The Kia Sportage SUV has been redesigned for the 2023 model year, meaning only price and packaging changes for 2024. The two-row runabout received a facelift with a new ‘Tiger Nose’ grille and boomerang-shaped headlights. The new fenders are more angular and the tailgate and taillights look more futuristic.

It comes in seven different trims, including traditional models and three off-road X trims (X-Line, X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige). It can be purchased with front-wheel drive, but upgraded trims have all-wheel drive. The brand is miles (and decades) removed from its econoboxes of yore.

Instantly recognizable in oncoming traffic at night thanks to that sharp headlight design, the SUV was tested in metro Detroit for a week for this review. While the Sportage X-Pro didn’t face trail riding this week, I did put it through enough Detroit potholes and freezing cold to simulate the trail riding experience.

KEEP: Design

The new Sportage’s design is much more modern than the outgoing model, not only thanks to LED front and rear lights and an aggressive new grille, but its overall shape is less cute and more matter-of-fact. It’s also bigger, resulting in more space inside than previous models.

It has stronger and more pronounced shoulder lines that point towards the rear of the vehicle and visually reduce the height. The new, bolder lower bumper makes it look wider and lower than the last model, especially on the black-clad X-bars.

CHANGE: Gearbox

The eight-speed automatic just doesn’t feel as nimble as some of its competition, or even as robust as the continuously variable option in the Kia Forte GT. In the name of fuel economy, the four-cylinder frequently upshifts, which is annoying when you’re about to cruise through slower traffic.

Gears can be selected manually from the old-school T-shaped shifter, which is one way to achieve aggressiveness. Sports mode also helps. Both plug-in and hybrid are available for increased speed and performance. I drove the least powerful 187bhp version.

KEEP: The Power of Choice

There’s a Sportage for practically everyone. There are seven levels of gasoline Sportage on offer and the option of front or all-wheel drive.

The base Sportage LX starts at just over $27,000, and prices go up through EX, SX, SX-Prestige and the most expensive X trims.

The Sportage Hybrid is also available in several trims and is only slightly more expensive, while the plug-in hybrid jumps to around $40,000.

Parking sensors, smart cruise control, diamond-stitched seats and other luxury features are also available on more expensive models.

CHANGE: Fuel consumption

Although the 2024 Kia ​​Sportage has a combined miles-per-gallon (mpg) rating of 23 (in a controlled, standardized environment), it landed closer to 20 mpg during the three-quarters of a tank of fuel we used in everyday driving scenarios.

The all-wheel-drive Sportage X-Pro has the worst number with 19-inch off-road tires, raised roof rack rails and unique front and rear bumpers. Other SUVs of its size can get more miles on a tank.

The Sportage Hybrid returns an EPA-rated 43 mpg combined, while the plug-in returns 35 mpg but has an all-electric range of 34 miles.

KEEP: Double control

The new two-panel controller is a digital screen below the touchscreen infotainment system that doubles as climate control and media controls. There is a hard button to switch functions between two and two physical control knobs.

This allows quick and invisible control of the radio volume as well as the climate temperature. It takes some getting used to, but it’s a great way to save space and physical controls. It is brightly lit and easy to read and use from either side of the front seat.