very snappy in that setting and should also benefit fuel consumption.
Ride and handling
While I did say the cabin can feel cramped, truthfully, that also makes the driving experience much more immersive. Thanks to the compact space and great ergonomics, I felt integrated into the vehicle. I’ll even go out on a limb and say that the Sportage’s ride is almost luxurious.
With great power response comes great driving dynamics, and this is where the Kia’s crossover punches way above its weight class. Its most surprising asset is the suspension, which handles minor potholes and road imperfections with grace. While I wasn’t spared from the initial impact from a bad speed bump, the Sportage left little to no residual vibrations or oscillations. Body roll was also minimal in my experience, but I didn’t exactly go through any twisties.
Coupled with great NVH, the crossover delivers a planted and sturdy ride throughout the city and on the highway. Steering is also prompt and properly weighted, but Kia could improve overall visibility. On a few occasions, I found myself needing to stretch my neck to see over the lower corners of the windshield, and the side mirrors obstructed the A-pillar quarter windows.
Extra features
While we’re on the topic of visibility, now is probably the best time to mention that the top-spec Sportage Turbo Hybrid SX does not have front- and side-facing cameras. Yes, I am serious. Given that more affordable crossovers have surround-view cameras, the lack of one here is a massive letdown. That’s not to say that a 360-degree camera system is a necessity—it isn’t—but it’s weird not to have this feature on a top-of-the-line variant in 2026.
The Sportage does come standard with a rearview camera and additional parking sensors up front. Also included is a rather comprehensive suite of Kia DriveWise advanced driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot collision warning, and autonomous emergency braking. A wireless charging pad and Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto eliminates the need to use a phone cable.
There is also a spare tire tucked away in the rear cargo area. Some of you may argue that this is more important than 360-degree cameras, but that’s a debate for another day.
Verdict
The Kia Sportage Turbo Hybrid SX overdelivers on most aspects, but disappoints in a few crucial areas. This would have made it a very interesting competitor had it been included in our five-way comparo. I don’t doubt that it could issue a strong argument against any of the cars in that Big Test, especially with its price.
This particular Sportage stickers for P2.098 million, undercutting all other crossovers in our test group. At that asking price, it becomes easier to overlook some shortcomings (maybe except for those additional cameras), and suddenly, its superb ride and drive become more desirable.
Ultimately, the Sportage excels in the most important aspects—driving, efficiency, and design. At the same time, most of my complaints can be down to personal preference. I won’t judge anyone who likes the rotary shifter—we’re all just people with different tastes.
SPECS: 2027 Kia Sportage Turbo Hybrid SX
Price: P2,098,000
Powertrain: 1.6-liter turbocharged engine + single electric motor
Power: 232hp
Torque: 367Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Layout: front-wheel drive
Seating: 5
Score: 9/10
More photos of the 2027 Kia Sportage Turbo Hybrid SX:
