en.Wedoany.com Reported - Kia has moved production of the Sportage Hybrid to the Hyundai Metaplant in Ellabell, Georgia, where it will be built alongside the all-electric Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9. The brand has produced the gasoline-powered Sportage in the U.S. for years, and now the hybrid version joins local manufacturing.

The 2027 Sportage Hybrid is expected to arrive at dealerships this summer, offered in LX, S, EX, X-Line, and SX-Prestige trims. The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant was initially designed to focus on electric vehicle production, manufacturing the Ioniq 5 and five other EVs from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands. Due to insufficient EV demand to sustain the plant's capacity, the facility has confirmed it will also produce several hybrid models, with the Sportage Hybrid being the first hybrid built there.

"This is a very important moment for Kia in Georgia and for our customers across the United States," said Sean Yoon, President and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America. "The Metaplant in Savannah is our second major investment in Georgia and a clear vote of confidence in the state's future as a hub for the automotive industry. We firmly believe that the Metaplant will continue the strong momentum the Sportage Hybrid has enjoyed since its redesign last year, quickly making it one of our best-selling models."

The 2027 Sportage Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. It delivers a combined output of 232 horsepower and 271 lb-ft (367 Nm) of peak torque. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations are available.

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