2023 Kia Sportage Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

When looking around a parking lot or busy street, odds are there are a fair number of compact crossovers to be seen. This segment of the market has exploded in popularity, and there is no indication that this is changing anytime soon. In order to stand out, car manufacturers have to get creative.

A complete redesign was done for the Sportage in 2023. This popular Kia SUV is now more spacious for both passengers and cargo. Kia has also taken this opportunity to load the Sportage with the latest technology features. This year launches the fifth Sportage generation.

In total, there are seven variations of the 2023 Sportage to choose from. Kia is a brand known for providing affordable options, but there is still a significant price jump when comparing the base model with the most expensive trim. In fact, the top Sportage X-Pro Prestige costs buyers around $11,000 more than the entry-level LX. The following detailed comparison of the trim levels can prevent shoppers from paying for more than they need.

Compare the LX vs EX Trims. What is the difference?

With seven different trim levels, one might suspect that there are a few engines to choose from. That is simply not the case, however, because every standard Sportage has a 2.5L to work with. The output is 187 horsepower along with 178 lb-ft of torque, and an eight-speed automatic is included as well. The Sportage LX can be had with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Properly-equipped models can tow up to 2,500 pounds.

With front-wheel drive, the 2023 Sportage LX is estimated to get a respectable 25mpg in the city and 32mpg on the highway. Those who decide they need all-wheel drive will be looking at 23mpg city and 28mpg highway. If having even better fuel economy is a priority, Kia now makes a Sportage Hybrid.

A gloss black front grille with silver accents announces the arrival of the 2023 Sportage LX. This trim is available in seven paint colors, all of which are black, white, and grey family. Exterior highlights for the base Sportage include things like LED headlights, LED taillights, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

A media UBS port and a front USB-C charging port come standard for the LX. An 8-inch touchscreen is standard, along with a 12.2-inch digital instrument display. Smartphone integration is included through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Safety features are included on every 2023 Sportage as well. Forward collision-avoidance assist comes standard, and it has a car, pedestrian, and cyclist detection function. Lane-keeping assist is also included, plus a tire pressure monitoring system and driver attention monitoring.

The EX trim level is next. It maintains the same engine as the LX. This trim is only available in five colors, but a bright Sapphire Blue is a new option to consider. The grille is now gloss-black, and the wheel size goes up to 18 inches. Heated exterior mirrors and hands-free keyless entry are added to the Sportage EX as well.

Inside, this trim level benefits from rear-seat USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. It also goes up to a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. To increase comfort, the EX has heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. Synthetic leather upholstery and a power-adjustable driver's seat are added as well.

The Sportage EX is the first trim to get blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It also gets a safe exit warning to alert passengers when a vehicle is approaching when they go to open their door. The starting price of the EX is exactly two grand higher than that of the LX.

Compare the EX vs X-Line AWD. What is the difference?

As the name implies, the X-Line AWD comes standard with all-wheel drive. This trim level is available in eight colors once again, but the list includes head-turners such as Dawning Red, and it maintains the Sapphire Blue option added by the EX. This trim is designed to be more rugged, and it comes with unique front and rear fascias along with side sills.

Roof rails are added to the X-Line AWD. While the previous trims have body-colored side mirrors, this one goes with gloss black ones instead. Underneath the X-Line AWD are 19-inch gloss black wheels to complete the bolder look.

Not many changes are made to the cabin of the Sportage when buyers step up to the X-Line AWD. This trim level does have what Kia calls "X-Line SynTex" seating. No additional safety features are added by this version of the Sportage. It takes just under $3,000 to go from the EX trim to the X-Line AWD.

Compare the X-Line AWD vs SX Trims. What is the difference?

Kia switches gears from ruggedness to sophistication with the SX trim level of the Sportage. It adds satin chrome accent trim to the black front grille. There are still black roof rails, but they are low-profile for the SX. The side mirrors become body colored once again. While a panoramic sunroof is available for the EX and X-Line AWD, it becomes standard for the Sportage SX.

A power liftgate is added by the SX trim, and this is the first model to offer a heated windshield. It reverts to 18-inch alloy wheels, but they have a matte gray finish. Inside, the digital instrument display grows from 12.2 inches to 12.3 inches. That extra 0.1 inches may or may not be noticeable.

