Thank you for the awesome review, guys! Keep them coming! ❤

Ryan, another excellent vid! Would love to see a vid where you summarize recent test drives of vehicles in the same class to hilight their differences: more vehicles compared in one episode. Not asking to advise which you like most 😊, I just find your reviews honest, objective and pragmatic - thanks for the awesomeness 🙏

@sumnersmith808

Жыл бұрын

Great idea, this^!!

Love these vids. What a gorgeous location for an off-road test :) I wonder how my outback would’ve performed on that last climb

Your drone shots are amazing !

You do a wonderful job and I appreciate all the effort. I turn to you to determine a vehicle's off-road chops and am often surprised by the results. Thank you!

Remember folks, the purpose of the test is to see how the vehicle's AWD system handles loss of traction, which could happen in lots of scenarios, not whether Ryan can will it to the top of the hill. Maybe a different mode would have helped in this situation, but this is the mode that the car is most likely to be run in. Its inability to redistribute the power, and then its shutting down entirely -- without any obvious "hey, we're overheating here. AWD is disabled" warning -- is a valid data point.

@tsmatthx2

Жыл бұрын

It wasn't in awd

@Joe-nb3fs

Жыл бұрын

@@tsmatthx2 Didn't he say it was in Smart Mode?

@tsmatthx2

Жыл бұрын

@@Joe-nb3fs use eyes...2 wheels moved.

@moloono1

Жыл бұрын

@@tsmatthx2 He literally said that the center was locked and was in smart mode at 18:00

@rangertx4161

Жыл бұрын

@@tsmatthx2 I have this vehicle and it's always in AWD, so use eyes and see that the cluster had the power distribution to all wheels (17:04). It just shut down and didn't move. Just because you saw 2 wheels spin, doesn't mean it wasn't in AWD. The Sportage is not an off-road vehicle for sure and Kia still has a ways to go if they want it to be one.

Kia is really doing a great job in the design department

Great review, I love to watch you channel. Kia Sportage is a great car but I would not trade it for my Subaru OB 🙂

My conclusion to this video is that I feel so blessed that I bought my 2022 Subaru Outback XT, after considering few other vehicles (this Kia Sportage was one of them). I installed a new set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and I had a lot of fun in the snow over the last winter

@moloono1

Жыл бұрын

You really chose the better vehicle. Congrats on your new Subaru!

@shapeshifter7676

3 ай бұрын

Yeah, if you do a lot of off roading, that's a much better choice

Thanks for sharing the difficulty of caring for a matte paint job. I really thought that was what I wanted until I heard you talk about the difficulty of care. I won’t be getting that finish.

Just like many things in our modern world, everything for the looks !

The Hyundai/kia hybrid CUVs do not have a torque converter, its a clutch and electric motor. It complicates things trying to crawl and climb from a stop. I notice on my SanteFe Hybrid sport mode keeps the clutch locked as long as possible ( dramatically increasing engine braking as well ). Should try it in sport mode with a little speed so entering the climb with the clutch locked and traction control disabled to keep from pulling power and see what it does.

Excellent video. A journalist with logic understanding the buyers as well as vehicles being reviewed. Lol hyundai and kia always seem to just cut power. Saves fuel haha. If the Sportage had a great AWD setup, Subaru would be in trouble.

Very glad I came across this video - I was surprised to see the many great reviews of this vehicle and thought I should check it out further as I liked the sleek look. This video made me realize however that it is not the vehicle for me. Your comment about it stopping without warning was my first red flag and your test drive raised several others - thank you.

Great review as always 👍👍 waiting for your review of the 24 Sorento X Pro!

Have you tried a Subie on the same track with about the same weather conditions?

We Need the CRV Sport Hybrid review for the off road capability. Or a comparison between this Kia . Can’t wait to see it . Thanks

Do you have a CrossTrek review video for that hill climb test at that spot?

I am curious if the hybrid vehicles require a special tire for increased weight. No one has said a thing about the hybrid or plug-in hybrid tires. I noticed one tire shown had a cord and plug symbol on the sidewall close to the rim.

