The recently revised Kia Sportage range has been enjoying some impressive returns for the brand, thanks to a series of key visual and specification changes. This makes the midsize SUV option a much more viable contender in what is safe to call the most highly contested segment in the U.S. Demand for SUVs of this size has skyrocketed in recent years as more consumers demand better versatility and practicality.
- Base Trim Engine
-
2.5L I4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
187 HP @6100 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
25/33/28 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
-
Lead acid battery
- Make
-
Kia
- Model
-
Sportage
Safety is also a key concern for many new car buyers, especially those looking in the midsize SUV arena. Kia recently offered an example of its revised Sportage to the IIHS for crash testing, resulting in it achieving some impressive results that should put a lot of families at ease.
The 2026 Kia Sportage Excels In Its Crash Test
The IIHS Issues It With A ‘Good’ Overall Rating
The IIHS’s crash test valuation of the facelifted 2026 Kia Sportage range resulted in it achieving a Top Safety Pick+ award. The IIHS uses a structured crash-test procedure covering both crashworthiness and crash-avoidance and mitigation. For crashworthiness, it conducts tests like the small-overlap front and the moderate-overlap front, as well as the side-impact tests using a heavy moving barrier at around 37 MPH.
It also evaluates other items like headlight performance, seat-belt reminders, and child-seat anchor ease-of-use. For crash avoidance, the IIHS tests systems such as automatic emergency braking for vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian detection under controlled speeds and scenarios. The vehicle receives ratings of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor in each category, and overall awards require strong performance across the board.
The 2026 Kia Sportage earns Good ratings in small overlap front and moderate overlap front, with Good in the side updated test for both structure and driver injury measures, resulting in some Acceptable marks for rear leg and foot or restraints. The front crash prevention systems achieve Good for vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian detection. Headlight ratings vary by trim, with the top trims achieving a Good grade, while lower trims make do with an Acceptable score.
Incredible Safety Specification For Just $28,690
The Entire Range Benefits From A Suite Of Safety Features
Kia kicks its Sportage range off at a very competitive $28,690 for the base LX derivative. All models ship standard with the following safety features:
- Forward collision-avoidance assist w/ pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection
- Front and rear park distance warning
- Lane departure warning and follow assist
- Smart cruise control with stop and go
Upgrading to the EX and higher adds blind-spot collision warning and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, while the top-spec models benefit from side park distance warning, parking collision avoidance assist reverse, a 360-degree surround view monitor, navigation-based smart cruise control, and highway assist. Active and passive safety features consist of airbags located at the front, sides, a rollover sensor, vehicle stability management, electronic stability control, hill start assist, downhill brake control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Comprehensive Features Beyond Safety
The base LX model also features 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control, satin black cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, and a six-speaker audio system.
For $30,490, you can get the EX trim, which adds all-wheel drive, Smart Key, LED turn signals and heating to the door mirrors, and 18-inch machine-finished alloy wheels. You also get an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, front seat heating, Saturn Black or Triton Navy, and Misty Gray SynTex upholstery, navigation, a wireless charger, and additional USB ports for the rear bench. Optional extras for this trim include a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting, gloss black roof rails, and a smart power tailgate via the $1,500 Premium Package.
Additional Value In The Top-Spec Trims
The SX Prestige sits at the very top of the range with a $36,290 starting price. Kia justifies the steep price increase by including the following features:
- Electrical adjustments to the front passenger seat
- Front seat ventilation
- Memory functions for the driver’s seat
- Heated steering wheel
- Solar control glass
- A panoramic sunroof
- Premium SynTex upholstery in Saturn Black or Carmine Red
- LED interior lighting
- Eight-speaker 400-Watt Harman Kardon premium surround sound system with HALOsonic
- 18-inch Matte Gray alloy wheels
All-wheel drive is optional for the LX for an extra $1,800. This trim also comes standard in Steel Gray or Fusion Black, but you can specify Snow White Pearl or Gravity Gray paint shades for $395. The EX is available in Fusion Black or Vesta Blue, but you have access to the same optional colors as the EX. The SX Prestige is only available in all-wheel-drive guise, and benefits from additional optional colors, such as Dawning Red for $395 and Shadow Matte Gray, priced at $595. Kia applies a $1,445 destination fee to all sales.
