Considering the new Sportage Hybrid. Wanted to see if any owners can report what your real world MPG looks like. I also just learned the LX FWD is quite a few MPGs better than the AWD variants. Haven’t looked into hybrids ever but with current gas prices especially in CA these hybrids seem like the way to go. We would have gone EV but our apartment complex does not have chargers. Thanks in advance!!
Sportage Hybrid Real World MPG?
BigBoii
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In newer cars, cold starts are handled by the engine management to get the CAT up to temperature as quickly as possible to reduce emissions. On our older 2015 Mazda CX-5, there was a light on the dash during a cold start to let you know why the engine/muffler was a little louder while it warmed up the CAT. There are also systems on many that take heat from the exhaust(once up to temperature) and reroute it to the engine/hvac/batteries when needed. I think the biggest thing that has changed is the use of synthetic oil in almost all new vehicles. Synthetic oils do not get nearly as thick when cold as conventional oils do, which reduces cold start engine wear.
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Yeah, same with my 2016 Miata.
The Sportage, at least the hybrid, has coolant piping that circulates through the exhaust to bring it up to temp much quicker. I don't run mine for more than a few minutes before getting in it and going.
I have been pleasantly surprised by our SX Prestige Hybrid. I wasn't expecting to get as high as the 38mpg that was advertised, but it turns out that it's pretty easy for us to average 40-45mpg. We do very little highway driving which definitely helps. I wouldn't consider us disciplined hypermilers by any means but there are some little techniques that have become second nature that definitely help.
We keep it in eco mode 100% of the time because we are used to it now and never really saw the need to change it. I also can't stand the rev hang in sport mode. I'm in my mid 30s and have always had fun/fast cars and I enjoy speed. I don't drive it like a grandma but I also don't beat the hell out of it. The low end torque is fun around town but let's face it, it's a Kia hybrid SUV, I didn't buy it because it was a fun car to drive, I bought it for practically and mileage and this car is surpassing my expectations so far.
The 40-45mpg is based on the onboard mileage gauge and they're never very accurate. I need to start keeping track at fillups but with gas prices the way they have been we were never completely filling the tank, just adding $20 here and there. Now that the price of gas has come down we've started filling the tank again.
We'll see how accurate the computer actually is
We keep it in eco mode 100% of the time because we are used to it now and never really saw the need to change it. I also can't stand the rev hang in sport mode. I'm in my mid 30s and have always had fun/fast cars and I enjoy speed. I don't drive it like a grandma but I also don't beat the hell out of it. The low end torque is fun around town but let's face it, it's a Kia hybrid SUV, I didn't buy it because it was a fun car to drive, I bought it for practically and mileage and this car is surpassing my expectations so far.
The 40-45mpg is based on the onboard mileage gauge and they're never very accurate. I need to start keeping track at fillups but with gas prices the way they have been we were never completely filling the tank, just adding $20 here and there. Now that the price of gas has come down we've started filling the tank again.
We'll see how accurate the computer actually is
Curious how many miles that you have on your Sportage HEV and at what temperature/conditions you are getting this mileage? I'm assuming that its broken in and you are driving it in temperate conditions to get that great mileage?...
On the highway and in the cold (below freezing), I'm not getting anywhere near that mileage. But around town I can get in the low 30's in the same conditions. When it was warmer earlier this fall and still had less than 1K miles, I was averaging in low 30's w/approx. 75% highway driving @74 mph-ish.
we are getting in the mid 20s for mpg but it is well below freezing in the single digit temperatures. I find if you can keep it beliw 61 mph you tend to get better gas milage but still barely above 30 mpg. Pretty disappointed. This is calculated gas mileage (real number) at the pump. Trip miles divided by gallons used to fill up.
We currently have just over 5,700 miles. The mileage increased after the break in period though I can't pinpoint exactly when it increased. It probably increased due to us learning the ins and outs of the hybrid system and how to manipulate it as well.
