2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige AWD: The Best Trim?
When the 2023 Kia Sportage was introduced, the big news was the off-road X-Pro trim that was new for the new body style. Featuring multi-terrain AWD with a locking differential, 8.3 inches of ground clearance, and plenty of room inside for people and gear, this Sportage was ready to take on the Subaru Forester Wilderness and the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road.
NEED TO KNOW
- The X-Pro’s powertrain is the biggest liability — the naturally aspirated 2.5L engine is noticeably underpowered for this application.
- Buyers who want the off-road looks and capability should seriously consider the Hybrid trim instead for a much stronger powertrain.
- The transmission calibration compounds the engine’s shortcomings by frequently selecting the wrong gear.
- The exterior styling and off-road hardware are genuine strengths, but the driving character disappoints.
Having just gotten out of the SX-Prestige Hybrid AWD model though, we are wondering if this X-Pro trim is the best Sportage to buy, or if major tradeoffs were made in the pursuit of capability.
The biggest and most notable difference between the two is the difference in power. The turbocharged 1.6L turbo in the hybrid model felt much more lively thanks to its 277 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The larger, thirstier 2.5L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder in this X-Pro just felt overmatched. It never felt like it wanted to go anywhere or do anything other than make a lot of noise. While the transmission has 2 more gears versus the hybrid, the transmission never felt to be in the right gear. Overall, testing this one in the city and on highways had me wishing I was back in the hybrid model.
Otherwise, the look of this X-Pro version is striking and appealing. The added ground clearance, rugged tires, and blacked-out wheels definitely exude a more rugged demeanor versus the hybrid’s more upscale look. The two-tone paint on this X-Pro was also a winner. Jungle Green with a black roof pair nicely with the bold styling of the Sportage to make this look unlike any of its main rivals.
Interior appointments were largely the same, though the seats were wrapped in a different hue than our hybrid test vehicle. The gear selector is also a mechanical unit here in the X-Pro versus the dial in the hybrid model. While the dial allowed the hybrid to have the remote parking function, our X-Pro did not.
As someone who owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, the most capable off-road vehicle in this class until it was discontinued, I don’t know just how much off-roading I would do in a Sportage. I mean, we have had our Jeep for nearly a decade now and have only taken it wheeling a handful of times. Would I want to make the sacrifices listed above in pursuit of more off-road capability? Or would I just take the nicer, cheaper, and more efficient hybrid? I think my answer is clear. Which would you choose?
2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige AWD Specs:
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2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige AWD
PROS
- Striking two-tone Jungle Green exterior with black roof is genuinely distinctive
- 8.3 inches of ground clearance and BFGoodrich all-terrain tires provide real off-road capability
- Rugged appearance package sets it apart visually from mainstream compact SUVs
CONS
- 2.5L naturally aspirated engine felt overmatched for the vehicle — writer said it 'never wanted to go anywhere'
- 8-speed transmission 'never felt to be in the right gear,' hurting the driving experience
- Significantly less powerful than the Hybrid version, which undermines the sporty X-Pro positioning
- No remote parking feature due to the mechanical shifter