UPDATED 08/02/2026 08:00am:We’ve updated this article, first published on May 29, 2025 and then updated on June 14, with details of a new entry-level hybrid grade.
As part of a mid-life facelift, the 2026 Kia Sportage has received refreshed styling, more more hybrid variants, more standard equipment, and the introduction of Kia Connect services, accompanied by price increases of up to $4070.
After launching mid-way through 2025, Kia has expanded the Sportage Hybrid lineup further this year. The electrified powertrain is now available in base S trim, with either front- or all-wheel drive.
As with the pre-update model, the Sportage is offered in S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line trim levels, with no fewer than five different drivetrain variants available. The six-speed manual is dead, and 1.6T AWD variants swap out their dual-clutch automatic transmission for an eight-speed torque converter unit.
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Further, hybrid (HEV) versions of the SX and GT-Line are now available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) form, with the new S variants taking the total number of hybrid options to six.
Hybrids also get a slight power and torque bump thanks to a new electric motor – now 173kW/367Nm. Revised design details, new alloy wheel options and increased tech levels round out the highlights.
Pricing for the MY26 Kia Sportage starts from $37,990 before on-road costs, which is $5000 higher than the old base manual and $3000 more than the outgoing entry-level S automatic.
These price rises are somewhat offset by enhanced specification levels, as detailed further down.
Pricing
Prices are up across the board for 2026, by at least $500 and an average of around $3000 depending on the model variant.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 Kia Sportage S 2.0 FWD | $37,990 (+$2995) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage S 2.0D AWD | $43,390 (+$2995) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage S 1.6T HEV FWD | $44,450 (NEW) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage S 1.6T HEV AWD | $47,450 (NEW) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage SX 2.0 FWD | $40,480 (+$2930) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage SX 2.0D AWD | $45,880 (+$2930) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage SX 1.6T HEV FWD | $46,450 (+$500) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage SX 1.6T HEV AWD | $49,450 (NEW) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage SX+ 2.0 FWD | $45,080 (+$3030) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage SX+ 1.6T AWD | $47,080 (+$3030) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage SX+ 2.0D AWD | $50,480 (+$3030) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6T AWD | $53,990 (+$4070) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage GT-Line 2.0D AWD | $56,400 (+$3480) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6T HEV FWD | $57,370 (+$2310) |
| 2026 Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6T HEV AWD | $60,370 (NEW) |
Drivetrains and Efficiency
Four different engine variants are offered, with the turbocharged hybrid now offering both front- and all-wheel drive.
| Specifications | 2.0 FWD | 1.6T AWD | 2.0D AWD | 1.6T HEV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl petrol | 1.6L 4cyl turbo-petrol | 2.0L 4cyl turbo-diesel | 1.6L 4cyl turbo-petrol HEV |
| Engine outputs | 115kW / 192Nm | 132kW / 265Nm | 137kW / 416Nm | 132kW / 265Nm |
| Electric motor outputs | – | – | – | 47.7kW / 264Nm |
| System outputs | – | – | – | 173kW / 367Nm |
| Battery | – | – | – | 1.49kWh li-ion |
| Transmission | 6-speed auto | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto | 6-speed auto |
| Drive type | FWD | AWD | AWD | FWD / AWD |
| Weight – kerb | 1610kg | 1715kg | 1764kg | 1733-1793kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 8.1L/100km | 7.5L/100km | 6.3L/100km | 4.9-5.3L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 54L | 54L | 54L | 52L |
| Fuel requirement | 91 octane | 91 octane | Diesel | 91 octane |
| CO2 emissions | 184g/km | 169g/km | 163g/km | 110-121g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 | Euro 5 | Euro 5 | Euro 5 |
| Braked tow capacity | 1650kg | 1650kg | 1900kg | 1900kg |
| Towball download | 100kg | 100kg | 100kg | 100kg |
The Sportage HEV has seen a slight power and torque bump to 173kW/367Nm (up from 169kW/350Nm) courtesy of a more powerful electric motor which sits between the transmission and turbocharged petrol engine. Braked towing capacity for hybrid models has also been upped to 1900kg, which matches the diesel.
Another significant change is the transmission for 1.6T AWD versions, which switch out the old and disliked seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) for a smoother-shifting eight-speed auto. Fuel consumption, however, is up by almost 0.5L/100km on the combined cycle as a result.
Dimensions
The Kia Sportage’s mid-life update has seen it grow ever so slightly. It’s now 25mm longer.
| Dimensions | Kia Sportage | Kia Sportage HEV |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4685mm | 4685mm |
| Width | 1865mm | 1865mm |
| Height | 1660mm | 1680mm |
| Wheelbase | 2755mm | 2755mm |
| Boot space (second row up) | 543L | 586L |
| Boot space (second row folded) | 1829L | 1872L |
| Towing capacity (unbraked) | 750kg | 750kg |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1650kg (petrol) 1900kg (diesel) |
1900kg |
Servicing and Warranty
The updated Kia Sportage, like the Korean brand’s other models, is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty.
| Servicing and Warranty | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres – vehicle |
| Roadside assistance | Up to 8 years – service initiated |
| Capped-price servicing | 7 years |
Hybrid vehicles are also subject to a seven-year/150,000km high-voltage battery and component warranty.
