2026 KIA SPORTAGE GAINS CHUNKIER STYLING AND UPGRADED TECHNOLOGY
- The 2026 Kia Sportage has been refreshed with new, more vertical headlights and a more rectangular grille.
- The cabin gets a new curved digital display and an optional 10-inch head-up display that can display turn-by-turn navigation.
- Hybrid Sportage models will also be offered in two new trims, and the hybrid and plug-in-hybrid variants receive slight horsepower increases.
The fifth-generation Kia Sportage arrived for the 2023 model year with a funky, extraterrestrial face, but now it is thankfully time for a mid-cycle refresh that gives the compact SUV more conventionally attractive looks. While the styling changes were already previewed on the Korea-market version earlier this month, Kia has now announced full details on the 2026 Kia Sportage for the United States at the Los Angeles auto show.
Sharper Looks Inside and Out
The biggest visual changes are up front, where the boomerang-esque white LED running light in the headlight has been turned orange and flipped around into a scythe-shaped element. The headlights themselves also get chunkier and more vertical, sitting on either side of a more boxier grille. The taillight shape remains the same but receives a new graphic treatment. The front and rear bumpers have also been restyled, and the Sportage will be offered with new 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheel designs.
The cabin gains a more rectangular curved display featuring a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. An optional 10-inch head-up display can show information like driver-assistance functions and turn-by-turn navigation. Kia says the trim on the center console has been reworked to minimize finger smudges, and the steering wheel is restyled with a two-spoke design.
The Sportage also gains wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which, on the hybrid and plug-in-hybrid models, is also integrated into the head-up display. An available Wi-Fi hotspot can support five devices with a 4G LTE connection. Kia also implemented a Digital Key feature that allows owners to use compatible smartphones or smartwatches to remotely lock, unlock, and start their vehicle and remotely adjust the climate control. Owners can also customize their infotainment system with their favorite NBA team's logo and colors.
Hybrid Upgrades
The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder powertrain in the hybrid and plug-in-hybrid models has been treated to a few extra horsepower for 2026. The standard Sportage hybrid now produces 231 ponies, a 4-hp increase, while the PHEV now churns out 268 hp, up by 7 ponies. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the nonhybrid models continues to produce 187 hp. All all-wheel-drive Sportages also gain a new Terrain mode for driving in snow, mud, or sand.
Kia also added two new trims for the hybrid model. The Sportage S slots in between the base LX and EX, while a new hybrid X-Line model joins the lineup. At the top of the pack is the SX Prestige. The plug-in hybrid continues to be offered in just two variants, X-Line and X-Line Prestige. For the pure-gas Sportage, the lineup remains unchanged.
The new Sportage S hybrid comes standard with wireless phone mirroring, front and rear USB-C charging ports, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, 18-inch black wheels, and black exterior trim, among other goodies. The new X-Line hybrid adds features including a standard wireless charger, LED fog lights, a panoramic sunroof, and 19-inch black wheels.
Kia also introduced new driver-assistance features for the 2026 Sportage. Automated emergency braking with the ability to detect pedestrians, cyclists, and cars is now standard. The optional upgraded highway driving assist system can maintain a preset speed and distance to the car ahead and help with steering-wheel control during the execution of lane changes. Another new standard feature is "hands-on detection," which monitors whether the driver is holding the wheel and will send out warnings if it deems the driver is not.
The 2026 Sportage is due to hit dealerships in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2025, with pricing set to be announced later. We expect a slight increase in prices from the 2025 models, which start at $28,565 for the pure-gas setup, $29,965 for the hybrid, and $41,065 for the plug-in-hybrid variant.
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