Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

The Kia Sportage is a popular compact SUV that has been available with all-wheel drive in previous model years. The 2023 Kia Sportage has not yet been officially released, but it is possible that it will be available with an AWD system, as it has been in the past. Kia has also introduced a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version of the Sportage, which combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a battery pack to provide improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. It is possible that the 2023 Sportage PHEV may also be available with an AWD system, although this has not yet been confirmed by Kia. In summary, while information about the 2023 Kia Sportage is limited, it is possible that it will be available with an all-wheel-drive system, and it is also possible that the PHEV version of the Sportage will be available with AWD. We will have to wait for official announcements from Kia for more details about the 2023 Sportage.

2023 KIA SPORTAGE Specs, Price, Features and Mileage (Brochure)

All Wheel Drive (AWD) System

The All Wheel Drive (AWD) system delivers engine power to front and rear wheels for maximum traction. AWD is useful when extra traction is required, such as when driving slippery, muddy, wet, or snow-covered roads. If the system determines there is a need for four-wheel drive, the engine’s driving power will be distributed to all four wheels automatically.

WARNING
Off-road driving
This vehicle is designed primarily for on-road use although it can operate effectively off-road. However, it was not designed to drive in challenging off-road conditions. Driving in conditions that exceed the vehicle’s intended design or the driver’s experience level may result in severe injury or death.

NOTICE
If the AWD warning light ( ) stays on the instrument cluster, your vehicle may have a malfunction with the AWD system. When the AWD warning light ( ) appears, have your vehicle checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING
To reduce the risk of SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:

• Do not drive in conditions that exceed the vehicle’s intended design such as challenging off-road conditions.
• Avoid high speeds when cornering or turning.
• Do not make quick steering wheel movements, such as sharp lane changes or fast, sharp turns.
•  The risk of a rollover is greatly increased if you lose control of your vehicle at highway speeds.
•  Loss of control often occurs if two or more wheels drop off the roadway and the driver oversteers to reenter the roadway.
•  In the event your vehicle leaves the roadway, do not steer sharply. Instead, slow down before pulling back into the travel lanes.

Terrain Mode (if equipped)

Selecting Terrain Mode

Operation

1.  Press DRIVE/TERRAIN mode button.
2. Turn the knob to select Terrain Mode.
3. The selected Terrain Mode will appear on the instrument cluster.
4.  Press DRIVE/TERRAIN mode button again to return to Drive Mode.

Mode	Characteristics
SNOW	Appropriately distributes the vehicle’s traction forces and prevents wheel slippage when driving on snowy or slippery road.
MUD	Appropriately distributes the vehicle’s traction forces when driving on muddy, unpaved or rough roads.
SAND	Appropriately distributes the vehicle’s traction forces when driving on sandy, gravelled or unpaved roads.

NOTICE
Even though you turned off the vehicle in Terrain Mode, Drive Mode will be set when you restart the vehicle.

AWD (AWD/SNOW MODE)

AWD helps the vehicle to maintain its best driving performance by controlling 4 wheels, engine, transmission and braking according to road conditions such as snow, mud, sand, etc.

4WD Lock Mode
The main goal of AWD Lock mode is to allow a driver to maximize the vehicle’s traction under extreme driving conditions such as unpaved off-road, sandy roads, and muddy roads.

Selecting 4WD Lock Mode

Operation

1.  Press 4WD Lock Mode button. The 4WD Lock indicator light ( ) will illuminate on the instrument cluster.
2. Press 4WD Lock Mode button again to turn off 4WD Lock Mode. The 4WD Lock indicator light ( ) will turn off.

Brake lock on tight corners
This is a unique characteristic of a 4WD vehicle when making a slow rotation in 4WD Lock Mode. The driver will feel like the brake is applied due to the difference in tire rotation. Steering may be more difficult in a sharp turn on the paved road in 4WD Lock Mode.

WARNING
Do not make fast, sharp turns when 4WD Lock Mode is ON. The steering may be difficult and the accident may happen.

Advantages of AWD

• Enhance safety when driving straight.
• Improve performance when cornering.
• Ensure operability in tough driving conditions such as snow, rain, sand, etc.

