The 2026 Kia Sportage Is Shaping Up To Be A Gamechanger

Kia came to the 2024 LA Auto Show armed with many of its important products. Apart from the EV6 and EV9 GT updates, the South Korean automaker has also revealed the 2026 MY update of its compact crossover, the Sportage. The Sportage competes in arguably the fiercest segment today, and Kia has ensured it didn’t slip through as an outdated product. The 2026 MY update brings changes in all regards and caters to all three powertrain offerings – the ICE, Hybrid, and the PHEV. From aesthetic updates to interior changes, Kia has left no stone unturned. Here’s what’s new with the 2026 Kia Sportage.

Aesthetic Changes Spearhead The 2026 Update

The 2026 MY is the biggest update to the Sportage lineup since the fifth-gen debuted in 2021. On the outside, the Sportage follows Kia’s “Opposites United” design philosophy and features certain off-road cred that’s becoming the trend with these pseudo-SUVs these days. The 2026 Sportage comes with:

• Revised front and rear bumpers.
• Updated LED headlight design, DRLs, and taillights.
• New 17-, 18-, and 19-inch wheels.

A Couple Of New Trims On The Sportage Hybrid

The ICE Sportage is offered in six trims: LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, and X-Pro Prestige. The Sportage Hybrid sees a couple of new mid-spec trims: LX, S (new), EX, X-Line (new), and SX-Prestige. The Sportage PHEV, on the other hand, will continue to be offered X-Line and X-Line Prestige trims.

The X-Line and X-Pro Prestige trims come with exclusive features like raised roof rack rails, gloss black-finish surrounds for the mirrors and windows, and all-season tires on the X-Line and B.F. Goodrich all-terrain tires on the X-Pro Prestige, and so on.

Fun fact: ‘Sportage’ is the longest-running nameplate in Kia’s history. It made its first appearance back in 1993 and still going strong 30+ years later!

No Dearth Of Changes On The Inside

On the inside, Kia has made significant changes. Most of these pertain to the tech features. To sum it in short, the 2026 Sportage comes with:

• A new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit with a 12.3-inch LCD.
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
• A few new Kia Connect services.
• Multi-function audio/climate touchpad.
• 360-degree Surround-View Monitor.
• Harman Kardon premium audio system.
• Wireless charger.

Certain optional features include a 10-inch head-up display, Digital Key 2.0 Premium, power-folding outside mirrors, heated rear seats on the Hybrid and PHEV models, and new accent trims for the instrument panel, center console, and door panels that are said to be fingerprint-resistant. On the X-Line and X-Pro Prestige trims, you get unique tread-like stitching patterns on SynTex synthetic leather-trimmed seats.

Slight Power Boost Under The Hood

Kia has tweaked the powertrains on the Hybrid and the PHEV Sportage. They make four horses and seven horses more than the outgoing model, respectively. While the PHEV model comes standard with all-wheel-drive, the ICE and Hybrid models can had with AWD setup at an extra cost. The X-Line and X-Pro Prestige trims, however, feature AWD as standard.

2026 Kia Sportage Specifications

Pricing Is Yet To Be Revealed

The 2026 Sportage will arrive at the showrooms in 2025 Q2 and pricing will be revealed closer to its on-sale date. But, for your reference, here’s how the 2025 Sportage is priced:

2025 Kia Sportage Pricing