2024 Kia Sportage HEV GT-Line Review

After cementing itself a rock-solid reputation in the family-friendly motoring segment, the Kia Sportage had, for years now, been lagging when it came to offering a hybrid version of the Sportage for fuel-conscious.

In 2024, though, the company has obliged and now offers two variants of the Sportage with its hybrid powertrain, with this, the HEV GT-Line, sitting proudly as the most luxurious variant at the top of the pile.

Just how transformative has the hybrid recipe been for the already-impressive Sportage, and how well-deserving of your money is this GT-Line Hybrid over the more affordable version?

Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

The Kia Sportage HEV GT-Line you’re looking at is priced at $55,420 before on-road costs, making it the most expensive Sportage in the current MY24 lineup.

Price-conscious buyers should take note of Kia also offering the Sportage HEV Hybrid in a more affordable SX variant, which is priced at $45,950.

For reference, prices for the MY24 Sportage range kick off from $32,995 for the entry-level Sportage S Manual, while the most affordable Sportage GT-Line 1.6 AWD is priced at $49,920.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

Using OnlineAuto’s car purchasing service, take advantage of the expertise of one of our car specialists to assist you in finding the best value model for you.

Kia Sportage GT-Line HEV (FWD) Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Kia Sportage HEV GT-Line Hybrid Have?

The Sportage HEV GT-Line picks up a hefty list of equipment reserved for Kia’s most premium take on its midsize SUV package.

Features reserved for the flagship Sportage HEV GT-Line include a set of 19-inch alloys, dual-LED headlights with LED tail lights, full leather and suede upholstery, heated and ventilated seats with power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, a shift-by-wire rotary gear dial and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

GT-Line variants also pick up a massive dual-pane panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, alloy sport pedals, a wireless smartphone charger, a 3D surround-view monitor, blind-spot view monitor, metal scuff plates and a parking collision avoidance system.

These are all in addition to features you’ll find in lesser Sportage variants like adaptive cruise control, a powered boot lift, wheel-mounted paddle shifters, keyless entry & start, rear privacy glass, and dual-zone climate control.

All up, it’s a very healthy equipment list that gives the GT-Line HEV a class-leading amount of interior kit for the money.

Kia Sportage GT-Line HEV Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The Sportage GT-Line HEV picks up a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver and a 12.3-inch infotainment display that are both paired in a seamless, curved design.

They look great and give the Sportage a clean, modern aesthetic, with both offering great brightness and a high-resolution display that makes animations and menus look crisp, with Kia very much at the pointy end of the segment for its display hardware.

HIFI enthusiasts will be pleased to see that the Sportage GT-Line HEV also picks up an eight-speaker sound system courtesy of Harman/Kardon which sounds fantastic when pushed. 

Kia’s 12.3-inch infotainment system is easy to navigate and has enough processing power to chew through menus and settings without much of an input delay, with DAB+ digital radio.

The display is positioned slightly toward the driver, with the orientation helping to keep things like navigation and vehicle settings easily visible, and ergonomic to make any changes on the fly.

There’s another touchscreen display that sits underneath the display and air vents that cycles between the media and climate controls with a simple touch.

It’s a simple design but one that is effective in cleaning up the number of buttons you might find plastered across the dash without forcing owners to navigate through the display for simple controls.

Does the Kia Sportage GT-Line HEV Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

While it comes packing one of the most modern-looking display arrangements on the market, unfortunately, the range-topping Sportage GT-Line HEV misses out on wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity.

Instead, the Sportage’s infotainment system requires a physical connection to your smartphone.

While that’s becoming a little bit of an outdated requirement, a USB connection does at least ensure a stable connection to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, depending on your environment.

In a world plagued with buggy wireless smartphone connectivity, Kia’s wired connection offers certainty and we experienced no drop-outs in connections, while Apple CarPlay launched immediately upon plugging into a USB port.

This is likely to be addressed in a future update from Kia, though for now, it’s worth noting the absence of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if that’s a major concern for you.

Is the Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid Comfortable to Drive?

The driving experience on offer in the Sportage GT-Line is outstanding.

Kia has done well to make the Sportage both a smooth urban crawler and confident when pushed on some rougher Aussie roads, making it a truly versatile package.

Under the bonnet, the Sportage GT-Line Hybrid picks up a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit that works alongside an electric motor to help reduce fuel use from the petrol engine.

Combined outputs stand at a very healthy 169kW of power, with 350Nm of torque on tap and a six-speed automatic transmission throwing power to the front wheels only; there is no AWD version here in Australia…yet.

Off the line, the Sportage Hybrid has an impressive amount of push for a fuel-conscious hybrid, with the electric motor offering instant, low-down torque that comes into play primarily from a standstill.

When it comes to overtaking at higher speeds, you’ll need to give the Sportage a hefty amount of throttle which kicks the energetic little turbo-petrol engine into action, with the responsive six-speed auto dropping down a gear when needed.