I ordered this car 3 times here in OC Ca. 3 times I was bait and switched for a lower model, but at a higher model price. I was without a car for 3 months until I bought a Subaru Forester Wilderness. Love the car, but I get half the MPG, and I sure miss that dash cluster and USB-C ports all over the car. I don’t even have one!? 😂😢.

Did you happen to get a chance to hear the HK sound system? It's been pretty divisive to my understanding.

Most car manufacturers should use this guy to test drive thier cars before the final release

Does the hybrid battery kick in when driving city driving? (under 40mpg) ?

I’ve read and seen that a lot of these don’t come with a spare, but a few do. Is that region based or something?

I like the cargo area,but not that overly interfering collision prevention. I wonder if that can be turned off or adjusted. If I was to get one I'd probably decline the paint that needed special care. I'm glad you have been testing the cargo area for potential to sleep in it if you wanted.

@rangertx4161

Жыл бұрын

all the collision prevention stuff can be adjusted. I had mine break very hard when I went to pass a vehicle that was pulling into a parking lot. Maybe I was passing it a bit unsafe, but the jarring from the hard break made me just turn the front collision system off.

Super! Me gustaría conocer tu impresión en la Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

Great review, this SUV is growing on me for the average snowfall PA winter family car. If i'm going somewhere that will have dirt hills, rocks and offroad I can just take the F150. Side question though, what camera setup are you using for the video? Lovely quality and depth of field falloff.

Can you please show a comparison footage of another SUV that easily handle the slope?

I know that last hill is steeper than it looks but still I’m disappointed it couldn’t make it up. I had been finding a growing interest in a Hyundai Tucson hybrid for my next vehicle. I’d assumed they have the same awd system but now I’ll definitely want to do some more checking.

@theshadowswithin9896

Жыл бұрын

Better look up all of those fire recalls Hyundai/Kia have been having before you commit to one. Last one was March 23rd.

@cjloha91

Жыл бұрын

​@@theshadowswithin9896 the sportage isnt on that list of vehicles having that issue.

@kirkby0076

Жыл бұрын

Don't select lock!

@moloono1

Жыл бұрын

Skip Kia/Hyundai altogether. Get something that’s built well and will last. You’ll save time from having to go to dealership all the time.

Wow, a brand new car that cannot be driven through a car wash. Thanks for the video & lovely views.

The pseudo AWD lock is a low speed only feature. Once you’re above that speed, the button setting is ignored. Looks like you were above that speed.

Hey Ryan, what trail is that? I’m only just getting into off-roading and would love an easier trail to traverse that has such a spectacular view at the end. Please let me know if you can, thanks

@drivingsports

Жыл бұрын

It’s off Hamma Hamma road on the peninsula. No name iirc.

Beautiful ride on 101. Is that 101 in Oregon or California ?

@just4ivaylo92

10 ай бұрын

Washington

My ‘23 sportage phev has a “lock” button, which should work as a diff locker but haven’t tested it. I would hope it would’ve worked in this situation but I’ve only driven in paved roads

Can you please let us know the trail name? I’d like to visit.

Great channel. I was wondering what you would suggest for a off road / or at lease good for trails that is also hybrid to save on gas for long trips? I am actually planning a trip from here in cali to there in Washington st.

@drivingsports

3 ай бұрын

For light trails the RAV4/Highlander hybrids are fine. For more extreme, the Jeep 4xe or the upcoming Land Cruiser (which is hybrid only.)

@SparkinHeart

3 ай бұрын

@@drivingsports okay great, thanks for the reply :)

They did "cheap out" with the passenger seat; they took out the lumber support. When my wife and I switch on and off, as drivers, on our long drive to fla. I like to lay back and rest but I lose the lumber support.

Thanks for the review. I'd like to hear more about the HEV performance on longer term testing in terms of consumption. Was this additional battery weight a contributing factor in lack of hill traction OR was it more about fiddling/ understanding the correct traction setting? It looks a great specced vehicle and lots of safety kit. I live on top of a mountain town in Canada, so lots of snow, winter 5 months, sometimes poor road conditions, temperatures of -20F...I really was considering a PHEV Sportage as the pain of gas pricing isn't improving, plus I do a weekly hourly town trip, so 70/30 highway/ city driving... but this review isn't giving me a lot of confidence that PHEV 's are quite there yet. This is from someone who is considering moving away from a Audi Q7 Quattro and who's first natural choice would be Subaru Wilderness/XT...thoughts please?

