2026 Kia Sportage First Look: Comfortable, Stylish, But Fast Enough?

The 2026 update offers significant improvements but fails to address the Sportage's most prominent issue.

Kia tampered with something successful. Only three brief years into its present iteration, the Sportage The model will be renewed for 2026 featuring new exterior designs and advanced technology, along with several other improvements. It has consistently performed well in our Ultimate Car Rankings, so we tested the newly upgraded Sportage to determine if it's still deserving of recognition — indeed, it is, although one significant drawback persists.

New features for the 2026 Kia Sportage

This year's model of the Sportage hit the market for 2023 featuring an unusual yet appealing design; distinctive body lines and flowing light elements contribute a sense of character that many ordinary small SUVs typically miss.

This slightly foreign look is softened for 2026, with the Sportage featuring LED-enhanced headlights designed vertically. This gives it a more standing, sport utility vehicle-like style that matches better with other Kia SUVs. In addition to fresh wheel designs and color options, other exterior design changes make minor changes to the rear lights and front bumper

Within, the 12.3-inch information entertainment touch screen previously available only on premium models now comes as standard, though even more significant is its operation with an updated user interface. Named CCNC ("Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" according to Kia terminology), this system offers enhanced computing performance, a redesigned navigation layout, and improved ability for wireless updates. It is integrated into a newly designed instrument panel that, similar to the outside, replaces some quirky forms with simpler linear detailing.

Within the driving assistance package, forward and backward parking sensors are now included as standard features, the adaptive cruise control has been improved, and the lane-keeping function is combined with a capacitive touch sensor in the newly designed dual-spoke steering wheel.

Our assessment here centers on the regular gasoline-powered Sportage, which continues to use the same engine as previously. Nevertheless, the Sportage Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models offer increased performance—you can learn more about changes to these models here .

Still Slow

Should Kia have made any changes to the Sportage for 2026, we would prefer it retained that gasoline engine: a 2.5-liter inline-four generating 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission offering standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. It's sluggish— test drive, a 2023 Sportage X-Pro similar to what we will have in 2026 needed 9.3 seconds to accelerate to 60 miles per hour from a standstill

But does it move slowly? Typically, this isn't the case. During regular driving, the engine doesn't seem to be exerting much effort, smoothly handling tasks and matching the flow of traffic without issue.

Requesting further performance, however, proves disappointing. Pressing the accelerator, the engine takes a moment to respond, ultimately generating more sound than actual speed. The Sportage isn't characterized by its sluggishness, yet it remains an aspect—one should not expect quick turns, darting into traffic openings, or prevailing in lane merge competitions.

The transmission attempts to assist by quickly downshifting to provide power, but the overall shortage of power hinders this action. Nevertheless, the shifting process remains smooth, offering a seamless feel during operation. The sole unusual behavior occurs when it sometimes jerks forward at takeoff, an issue more frequently seen in dual-clutch transmissions rather than the torque converter system used here.

Fuel efficiency is expected to be approximately 23-24/26-30 mpg in urban and highway driving with all-wheel drive, which is relatively modest compared to other models in the Sportage's category. Also note that Sportage Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid are not just more energy-efficient but also significantly faster.

Otherwise, Smooth

In addition to its slow performance, the Sportage has few drawbacks—it actually offers many things to appreciate.

The driving experience offers exceptional comfort, almost bordering on luxury. The high-end X-Pro version we tested features tall, soft off-road tires that provide extra shock absorption between the vehicle's interior and the road surface, making it one of the smoothest riding models in the Sportage lineup. However, this model shares the same fundamental suspension setup with others, which means each 2026 Sportage should deliver a comparable level of comfort that effectively absorbs bumps and irregularities on the road.

Perhaps handling is compromised because of the plush suspension, causing the vehicle to bounce and sway when responding. The Sportage remains largely steady, yet it's evidently not designed for spirited driving, especially since its limited power makes that clear enough. The way the steering and braking systems are calibrated supports this laid-back style. The Sportage isn't sporty, so simply drive comfortably and enjoy its quiet ride.

How’s CCNC?

The prior user interface from Kia had certain shortcomings, and CCNC has made enhancements in important aspects. This updated version of the earlier menu layout stays largely easy to use, yet the whole system features visuals that appear more contemporary and enhance readability. The touch response is faster, although it still lags slightly behind the latest smartphones. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard options. It would be beneficial to have greater customization possibilities for the digital instrument panel, which might potentially be introduced through an upcoming software update along with additional upgrades.

A 12.3-inch display might not be considered very spacious compared to other budget-friendly SUVs, yet it offers an ideal dimension—clear and practical without being overly bulky for the interior space. Beneath that, the slightly clumsy touch-sensitive multi-functional climate and entertainment control panel still exists.

Kia's driver assistance technologies help simplify highway travel, working together to maintain stability. The inclusion of a capacitive steering wheel sensor for the lane-keeping aid is an improvement, although this system still requires considerable manual oversight.

Might Be Underpriced

Priced around $42,000, the Sportage X-Pro offers an exceptional value. It includes numerous features such as ventilated seating, a panoramic sunroof, high-end sound system, and a 360-degree camera—all for this cost, which is very notable. (For comparison, the 2026 Sportage begins just above $30,000.)

However, even more remarkable is the consistent level of quality across the Sportage, regardless of the specific model. It seems exceptionally crafted, with each point of contact offering pleasant feedback and all surfaces fitted together tightly and securely. The thick seals around the doors and windows help keep the interior quiet from external noise. Everything gives off a sense of solidity, which isn’t always true for other vehicles. every compact SUV .

It also reflects in the driving experience. The comfortable ride isn’t coincidental, and although the overall feel might be somewhat unexciting, there's a polished harmony in how everything functions together. A lackluster engine is just one part of the Sportage; its affordability, comfort, technology, and practical design make it a solid option for daily use. The redesigned Sportage remains reliable as it steps into 2026.

2026 Kia Sportage Specifications
BASE PRICE	$30,085
LAYOUT	Rear-engined, all-wheel drive, five-seat, four-door sport utility vehicle
ENGINE	2.5-liter engine with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, featuring both port and direct injection, DOHC configuration, and 16 valves for the inline-four design
TRANSMISSION	8-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT	3,750 lb (est)
WHEELBASE	108.5 in
Dimensions: Length × Width × Height	183.5 inches by 73.4 inches by 66.9 inches
0–60 MPH	9.3 sec (est)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	23-34/27-32/25-28 mpg (est)
EPA RANGE, COMB	358-400 miles (est)
ON SALE	Now