The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV offered with gas-only, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. It takes on heavy hitters such as the Honda CR-V, the Nissan Rogue, and the Toyota RAV4.
Our focus here is the gas model, with the 2027 Kia Sportage Hybrid and 2027 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid covered separately.
2027 Kia Sportage Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2027 Kia Sportage
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2027 Kia Sportage
Changes are minor for the gas-powered 2027 Kia Sportage, with the X-Line trim gaining a panoramic sunroof and a hands-free power liftgate as standard (these were part of the Premium Package for the 2026 model). The upgrade aligns the gas version with specifications of the hybrid and PHEV models. Road Rider Brown is a new exterior color option.
Design
The Sportage range had a major update for the 2026 model year, with a new front end adopting the latest Kia family look. The nose features a wide black grille with vertical slats bracketed by yellow LED daytime running lights in a stylized checkmark shape. Stacked LED headlights sit below the DRLs and LED fog lights are available. The flanks sport notable haunches around the wheels, especially at the rear, and there's metallic trim along the rocker panels and lower window line, which rises at the rear. The rear sports LED taillights, a wide panel for the license plate, and more metallic trim down low. It all rides on 17-, 18-, or 19-inch alloy wheels, depending on the trim level.
Powertrain
The Sportage has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sportage is offered with front- or all-wheel drive, and the hybrids use a mechanical system rather than relying on an electric motor on the rear axle to provide AWD. Fuel economy for the gas model tops out at an EPA-rated 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, 28 mpg combined with FWD, and it can tow 2,500 pounds. The Sportage can cope with modest off-roading, with X-Line trims adding off-road driving modes and X-Pro versions having all-terrain tires.
Interior
The Sportage has cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats as standard. Buyers can also get synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. It has a dual-level cargo area and the gas version has 36.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, which expands to 39.6 cubic feet with the cargo floor in its lower position. Fold the second row down, and cargo space expands to 69.3 cubic feet or 74.1 cubic feet with the cargo floor lowered.
Technology
The Sportage comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen combined within a single sleek panel. Also standard are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, satellite radio, and a six-speaker audio system. Available features include navigation, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a 10-inch head-up display, a digital key, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Harman Kardon audio system.
