Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.MSRP: $28,790Use the table of contents to jump to a sectionOverviewThe 2026 Kia Sportage compact SUV gets a mid-cycle refresh that tones down its controversial styling, bringing it in line with other contemporary Kias. The cabin is also overhauled, and there’s a bigger roster of standard features. The gas engine is a naturally aspirated 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic transmission mated to either FWD or AWD.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you want more power, you have to spring for the 232-hp hybrid or 268-hp plug-in hybrid, both employing a 1.6L turbo-four with electrical assistance (the latter with up to 33 miles of all-electric range). The Sportage’s generous interior space and cargo capacity endear it to families looking for value and space above all else.What's New for 2026?After three years, the Sportage gets a mid-life refresh that gets rid of the low-set headlights and boomerang DRLs, presenting a cleaner and more conventional front end with stacked LED headlights, reprofiled bumpers, and updated LED taillights that tie in better with other Kias. The hybrid’s output increases from 227 to 232 hp, and the PHEV’s from 261 to 268 hp.All trims get dual 12.3-inch digital displays - a gauge cluster and a touchscreen - with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a restyled dashboard, while a 10-inch head-up display becomes available. The X-Line, X-Pro Prestige, and other AWD trims get a terrain drive mode, and some newly available features include a smartphone-based digital key, Highway Driving Assist 2, and oncoming-traffic detection for the front-collision avoidance system.There’s a trim reshuffle, with the X-Pro trim discontinued and new S and X-Line trims added to the hybrid lineup.ExteriorThe 2026 Sportage has a chunkier appearance with its amber DRLs, stacked LED headlights, and a more rugged gear-tooth-style grille. There are reprofiled bumpers and new wheel designs that vary in size from 17 to 19 inches. The X-Pro Prestige has all-terrain tires, while the X-Line has raised high-utility roof rails, gloss-black exterior accents, and black badging. Higher trims have access to two-tone paintwork.2026 Kia SportageKiaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleInteriorThe redesigned dashboard is more refined and centers around the standard dual 12.3-inch displays, combining the gauge cluster and touchscreen in one panoramic display. The shifter lever is replaced with a rotary shifter, and the touch-sensitive controls below the touchscreen toggle between audio and climate functions. Base trims get cloth, and the others come with SynTex leatherette, while higher trims gain features like a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and two-tone interiors. The cabin is impressively spacious, with over 41 inches of rear-seat legroom.KiaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articlePrice Range and Best Value TrimCategoryTrimPriceBase trimLX (FWD)$28,790Top trimX-Line Prestige PHEV (AWD)$47,190Best value trimEX Hybrid (FWD)$33,790In the 2026 Kia Sportage’s price range, spanning from $28,790 for the gas LX to $47,190 for the PHEV X-Line Prestige, the EX Hybrid makes the most sense at $33,790. The gas powertrain is weak, and the expensive PHEVs only make sense if you’re going to make daily use of the EV mode. The Hybrid is the sweet spot, and EX means you get niceties like leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, a wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, and more driver assists.2026 Kia Sportage Specs OverviewPowertrain OptionsEngineHorsepowerTorqueTransmissionDrivetrain2.5L NA I4187 hp178 lb-ft8-speed autoFWD / AWD1.6L Turbo I4 HEV232 hp271 lb-ft6-speed autoFWD / AWD1.6L Turbo I4 PHEV268 hp271 lb-ft6-speed autoAWDPerformance and 0-60 MPHThe 187-hp gas Sportage is frustratingly slow, reaching 60 mph after around 9.1-9.5 seconds, and making merging and overtaking hard work, but the eight-speed auto is smooth, and the ride is composed. The 232-hp hybrids are a lot quicker with a time of around 7.3-8.0 seconds, depending on the trim, drivetrain, and weight, which most people will find more than acceptable. The 268-hp PHEVs have an edge even on the hybrids, dipping to 6.9-7.1 seconds.Fuel Economy (MPG / MPGe)The gas 2.5L Sportage achieves EPA estimates of 25/33/28 mpg city/highway/combined with FWD and 24/30/26 mpg with AWD, dropping further to 23/26/24 mpg in the AWD X-Pro. The FWD Hybrid is dramatically better at 41/44/42 mpg, with the AWD version taking quite a big hit at 35/36/35 mpg. The PHEV delivers 83 MPGe combined, 36 mpg on gas alone, and a 33-mile electric range.AWD/4WD System OverviewThe Sportage’s on-demand AWD system automatically distributes torque between the axles when slip is detected, and a Multi-Terrain mode with mud, sand, and snow settings tweaks the brakes, traction control, and throttle response to suit road conditions. AWD adds about $1,800 to the applicable trims, and comes with a combined-cycle consumption penalty of 2 mpg (gas) or 7 mpg (Hybrid).DimensionsThe Sportage offers a compact exterior footprint that still manages to deliver generous passenger and cargo space. Here are the key exterior measurements across the lineup.DimensionMeasurementLength184.4 inWidth (without mirrors)73.4 inHeight65.4-66.9 inWheelbase108.5 inInterior Space (Front and Rear)MeasurementFront RowRear RowHead Room37.8-39.6 in37.8-39.4 inLeg Room41.4 in41.3 in39.5 in (PHEV)Shoulder Room57.5 in55.6 inHip Room54.8 in53.4 inCargo SpaceThe gas Sportage leads its class in cargo capacity, with 39.6 cu-ft with the rear seats up and 74.1 cu-ft with them down. The Hybrid nearly matches that with 39.5 and 73.7 cu-ft, but the PHEV’s battery packaging drops its figures further to a still-good 34.5 and 65.5 cu-ft. From the EX, a dual-level cargo floor is standard, allowing you to choose between a flat surface and maximum depth.KiaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleGround ClearanceFWD models have 7.1 inches of ground clearance, which is adequate for gravel roads, snow, and light trails, but AWD models offer a far more generous 8.3 inches, allowing far more confident off-pavement driving.WarrantyKia’s warranty is among the strongest in the industry, particularly its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.CoverageDurationBasic Warranty5 years / 60,000 milesPowertrain Warranty10 years / 100,000 milesCorrosion Warranty5 years / 100,000 milesRoadside Assistance5 years / 60,000 milesComplimentary MaintenanceNonePros and ConsProsAdvertisementAdvertisementClass-leading cargo space and rear legroomStrong standard feature set across all trimsIndustry-leading 10-year powertrain warrantyComfortable, quiet ride qualityRefined, tech-forward interior designConsUnderpowered 2.5L engine with slow accelerationBelow-average fuel economy for the classNo complimentary scheduled maintenanceDull driving dynamics compared to rivalsVerdictThe Kia Sportage won’t set your heart racing behind the wheel, but it’s one of the most compelling compact SUVs out there, with its mid-life refresh only making it more appealing. Pluses include its spacious interior, large trunk, dual 12.3-inch displays, class-leading warranty, quiet, comfortable ride, and an expanded suite of driver assists. The minuses are few but include a weak base gas engine and unexciting driving dynamics.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe EX Hybrid makes the strongest case, fixing the performance shortfall of the base engine and avoiding the cargo-space reduction of the PHEV, while being sensibly priced under $34K. It’s perfect for drivers looking for a comfortable, practical, roomy, and fuel-efficient compact crossover with decent performance.KiaCompetitorsToyota RAV4Honda CR-VHyundai TucsonNissan RogueChevrolet EquinoxShop the Car MarketplaceView the original article to see embedded media.This story was originally published by Autoblog on May 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the Cars section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.