2026 Kia Sportage Specs, Review, Configurations
2026 Kia Sportage Specs, Review, Configurations – The 2026 Kia Sportage’s daring choice to go with an ultramodern design should, at the very least, set this family SUV apart from a crowded field of well-known competitors. More passenger space, a bigger trunk, an amazing entertainment system, and a variety of effective hybrid engines—including the first-ever plug-in technology—are just a few of the Sportage’s other upgrades.
Even if there isn’t much entertainment value when driving, the Sportage is nonetheless extremely stylish and comfortable. Kia has made its best-selling SUV even more manageable by adding additional useful features to it. 2026 Kia Sportage Specs
2026 Kia Sportage Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
Is the Korean automaker’s ambition of cutting-edge technologies and a unique design realized with the launch of the fifth generation 2026 Kia Sportage? The dynamic and cutting-edge front end of the Sportage grabs attention right away, giving it a very distinctive appearance. The overall design is impressive, even though opinions on the expanded grille and arrow-shaped running lights will undoubtedly differ.
In its mid-to high-spec variants, the all-electric Kia EV6, the brother of the Sportage, features two 12.3-inch displays that provide a panoramic view of the whole display. This model’s onboard technology is incorporated into the Sportage. It looks to be a significant improvement over the previous model, and the quality is excellent.
When we performed a twin test between the Sportage and the Vauxhall Grandland, we discovered that the Kia’s inside seemed more opulent. The materials and buttons on the steering wheel were the touchpoints that were simpler to understand. A variety of body shapes may be easily accommodated by adjusting the steering wheel.
The restricted amenities of the entry-level ‘2’ trim detract a little from the sleek exterior of the interior. In addition to the smaller 4.3-inch digital driver’s display that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it has the same 12.3-inch touchscreen as the rest of the series. The bigger 12.3-inch digital driver display, partly leather upholstery, heated front and rear outer seats, and a heated steering wheel are only available with the ‘3’ specification upgrade.
Similar to the fully electric EV6, Sportage versions with trim level “3” or higher come with two curved 12.3-inch displays. On one is the touchscreen infotainment system, while on the other is the instrument cluster. The almost vertical placement of the concave screens and their nearly complete suppression of reflections make this design extremely effective.
The menu arrangement is clear and basic, making it easy to find a lot of information. The bright images on the dark backgrounds make for easy reading, and the loading rates are quick. The screens’ brightness can be fully turned down at night to avoid disruption or blindness.
Conversely, certain features are a little bit more complex than is necessary. For instance, the driver-assist page mixes a conventional menu with a graphical representation of the safety features and appearance of the car. Route planning is similar in that it’s simple to use but requires more confirmation pushes than it should.
When utilizing the screen, you may place your palm on the convenient dashboard trim strip that runs between the touchscreen and the bottom control panel that toggles between the infotainment and temperature controls. The GT-Line S trim level is the only one that offers wireless smartphone charging; the dashes of the other models include USB and USB-C ports. 2026 Kia Sportage Specs
2026 Kia Sportage Specs
Engine & Performance
From an easily ignored farm SUV, the 2026 Kia Sportage has developed into one of the most unique and popular vehicles on UK roads. With eye-catching design characteristics shared with the electric Kia EV6, the current Sportage, currently in its fifth generation, sets itself apart from the competitors. In addition, internal technology has advanced significantly.
The engine options available for the Sportage are rather diverse. Although there are regular gasoline engines with mild hybrid technology, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid versions available, a fully electric version is not yet available. The standard gasoline car’s 1.6 T-GDi engine produces 157 horsepower. It has a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT automatic transmission and solely two-wheel drive.
More power is available in the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, with 246 and 212 horsepower, respectively. Both make use of an automated transmission with six gears. The PHEV comes equipped with four-wheel drive and a 43-mile pure electric driving range as standard. Four-wheel drive is an optional feature for the conventional hybrid. Four-wheel drive is typically employed.
The least powerful car in the lineup is the slightly hybrid Sportage petrol, which nevertheless manages to produce a good 157 horsepower and accelerates to sixty miles per hour from zero to sixty-seven miles per hour in 9.8 seconds when operated manually; in 9.3 seconds when operated via a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The manual can go as fast as 119 mph, while the automatic is a little slower at 117 mph.
The 212 horsepower full-hybrid’s benchmark sprint time is 8.7 seconds due to the extra weight of the all-wheel drive arrangement, despite its greater power enabling it to reach 62 mph in 8.4 seconds. The top speed of both variants is 115 miles per hour.
Due to its bigger, heavier battery and conventional four-wheel drive, the most costly plug-in hybrid model requires 8.4 seconds to go from 0 to 62 mph, despite having 261bhp more power than the full-hybrid. The top speed has been reduced to 112 miles per hour. 2026 Kia Sportage Specs
2026 Kia Sportage Fuel Economy
The 2026 Kia Sportage is available in gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and full-hybrid variants to accommodate drivers of all budgets, including business and commuter travelers. On the WLTP combined cycle, the 1.6-liter T-GDi engine with 157 horsepower may achieve up to 44.1 mpg.
Even while these numbers are remarkable in and of themselves, the plug-in hybrid and full hybrid versions are more efficient than these values. It’s critical to remember that increased efficiency has a cost. The least costly PHEV, for instance, is the GT-Line model, but buying one will cost you more than buying the identical vehicle that runs on gasoline.
Depending on the specification, the full-hybrid may get up to 51.4 mpg and 132g/km of CO2 emissions. The GT-Line variant has a starting price of around £35,500. With its 13.8kWh battery, the plug-in hybrid Sportage can go 42 miles on electricity alone. It takes around two hours to fully charge the battery at home using a 7.4kW wall box charger. Under a separate warranty, the battery is guaranteed to hold onto more than 70% of its capacity for seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
2026 Kia Sportage Safety Features
When it was inspected in July 2022, the most recent 2026 Kia Sportage obtained an even more remarkable five-star safety rating compared to its predecessor—especially in light of the strict assessment standards employed by Euro NCAP.
The basic safety package offers outstanding features like cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and other camera- and radar-based systems to assist avoid or lessen crashes. The Forward Accident-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system is one of them; it keeps an eye on nearby bicycles, pedestrians, and other automobiles. If necessary, it will automatically apply the brakes and emit a warning sound to let people know that a collision is imminent.
When utilizing cruise control on a dual carriageway or highway, the Lane Following Assist function aids the Lane-Keeping Assist system in maintaining the vehicle’s separation from the lines. A customizable adaptive cruise control system with stop and go capability is included with all automated vehicles, including the GT-Line and higher trims. It can keep you at a certain distance, stop you in traffic, and restart your car when the car in front of you moves forward.
The only way to get further safety features like Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Parking Collision Avoidance Assist is to upgrade to the GT-Line S level.
In our Driver Power customer satisfaction study, Kia routinely scores highly, and the most recent findings were no different. The Sportage came in at number eleven on the list of the greatest cars to purchase in 2024, out of fifty models. Kia had three entries on this list; the Picanto, the company’s smallest model, was placed one position lower than its bigger sibling.
Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.