It’s not a performance SUV but the Sportage GT-Line does add noticeable responsiveness, particularly off the line and picking up pace at city speeds.

Around town, the Sportage remains one of the most user-friendly packages on the market.

The steering is incredibly light, which makes parking and three-point turns an effortless task, though it tends to stay featherweight even as you’ve picked up the pace.

While we prefer a little more in the way of feedback behind the wheel, as a user-friendly midsize SUV, this lightweight rack will be welcomed by the majority of buyers as it makes navigating the city a smooth, simple process.

It feels light on its feet, smooth and is difficult to fault in the urban jungle - especially when you consider how it goes on jaunt up a country road.

The suspension package works wonders on smaller to moderate bumps and potholes around town, with the hardware ironing out bumps, staying composed and transmitting little in the way of disturbances into the cabin.

Picking up the pace, and with smooth city streets in the rear-view, you’ll be even more impressed with the Sportage GT-Line’s suspension package on rougher country roads.

The suspension is more than capable of soaking up larger bumps, even mid-corner, on a country road and keeping everything stable and composed.

It’s a jack-of-all-trades type of suspension setup and it’s perfect for a wide variety of buyers dealing with varying Australian road conditions.

While an all-wheel drive variant would be a welcome addition, as it stands, the Sportage Hybrid doesn’t need one considering how tied-down and comfortable the suspension package is.

On the highway, the Sportage once again excels, proving itself as a super capable and comfortable grand tourer that ticks all the important boxes for buyers.

As a complete package, the Sportage GT-Line Hybrid is arguably one of the best in the segment for all-around driving comfort and user-friendliness behind the wheel.

The hybrid system helps out with power low-down, offering the added refinement of some smooth, silent motoring and the suspension package gives the Sportage a best-of-both-worlds appeal for city and country buyers alike.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Obviously, the main drawcard for the Sportage Hybrid is the option of a more fuel-efficient engine than the rest of the midsize SUV range.

It’s a great little hybrid unit, and one that doesn’t require you to feather the throttle to get some healthy fuel economy figures.

Officially, the Sportage GT-Line is rated at 4.9L per 100km on a combined cycle, which makes it one of the most fuel-efficient in the midsize SUV segment.

In our time behind the wheel, averaging a roughly equal mix of town, highway and country driving, we averaged 5.6L per 100km, though we don’t doubt Kia’s claimed economy figures.

If your typical commute involves a lot of stop-start and medium-speed traffic around the urban jungle, we’re sure that you’ll come extremely close to Kia’s official claims where the hybrid system is most efficient.

For reference, combined cycle fuel economy figures for the rest of the Sportage range can be found below.

• Sportage Petrol: 7.7 (manual) - 8.1L (automatic) per 100km

• Sportage Turbo-Petrol: 7.2L per 100km

• Sportage Diesel AWD: 6.3L per 100km

• Sportage Hybrid: 4.9L per 100km (claimed) 5.6L per 100km (tested)

How Much Fuel Does the Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid Use Around Town? 

• Sportage Petrol: 9.7L/100km

• Sportage Turbo-Petrol: 8.8L/100km

• Sportage Diesel: 7.7L/100km

• Sportage Hybrid: 4.8L/100km

How Much Fuel Does the Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid Use on the Highway?

• Sportage Petrol: 6.6L/100km

• Sportage Turbo-Petrol: 6.3L/100km

• Sportage Diesel: 5.4L/100km

• Sportage Hybrid: 4.9L/100km

Is the Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid Practical and Spacious?

While there’s some brand-new hardware under the bonnet, everything inside the Sportage GT-Line Hybrid remains the same practical cabin we’ve come to love about Kia’s midsize SUV hero.

Family buyers will be impressed with the interior space, second-row comfort and healthy boot space that makes it a particularly sleek and family-friendly package.

Buyers looking for a more premium take on the conventional midsize SUV package will also be impressed with the sheer levels of technology and creature comforts on offer in the range-topping GT-Line variant. 

While you’ll still find some cheaper plastic trim pieces, the vast majority of the cabin picks up soft-touch elements, leather and suede seat upholstery, faux wood inserts, silver contrasts and a shift-by-wire rotary gear selector over a traditional unit.

The end result is an undeniably premium feel that makes the Sportage GT-Line feel far more mature and luxurious than lesser models in the range, leaving few buyers feeling short-changed from making the upgrade.

Up front, visibility and headroom are excellent, even for tall drivers, with a fully adjustable seating position and steering column on offer to find your perfect driving position.

The ergonomics are great, with the straightforward layout remaining easy to use while cleaning up the dashboard and centre console, with the angular design taken from the exterior carrying over to the air vents.

Storage options in the front of the Sportage’s cabin are decent, with a large retractable tray behind the rotary gear selector perfect to hide away smartphones and sunglasses, as well as a large open tray with pop-out cupholders.

