2026 Kia Sportage review

How much does the 2026 Kia Sportage cost?

The 2026 Kia Sportage has copped a significant price increase over the MY25 pre-update series (between $500 and $4095, depending on the variant) and the discontinuation of the manual variant moves the entry point to the range up $4995 to $37,990 plus on-road costs for the auto-equipped Sportage S 2.0-litre petrol.

There are 13 variants in the MY26 Kia Sportage range, spanning the same trim levels as before – S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line – and sticking with four powertrain options: 2.0-litre petrol (now auto-only), 1.6-litre turbo-petrol (now with an eight-speed auto), 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (now one of the few diesels in class) and 1.6-litre turbo petrol-electric hybrid (now with more power).

On the latter, the Sportage HEV range has expanded with AWD versions joining front-wheel drive (FWD) in the continuing SX and GT-Line model grades for a $3000 premium. See our full price box below.

It’s a pity Kia didn’t open up the Sportage Hybrid’s potential further with a more affordable S HEV, especially with the substantial upgrades made at this level, including keyless entry/start and a bigger 12.3-inch central colour touchscreen, up from the previous 8.0-inch unit.

All Sportage models now have Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) technology for the first time. This is complimentary for seven years and provides a range of connected services including an emergency call system (e-Call) with SOS button. It also enables over-the-air (OTA) software updates. A ‘ccNC Lite’ version is found in the S models, missing out on features such as built-in satellite navigation and weather and traffic information.

Elsewhere, there’s a redesigned two-spoke steering wheel now in place across the range (with heating for SX+ and GT-Line), plus a wireless phone charger from SX+ and a head-up display (HUD) for flagship GT-Line variants.

As before, stepping up to SX brings sat-nav, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, driver’s seat lumbar support, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and a handy lever in the boot to fold down the back seats.

SX+ adds electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, heated front seats, a powered tailgate, Harman Kardon stereo, artificial ‘leather’ upholstery and tinted windows. GT-Line ups the ante with its curved display that combines the 12.3-inch dash screen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (up from 4.0” on lower grades), ambient interior lighting, a panoramic sunroof, alloy sports pedals and full electric adjustment and ventilation for both front seats (including driver’s position memory). The novel Remote Smart Park Assist for parking manoeuvres from outside the car is also a standout feature on GT-Line.

All Kia models are covered by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty, however the hybrid system components on Sportage HEV – including the high-voltage battery and electric motor – have a 150,000km threshold (over seven years, whichever comes first).

A capped-price servicing schedule is also in place for the first seven years of ownership. Service intervals are 12 months/15,000km for the 2.0-litre petrol and the diesel, while the turbo-petrol and hybrid models have a 10,000km limit.

More: Australia’s best family cars of 2025

2026 Kia Sportage exterior design

Fresh styling complements the new 2026 Kia Sportage with this mid-life facelift, most notable at the front end where there’s a distinctive new grille and bumper, vertically stacked ‘star map’ headlights and bold indicator/daytime running lights.

The rear end has subtle revisions to the tail-light cluster and bumper elements that are designed to match the reworking done up front. Sadly, Kia did not take the opportunity to relocate the inadequate reversing light, which remains as a short, thin strip on the bumper below the numberplate. It’s a little more prominent with the reprofiled bumper but could still prove difficult for other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to see.

New alloy wheel designs feature across the four trim levels, including a unique 18-inch design on hybrid GT-Line compared to the 19-inch rims on the equivalent petrol and diesel models. All petrol and diesel models have a full-size spare wheel, but this reduces to a space-saver spare in the hybrids due to packaging requirements.

Wolf Grey and Heritage Blue exterior colours also join the range as two new premium paint options ($600). ‘Clear White’ is the only standard colour.

What is the Kia Sportage like inside?

The 2026 Kia Sportage retains a modern, elegant and relatively high-tech feel in its spacious five-seater cabin.

Kia’s focus with this mid-life update is to maintain the level of sophistication in the face of ever-strengthening competition in the top-selling medium SUV segment. The two-spoke steering wheel doesn’t do much in this department, but the overall ambience and fit-out is still high-class for a mainstream offering.

Sportage S is the main beneficiary with its bigger and classier infotainment screen and redesigned switchable lower temperature/audio system control panel. The multiple device charging outlets front and rear have moved to USB-C across the range (three’s four in all grades bar SX+ and GT-Line, which have six) and the previous anomaly where only the S had wireless smartphone mirroring has been addressed: it’s also now found across the board.

For the driver, there’s a good range of seat adjustment and support, aided by lumbar support from SX grade upwards. No problems with instrument sight lines or adjustment of the major controls (via the steering wheel, console or dash), and the configurable head-up display on GT-Line is a welcome addition.

Storage areas are bountiful and, in the rear, there’s plenty of room across the three-seater bench. Boot space is adequate, swallowing 586 litres in hybrid models with the rear seats upright and extending to 1872L with the 60/40-split backrests folded. This compares to 543/1829L in regular petrol/diesel versions, which have the added bonus of a full-size spare wheel.