Switching from/to SNOW MODE (if equipped)

You can switch from DRIVE MODE to SNOW mode by turning the knob. If you turn the DRIVE/SNOW mode button again, the vehicle will go back to DRIVE MODE.

NOTICE

•  Even though you turned off the vehicle in SNOW mode, DRIVE mode will be set when you restart the vehicle.
• When the AWD LOCK mode is deactivated, a shock may be felt as the drive power is delivered entirely to the front wheels. This shock is not a mechanical failure.

AWD transfer mode selection

Transfer mode	Selection mode		Description
DRIVE MODE			DRIVE MODE is used when driving on roads in normal conditions, roads in urban areas, and on highways. All wheels are in operation when a vehicle travels at a constant speed. Required tractions applying on front and rear wheels vary depending on road driving conditions and driving conditions, which will be automatically controlled by the computing system. When the cluster’s DRIVE MODE display mode is selected, the cluster displays the status of how four wheels’ traction forces are distributed.
SNOW	ONQ5041423N	SNOW	SNOW mode is used to appropriately distribute the vehicle’s traction forces and prevent wheel slippage when driving on snowy or slippery road.
AWD LOCK	ONQ5041424N	(Indicator light disappear)	The main goal of AWD Lock mode is to allow a driver to maximize the vehicle’s traction under extreme driving conditions such as unpaved off-road, sandy roads, and muddy roads.

 

CAUTION
Normal road conditions

• Maintain DRIVE mode when driving on roads in normal conditions.
•  Driving in AWD Lock mode on normal roads may damage the AWD system and cause mechanical vibration or noise.
• When driving under normal road conditions (especially when cornering) in AWD Lock mode, a driver may find minor mechanical vibration or noise, which is an extremely normal phenome-non, not a malfunction. When AWD Lock mode is released, such noise or vibration will be immediately gone.
•  When you turn off AWD Lock mode, it can lead to little shocks but this is a normal phenomenon that lasts until the traction forces on the front and rear wheels of the vehicle are released.

WARNING
Brake lock on tight corners
This is a unique characteristic of a AWD vehicle when making a slow rotation in AWD Lock Mode. The driver will feel like the brake is applied due to the difference in tire rotation. Steering may be more difficult in a sharp turn on the paved road in AWD Lock Mode. Do not make fast, sharp turns when AWD Lock Mode is ON. The steering may be difficult and the accident may happen.

For safe All Wheel Drive (AWD) operation

NOTICE
All Wheel Drive
The conditions of on-road or off-road that demand All Wheel Drive mean all functions of your vehicle are exposed to extreme stress than under normal road conditions. Slow down and be ready for changes in the composition and traction of the surface under your tires. If you have any doubt about the safety of the conditions you are facing, stop and con-sider the best way to proceed.

•  Do not try to drive in deep-standing water or mud since such conditions can stall your engine and clog your exhaust pipes. Do not drive down steep hills since it requires extreme skill to maintain control of the vehicle.
  
• When you are driving up or down hills drive as straight as possible. Use extreme caution in going up or down steep hills, since you may flip your vehicle over depending on the grade, terrain and water/mud conditions.
  

WARNING
Hills
Driving across the contour of steep hills can be extremely dangerous. This danger can come from slight changes in the wheel angle which can destabilize the vehicle or, even if the vehicle is maintaining stability under power, it can lose that stability if the vehicle stops its for-ward motion. Your vehicle may roll over without warning and without time for you to correct a mistake that could cause serious injury or death.

•  You must learn how to corner in an AWD vehicle. Do not rely on your experience in conventional FWD vehicles when cornering the vehicle in AWD mode. For starters, you must drive slower in AWD.

WARNING
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
Reduce speed when you turn corners. The centre of gravity of AWD vehicles is higher than that of conventional FWD vehicles, making them more likely to roll over when you turn corners too fast.

WARNING
Steering wheel
Do not grab the inside of the steering wheel when you are driving on unpaved roads. You may hurt your arm by a sudden steering maneuver or from steering wheel rebound due to impact with objects on the ground. You could lose control of the steering wheel.

•  Always hold the steering wheel firmly when you are driving on unpaved roads.
•  Make sure all passengers are wearing seat belts.

WARNING
Wind danger
If you are driving in heavy wind, the vehicle’s higher centre of gravity decreases your steering control capacity and requires you to drive more slowly.