Definitely very illuminating, and now I am having second thoughts if Kia can’t even conquer that little hill. Shutting down completely is insane. Were we shown all the modes? I would have loved another test besides just that one hill.

Did you experience the same stuttering issue that you had while testing the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?

Have he tested the Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid off road???

18:00 I think I can hear my Subaru laughing in the driveway.

@BradWilson1969

Жыл бұрын

lol, yet when my Subaru saw that interior, it started crying. :p I'm partly kidding, as I sold my Subaru last fall. ;)

It's unfortunate that in the States, you only get snow mode besides smart, eco and sport. In Canada, in addition to snow mode Kia has mud mode, and sand mode on most AWD models. Still, I don't know if that would have make a difference - that was a sad situation on on little slope.

@4x4.tests.on.rollers

Жыл бұрын

Those modes should help. In a synthetic roller test the difference was huge.

I like the Red interior

I have a Kia X-pro sportage off-road package none hybrid and I don't have this problem. I was told it's geared differently however snow mode drops the power to nothing. I'll never use it. The bigger off road tires definitely help

Couldn’t give me a Kia or Hyundai for its AWD system alone. Wow! Lol great vid though.

u think Ford Focus can go up that trail ?

Same result as when you tested the Tucson Hybrid. Would be great if you could do the same test on the same hill with the 2.5 non-turbo Sportage with the regular 8 speed transmission (not DCT).

The Interior is one of the best of the suv hybrids rn imo

Would you get better fuel economy, in this hybrid, if you used the down flappy paddle to downshift gears, and put more charge into the battery, in stead of using the foot pedal brake. The way KIA is doing hybrid, using a motor AND a 6 speed auto gearbox, appears to suggest that you have to downshift the gears, in order to get more regenerative braking.

As a emergency responder, I'll be sticking with my Subaru! Otherwise I'd not be able to get to some of the 9-1-1 calls I'm dispatched to.

Test the new 2023 Outlander PHEV off-road.

When are we going to see some German SUVs tested. Yes they are luxurious but most have pretty capable systems like the BMW X3 for example.

I've been waiting for you to test more Kia and Hyundai products Thanks!

Try a non hybrid model.. I took mine out and got into a similar situation and no issues at all.

Please have Kia see this video so they now how bad their AWD system is!!

@4x4.tests.on.rollers

Жыл бұрын

​@@CC-wm1yqAre you sure this version has these modes?

@tragedium

Жыл бұрын

@@CC-wm1yqDoesn’t matter wether it’s for economy or not, 200+hp car should not struggle at this incline in any mode…

@sowhat1393

Жыл бұрын

@@CC-wm1yq do you own one? Seems like it or you wouldn’t be so salty.

@Jgjginkg244

Жыл бұрын

99.9% won’t even taking this thing to go off roading. Oh pul ~ease!!!! As long as it drives fine on the pavement, it’s all good. When was last time you see people taking their SUV to off roading???

@ethanpotter-xp8xj

Жыл бұрын

@@Jgjginkg244 kia is junk

I've had a PHEV on order since October. Trouble is getting Kia to deliver one to New Mexico!

Definitely need to invest in PPF if you get matte paint imo

You left traction control on and left it in smart mode. With those tires there was no chance of a smooth accent.. any reasonable person would put it in snow mode, traction off, center diff locked.. the tires would still be a detriment but the vehicle would work better to try and compensate. [yes .. that wasn't snow...but the results would be similar]

Not again, did it get stuck?

Do you. Test. Mitsubishi outlander. Phve. 2023??

@MyAlexWest

Жыл бұрын

do they sell on in USA?

He definitely had a setting\button\software issue at the end? A buddy in our group has the same model that he isn't scared to abuse and the rear wheels never moved in the video and I know I've seen them engage when needed on my friends suv! While it's not for me personally, I think this was a specific problem and not the norm. Or my buddy just got lucky and has a good one or hasn't had problems yet if this is the norm in the forums? 👀🤷‍♂️

Greetings from southern Ontario Canada I really enjoyed the video my sister lives in Vancouver and and she just took possession of the 2023 kia sportage hybrid thanks for the presentation

That B-pillar is thick to give you protection in a possible rollover. Hyundai Heavy Industries (Kia's parent company) makes its own high strength steel. No other automaker can say that.

