The compact crossover market is one that’s filled with choices, and for good reason – consumers gravitate toward that type of vehicle these days. As such, the Ford Escape has more than its fair share of competition to contend with as it enters the 2025 model year bearing few changes following a mid-cycle refresh for 2023. Now, one of those rivals has received its own refresh – the 2026 Kia Sportage – which has just been revealed, right on the heels of the debut of the similarly-updated, all-electric 2025 Kia EV6 crossover.
The 2026 Kia Sportage is getting a few updates on the exterior, where its styling is a bit more conventional than the outgoing model. Up front, that makeover consists of reshaped LED lighting that’s now orange instead of white, while the headlights are vertically-oriented and larger than before, flanking a boxy grille. Otherwise, the front and rear bumpers feature updated curves, while the taillights get fresh graphics and a variety of new wheels are available.
Inside the cabin, the 2026 Kia Sportage gets a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and an optional 10-inch head-up display, along with slight revisions to the display, center console, and steering wheel, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an available Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Digital Key feature. In terms of powertrains, the 2026 Kia Sportage continues to be offered in hybrid and plug-in-hybrid guise, but standard models get the same 2.5L four-cylinder making the same 187 horsepower as the outgoing version. It’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive, providing 3,500 pounds of max towing capacity.
The 2026 Kia Sportage is available in a bevy of trims including LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, and X-Pro Prestige, the latter of which is more off-road focused. The refreshed crossover is slated to arrive at U.S. dealers in Q2 of 2025, though pricing won’t be announced until we get a bit closer to that timeframe.
Comments
The front end still isn’t pretty but it’s a much better value than the Escape.
With the reduced price for the 2025 Escape, it will still outsell it and the 2.0 Ecoboost will be much faster.
Nice Looking, But It’ll Need a NEW ENGINE Shortly after Purchase! Won’t have One. However….. ALL the Pictures “LOOK GREAT”! Take Heed KIA…… WELL “DONE” Is Better than WELL “SAID”!!!! JUNK as far as I’am concerned!!! Pure JUNK!!!