New & Used 2026 Kia Sportage for Sale nearMerrill, IA

How much does the 2026 Kia Sportage cost?

Prices have softened 10.91% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,037 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for you to compare trims and pricing.

Is the 2026 Kia Sportage a good car?

The 2026 Kia Sportage earns an expert rating of 7.33/10.

The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

You’re looking at a compact crossover that emphasizes stylish design, impressive technology, and strong safety ratings. The trade-offs are that performance is fairly pedestrian, and the X-Pro Prestige version does not fully deliver on Kia’s usual value reputation. That makes it a better fit if you want a polished, practical SUV than if you’re chasing excitement.

With 37.3% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Kia Sportage reliable?

The 2026 Kia Sportage is presented as a long-running nameplate with a current-generation platform that has continued to evolve, and the model’s overall package leans on competence and everyday usefulness. Its powertrain lineup includes conventional gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options, which gives you flexibility depending on how you plan to use it.

The non-hybrid engine is described as doing just fine, while the hybrid and plug-in hybrid are more refined thanks to their turbocharged and electrified setups. Kia’s long warranty coverage also supports the ownership case, especially if you plan to keep the vehicle for the long haul.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the Sportage’s value proposition is strongest when you buy carefully, since higher-priced versions can erode the savings you’d expect from a mainstream crossover.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Kia Sportage?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-trim example or one with more equipment. Focus on overall condition, tire wear, and whether the features you want are actually present on the specific vehicle you’re shopping.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The X-Line adds different front and rear bumpers and a tread-like stitching pattern for its SynTex artificial leather upholstery, while X-Pro models add all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels. Base-trim buyers should pay close attention to equipment gaps, since wireless phone charging is not standard on LX.
• Powertrain: Non-hybrid models use a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions use a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor, and they are more refined.
• Safety package: Standard driver-assist features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, lane following assist, front and rear parking sensors, fatigue detection, rear-seat reminder, and door-opening alerts for oncoming cars or cyclists. Higher trims add navigation-linked adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist with automated lane centering, a surround-view camera system, and Blind-spot View Monitor.
• Infotainment: A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen are standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and SiriusXM satellite radio. Wireless phone charging is standard on all but the base LX trim level, and X-Line and X-Pro models add digital key functionality.
• Fuel efficiency: The non-hybrid Sportage is rated at 28 mpg combined with FWD and 26 mpg combined with AWD. The X-Pro is rated at 24 mpg combined. The FWD hybrid is rated at 42 mpg combined, and the plug-in hybrid gets up to 34 miles of all-electric range.

Which 2026 Kia Sportage trim should I buy?

The 2026 Kia Sportage is offered in 6 trim levels: LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, and X-Pro Prestige.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core Sportage experience with the standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the full safety suite. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and are comfortable skipping some convenience features.
• EX: This is the trim to target if you want a better-balanced daily driver, since it builds on the base setup without jumping all the way to the pricier appearance or luxury-oriented versions. It’s the kind of trim that should suit most shoppers who want a practical middle ground.
• SX: This trim adds a more premium feel, and it’s the point where the Harman Kardon premium audio system becomes standard. If you care about a richer cabin experience and more tech polish, this is a strong step up.
• SX-Prestige: This is the better choice if you want more of the upscale equipment and are willing to pay for it. AWD is available here, and it sits in the part of the lineup where the Sportage starts to feel more fully loaded.
• X-Line: This is the best-value choice if you want the rugged styling and extra hardware without going all the way to the most expensive version. It gets standard AWD, different bumpers, digital key functionality, and a more distinctive look.
• X-Pro Prestige: This is the most specialized trim, but it’s also the one that most clearly tests the Sportage’s value proposition. You should buy it only if you specifically want the X-Pro’s all-terrain tires, 17-inch wheels, and off-road-oriented character.

Higher trims also bring the more advanced safety tech, including navigation-linked adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, the surround-view camera system, and Blind-spot View Monitor.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Kia Sportage?

The market looks moderate and selective, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,037 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.91% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 94.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,503, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2026 Kia Sportage's resale value?

The current average of $28,270 sits slightly below last year's $31,733.

That price movement suggests the Sportage is currently in a softer resale position than it was a year ago. If you’re buying now, that can work in your favor because depreciation has already done some of the heavy lifting.

For a future seller, the key takeaway is that higher purchase prices may be harder to recover if the market stays soft. If you plan to resell later, buying at the lower end of the range matters more than usual.

Is the 2026 Kia Sportage safe?

The 2026 Kia Sportage received the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it earns a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in frontal and side crash testing and four-star rollover performance.

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard driver-assist features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, lane following assist, front and rear parking sensors, fatigue detection, rear-seat reminder, and alerts for oncoming cars or cyclists when you open the door. Higher trims add navigation-linked adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist with automated lane centering, a surround-view camera system, and Blind-spot View Monitor.

Should I buy a 2026 Kia Sportage or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.91% compared with last year.
• The refreshed styling, strong safety ratings, and updated presentation matter to you.

The bottom line: The 2026 Sportage makes the most sense if you want the refreshed look and strong safety credentials, especially while prices have eased from last year. If you’re more focused on stretching your budget, a nearby model year may still be worth considering, but the 2026 is the better pick if you want the latest styling and a well-equipped, safety-forward compact SUV.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.