Kia Australia offers seven years of capped-price servicing across its lineup.
2.0L petrol and turbo-diesel models in the range have 12-month/15,000km service intervals, while the turbocharged 1.6L petrol and HEV versions have shorter 10,000km distance intervals.
| Service | 2.0 FWD | 1.6T AWD | 2.0D AWD | 1.6T HEV FWD | 1.6T HEV AWD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $345 | $353 | $371 | $353 | $353 |
| Year 2 | $553 | $578 | $597 | $561 | $578 |
| Year 3 | $430 | $438 | $458 | $422 | $422 |
| Year 4 | $751 | $796 | $864 | $880 | $916 |
| Year 5 | $388 | $397 | $418 | $397 | $397 |
| Year 6 | $711 | $739 | $742 | $703 | $703 |
| Year 7 | $412 | $716 | $444 | $716 | $716 |
Safety
The updated Kia Sportage is expected to retain its five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on 2022 Euro NCAP tests.
| Category | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 87 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 87 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 66 per cent |
| Safety assist | 74 per cent |
As part of the facelift, all Sportages now have an emergency assist function for the adaptive cruise control if the driver becomes unresponsive, while SX+ and up have Highway Driving Assist (HDA).
Standard safety equipment includes:
- 7 airbags incl. front-centre
- Smart Cruise Control 2 – SCC 2 (NEW)
- incl. emergency assistance (NEW)
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian, cyclist detection
- Junction assist
- Blind-spot assist
- eCall with SOS button (NEW)
- Intelligent speed limit assist
- Lane Following Assist (centring)
- Lane-keep assist
- Multi Collision Brake
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Parking sensors – front (NEW), rear
- Reversing camera
- Tyre pressure monitor
SX+ adds:
- Highway Driving Assist (NEW)
- Navigation-based semi-autonomous highway mode
- Adaptive cruise control + Lane Following Assist
GT-Line adds:
- AEB – reverse
- Blind Spot View Monitor
- Surround View Monitor – 360 cameras
Standard Equipment
The previous range walk carries over – i.e. S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line – though there’s more equipment across the lineup.
2025 Kia Sportage S equipment highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels – machined design (NEW)
- Full-size alloy spare wheel
- 3-cell LED headlights – reflector type
- LED daytime running lights
- Power folding mirrors
- Roof rails
- Rear spoiler incl. high-mounted stop light
- 12.3-inch infotainment system (NEW)
- Kia Connect Services (NEW)
- Over the air updates (NEW)
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless Android Auto
- ‘Basic’ digital instrument cluster
- incl. 4.2-inch multifunction display
- Cloth seats
- Premium steering wheel trim
- PVC gearshift
- 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- Rear centre armrest
- Retractable cargo cover
- Smart key with push-button start (NEW)
- Remote engine start (NEW)
- Single-zone air-conditioning
- 6-speaker audio
- 12V power outlet – cargo area
- USB-C charger in front console
- Rear air vents
Sportage SX adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels – machined design (NEW)
- 12.3-inch navigation system – ccNC (NEW)
- Wireless Apple CarPlay – (NEW)
- Wireless Android Auto – (NEW)
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Rain-sensing wipers
- 2-way lumbar support – driver
- Premium shift selector – Petrol, Diesel
- Dial-type shift selector – HEV
- Remote folding second-row seats
- Dual-zone climate control
- Temporary spare wheel – HEV
Above: GT-Line 1.6T AWD
Sportage SX+ adds:
- Wireless phone charger (NEW)
- Heated steering wheel (NEW)
- 19-inch alloy wheels – Petrol, Diesel
- Power driver seat
- Heated front seats
- Harman Kardon premium audio
- Power tailgate
- Rear privacy glass
- Artificial leather upholstery
Sportage GT-Line adds:
- 19-inch black alloy wheels – machined design (NEW for Petrol, Diesel)
- 18-inch alloy wheels – machined design (NEW for HEV)
- 4-cube LED headlights – projector type (NEW)
- Dynamic welcome light – front, rear (NEW)
- Head-up display (NEW)
- Heated steering wheel (NEW for Petrol, Diesel)
- Dial-type shift selector – all variants (NEW excl. HEV)
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Memory function – driver seat
- Power front passenger seat
- Ventilated front seats
- Ambient mood lighting
- Panoramic sunroof
- LED interior lighting
- Alloy sports pedals
Colours
Two new paint options join the Sportage’s palette, while the outgoing model’s Dawning Red has been discontinued.
Standard: $NCO
- Clear White
Premium paint: $TBC
- Heritage Blue (NEW)
- Wolf Grey (NEW)
- Steel Grey
- Gravity Grey
- Fusion Black
- Vesta Blue
- Snow White Pearl – SX+, GT-Line only
- Jungle Wood Green – SX+, GT-Line only
MORE: Explore the Kia Sportage showroom
