The specs say that the utterly redesigned 2023 Kia Sportage ought to have best-in-class cargo house behind its again seat at 39.6 cubic-feet*. That surpasses the earlier chief within the clubhouse, the mechanically associated Hyundai Tucson. That is fairly a change for the Sportage, which was one of many smallest compact SUVs. Actually, there was little or no distinction between the last-generation and the one-size/class-down Kia Seltos.
Now, there are completely different variations of the Sportage, which is the place that asterisk comes into play. The Sportage Hybrid has 39.5 cubic-feet of house behind its raised second row. That is proper, 0.1 cubic-foot. Whooptidoo. The Sportage Plug-in Hybrid has solely 34.5 cubic-feet, the results of it not having the dual-level flooring of the opposite variations. It additionally lacks a spare tire.
This baggage check was carried out on the fairly wonderful Sportage Hybrid.
Here is the cargo space. It is as large as marketed with plentiful size and width, plus an honest quantity of top past the again seat line.
The Sportage may be geared up with a cargo cowl, which was not included on this check automotive. Nevertheless, just like the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4, you may retailer the cargo cowl contained in the automotive. You possibly can see the little indentation that retains it in place above proper.
It’s also possible to see the distinction in top between the high and low flooring settings. Utilizing the low flooring allows you to take full benefit of the 39.6/39.5 cubic-feet of house. Utilizing the high-floor supplies a flat load flooring whenever you fold down the again seat. Its ensuing 34.5 cubic-feet continues to be higher than most compact SUVs.
Which is nice, as a result of I have to now admit to screwing up this check a bit. Usually, I check solely with the decrease flooring place since we’re speaking max house behind the again seat. A flat load flooring with that seat lowered is subsequently irrelevant. Sadly, I completely missed the decrease flooring choice after I did this check and solely stacked luggage atop the excessive flooring. Oops.
Did it actually matter? Ah, no.
All the baggage match, no downside in any respect. Straightforward cheese.
As in each baggage check I do, which means two midsize curler suitcases that might have to be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 vast, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embrace my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
You possibly can see that the Sportage is notably longer than its opponents, with the Tucson being the closest (I remembered to make use of the decrease flooring in that).
Clockwise from higher left: 2020 Honda CR-V (present technology), Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester
Judging by the photographs, the Sportage does not appear as giant because the CR-V and it certain seems to be to be the identical because the Tucson. Too near name? You may word that the Forester cargo space is not as tall as these of its opponents, however with some extra effort, takes benefit of its boxiness to suit the identical objects with comparable house left over.
As for the RAV4, I annoyingly didn’t take a photograph with all the usual luggage inside with out the cargo cowl in place. I did, nonetheless, take a most picture that includes a 38-quart Coleman cooler and a blue duffle bag. These very same objects slot in all of the autos above, with the Tucson having essentially the most left over afterward.
The Sportage? Sorry, I do not know. That cooler is presently situated someplace in my new, box-filled-garage that resembles the warehouse on the finish of Raiders of the Misplaced Ark. The blue bag? Ditto. My guess? Because the above photograph of the remaining house appears to attest, they’d match with out challenge.
On the very least, understand that the CR-V Hybrid and Tucson Hybrid shouldn’t have spare tires. The Sportage Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid do. It is a large benefit so far as I am involved. It is also vital to notice that the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid doesn’t have the spare because of all these additional batteries.
Due to that, I really feel assured in saying that it’s in reality the very best within the section. Whereas the house appears just like the Tucson, the Hybrid/spare tire challenge ideas the scales within the Kia’s courtroom. The Honda CR-V can also be redesigned for 2023, although is outwardly on-par with the outgoing model proven above. To be continued …