Don't put it in lock mode .. 👍.. My 4wd Short European 48v MHEV Sportage, did a similar gradient, very well as I was told not to lock, but allow the system to decide by my main Kia dealership, where I bought it from. It's been great on campsites & muddy hilly fishing trips.... 👍👍 Mine has 19 inche wheels

Not that I'm advocating for the Kia Sportage, but to be perfectly fair, hybrids do not get that much better gas mileage on highway if there is no traffic. They do get better gas mileage and pretty much every other scenario though.

This is a great video. I just put a down payment on a new Sportage Hybrid. The down payment is 100% refundable if I change my mind, and considering I won't get the car for a year and a half, I have a lot of opportunity to change my mind. I'm a bit freaked out at the "resignation" at 18:13. Looks like the car was trying to only draw power from the electric motor, and couldn't get it from a stand-still. Is there not a way to "lock out" the electric motor and only use the gas motor, for times like this? Or is this a sole result of having no torque convertor? Frankly, my only concern is the single one and only steep hill in my life....the top of the lane at my cottage. Could be an issue.....

@drivingsports

Жыл бұрын

Steep hills shouldn't be an issue. Only when traction is lost, it kind of "shuts down" power. Not unheard of for the class.

I have the EX Sportage hybrid and it does great in snow. I don’t think I’ll be off roading it ever, but for my needs it’s does well.

It's impossible for me to get one in FL

If you drive 4 Runner like a 4 Runner, you get mileage like a 4 Runner. If you drive a Kia Hybrid like a Kia, you might get mileage within 4 below of what it says it is If you drive a Honda CRV Hybrid like a Honda CRV, you might get a mileage it says it is. But probably not. If you drive a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or Carolla Cross Hybrid, you'll get more than what it says it gets.

@Snafu2346

Жыл бұрын

From all the rav4 hybrid test like from Alex On Autos, you'd be right. I think he was getting 50mpg on the new carolla cross hybrid

My one question is why did you test the Sx instead of Xpro which has all terrain tires, and better ground clearance for off roading so of course the Sx isn’t going to preform as well

@drivingsports

5 ай бұрын

We test what the manufacturers have available. They have limited models and trims for us to test every year.

@bcrouse1

5 ай бұрын

@@drivingsports thanks I honestly think it would have done better I plan on getting one soon. Thank you again for the reply really appreciated. Now I will subscribe Thanks Ryan

Sir, you need to review the new Audi pick up and take it off road!!!

Did you disable traction control? I have found in my 2020 Kia SX that the TC system would keep me from moving on ice/snow, but by disabling it, the AWD system worked great.

Great video Ryan! I think a Forester Touring would do better all the way around… and equal or beat your highway mpg to boot! Don’t even need the Wilderness version. And you can take it through the car wash afterwards no problem!! 😎

@moloono1

Жыл бұрын

I 100% agree.

@Pendragon501

Жыл бұрын

There's no way it comes even close to the sportage for gas mileage or power. Off road, it will definitely be better, but in all other aspects... Not even close.

Disagree with your MPG assessment! My hybrid Rav4 averages 41 mpg. What’s a Forester average?

@TK0O0O0O0

Жыл бұрын

Don’t have one, but I drove my friends forester base model on a road trip and averaged 36mpg. Not bad

I'm still driving a Sportage that cost me $18,000 when it was new.

Of course it’s not going to work when you put it set to snow but you’re driving in dirt/gravel 😂

Almost seems like a DCT or tranny issue. It had the traction, but it wasn't putting enough torque down to move forward.

Remember this car doesn't have a torque converter. This makes it difficult to generate power from a stop and relies on the electric motor only until the transmission is going fast enough to utilize the gas engine.

@4x4.tests.on.rollers

Жыл бұрын

Are you sure there's no torque converter?

