Starting price for the 2026 Sportage Compact SUV sets at a tag of $28,600.

Starting price for the 2026 Sportage Compact SUV sets at a tag of $28,600.

The 2026 Kia Sportage is set to make a significant impact in the compact SUV segment with its notable updates across design, technology, and user experience. The new model maintains its core powertrain options while broadening its appeal, offering an assertive and modern look, advanced connectivity features, and improved hybrid powertrains.

**Design Refresh**

The exterior of the 2026 Sportage features redesigned front and rear styling. A new grille and updated LED headlight housings with amber "Star Map" daytime running lights add a modern flair to the vehicle's assertive look, while keeping its recognizable profile. Inside, the dashboard has been reworked to include a seamless panoramic dual-screen layout, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen as standard on all trims. New trim accents and a cleaner, more cohesive cabin design aim to elevate the driving environment.

**Technological Advancements**

Every trim of the 2026 Sportage now includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a built-in navigation system on higher trims, and a standard Wi-Fi hotspot. The infotainment integrates with Kia's Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) for improved usability. Enhanced connectivity features include better over-the-air update capability for software and system improvements. A new digital key option allows smartphones to lock, unlock, and start the vehicle.

Advanced safety features like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 (auto emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle detection) and Highway Driving Assist 2 (enhanced highway driving automation) are standard in the 2026 Sportage.

**Powertrain & Performance**

The 2.5-liter inline-4 engine continues with 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The Sportage Hybrid receives a slight power bump to 231 hp (up about 5 hp from the previous year), while the Plug-in Hybrid offers 268 hp and maintains its advanced electrified drivetrain. All-wheel drive models come with a multi-mode terrain system featuring snow, mud, and sand settings for improved traction.

**Comparison to Previous Models**

Compared to the previous 2025 model, the 2026 Kia Sportage offers more advanced technology as standard and a more premium feel. The design has been redesigned front and rear, with LED Star Map lights, and the interior features a panoramic dash and a large touchscreen. However, pricing for the 2026 Sportage is expected to see a modest increase due to the expanded standard features and technology upgrades.

**Pricing**

The 2026 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid is available in two well-equipped all-wheel drive trims, reflecting its premium positioning but keeping in line with the segment’s evolution. Prices for the 2026 Sportage lineup range from $28,690 for the LX FWD model up to $39,590 for the fully equipped X-Pro Prestige AWD model. All prices for the 2026 Sportage exclude a $1,395 destination fee.

The 2026 Sportage's interior includes dual rear USB-C charging ports and a Smart Key system. The vehicle is aimed at bolstering its aesthetic appeal and technological prowess while maintaining the brand's reputation for value. Kia America, headquartered in Irvine, California, maintains partnerships with the NBA and WNBA and was recently named one of TIME's World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2024. Several of Kia's vehicles, including select trims of the Sportage, are assembled domestically.

1. The 2026 Kia Sportage, positioned in the compact SUV segment, is expected to challenge the industry with its advancements in design, technology, and user experience, demonstrating Kia's commitment to innovation in both finance and transportation sectors.
2. The automotive industry will witness the impact of the 2026 Sportage's standard dual-screen layout, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and advanced safety features like Forward Collision-Aid and Highway Driving Assist, setting a new benchmark in sports-inspired driving experiences.
3. As Kia America expands its partners in sports, including the NBA and WNBA, the 2026 Sportage's integrated technological features and value-driven pricing will position it as a competitive force in the environmentally-conscious industry, while maintaining a focus on domestic production.

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