- Kia has introduced the US-spec facelifted Sportage in Los Angeles.
- The compact SUV benefits from a redesigned face and more tech inside the cabin.
- The HEV and PHEV powertrain options are slightly more powerful than before.
Compact-crossover SUVs are more popular than ever, and Kia’s Sportage has long been a contender in this fiercely competitive segment. At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia revealed the U.S.-spec version of its facelifted 2026 Sportage, fresh off its Korean debut. The refreshed 2026 model brings sharper aesthetics, incremental power boosts for the electrified variants, and a tech upgrade that nudges it closer to its premium rivals without stepping on their toes.
What Changed Outside?
For the North American market, the 2026 Sportage adopts the revised face of the global version, now sporting vertically stacked headlights and a reshaped grille. Depending on the trim level, the boxier bumper intakes wear different personalities—ranging from the rugged, gloss-black embellishments on the X-Line to subtler variations on lower trims. Kia’s design team seems to have prioritized minor details over reinvention, and while it’s not a revolution in style, the tweaks do add a dose of freshness.
More: Kia Embraces The Outdoors With Rugged EV9 And PV5 EVs
The side profile remains unchanged but gains new wheel designs to differentiate trims. The X-Line rides on 19-inch alloys wrapped in all-season tires, while the off-road-leaning X-Pro Prestige trades glamour for grit with 17-inch wheels clad in BF Goodrich all-terrain rubber. Out back, the changes are subtler: a reworked bumper and updated LED taillight graphics give the SUV’s rear a minor but polished up makeover.
What’s New Inside?
Step inside, and the updates are more tangible. The most obvious change is the new two-spoke steering wheel, which integrates more controls. Relocated air vents give the dashboard a cleaner, more organized feel, while the standard dual 12.3-inch digital displays anchor the cabin in tech-forward territory. There’s also an optional 10-inch head-up display for those who prefer data on demand.
In a rare win for common sense these days, Kia has retained physical controls for climate and audio functions, keeping them on the center console rather than burying them in submenus. Depending on trim, buyers can also indulge in perks like a Harman Kardon premium audio system, heated rear seats, wireless charging, and an improved suite of driver assistance system
More Power for Electrified Variants
Just like its predecessor, the 2026 Kia Sportage offers a choice between ICE, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The entry-level 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is unchanged, producing 187 hp (140 kW / 190 PS) and paired with an eight-speed automatic. U.S. buyers, however, miss out on the new 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic now available in Korea, which feels like an opportunity left on the table.
The hybrid setup, combining a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with a six-speed automatic and an electric motor, gets a small power bump to 231 hp (172 kW / 234 PS), courtesy of a stronger electric motor and an optimized regenerative braking system. Kia has also borrowed the Hyundai Tucson’s “infant driving mode.”
Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid version gains a modest but welcome boost, with an additional 7 hp bringing its total output to 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS).
Trim Variety and AWD Focus
The ICE-powered Sportage lineup includes six trims: LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, and X-Pro Prestige. The hybrid range now features a sporty-looking S trim, while the PHEV is limited to the X-Line and X-Line Prestige. Buyers can choose between FWD and AWD for the ICE and hybrid models, but the PHEV sticks with AWD only.
For those looking for a bit more off-road pretension, the X-Line and X-Pro trims deliver an Active AWD system paired with Snow, Mud, and Sand modes via Kia’s Terrain Mode system. While it’s not going to challenge a hardcore 4×4, it should handle light adventuring —a nod to the growing popularity of SUVs that look rugged enough to leave the pavement but rarely do.
Arriving Soon, Built Stateside
The refreshed Sportage is expected to arrive in U.S. dealerships by Q2 2025, with pricing to be revealed closer to launch. Notably, certain trims of the Sportage are assembled in Kia’s West Point, Georgia, plant, alongside the Sorento, Telluride, EV6, and EV9 models.