WARNING
Driving through water
Drive slowly. If you are driving too fast in water, the water can get into the engine compartment and wet the ignition system, causing your vehicle to suddenly stop. If this happens and your vehicle is in a tilted position, your vehicle may roll over.

NOTICE

•  Do not drive in water if the level is higher than the bottom of the vehicle.
•  Check your brake condition once you are out of mud or water. Press the brake pedal several times as you move slowly until you feel normal braking forces return.
•  Shorten your scheduled maintenance interval if you drive in off-road conditions such as sand, mud or water. Always wash your vehicle thoroughly after off-road use, especially cleaning the bottom of the vehicle.
• Since the driving torque is always applied to the 4 wheels the performance of the AWD vehicle is greatly affected by the condition of the tires. Be sure to equip the vehicle with four tires of the same size and type.
• A full-time All all-wheel drive vehicle can- not be towed by an ordinary tow truck. Make sure that the vehicle is placed on a flatbed truck for moving.

WARNING
All Wheel Drive (AWD) driving

• Avoid high cornering speed.
•  Do not make quick steering wheel movements, such as sharp lane changes or fast, sharp turns.
• The risk of rollover is greatly increased if you lose control of your vehicle at high speed.
•  In a collision, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die compared to a person wearing a seat belt.
• Loss of control often occurs if two or more wheels drop off the roadway and the driver over-steers to re-enter the roadway. In the event your vehicle leaves the roadway, do not steer sharply. Instead, slow down before pulling back into the travel lanes.

CAUTION
Mud or snow
If one of the front or rear wheels begins to spin in mud, snow, etc. the vehicle can sometimes be driven out by engaging the accelerator pedal further; however avoid running the engine continuously at high rpm because doing so could damage the AWD system.

Driving in sand or mud

• Maintain slow and constant speed. Operate the accelerator pedal slowly to ensure safe driving (wheel-slip prevention).
•  Keep sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
•  Reduce vehicle speed and always check the road condition.
• Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration, sudden brake applications, and sharp turns to prevent getting stuck.
• When the vehicle is stuck in snow, sand or mud, the tires may not operate.
•  This is to protect the transmission and not a malfunction.

NOTICE
Moving the vehicle forcibly to get out of mud or sand can cause damage/overheating of the engine or damage/break-down of the transmission, differential or AWD system as well as damage to tires. If excessive wheel slip occurs after entering a sandy/muddy road, the vehicle may fall into the sand/mud. When it happens, put a stone or a tree branch under the tire, and then try to pull out the vehicle, or try to get it unstuck by repeatedly moving forwards and backwards.

Transmission overheated

A: Transmission Hot! Park with the engine on
B: Trans-cooled. Resume driving

• When driving on muddy and sandy roads under severe conditions, the transmission could be overheated.
•  When the transmission is overheated,  the safe protection mode engages and the “Transmission Hot! Park with engine on” warning message will appear on the LCD display with a chime.
•  If this occurs, pull over to a safe location, stop the vehicle with the engine running, apply the brakes and shift the vehicle to P (Park), and allow the transmission to cool.
•  If you ignore this warning, the driving condition may become worse. You may experience abrupt shifts, frequent shifts, or jerkiness. To return to normal driving conditions, stop the vehicle and apply the foot brake or shift into P (Park). Then allow the transmission to cool for a few minutes with engine on, before driving off.
•  When the message “Trans cooled. Resume driving” appears you can continue to drive your vehicle.

If the warning messages in the LCD display continue to blink, for your safety, have the system checked by an authorized Kia dealer.

Tire precautions
Always pay attention to tires for AWD (all-wheel drive) vehicles. When driving in all-wheel drive, driving force is applied to all tires, and the driving performance of the vehicle is greatly affected by the degree of tire wear:

• When replacing tires, be sure to equip all four tires with the same size, type, tread, brand and load-carrying capacity. Do not use tire and wheels of different size and type from the one originally installed on your vehicle. It can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could lead to steering failure or rollover causing serious injury.
•  Replace the front and rear tire positions every 6,000 miles (10,000 km).
•  Each tire should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.
•  For AWD (all-wheel drive) vehicles, install the chains on the front wheels. However, this may damage the AWD system, so keep the travel distance as short as possible.