You’ll also find another storage cubby behind the cupholders, massive storage inside the folding armrest and bottle holders on either doorsill which get the job done, but they’re not the biggest on the market.

Move to the second row and interior space is absolutely excellent in the Sportage GT-Line Hybrid.

There’s more than enough space in the rear for adults to sit back and get comfortable on long journeys, with the bonus of reclining seats.

Even with the dual-pane panoramic sunroof in place, taller adults will have no issues with headroom, while above-average legroom makes the Sportage a heavy-hitter in terms of second-row accommodation.

Amenities in the second row consist of a pair of USB-C ports cleverly disguised in the rear portion of the front seats, air vents, a storage area at the back of the centre console, a pair of coat hangers, map pockets and bottle holders.

Kia’s unique headrest design for the front row also offers a pretty nifty little spot to position your smartphone or a smaller tablet to set up for kids on a long haul down the highway, though they’re actually designed for jackets.

The second-row bench seat also offers two pairs of ISOFIX anchors, with three top tether mounts hiding behind the seatbacks to accommodate a range of forward- and rear-facing child seats.

All up, interior space and practicality levels in the Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid are excellent, while the premium nature of the cabin and added equipment help to justify the price rise stepping up from the SX to the flagship.

How Big is the Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid’s Boot?

Thankfully, the Sportage Hybrid range offers the same boot space figures you’ll find in non-hybrid members of the lineup.

This is a very good thing, considering the Sportage offers some of the most impressive boot space figures in the midsize SUV that makes it confident when put to the family cargo test.

With both rows of seats standing, the Sportage GT-Line Hybrid has a boot measuring 543L in five-seat mode.

There’s no load lift from the boot floor which makes it easy to throw large suitcases in the rear and roll them out when you’re unloading, with some nifty under-floor storage to hide away the cargo cover.

Fold down the rear seats and you’ll unlock a total of 1,829L worth of boot space when it’s time to lug around bulky items, sports gear, making the Sportage an undeniably practical midsize SUV package that doesn’t disappoint on boot space.

Is it Safe?

The Sportage GT-Line Hybrid picks up a huge list of active safety gear that makes it super competitive with the best in the segment.

Over the SX Hybrid, the GT-Line Hybrid receives added safety equipment like a blind-spot view monitor that activates when you hit the respective left or right indicator switch, an adjustable surround-view monitor and a reverse parking collision avoidance system.

It also picks up the long list of safety gear bundled into the base model.

The list is headlined by an autonomous emergency braking system with both junction assist and vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian protection, as well as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alerts.

You also receive front and rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist with lane-centring, safe exit alerts, tyre pressure monitoring and driver attention monitoring.

This means that buyers don’t miss out on a single piece of important safety equipment, with the Sportage GT-Line Hybrid remaining at the top of its class when it comes to clever safety tech.

Does the Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid has received a five-star ANCAP safety rating after scores were carried over from the non-hybrid Sportage range.

After testing the regular Sportage back in 2022, the vehicle scored the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 87%

• Child Occupant Protection: 87%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 66%

• Safety Assist: 74%

What Warranty Does the Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid Come With?

Kia remains one of the best options for buyers looking for the peace of mind of a long warranty.

The Sportage GT-Line Hybrid is packaged with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty, while the battery and high-voltage components are backed by a seven-year/150,000-kilometre warranty.

Kia offers buyers seven years’ worth of capped-price servicing for the Sportage Hybrid range, which totals $4,502 over the course of seven services, which is quite pricey for the segment.

Another downside of the Sportage Hybrid range is that your service intervals drop to 12 months or 10,000 kilometres due to the turbocharged petrol engine sitting under the bonnet.

Our Verdict: Is the Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid Worth it?

The Sportage GT-Line Hybrid is a fantastic all-around SUV that takes the Sportage’s already impressive practicality and on-road dynamics and makes it more refined on the road and frugal on fuel.

In GT-Line form, things are super premium and make for one of the segment’s best-looking and well-equipped midsize SUV packages, though the flagship may not be your best option.

This is because it demands a sizable premium over the lesser-equipped, but still super-competitive Sportage SX Hybrid.

As a result, if you’re simply looking for the most fuel-efficient Sportage, the SX variant is the pick of the bunch, though if you’re looking for the most premium and fuel-efficient Sportage, it’s hard to ignore the luxurious GT-Line Hybrid.

As a complete package, the Sportage GT-Line Hybrid is great and sits as a versatile midsize SUV that is confident on rougher Aussie roads and mighty refined on a simple jaunt around town.

We’d encourage you to add the Sportage Hybrid to your midsize SUV shortlist and to reach out to one of our car-buying experts if you’re looking to upgrade to a new car.

Five Kia Sportage GT-Line Hybrid Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty (150,000kms for hybrid system)

2. 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder + electric motor hybrid (169kW/350Nm)

3. 4.9L/100km claimed combined cycle fuel economy, 5.6L/100km on test

4. 543 - 1,829L boot space

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating (tested 2022)