Kia Sportage - new shape Petrol Hybrid 226bhp AWD v 2WD?
I currently tow with 2023 180bhp AWD Kia Sportage and am looking to change it for the above. Most tests I can find are for the AWD version and that seem good, but there seem to be very few AWD versions available at present (for the money I want to pay!). Can anyone help me with how the 2WD version performs when towing? I have towed with plenty of 2WD cars, so I am not sure why I should be concerned this time.
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I did wonder @JontyWild why you would want to change a 2023 Kia for a newer Kia! I could perhaps understand changing to a vehicle by a different manufacture. Now your post makes much more sense to me. Thanks for clearing up the matter.
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If no one is able to comment on my question, does anyone have any experience of towing with the new version of the Kia Sportage (whether 2WD or AWD) they could share, or is no one towing with one? Certainly in all the adverts I have looked at so far only one has had a tow bar fitted.
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Are you a member of the Kia Owners Club Forum? You might get some answers there? Towing does come up from time to time.
David
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Yes it did thank you, but I would like to know how the 2WD versions performs towing as they are much easier to find. As I mentioned I have towed with many two wheel drive cars, so I don't know why it would be any different for me now, but would like to have some information on this specific model before committing. I suppose that I have just got used to my AWD Sportage, which I have towed with since 2016.
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Hi JontyWild. I am in exactly the same position as you, having the old shape 180bhp diesel, which is excellent. I also want to buy a 2wd full hybrid variant of the new shape, but I am finding conflicting information, not least from Kia themselves. The online brochure for the full hybrid 2WD and surprisingly also the AWD version on the Kia website shows a maximum permitted tow weight of just 1360kg. I queried this with Kia given the CMHC video on here and review showed over 1600kg. I have been advised by Kia that the "specification sheet for the 2WD full Hybrid shows a maximum permitted tow weight of 1500kg"! I have asked for a copy, and will advise if this is received, but I am nervous that it is unlikely the brochure is wrong. Whilst the normal 85% kerbweight calculations would suggest 1500kg is doable, I recall with the early Mitsibushi hybrids and Kugas that the battery weights reduced this. A long way of saying I am totally confused, and whilst reluctant to move away from Kia, that now seems likely, as my caravan is 1500kg. My efforts to find fellow towers using the newer Sportage has also so far also failed.0
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Difficult this! I joined the Kia Owners Club forum as suggested above and got some good responses from some people who are towing and seem very happy.
Let me start by saying I am not sure, but from looking around and the forum I think . . . .
For higher power versions the 2022 was 226bhp (the version I am interested in), but they have changed something because the later models are 212bhp and 248bhp (tow cap 1650, 1360 and 1210kgs respectively) AWD seems to have no impact on the figures. Weirdly the lower power version 157bhp can tow 1510kg. (ref )
Allegedly, the reason for the low limits is to do with the additional weight of the battery pack - I don't buy this as the weight should help stability as long as the power and torque are up to it, which they are! - and that the powertrain is designed for efficiency and fuel economy - if true very annoying for towers.
What we have found so far might explain why I have only seen 1 2022 car with a towbar.
To be fair they would all tow my caravan. I am holding off (mostly) because the 2022 GT-Line & S AWD models are currently fairly scarce and so are a little more than I want to pay. I have been persuaded (I think) by the forum answers to hold out for an AWD.
I am currently debating (with myself) whether to for a slightly earlier (older model - about 7 - 10k less) for a while as an alternative. This would be a compromise and save me a little money while a wait a see what else happens to the prices to the world economy and my pension pot! Or may be back to my second choice of an Volvo XC60.
I too would like to stay with a Kia Sportage as I tend to keep my cars for quite a while and it has been an excellent car.
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Hi Jonty
I think we have both gotten to the same place via different channels! Kia have come back to me and the brochure I looked at was of course for new. The towing limit has reduced to 1360kg for the 2wd and 4wd versions of the 2025 Sportage, but for the 2024 version the limit for the 2WD is 1500kg. They have suggested that for whatever vehicle I ultimately plump for, I should first look at the vehicle spec sheet, but where you can see those is another question.
So, I think we can both say that Kia change their tow limits with the wind direction, which is unhelpful for we caravanners, and perhaps as, you have found, explains why there are not many to be found on sites compared to the older shape we both have. It might be worth you contacting Kia for a 2022 spec sheet, but good luck with that! Ultimately, in the absence of feedback as to how they tow, then I am also going to leave the Kia clan, looking either at the Ford Kuga, which has been reviewed in 2wd form or staying diesel and going for a Mazda CX5. Good luck with your search.
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For my next vehicle a Mazda CX5 is a consideration, but I want a petrol and the 2L petrol is sadly lacking in torque, so be warned if you did shift from diesel to petrol. A newer petrol engine is however due out late 2025 to early 2026. A level 3 spec 2024 Sportage in petrol would be a nice choice. Balance of 7 yr Warranty lots of kit and many around £28k available with sub 5k miles. I've also got shortlisted a B3 spec Volvo XC40 and a Skoda Karoq. All decent towards without being overly large. Would any of these suit your needs?
Colin
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