[stargate125645]

But 10%+ lower than Kia claims in their advertising.

Except Kia is placing the results from the EPA-mandated tests. These tests don't consider temperature or elevation to my knowledge. It's the same for all manufacturers.

 

[SportStick]

I've had a 2010 Manual Tranny Soul, a 2011 Manual Tranny Sportage, a 2013 Sportage, a 2016 Sportage, and now a 2023 Sportage EX HEV.
NONE of them have hit the EPA for Highway or Combined MPG. Always 3-5 mpg under.
So, I never expected 38/38/38 mpg for the HEV Sportage. Anything over 32 will make me happy. Especially coming from a 17 mpg 4Runner.
And currently I am getting 26-29 mpg in the '23 HEV. Due to winter temps (32 degrees avg), winter gas formulation, and still breaking in engine at 2k miles.

 

[stargate125645]

I've had a 2010 Manual Tranny Soul, a 2011 Manual Tranny Sportage, a 2013 Sportage, a 2016 Sportage, and now a 2023 Sportage EX HEV.
NONE have them have hit the EPA for Highway or Combined MPG. Always 3-5 mpg under.
So, I never expected 38/38/38 mpg for the HEV Sportage. Anything over 32 will make me happy. Especially coming from a 17 mpg 4Runner.
And currently I am getting 26-29 mpg in the '23 HEV. Due to winter temps (32 degrees avg), winter gas formulation, and still breaking in engine at 2k miles.

I will note that those are all vehicles more comparable in frontal area, drag, and cabin volume to the current Sportage than a sedan as well, and thus a better comparison.

 

[Micah008]

Some power is always sent to the rear wheels, so it's not quite that efficient.

I noticed this too when watching the AWD real-time information screens, and it made me wonder if Kia could be more efficient.

In previous all wheel drive vehicles we owned it truly only sent power to the rear wheels during times where it recognized slipping in the front, or when there was really hard acceleration. With the '23 Sportage even very easy acceleration in perfect conditions and it still sends a little power to the rear.

 

[stargate125645]

I noticed this too when watching the AWD real-time information screens, and it made me wonder if Kia could be more efficient.

In previous all wheel drive vehicles we owned it truly only sent power to the rear wheels during times where it recognized slipping in the front, or when there was really hard acceleration. With the '23 Sportage even very easy acceleration in perfect conditions and it still sends a little power to the rear.

That method of dropping off power to the rear seems to be the most efficient (see eAWD comments below). The former frontman for the Kia-Hyundai Channel on YouTube indicated he was told by Hyundai/Kia that all power is never fully removed from rear wheels to avoid any sudden lurching when it does have to engage. Obviously I cannot verify this, but there are some benefits to this: The wheels don't have to slip in front to have grip on the rear, so you always have more grip with the Hyundai/Kia setup, and it will work at higher speeds as a result as well. Of course, higher speed grip isn't needed by everyone (see below again) and this is to the detriment of fuel economy.

In the future, I think eAWD systems will be the norm, and they will be implemented like Toyota's, where, from what I can tell at least, power is always sent to the rear wheels at low speeds and then reduced to zero at higher speeds. I believe this is the way of the future because of the weight savings, and it still provides traction in the most common scenario it's needed - getting up to speed. You still get the grip needed most often but get minimized fuel economy hit. For those who are really offroaders, that may be a deal breaker (though I don't know why you are taking a family SUV offroading, but I digress). An eAWD system can still be used for torque vectoring as well I think, though I'm not sure how fast it can be turned on?

 

[iErnest85]

Bay Area to LA.
No Stops.
Some traffic for the first approx 30 miles and from there all the way to LA at average speed of 75 mph.
About 30% of it on the Smart Cruise Control and rest all me.
All on Smart mode.
HVAC Off.
Average temperature 45°F.
Windy.



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[GlitchKs]

Except Kia is placing the results from the EPA-mandated tests. These tests don't consider temperature or elevation to my knowledge. It's the same for all manufacturers.

I am surprised at how many people don't understand this. Look at the advertisements for the Sportage in the UK. WAY better MPG there. Because the UK version of the EPA (I thought the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sets the US mileage I am confused.) is MUCH more liberal and rates every car at better Gas mileage than the US does. It is so bad that many British people actually use the US when comparing to get something universally considered closer to Real Life.

The Manufactures only advertise what the government agency certifies the vehicles at. The don't set that number themselves. Attached is screen shot from Kia's website for an example.

 

[ron1004]

When making that comparison to the UK did you take into account that their gallon is a little larger?

The imperial gallon is 20% larger than the US gallon

Gallon - Energy Education

 

[Sparklander]

Here is the mpg on the most recent fill-up and for the life of the vehicle. Disappointing.

 

[casanewt]

Here is the mpg on the most recent fill-up and for the life of the vehicle. Disappointing.