We live in Northern California so our normal temps are in the 40-70 degree range these days.
Temperatures change affects ice mpg by winter blend and other variables vs
On the hybrid sportage the colder it gets the less likely your going to go into electric mode even with thr battery more than half full. 40 degrees or higher you’ll have significally more ev engagement.
everyone lives in didferent areas with diff climates elevations and even basic daily tasks.
Did i expect 38mpg in winter, def not, i autostart my car every use and like a warm canin vs jump in n crawl around for 5/8mpg more lol
wild to me how people buy 30/40/50k cars and do no research before hand on lithium packs, climates or even how all competitors have the same issues lol
On the hybrid sportage the colder it gets the less likely your going to go into electric mode even with thr battery more than half full. 40 degrees or higher you’ll have significally more ev engagement.
everyone lives in didferent areas with diff climates elevations and even basic daily tasks.
Did i expect 38mpg in winter, def not, i autostart my car every use and like a warm canin vs jump in n crawl around for 5/8mpg more lol
wild to me how people buy 30/40/50k cars and do no research before hand on lithium packs, climates or even how all competitors have the same issues lol
I have the non-hybrid 2023 and with 80% Highway time, I’m averaging 32.2MPG. On Highway only with minimal traffic, it’s like 34-36MPG. City driving is like 26-29MPG.
In our 2023 Sportage Hybrid we are getting around 35 mpg combined city/highway. I would get the new Prius unless you need the extra space of the Sportage.
I have anNaturally Spirited ICE 2023 X-Pro Prestige AWD and my average on Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Indiana expressways is 26.5 mpg. Bad! Those highways have sustained speed limit of 70, 75, and even 80 mph! The sweetspot for better mpg of my sportage is around 60-65 mph. Beyond that, your fuel economy will suffer. I have to do 75 to 80 mph or I will be plowed by semis. I used to drive a Mazda CX-5 2.5L Turbo and I got better mpg on my trips on those highways! If mpg is what you are concerned on your drive, do not buy KIA, even hybrid, IMHO!
Could just be with the AWD package. Its rated to get 28 mpg at best.
I drive on Texas highways typically around upper 60s to lower 80's and can maintain 32+ without a issue. I bought the sportage partially for mpg and get every bit of it and more shrug
To my knowledge it basically acts as a FWD vehicle unless it detects slipping and it will send power to the rear wheels, I think alot of vehicles mpg will dip above 70 mph and a hybrid will get better fuel economy in the city and ICE will typically get as good or could be better on the highway
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My dashboard MPG reading says 27-28 per gallon but I’m very heavy footed and do not try to get good mileage. I should since I live in the most expensive city in the country for gas. SF Bay Area is costly no matter what you buy. It’s disappointing that the ratings on the window sticker are lies. They should not be allowed to do this. NOBODY will get 38 mpg out of a hybrid Sportage. No way.
I agree, the posted mileage ratings of the Sportage Hybrid are exaggerated by Kia. The Toyota hybrid's get pretty much what the EPA said they would, but not Kia/Hyundai.
I'm very curious to see what you're all doing to get such good mileage! I got my SX hybrid a couple months ago and only have about 300 miles on it (live in Chicago and don't drive much) but I'm already on halfway through my second tank. I don't drive particularly aggressive, but most trips show low 20's for MPG and the avg in the cluster shows 22. I only really drive in the city, which I thought was supposed to be where hybrid really shines, so I don't know why the fuel economy is so low. Perhaps it's because I tend to have the heat/seat heaters up most of the time?
I just don't understand how the car is rated for 38mpg on the highway... when driving 60-65mph on the highway, the instant MGP bar rarely even hits 30mpg... (below 25 in this case).
Also attached my fuelly log calculated every fuelup since driving off the lot with the car. Never once getting close to the advertised 38 combined MPG.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Also attached my fuelly log calculated every fuelup since driving off the lot with the car. Never once getting close to the advertised 38 combined MPG.
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