2026 Kia Sportage Expert Review
Reviewed by Billy Rehbock
The 2026 Kia Sportage arrives as a surprise. Initially, it appeared that Kia would introduce a refreshed version of its compact SUV for 2027, but the Korean automaker has instead launched updates for 2026. As such, a revised Sportage will arrive in showrooms mid-2025. Rivals to the U.S.-built Sportage include the Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester.
What’s New
Reworked front and rear bumpers
An updated front fascia with a stacked LED headlight design and available amber daytime running lights
Optional cube-style projection headlights
Updated LED taillights with a more geometric shape
Fresh styling for X-Line models
Sportage Hybrid gains 4 hp
Sportage PHEV gains 7 hp
Dual 12.3-inch displays with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
An available 10.0-inch head-up display
New S and X-Line trims for Sportage Hybrid
Available forward collision avoidance assist with direct oncoming detection
Available Highway Driving Assist 2 and updated front, side, and rear parking sensors
Available Digital Key lets you lock, unlock, and start car with mobile app
Terrain drive mode for X-Line, X-Pro Prestige, and all AWD trims
Restyled dashboard
New 17-, 18-, and 19-inch wheel designs
Discontinued X-Pro model
What We Think
The Kia Sportage makes a statement in a competitive segment, and the compact crossover’s refresh keeps it near the top of the pack. For 2026, the swoopy Sportage gets a new front fascia that more closely resembles its larger all-electric stablemate, the three-row EV9. Its taillights get a working over, as well. We’ve found the current Sportage’s interior to be an upscale and tech-forward space. Inside, there’s a new setup with a panoramic dual-screen arrangement and available head-up display.
Although the Sportage excels cosmetically and digitally, its driving dynamics leave a lot to be desired. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine lacks grunt and refinement as the Sportage chugs up to speed. Hybrid models solve this issue with smoother takeoff and stronger acceleration. Gasoline-only versions of the Sportage also return unimpressive fuel economy, a further incentive to go hybrid.
Thankfully, the Kia Sportage offsets its weaknesses with a comfortable ride and smart packaging. A spacious cabin belies the SUV’s compact footprint. Thoughtful touches like configurable cupholders and bag hangers integrated into the headrests contribute to excellent versatility. Build quality is yet another strength.
Although the gasoline 2026 Kia Sportage doesn’t receive the mechanical updates needed to fix its core deficiencies, it merely instead deepens its strengths. We suspect that will be enough to keep this compact SUV near the top of its class.
Performance and MPGs
Kia equips every non-hybrid variant of the 2026 Sportage with the same engine. All models will continue to feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder inline-four developing 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission, regardless of whether standard FWD or available AWD is equipped. Kia is expected to carry over the Sportage’s trim structure into 2026, so we anticipate that X-Line AWD, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige grades will continue to come standard with AWD.
In our testing, the pre-refresh 2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro AWD accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 9.3 seconds, a woefully slow result. Hybrid models are much quicker, with the 2023 Kia Sportage HEV AWD dropping a full 2.0 seconds for a respectable 7.3-second sprint. The plug-in 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV X-Line AWD Prestige squeaks a couple more tenths off that time, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.1 seconds.
It’s possible the 2025 Sportage’s fuel economy figures will carry over into 2026. If that’s the case, FWD versions of the Sportage would return around 25/32 mpg city/highway, and AWD models would be rated at 23/27–30 mpg.
2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid vs. PHEV
There are two motor-assisted variants of the current Kia Sportage, in addition to the default gas-only model. The 2026 Sportage Hybrid features a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four and an electric motor developing 4 hp more than the year before. The system’s total output is 231 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the gas-only Sportage, which uses an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Sportage Hybrid receives a six-speed automatic sending output to the front wheels or an available AWD system. For 2025, FWD models are rated at 42/44 mpg city/highway, while AWD variants return 38/38 mpg. These figures could be more or less the same for 2026.
The 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV continues offering a 1.6-liter turbocharged I-4 and an electric motor powered by a larger battery than what’s outfitted to the Sportage Hybrid. These models receive 7 hp more than the prior model year, developing 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. That’s routed to a standard AWD system via a six-speed automatic transmission. Electric driving range is 34 miles, while total range is rated at 430 miles (2024 figures).
Safety Ratings and Features
IIHS named the 2024 Kia Sportage a 2024 Top Safety Pick, the second-highest accolade it awards. Although the Sportage received top-level Good scores in all crashworthiness categories evaluated, its headlights and pedestrian front crash prevention system were given a second-highest Acceptable ranking. The Sportage barely passes IIHS’ vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0 front crash prevention test with a second-lowest Marginal score. LATCH ease of use is rated as Acceptable. NHTSA grants all 2025 Kia Sportage models a five-star overall rating with five stars given for frontal and side crash tests and four stars for the rollover evaluation.
Kia’s suite of assistance technology carries over to the 2026 Sportage with some notable additions at the higher end of the trim range. Every version of the SUV comes equipped with front automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane following assistance, automatic high-beams, and reverse parking distance warning. Higher trims receive other features such as blind-spot monitoring, front automatic emergency braking with junction turning detection, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assistance, front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and a 360-degree camera.
New features include available forward collision avoidance assist with direct oncoming detection, Highway Driving Assist 2, and updated front, side, and rear parking sensors. A remote 360-degree view is available with Kia Connect. Kia’s driver assistance features have proven to be accurate and easy to use in our experience.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The Sportage’s interior dimensions remain the same for 2026. That means impressive second-row legroom and decent but not segment-leading cargo volume.