2026 Kia Sportage Interior Dimensions
|
Dimension |
Front |
Rear |
|
Headroom |
39.6 Inches |
39.1 Inches |
|
Legroom |
41.4 Inches |
41.3 Inches |
|
Shoulder Room |
57.5 Inches |
55.6 Inches |
|
Hip Room |
54.8 Inches |
53.4 Inches |
|
Cargo Space |
39.5 Cubic Feet (rear seat up) / 73.7 Cubic Feet (rear seat folded) |
|
Kia Nails Customer Satisfaction And Reliability
Existing Owners Swear By The Sportage
iSeeCars issues the 2026 Kia Sportage model year with an 8.2/10 overall score, which consists of 7.5/10 for reliability, 8.0/10 for retained value, and 9.0/10 for safety. On the reliability front, the publication indicates that it will cover 9.9 years or 133,737 miles without experiencing any noteworthy mechanical faults with an 8.6 percent probability of reaching 200,000 miles.
The Sportage, even if it’s not perfect, still has an amazing combination of practicality, power, and efficiency that is still among the best in class, and this year’s updates just keep the excellent vehicle relevant.
– Joel Stocksdale, CarBuzz Journalist
J.D. Power combines the entire Sportage range in its valuation, issuing it with an 83/100 overall score, which includes 84/100 for quality and reliability, 86/100 for the driving experience, 86/100 for resale, and 74/100 for the dealership experience. Furthermore, the Sportage range currently sits with a 4.1/5-star consumer review average score on Edmunds, with existing owners highlighting its interior space, enjoyable drive, and fuel efficiency as major drawing cards.
Don’t Expect Much In Terms Of Performance
The Family SUV Only Produces 187 Horsepower
Kia Sportage range features a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission option driving your choice of the front or all four wheels, depending on your desired specification.
2026 Kia Sportage Specifications
The Sportage drivetrain produces 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet, regardless of your drivetrain choice. Both drivetrains boast an estimated zero-to-60 MPH acceleration sprint time of nine seconds before hitting a limited 125 MPH top speed. You can use either drivetrain to tow 2,500 pounds.
Efficiency Comes At The Cost Of Performance
Good MPG Returns Are Clearly The Priority
According to the EPA’s estimates, the front-wheel-drive 2026 Kia Sportage returns a 25/33/28 MPG consumption on the city/highway/combined cycle and covers 400 miles on a single tank of gas, which is an ideal set of figures that motivates its competence in the average urban driving environment. You can also expect to spend $1,650 on gasoline every year, $2.79 to drive 25 miles, and $45 to fill up the 14.3-gallon tank.
Kia Sportage Fuel Efficiency Specs
| FWD | AWD | |
| City | 25 MPG | 24 MPG |
| Highway | 33 MPG | 30 MPG |
| Combined | 28 MPG | 26 MPG |
| Range | 400 Miles | 358 Miles |
| Five-Year Spending | $0 | $750 |
| Average Fuel Cost | $1,650 | $1,800 |
| Cost To Drive 25 Miles | $2.79 | $3.12 |
| Cost To Fill Tank (14.3 Gallons) | $45 | $45 |
You do have to sacrifice a bit of efficiency when you upgrade to the all-wheel-drive configuration. This derivative will cost you $750 more on gasoline every five years, with you spending $1,800 on fuel every year. You’ll also spend $3 to drive 25 miles. In terms of efficiency, the all-wheel-drive Sportage delivers 24/30/26 MPG and covers 358 miles on a single tank.
Source: the IIHS, J.D. Power, the EPA, iSeeCars, Edmunds