The 2026 Kia Sportage is a two-row compact SUV offering three drivetrain choices and available all-wheel drive. Kia aims to keep the Sportage competing with vehicles like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Volkswagen Tiguan with a refreshed design and upgraded tech.
2026 Kia Sportage Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Kia Sportage
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Kia Sportage
Kia has refreshed the 2026 Sportage with an exterior design inspired by the larger Kia Telluride. Inside, a new panoramic instrument display with wireless smartphone connectivity is now standard. Hybrid trims gain additional horsepower, while safety updates include enhancements to forward collision warning and parking sensors. Kia also introduced new trims for this model year.
Design
The 2026 Sportage adopts a rugged design similar to the Telluride's, with a broad-shouldered shape and stacked LED headlights. It features a wide black grille and "Star Map" daytime running lights (DRLs). Buyers can choose from 17-, 18-, and 19-inch alloy wheels, while the refreshed look reinforces the Sportage’s appeal in the compact SUV segment.
Powertrain
The Sportage retains its three drivetrain options. A 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder is standard, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A 231-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter hybrid and a 268-horsepower plug-in hybrid (PHEV) are also available, the latter offering 34 miles of EPA-rated electric range. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard across the lineup, with all-wheel drive (AWD) optional on all but the plug-in hybrid.
Interior
The cabin of the 2026 Sportage features a 12.3-inch touchscreen integrated with a digital instrument panel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard. The spacious interior offers 41.3 inches of rear legroom and 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which ranks among the best in its class. A dual-level cargo floor adds flexibility, though it’s unavailable with the plug-in hybrid.
Technology
Kia pairs its largest touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity for the first time. Other notable tech includes a Harman Kardon audio system, wireless charging pad, surround-view camera, 10-inch head-up display, and a digital key feature that allows smartphone-based vehicle access and remote starting.
Safety
The 2026 Sportage receives updates to driver-assistance features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist, and oncoming vehicle detection. Optional features include forward, side, and reverse parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist 2, which provides lane-centering and adaptive cruise control on highways.
Pricing and Release Date
The 2026 Kia Sportage is set to arrive in showrooms in the second quarter of 2025. Pricing has not yet been announced, but for reference, the 2025 Sportage starts at approximately $28,500 for the base LX trim, with the plug-in hybrid topping the range at around $45,000.