Is the Kia Sportage Hybrid good to drive?

Buyers are spoilt for choice with four powertrains available in the 2026 Kia Sportage, but our focus for the launch drive is on the upgraded petrol-electric HEV – now with an all-wheel drive (AWD) option and an upgrade for the hybrid system.

As found in the related Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, the Sportage HEV has a slightly more powerful 48kW/264Nm electric motor than before, which in concert with the unchanged 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine produces a combined 173kW/367Nm (+4kW/17Nm).

This is also the first time Kia Australia engineers have had the opportunity to localise suspension tuning for the hybrid, which in addition to revised steering calibration across the entire MY26 Sportage range brings the HEV up to the high standard set by the petrol/diesel models in terms of ride and handling sophistication.

Our drive across a mix of road conditions and surfaces, including broken bitumen and potholes, amply demonstrated that the Sportage Hybrid strikes a fine balance with a comfortable and compliant ride and controlled dynamics. The steering is accurate and well weighted – on the heavier side compared to some of its rivals, but never feeling cumbersome – and refinement levels are exceptional.

The AWD option adds 60kg compared to the front-wheel drive version, so fuel consumption is higher (5.3L/100km versus 4.9L/100km on the official combined cycle) in return for some extra traction. With the FWD, there’s no sense it’s underdone during normal driving duties, making the $3000 premium for AWD a hard sell, but we’re yet to drive either on dirt or gravel roads.

In SX FWD guise, the Sportage’s hybrid system is smooth and responsive. It relies heavily on the e-motor at low speeds, provides handy input when cruising and delivers strong performance when both electric and turbo-petrol power combine. The conventional auto transmission works well in this context, while transition between the two power sources is clinical. Real-world economy on test was also closely aligned to the manufacturer’s claims.

What safety features does the Kia Sportage have?

The 2026 Kia Sportage builds on the impressive array of safety features fitted across the range with extra driver assistance functionality for SX+ and GT-Line variants with Highway Driving Assist (HDA). This operates in concert with the existing adaptive cruise control system combining with Lane Following Assist (LFA) to keep the SUV centred in its lane on a freeway.

We also applaud the introduction of an accident emergency call system (eCall) as standard.

Otherwise, the safety tech suite is still vast, covering autonomous emergency braking (AEB) – with pedestrian and cyclist detection and junction assistance – as well as lane support systems, blind spot monitoring and intervention, rear cross traffic alert, automatic high beam, tyre pressure monitoring, driver attention alert, safe exit warning, a rear-view camera, multi-collision braking and much more.

The GT-Line goes a step further with projector-type LED headlights, higher functionality for its Parking Collision Avoidance Assist (when reversing), a Surround View Monitor with 3D mode and a Blind Spot View Monitor in the driver’s instrument display.

In the event of a crash, occupants are protected by a swathe of airbags including dual front, front side, front centre and, across both rows, head-protecting curtain airbags. The new Sportage should also continue to hold a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2022 testing protocols.

More: What is eCall and how crash detection technology can save lives

How does the Kia Sportage compare?

You will find cheaper alternatives to the Kia Sportage in the top-selling medium SUV class, but it remains competitive with its nearest rivals.

As a close relation, the Hyundai Tucson is an obvious alternative, priced from $39,100 through to $61,100 (plus on-road costs). Tucson Hybrid opens at $45,100 plus ORCs, but Sportage holds a key point of difference with Kia’s ongoing commitment to a diesel powertrain for now.

The incoming sixth-generation Subaru Forester occupies a similar bracket, opening at $43,490 plus ORCs (with a new hybrid version starting from $46,490), while other well-respected class contenders include the Nissan X-Trail (from $38,025 plus ORCs, hybrid from $50,765) and Honda CR-V (from $41,900 driveaway, hybrid only at the top end from $59,900).

The market-leading Toyota RAV4 is nearing the end of its current generation – next year’s model broke cover recently – but commands attention with its hybrid-only range that opens at $42,260 plus ORCs.

More: Australia’s best medium SUVs

Should I buy a Kia Sportage?

As the competition intensifies in the medium SUV class, the 2026 Kia Sportage reinforces its position as one of the best afield with this mid-life update. You do have to pay for the privilege, and we’d suggest making the budget stretch beyond the basic 2.0-litre petrol to the turbocharged petrol and diesel powertrains – including the hybrid.

At least the S grade with its higher specification no longer feels like an outlier, and the entire Sportage range steps up with key improvements such as emergency call, OTA updates and recalibrated steering.

With its extra power and suspension overhaul, the Sportage Hybrid becomes a highly recommended variant. However, we’d urge Kia to introduce a more affordable S FWD version to serve those on a tighter budget.

As it stands now, it’s still hard to go past the muscular, economical, AWD diesel-powered Sportage, priced $4000 below equivalent HEV variants and available at all model grades. But bring us an S Hybrid and we’ll reconsider.

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