Looking for a little advice

[Vegas]

I'm looking to replace my 2017 Ford Escape and I'm liking what I've read/seen on the Sportage Hybrid. I'm looking at the EX trim vs. the SX as it seems to have most of what I would want and the rest is 'bells and whistles'. Not that bells and whistles are bad, but is the SX worth the $$$ premium?

I tried to do a test drive at my nearest Kia dealer and got the 'typical' car salesmen BS runaround (we have the one you asked about... really? Well no, not THAT one, but we have a plug in hybrid... would you want to test drive that one, etc). Anyone know of a good Kia dealer in the Phoenix AZ metro area?

I figure I will have more questions, but if anyone has any input on these, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gp007]

Premium is probably worth the extra $. I say this because I have the ex hybrid. My biggest gripe is that the only trunk release is on the door itself, no remote access or inside the car release for the trunk. I do not look forward to when it rains and I need to open/close it manually.
No sun roof on the ex ( not a big deal to me though).
Heated seats come with the ex, but not the cooling ability (although the button cover is there, dumb).
I have had mine a little over a week now. Like it so far. Not loving that it gets less gas mileage than expected. Has nothing to do with ex vs premium. Just thought I would throw this in there.
There is a post about gas mileage in this forum.
Good Luck

 

[Vegas]

Funny you mentioned no sunroof, I would rather not have one as the one in my car now is acting up. I live in the Phoenix area, so having it open is a rare event unless you are looking to be toasted. I've found a sunroof is nothing like my convertible, which I really love to open up. Cooling seats might be nice, but I've never had them, so I don't know how big of a deal that might be. Trunk release is not that critical to me, but nice to know. Appreciate your insights.

 

[Jameschow7437]

I'm looking to replace my 2017 Ford Escape and I'm liking what I've read/seen on the Sportage Hybrid. I'm looking at the EX trim vs. the SX as it seems to have most of what I would want and the rest is 'bells and whistles'. Not that bells and whistles are bad, but is the SX worth the $$$ premium?

I tried to do a test drive at my nearest Kia dealer and got the 'typical' car salesmen BS runaround (we have the one you asked about... really? Well no, not THAT one, but we have a plug in hybrid... would you want to test drive that one, etc). Anyone know of a good Kia dealer in the Phoenix AZ metro area?

I figure I will have more questions, but if anyone has any input on these, it would be greatly appreciated.

I’m in Phoenix metro.
I just picked up my 2025 Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige this week.

I shopped hard with multiple dealerships and can give you some contact names if you are still looking.

 

[WNJeffers]

When I was purchasing my 2023 EX HEV, there was an option for both a sunroof and a power liftgate. I think the price then was $1500 for this option. Not sure if that option is still available on 2025 models.

I would have liked to have had the power liftgate, but the included sunroof was a deal killer for that. No regrets. I have not found the “manual” liftgate to be a bother in the least, so I am happy that I saved a little money.

As far as checking multiple dealers, I used the dealer locator on the Kia website to get a list of dealers nearest to me. It took a while, but I browsed on-line inventories on dealer web sites until I found a new EX HEV in the colors that I wanted and with the features I wanted. I found a dealer that listed two that matched my needs. I learned that they were then at the port of Philadelphia awaiting shipment. I committed to buy one at sticker price. (At that time, many/most dealers were asking thousand over sticker. The salesman later told me they had sold cars to buyers who came from as far away as California.) When it arrived at the dealer and was prepped for delivery, I drove the 175 miles (3 hours) to write the man a check and drive the car home. A friend went along and drove my old vehicle home.