Is the Kia Sportage automatic? Transmission and all-wheel drive for Lubbock buyers
Yes. Every Sportage is an automatic, so a Lubbock buyer’s real choice is the drivetrain and the powertrain. The Sportage comes as a gas model, a Hybrid and a Plug-in Hybrid, and each has its own drive layout and fuel economy.
Group 1 Kia Hub City is the only Kia franchise in Lubbock, so the whole decision can be made in one place, from the trim and drive to the trade and the service that follows.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Lubbock. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Is the Kia Sportage automatic? Yes, and here is the transmission
Yes. Every Sportage we sell is an automatic, and we carry the Sportage, Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-in Hybrid in Lubbock. The maker’s power figures show how the three powertrains differ. The Sportage EX makes 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Sportage Hybrid EX makes 232 hp and 271 lb-ft. The Sportage Plug-in Hybrid X-Line makes 268 hp, while its engine alone makes 177 hp and 195 lb-ft, and its electric motor is rated at 224 lb-ft on its own. A buyer choosing between them is really choosing the drive and the fuel.
Which Kia Sportage trims come with all-wheel drive?
The maker publishes all-wheel-drive figures for the gasoline Sportage, the Sportage Hybrid and the Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. Whether you get AWD depends on the trim and powertrain you pick, so name both before you shop. Starting prices run from $28,990 for the Sportage LX to $47,390 for the Plug-in Hybrid X-Line Prestige. The Sportage X-Line starts at $34,790, and the X-Pro Prestige starts at $39,890. Settle the trim first, then confirm the drive on that exact vehicle.
Do you need all-wheel drive on the South Plains around Lubbock?
For most Lubbock driving, all-wheel drive is a decision about the bad-weather days. Lubbock’s normal January low is 27.2 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 climate normals, so winter cold is part of the picture. The wet days are the real test. On September 15, 2026, a quick 1 to 3 plus inches of rain flooded parts of Lubbock, and the National Weather Service reported vehicles stalled in high water on the northwest side of the city. Several more hydroplaned off Highway 62/82 east of Idalou (National Weather Service, 2026). A front-wheel-drive Sportage covers the dry-pavement commute, and the next section shows what all-wheel drive costs in fuel.
How do Sportage Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid drivetrains differ from the gas model?
The gas, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Sportage use different powertrains, and fuel economy separates them most. The maker rates the gasoline Sportage AWD at 26 mpg combined and FWD at 28 mpg combined. The Sportage Hybrid AWD is rated 35 mpg combined and the Hybrid FWD 42 mpg combined. The Plug-in Hybrid AWD is rated 36 mpg combined. A Lubbock commuter who drives mostly dry roads gets the most from the Hybrid FWD, while a buyer who wants all-wheel drive should weigh it against the mileage it gives up.
Which Sportage trim fits how you drive in Lubbock?
If your weekends include a trailer, the gasoline Sportage EX fits. It tows 2,500 lbs with trailer brakes, against 2,000 lbs for the Hybrid trims, and it carries 39.6 cubic feet behind the second row. The Hybrid EX, LX, S and SX Prestige each carry 39.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and each seats five. For a weekday commute that never pulls a trailer, the Hybrid LX starts at $30,590 and the Hybrid S at $31,290, with the Hybrid EX at $32,290 and the Hybrid SX Prestige at $40,690.
How can Lubbock buyers shop and price a Sportage with AWD online?
Group 1 Kia Hub City is the only Kia franchise in Lubbock, and our online showroom is open at any hour. Buyers can search our new Kia inventory, including the Sportage, Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-in Hybrid. Our Sell Your Vehicle tool gives an instant offer from a license plate, a VIN, or a make and model, through its Get My Price button. Our payment calculator accepts that trade-in offer amount, so the numbers include the trade before you visit. The sale is finished at 6006 19th Street.
Why do Lubbock buyers choose Group 1 Kia Hub City for a Sportage?
Group 1 Kia Hub City holds a 4.5-star Google rating across 2,127 reviews, and the sales process and our service people are what customers name most. Of our 101 most recent four- and five-star Google reviews, 31 describe the sales process. One of those reviews shows what a buyer means by an unpushed sale.
In an August 2026 Google review, Antonio G. wrote: “Tommy was great to work with! I felt like he did everything he could to get us a great deal! Was very thorough in explaining options, and we never felt like he was pressuring us into something we weren’t looking for!”
Service can be booked online, in person or by phone, and our technicians are ASE-certified. We also list oil changes, tire service, battery service and brake repair.
How Kia dealers across West Texas compare on Google
Our 4.5 stars across 2,127 Google reviews are the record buyers can set beside every other Kia dealer in the region.
| Dealer | Address | Google rating | Google reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 Kia Hub City | 6006 19th Street, Lubbock, TX | 4.5 stars | 2,127 |
| Kia Of Amarillo | 4701 S Soncy Rd, Amarillo, TX 79119 | 4.3 stars | 1,670 |
| Sewell KIA | 5715 Andrews Hwy, Midland, TX 79706 | 4.9 stars | 356 |
| Kelly Grimsley Kia | 2603 E 8th St, Odessa, TX 79761 | 4.3 stars | 1,592 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kia Sportage Hybrid automatic?
Yes. The Sportage Hybrid is sold as an automatic, and the maker rates its drive as Hybrid AWD or Hybrid FWD. The maker’s powertrain warranty on the Sportage Hybrid is 10-year/100,000-mile.
Does the Kia Sportage get better gas mileage with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive?
Front-wheel drive gets better mileage in both the gasoline and hybrid Sportage. The gasoline FWD is rated 25 city, 33 highway and 28 combined, against 24, 30 and 26 for the gasoline AWD. The Hybrid FWD is rated 41, 44 and 42 combined, and the Hybrid AWD 35, 36 and 35 combined.
How much can a Kia Sportage tow?
The gasoline Sportage EX and LX tow 2,500 lbs with trailer brakes, and 1,653 lbs without them. The Sportage Hybrid trims tow 2,000 lbs with trailer brakes, and 1,653 lbs without. Keep the loaded trailer under the figure for your trim.
How do I check whether a Sportage has AWD before I buy?
Start with the powertrain, because the maker lists AWD and FWD for the gasoline Sportage and the Hybrid separately. When you ask us about a specific vehicle, name the trim, the powertrain and the drive together. Confirm the drive on that exact vehicle before you sign.
How do I get a value for my trade-in before visiting the dealership?
Our Sell Your Vehicle tool takes a license plate, a VIN, or a make and model, and it returns an instant offer. You can carry that number into the payment calculator before you arrive.
How do I schedule Sportage service in Lubbock?
Book service online, in person or by phone. Our technicians are ASE-certified, and the service lane handles oil changes, tire service, battery service and brake repair.
How Group 1 Kia Hub City puts the full Sportage line in one stop
A Sportage buyer in Lubbock is choosing a drivetrain and a powertrain, and that whole decision can be made at the only Kia franchise in the city. Our Google record is 4.5 stars across 2,127 reviews, and 81 in 100 of them are five-star (Google, 2026).
We sell the full Sportage line, gas, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, and the trade and payment can be worked out online before the drive. A buyer who arrives with a drivetrain choice and a trade number has already done the work that matters most. Finish at 6006 19th Street in Lubbock, Texas.
Group 1 Kia Hub City is where the drivetrain choice, the powertrain and the trade come together in one stop. Start online, then finish at 6006 19th Street.
Group 1 Kia Hub City answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Lubbock showroom, or call (844) 402-3025.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Group 1 Kia Hub City for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.
