2022 Kia Sportage PHEV charges up as plug-in rival to Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander

Kia has revealed the plug-in hybrid version of its new-generation Sportage mid-size SUV, but an Australian arrival is still up in the air.

CarsGuide has contacted Kia Australia to determine the level of local interest in the plug-in model, but the Sportage should at least gain a hybrid variant in the future to take on the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

Revealed for the US market, the Sportage PHEV combines a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack.

And if that sounds familiar, its because that’s the same powertrain configuration found in the one-size-up Sorento PHEV.

Though a combined system output figure is yet to be revealed for the Sportage PHEV, the plug-in Sorento serves up 195kW/350Nm.

If the Sportage PHEV mirrors the figures of the Sorento, it would make it Kia’s most potent mid-size SUV, easily outmuscling the three engines currently available in Australia – a 115kW/192Nm 2.0-litre petrol, a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol and a 137kW/416Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

With a battery pack measuring 13.8kWh in tow, the Sportage PHEV can travel up to 51km on electric power alone, while fast-charging capabilities means the latest eco-friendly Kia needs only two hours to juice up.

Aside from the powertrain, the Sportage PHEV is also differentiated by unique front and rear bumpers and chrome satin exterior accents.

Two grades of the Sportage PHEV will be available in the US market, the X-Line and X-Line Prestige, both sending drive to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Standard equipment in overseas markets includes 19-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility.

Safety is also paramount for the Sportage PHEV, with driver attention alert, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot detection and a safe-exit warning system included as standard.

Buyers stepping up the X-Line Prestige will score a blind-spot monitor, front parking sensors, remote smart parking and adaptive cruise control.