2026 Kia Sportage: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2026 Kia Sportage is a mid-cycle refresh that brings redesigned front and rear styling, a reworked dashboard, and newer infotainment across the gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid lineup. The electrified versions also gain power, and the hybrid lineup expands.
About the 2026 Kia Sportage
5th generation (2023-present), mid-cycle refresh for 2026.
Kia positions the Sportage as a roomy, tech-forward compact SUV with a wider range of personalities than many rivals. The core appeal is generous passenger and cargo space, an easy-to-use modern cabin, and a choice of gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Shoppers can keep it simple with LX and EX trims, go more premium with SX models, or lean into a tougher look with X-Line and X-Pro versions.
The 2026 Sportage ranges from the straightforward LX, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and adaptive cruise control, to the comfort-focused EX, with heated front seats and a power liftgate. X-Line models add AWD and rugged-looking trim, while the upper hybrid and plug-in hybrid trims bring features such as premium audio, ventilated front seats, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera.
What changed, by category
2026 Kia Sportage specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter / 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, GDI, 1.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 1.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd / Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD / AWD | FWD | FWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Hybrid | Gas / Hybrid | Gas / Hybrid | Gas | Gas / Hybrid / Plug-In Hybrid | Gas | Hybrid | Gas | Plug-In Hybrid |
| MPG City | 35 mpg | 25–35 mpg | 25–41 mpg | 25 mpg | 24–35 mpg | 25 mpg | 35 mpg | 23 mpg | |
| MPG Highway | 36 mpg | 33–36 mpg | 33–44 mpg | 33 mpg | 30–36 mpg | 33 mpg | 36 mpg | 26 mpg | |
| Horsepower | 227 hp | 187–227 hp | 187–227 hp | 187 hp | 187–268 hp | 187 hp | 227 hp | 187 hp | 268 hp |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft | 178–195 lb-ft | 178–195 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft | 178–195 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft | 195 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft | 195 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 2000 lb | 2000–2500 lb | 2000–2500 lb | 2500 lb | 2000–2500 lb | 2500 lb | 2000 lb | 2500 lb | 2000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 73.7 cu-ft | 73.7–74.1 cu-ft | 73.7–74.1 cu-ft | 74.1 cu-ft | 65.5–74.1 cu-ft | 74.1 cu-ft | 73.7 cu-ft | 74.1 cu-ft | 65.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 41.3 in | 41.3 in | 41.3 in | 41.3 in | 39.5–41.3 in | 41.3 in | 41.3 in | 41.3 in | 39.5 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Electric Range | 33 (Plug-In Hybrid) | 33 | |||||||
| MPGe Combined | 83 (Plug-In Hybrid) | 83 | |||||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||||
| Park Assist | |||||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||||
| 360 Camera | |||||||||
| Traction Control | |||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||||||
| Heated Windshield | |||||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||||||
| Roof Rails | |||||||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | |||||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||||
| Subwoofer | |||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||||||
| Power Steering | |||||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2026 Kia Sportage?
The biggest change is a mid-cycle refresh. The 2026 Sportage has redesigned front and rear styling, a reworked dashboard, and Kia’s newer infotainment interface across gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models.
Does the 2026 Kia Sportage have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Yes. The 2026 Sportage uses wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, along with a newer infotainment layout and over-the-air update capability.
Is the 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid more powerful than the 2025 model?
Yes. The 2026 Sportage Hybrid produces 232 horsepower and also receives the refreshed exterior and dashboard.
What changed for the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid?
The 2026 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid gains the refreshed exterior and dashboard, newer infotainment, and a stronger 268-horsepower powertrain. Its X-Line Prestige trim has a 34-mile electric range.
Which Sportage trims changed for 2026?
The hybrid lineup adds S and X-Line trims for 2026. The gas X-Pro is dropped, but the more fully equipped X-Pro Prestige remains in the lineup.
Sources
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 23189 / Kia America Announces 2026 Sportage Pricing
- kiamedia.com — Pressreleases / 23499 / Kia America Announces 2026 Sportage Hev Pricing
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sportage Phev / 2026
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sportage / 2026
- kiamedia.com — Sportage / 2026 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Sportage Hev / 2026 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Models / Sportage / 2025
- kiamedia.com — Sportage Hev / 2025 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Sportage / 2025 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Sportage Phev / 2026 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Sportage Phev / 2025 / Features
- kiamedia.com — Sportage Phev / 2026 / Specifications