@fredbuzzell117

Жыл бұрын

@@4x4.tests.on.rollers The electric motor occupies the space in the trans where the TQ converter would be and uses a clutch to disconnect the engine, the one benefit though is the electric motor gets to utilize the transmission gears for both propulsion and regen breaking.

@4x4.tests.on.rollers

Жыл бұрын

@@fredbuzzell117 What kind of clutch is that, some multiplate? Sound like the solution which Mazda is also using.

Inevitable conclusion: It IS a family compact SUV.

I'm in the Seattle area and I ended up ordering my car/leaving a deposit with dealerships out of state because of the huge markup on the west coast. Hopefully my specific model will come in soon

С удовольствием посмотрел. 🤝 Жду ещё.

This is on my short list for my wife’s next car. Seems like it would also be great for road trips and the occasional soft roading. We went to Death Valley recently, and I wished we had a SUV for some of the scenic dirt roads.

Kia’s marketing team needs to stop marketing their Sportage as off-road capable. It is an on-road vehicle meant for civilization.

@moloono1

Жыл бұрын

Most of their vehicles are just marketing with barely sufficient engineering behind it. That’s what you get when most of the budget goes to design and technology.

Didn’t he have the same issues with the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid AWD system?

@quantrilion

3 ай бұрын

Makes sense since their system is the same in terms of hardware. The software that controls it seems to be the only difference

You should turn on dif lock on gear “N”, otherwise its not going to work :( I just experienced last week with my sportage

Ryan, I can’t help but wonder if you spoke to the Kia representative about this? Certainly it’s a software issue?

@ericfranke1637

Жыл бұрын

Not enough power from the electric motor

Suggest you have your rescue ranger follow you so we see a clear road ahead

My neighbors own a Chinese restaurant and have 3 kids. They recently traded in their 2013 Rav4 for one of these hybrid Sportages (in black paint and not fully loaded like this one). I think it looks great, and check it out every time they drive by! They use it for delivering food and love how much money it's saving them! My 2016 Rav4 only gets about 19 mpg around our town, so it must be substantial. Personally, I would never buy a Kia (even though I really like the styling), or a hybrid either. But if you're running any kind of business that requires city driving, it's a no-brainer.

@moloono1

Жыл бұрын

Until it break me down and you have to deal with Kia customer service and the dealerships.

I have that car I am getting almost 48 miles to a gallon

Kia Sportage hybrid car very good 기아자동차 하이브리드 너무 좋아요😊😊😊

Really I don't know if you explain in it right How does gravel road feels to you under different vehicle?

JUST A SUGGESTION, IF YOU CAN. DRIVE IN URBAN AREAS WITH POTHOLES OR ASPHALT BROKEN UP ROADS AND GIVE US YOUR IMPRESSIONS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. IT HELPED ME MAKE A CHOICE. NEW SUV NEXT WEEKEND.

The MUD mode locks AWD and you should have used that instead of snow mode.

Nissan Xtrail test ?

Great video and nice looking car. I have to admit Kia and Hyundai are on the cutting edge of designs. However, I keep on hearing about engine issues with both brands. Is this true or just over blown?

@TechLoverforever313

Жыл бұрын

Yeh some of their engines are bad, they even consume Oil 😂 Engine Oil not the Fuel

@moloono1

Жыл бұрын

It’s not overblown. Together Kia/Hyundai lost $2.3 billion dollars in Q3 of 2022, which was about 77% and 55%, respectively, of profits for that one quarter. This was all due to warranty claims on their faulty and failing engines.

Huge hole between this and the Wrangler 4xe. Solterra range and charging is a joke but the Prime system in a Forester would be intriguing.

It seems like you are driving very fast on the gravel road. I don't think people will normally drive that fast in such a vehicle on this road.

@crystalminerrocks6122

7 ай бұрын

i was thinking that too

Thank you for exposing these “off-road” CUVs for what they really are. Owners should just keep this to speed bumps in the Olive Garden parking lot 😂

Sadly most of the hybrid city SUV/CUV have absolutely useless AWD systems, even compared to their gas counterparts, same goes for Toyota and Honda. Really waiting to see how Subaru does with their hybrid system in the 2025 Forester. If it's any good I'll finally pull the trigger on a hybrid!