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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 related 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 ground of the opposite variations. It additionally lacks a spare tire.
This baggage take a look at was carried out on the fairly glorious Sportage Hybrid.
Here is the cargo space. It is as large as advertised with ample size and width, plus an honest quantity of peak past the again seat line.
The Sportage could be outfitted with a cargo cowl, which was not included on this take a look at automotive. Nonetheless, just like the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4, you may retailer the cargo cowl contained in the automotive. You may see the little indentation that retains it in place above proper.
It’s also possible to see the distinction in peak between the high and low ground settings. Utilizing the low ground helps you to take full benefit of the 39.6/39.5 cubic-feet of house. Utilizing the high-floor supplies a flat load ground while you fold down the again seat. Its ensuing 34.5 cubic-feet remains to be higher than most compact SUVs.
Which is sweet, as a result of I have to now admit to screwing up this take a look at a bit. Usually, I take a look at solely with the decrease ground place since we’re speaking max house behind the again seat. A flat load ground with that seat lowered is due to this fact irrelevant. Sadly, I completely missed the decrease ground choice once I did this take a look at and solely stacked luggage atop the excessive ground. Oops.
Did it actually matter? Ah, no.
All the luggage match, no downside in anyway. Straightforward cheese.
As in every luggage test I do, which means two midsize curler suitcases that will must be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 huge, 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 may see that the Sportage is notably longer than its rivals, with the Tucson being the closest (I remembered to make use of the decrease ground in that).
Clockwise from higher left: 2020 Honda CR-V (present era), Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester
Judging by the photographs, the Sportage does not appear as massive because the CR-V and it positive appears to be like to be the identical because the Tucson. Too near name? You may notice that the Forester cargo space is not as tall as these of its rivals, however with some extra effort, takes benefit of its boxiness to suit the identical gadgets 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 gadgets 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 at present positioned 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 concern.
On the very least, remember that the CR-V Hybrid and Tucson Hybrid do not need spare tires. The Sportage Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid do. It is a large benefit so far as I am involved. It is also necessary to notice that the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid doesn’t have the spare attributable to all these additional batteries.
Due to that, I really feel assured in saying that it’s actually the most effective within the section. Whereas the house appears much like the Tucson, the Hybrid/spare tire concern ideas the scales within the Kia’s court docket. The Honda CR-V can also be redesigned for 2023, although is outwardly on-par with the outgoing model proven above. To be continued …