People looking to buy a plug-in hybrid SUV have plenty of options to choose from. In that sense, the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid enters a wildly overpopulated car segment. And yet, it stands out from the rest due to its roomy and ambient cabin, pleasing road manners, well-rounded driving dynamics, and, most importantly, fuel efficiency. Here are some of the key specs and features of the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid.

Interior design
The Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid’s cabin can be a deal clincher for buyers when they compare it with other vehicles in the compact SUV segment. The car’s cabin is genuinely remarkable and futuristic in terms of its design and gadgetry.

The Sportage’s dashboard houses two 12.3-inch screens—the digital instrument cluster and the car’s intuitive infotainment system. And instead of buttons, it features capacitive floating controls for the air-conditioning, climate control, and media systems. This gives the dashboard an uncluttered look. The cabin scores well in terms of material quality and ergonomics as well.

Passenger space and cargo
The SUV fares well in terms of space, too. It can seat five passengers comfortably and accommodate loads of cargo. The seats on both rows are supportive and spacious, offering adequate headroom (37.9 inches in the front row and 38 inches behind), leg room (41.4 inches and 39.5 inches), shoulder room (57.5 inches and 55.6 inches), and hip room (54.8 inches and 53.4 inches) for all occupants.

Engine, performance, and fuel efficiency
The main selling proposition of the Kia Sportage is its hybrid powertrain. Both versions of the vehicle (X-Line and X-Line Prestige) are powered by a four-cylinder, 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. This engine is combined with an electric motor, giving the SUV 261 hp of power and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid engine sends power to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox. Owing to the car’s relatively modest weight, the Sportage offers strong performance and gets from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 7.1 seconds.

Unsurprisingly, the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid’s fuel economy figures are also strong. This SUV offers a range of 34 miles on purely electric power and a combined mileage of 84 MPGe.

Ride and handling
Although the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid can easily handle rough terrain, it is mainly built for the urban landscape. Its combination of a direct and precise steering system, nimble handling, and stable ride makes driving effortless on most types of roads and situations.

Convenience features
One of the most significant benefits of the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is its long features list. Some of the convenience and comfort niceties include a 12.3-inch infotainment display, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, hands-free entry, heated mirrors, a rearview parking camera, a multi-functional steering wheel, wireless charging, dual-zone front climate control, interior air filtration, and dual illuminating vanity mirrors.

Safety
On the safety front, this plug-in hybrid is stacked to the gills, just like its premium segment rivals. Some of its safety and driver assistance features include lane-keep assist, blind spot and lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, a pre- and post-collision safety system, multiple airbags, stability traction, traction control, dusk sensing headlamps, emergency braking assist, tire pressuring monitoring, engine immobilizer, and daytime running lights.

Variants and price
The X-Line AWD model costs $38,690, while the X-Line Prestige AWD costs $43,190. These are the starting prices of the Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, and the final cost may vary depending on the customizations and add-on packages opted for.