5 More HP for 2026 Kia Sportage: First Drive

October 10, 2025

Roberto Baldwin

For 2026, Kia kept the powertrain from last year’s Sportage Hybrid as it made light updates to the look and interior. The automaker has been in the hybrid business for a while, but the automaker is still looking to make a splash in the gas-electric space. Kia told the assembled journalists at a recent drive program for the 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid that it’s clear not enough customers have noticed. The updated hybrid Sportage takes what has worked for the crossover and gives it a facelift and a slight powertrain upgrade, with results that still deliver a solid value to anyone in the market for a hybrid crossover.

The vehicle is available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrains. We drove the AWD SX-Prestige hybrid trim, which starts at $40,390 (destination fee: $1,445). The Prestige represents a $10,000 premium over the entry-level LX, which starts at $30,290 (destination fee: $1,445). Typically, the majority of sales for a vehicle reside in the middle trim level. A goldilocks vehicle with just enough options to appeal to the majority of buyers without bumping up the price too high. Not so in the Sportage. Kia said over 50% of Sportage sales are of the top-level SX-Prestige trim.

Surprise fun

The engine in the 2026 Sportage remains unchanged from the 2025 model. Under the hood sits a turbocharged 1.6-L four-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The biggest change was that Kia tweaked the 47.7 kK permanent magnet synchronous electric motor to draw out an additional 5 hp from the previous model, up to 64 hp (47.7 kW) from 59 hp (44kW). Total power output is 177 hp (132 kW).

The Sportage Hybrid produces 195 lb-ft. (264 Nm). All told, it's an adequate amount of power to get the vehicle up to speed at freeway on ramps and pulling away from an intersection. The six-speed transmission is suitable for around-town driving. Anything more exciting requires the paddle shifters to properly engage the engine, especially during spirited driving when coming out of corners.

Speaking of which, the 2026 Sportage handles curves far better than I expected. It's still a tall vehicle with a high seating position, but on some of the more adventurous roads on the border between Indiana and Kentucky along the Ohio River, the small SUV impressed me. It's definitely not going to take center stage at an autocross event, but it will give owners a bit of fun on backroads when pushed.

That type of scenario gets more likely as Kia attempts to woo younger buyers to its lineup, starting with the Sportage Hybrid. A gas and plug-in hybrid version of the vehicle are also available.

You got the look

The exterior facelift of the KIA Sportage is striking and brings the vehicle more in line with the automaker's latest design aesthetic, attempting to stand out in a crowded SUV field. The front fascia connotes a more aggressive stance without throwing out everything that worked design-wise on the previous generation vehicle.

Inside, the dash cluster and infotainment system are delivered via two 12.3-in. screens. Kia continues to deliver a no-nonsense infotainment system layout. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard on all trim levels.

Climate and media controls are another situation. The touch-sensitive bar below the infotainment screen and vents is reminiscent of what we've seen in the EV6. It serves two functions: tap the arrow and you get infotainment hot keys and media controls. Tap the fan blade and the strip turns into a climate control command center. The result is an additional tap to get to controls and a higher potential for selecting the wrong item.

The rest of the comfortable interior has less potential for confusion. Like most Kia models, it is outfitted with materials usually set aside for more expensive vehicles. The seating position (as noted earlier) is high, but that's on-par with other vehicles in this segment. Rear seats are also comfortable. Including the lower level of cargo in the rear, behind the second row, the vehicle has 39.5 ft3 of space, 73.7 ft3 with the second row folded down.

Hands-on, eyes-on help

The updated Sportage also brings the same driver assistance features found in the EV6. Highway Assist 2 brings standard adaptive cruise control with stop and go support, lane keep assist, lane-departure warning, hands-on detection, and parking distance warning. Optional features include auto lane changing.

During the highway driving portion of our drive, the system kept the vehicle centered during wide turns and had no issues with cut-ins when adaptive cruise control was deployed. Unfortunately, most of the drive was on backroads without the option to test the system longer than a few minutes at a time. What I did encounter was more than adequate for the average commuter looking for additional support while driving.

Overall, the 2026 Kia Sportage is an evolution of an already-solid vehicle. The additional power won't be noticed by most, but the new look will likely make it more desirable. The hybrid powertrain will deliver up to 42 mpg combined for the FWD model and 35 mpg combined for AWD. Even if the majority of Sportage Hybrid sales are for the top trim, the SUV offers a value opportunity for those looking for a lower trim option with plenty of space for friends and solid fuel efficiency.