Definitely missing the EPA estimates in your case. We have a 2019 Honda Insight in the same boat. It is supposed to average 48, but we are seeing around 41. I know the early CR-V hybrids were way off their averages as well. My Ford Maverick Hybrid that I traded in for my Sportage PHEV was a different story. It averaged right at 40 MPG after 9000 miles. That hybrid system is based on the Toyota system. I think Toyota is the efficiency king for sure with HEVs & PHEVs.

 

[Sparklander]

Definitely missing the EPA estimates in your case. We have a 2019 Honda Insight in the same boat. It is supposed to average 48, but we are seeing around 41. I know the early CR-V hybrids were way off their averages as well. My Ford Maverick Hybrid that I traded in for my Sportage PHEV was a different story. It averaged right at 40 MPG after 9000 miles. That hybrid system is based on the Toyota system. I think Toyota is the efficiency king for sure with HEVs & PHEVs.

I totally agree and as I have mentioned before our 2012 Camry Hybrid XLE always got (or exceeded) the advertised mpg 40 city/37 highway.

 

[timpro]

If you want to get better mpg, you need to let the car drive itself as much as possible. I have no prob getting 38mpg if I left cruise control do 95% of the driving.

 

[Sparklander]

If you want to get better mpg, you need to let the car drive itself as much as possible. I have no prob getting 38mpg if I left cruise control do 95% of the driving.

No cruise control option in city driving where the hybrid is supposed to shine.

 

[hot v turbo]

OK. FYI ... I literally just got home with my new EX with premium package and dash readout says 32.5. Drove 65 miles from dealership in 22 degree weather with a stiff head wind. 70% highway
I did keep the speed between 68 and 72 mph.
It now has 67 miles on her. I am encouraged that I might get close to advertised milage with break in and warmer weather?

 

[AutumnMiles]

Today we drove our hybrid Sportage 50 miles down to a beach. We got 40 mpg on the way down on Eco mode (me driving) and 38 mpg on the return trip with my husband driving, changing it between Sport and Eco. We stopped to fill the tank and my husband got 57 mpg on the 11 mile trip home from the gas station. Temperature was 43 degrees, speeds of 35 - 55 mph. I am gentle with the hybrid gas pedal, but at one point while on a short stretch of freeway, I looked down at the speedometer and was surprised to see it said 75 mph. (These days, I am rarely on a freeway in Maine!) The Sportage handled the speed capably and smoothly. Very pleased with the Sportage handling, ride, and gas mileage.

 

[stargate125645]

No cruise control option in city driving where the hybrid is supposed to shine.

Can you engage regenerative braking in the Sportage by holding down a paddle? Or is it only set through dash?

With the Tucson I found it enjoyable to have the car deal with the stop and go traffic (i.e., set cruise) with 45mph city streets, but it was an ICE version.

 

[Sparklander]

Can you engage regenerative braking in the Sportage by holding down a paddle? Or is it only set through dash?

With the Tucson I found it enjoyable to have the car deal with the stop and go traffic (i.e., set cruise) with 45mph city streets, but it was an ICE version.

I believe regenerative braking is always on in the hybrid, but not sure.

 

[Sparklander]

Today we drove our hybrid Sportage 50 miles down to a beach. We got 40 mpg on the way down on Eco mode (me driving) and 38 mpg on the return trip with my husband driving, changing it between Sport and Eco. We stopped to fill the tank and my husband got 57 mpg on the 11 mile trip home from the gas station. Temperature was 43 degrees, speeds of 35 - 55 mph. I am gentle with the hybrid gas pedal, but at one point while on a short stretch of freeway, I looked down at the speedometer and was surprised to see it said 75 mph. (These days, I am rarely on a freeway in Maine!) The Sportage handled the speed capably and smoothly. Very pleased with the Sportage handling, ride, and gas mileage.

I guess the Sportage Hybrid should be classified as a warm weather vehicle, so we can all quit complaining about the miles per gallon.

 

[stargate125645]

I believe regenerative braking is always on in the hybrid, but not sure.

Well, bringing yourself to a stop so that you can use a lower setting, that is. The Niro I test drove allowed this, which is useful for city driving when you don't want regen to be high so that you can coast. If this is possible, things like this would help people get the mileage they expect. If the only way to change regen is via the system settings (not the paddle), then that is a mark against the hybrid, I suppose.

 

[iErnest85]

Just got back from LA to The Bay Area

No Stops.
No traffic.
Driving Mode: Smart (100% of the trip)
About 90% of the trip was on the Smart Cruise Control set to 80 mph.
HVAC Off.
Average temperature 50°F.

Have to mention that the Dash MPG Readout is very accurate.
341.6 Miles ÷ 10.867 Gallon = 31.434 MPG


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