Towing precautions

AWD vehicle

FWD vehicle

The AWD vehicle should never be towed with the wheels on the ground. Your vehicle must be towed with a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the ground.

CAUTION
The AWD vehicle cannot be towed with sling-type equipment. Use wheel lift or flatbed equipment.

WARNING
Your vehicle is equipped with tires designed to provide a safe ride and handling capability. Do not use tires and wheels that are different in size and type from the originally installed ones. It can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could lead to steering failure or rollover and serious injury. When replacing the tires, be sure to equip all four tires with the tire and wheel of the same size, type, tread, brand and load-carrying capacity.

WARNING
Jacked vehicle
While the full-time AWD vehicle is being raised on a jack, never start the engine or cause the tires to rotate.
There is the danger that rotating tires touching the ground could cause the vehicle to go off the jack and to jump forward.

• Full-time AWD vehicles must be tested on a special four-wheel chassis dynamometer.

NOTICE
Never engage the parking brake while performing these tests.

•  A full-time AWD vehicle should not be tested on an FWD roll tester. If an FWD roll tester must be used, perform the following:

[A]: Roll tester
[B]: Temporary free roller

1. Check the tire pressures recommended for your vehicle.
2. Place the front wheels on the roll tester (A) for a speedometer test.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Place the rear wheels on the temporary free roller (B).

WARNING
Dynamometer testing
Keep away from the front of the vehicle while the vehicle is in gear on the dynamometer. This is very dangerous as the vehicle can jump forward and cause serious injury or death.

CAUTION

• When lifting up the vehicle, do not operate front and rear wheels separately. All four wheels should be operated.
• If you need to operate the front wheel and rear wheel when lifting up the vehicle, you should release the parking brake.

FAQ

What is the Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV produced by Kia Motors.

What is a PHEV?
PHEV stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. It is a type of hybrid vehicle that can be charged from an external power source and can operate on electricity alone for a certain distance before switching to gasoline power.

What is the expected release date of the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023?
The release date of the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 has not been officially announced yet.

What is the expected price range of the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023?
The expected price range of the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 has not been officially announced yet.

Will the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 have an all-wheel drive system?
It is possible that the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 will have an all-wheel drive system, but this has not been officially confirmed by Kia.

What are the benefits of having an all-wheel drive system in a vehicle?
An all-wheel-drive system provides better traction and stability in slippery or uneven road conditions, as power is distributed to all four wheels of the vehicle.

How does an all-wheel drive system work?
An all-wheel-drive system distributes power to all four wheels of the vehicle, rather than just the front or rear wheels, as in a two-wheel-drive vehicle. This is achieved through a system of differentials, gears, and transfer cases.

How does a PHEV work?
A PHEV uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to power the vehicle. The electric motor is powered by a battery pack that can be charged from an external power source. The vehicle can operate on electricity alone for a certain distance before switching to gasoline power.

What is the expected range of the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 on electric power alone?
The expected range of the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 on electric power alone has not been officially announced yet.

What is the expected fuel efficiency of the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023?
The expected fuel efficiency of the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 has not been officially announced yet.

What is the expected horsepower of the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023?
The expected horsepower of the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 has not been officially announced yet.

Will the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 have regenerative braking?
It is possible that the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 will have regenerative braking, which allows the vehicle to recover some of the energy lost during braking and use it to recharge the battery pack.

Will the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 have different driving modes?
It is possible that the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 will have different driving modes, such as all-electric mode, hybrid mode, or sport mode, but this has not been officially confirmed by Kia.

Will the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 have a towing capacity?
It is possible that the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 will have a towing capacity, but this has not been officially confirmed by Kia.

Will the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 have a warranty?
It is likely that the Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 will come with a warranty, but the details of the warranty have not been officially announced yet.

Where is the AWD Lock button located in the Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage AWD lock button location is usually positioned on the center console or dashboard, often near the gear shifter or within the control panel for easy access and engagement of the all-wheel-drive lock mode.

Useful Link

View Full User Guide: Kia Sportage PHEV 2023 User Guide

Download Manuals: Owner’s Manuals and Documents | Kia

2023 KIA SPORTAGE Specs, Price, Features and Mileage (Brochure)