All previous Sportage trim levels had six speakers for the sound system. The SX trim is the first to come standard with an eight-speaker surround-sound system from Harman Kardon. LED interior lighting is also added by the upscale SX trim. This model also has illuminated sun visors with vanity mirrors.

Choosing the Sportage SX will mean getting driver-seat memory settings to aid in sharing this SUV. Buyers get the option of adding a heated steering wheel when choosing this model as well. Another reason to consider stepping up to the SX is the extra safety features, including adaptive cruise control and highway driving assist. Forward cross-path detection and braking are also added by this Sportage.

Buyers are looking at a price increase of only $700 when comparing the X-Line AWD to the SX. While the SX may not look as athletic as the X-Line AWD, it has the features to back up the added cost. Families will likely prefer having more driver aids, making the SX a smart buy.

Compare the SX vs SX Prestige Trim Levels. What is the difference?

The 2023 Sportage SX Prestige takes sophistication to the next level. Underneath this trim, buyers will find 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels. This trim also gets solar control glass as a standard feature. LED projector headlights and LED foglights are nice additions made to the exterior of the SX Prestige as well.

The SX Prestige has satin matte interior door handles. A front passenger will be happier in this trim, thanks to the eight-way power adjustment added to their seat. Ventilated front seats become standard as well. The heated steering wheel moves from optional to standard for the SX Prestige. While the upholstery remains synthetic leather, it is a "premium" version.

Several advanced safety features are added to the Sportage SX Prestige. This SUV comes with a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system, a surround-view camera system, and automatic low-speed reverse braking. Getting these features, along with the ones listed above, will cost drivers an extra two grand. Quite a few comfort and safety features are added, making this price jump tolerable.

Compare the SX Presitge vs Sportage X-Pro. What is the difference?

The Sportage X-Pro version of this SUV has styling details that are very similar to the X-Line AWD. This means those high-profile roof rails are back, along with the side sills and uniquely-designed fascias. The X-Pro is the first Sportage to count the heated windshield among its standard features, helping drivers out on chilly mornings.

Multi-terrain drive modes are the biggest addition made to the X-Pro. All-wheel drive is also standard once again. This is also the first trim to be available in two-tone paint options. Buyers can combine a black roof with Glacial White, Wolf Gray, or Jungle Green.

Kia goes back to standard LED headlights for the X-Pro. There are X-Pro exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels underneath this trim, and all-terrain tires are standard. Inside, the X-Line upholstery is back. There are also alloy wheels for a more athletic touch.

This trim level does not come equipped with the ventilated front seats, however, and it is also missing the power-adjustable front passenger seat gained by the SX Prestige. All of those safety features added by the previous trim level are also missing from the Sportage X-Pro.

The step up from the SX Prestige to the X-Pro costs $1,500 dollars. Drivers who are interested in multi-terrain drive modes may find this trim level appealing, but most families will miss the luxury and safety added by the SX Prestige.

Compare the X-Pro vs X-Pro Prestige Trims. What is the difference?

At the top of the 2023 Sportage trim ladder is the X-Pro Prestige. As the name implies, this is the trim that combines the upscale touches of the SX Prestige with the rugged enhancements made for the X-Pro. It has the same two-tone paint options that the X-Pro has, and rides on the same 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.

All of the features removed from the X-Pro are back when buyers bring home the X-Pro Prestige instead. This includes the ventilated front seats, the power-adjustable front passenger seat, and the extra safety features. Features maintained from the X-Pro include multi-terrain driving modes and standard all-wheel drive.

The X-Pro Prestige version of the 2023 Sportage costs $1,800 more than the X-Pro trim level.

Final Thoughts

The 2023 Kia Sportage is packed with value at every trim level. Sticking with the entry-level model will mean getting smartphone integration, advanced safety features, and the same engine as the rest of the lineup. That said, stepping up to the EX trim level is going to be the way to go.

Choosing the EX means getting the larger touchscreen. It also adds nice features such as heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control to the SUV. The increase in price is worth the additional comfort and tech found here.

Although the X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige add a few off-road-oriented features, they are not enough to make this a truly rugged SUV. Those who plan on regularly spending time on the trails will be better off looking at other SUVs altogether. As for the SX and the SX Prestige, they primarily add features that drivers can live without.

The 2023 Sportage EX gives drivers a lot of features for their money.

Previous Year Trim Configurations:

• 2022 Kia Sportage Trim Levels