2026 Kia Sportage

Price Range: $28,790 - $39,690

Excellent

The Kia Sportage is spacious, comfortable, and wears updated styling for 2026. It sports a large cargo area, a tech-filled cabin, and plenty of advanced driver aids. However, its engine is seriously down on power, making it a challenge to live with, and its fuel economy figures are also a letdown.Read full review

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Kia Sportage for Sale

Pricing

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$28,390

24 for sale near you

Edmunds suggested price is based on sales in OH thru 9/21/26, including destination fee, but not other dealer fees. Final assembly in USA or South Korea.

Pros

Stylish, quiet and high-tech interior
Roomy seating and a huge cargo area
Added off-road capability with X-Pro trim

Cons

Standard engine supplies leisurely acceleration
Subpar fuel economy

What's new

Updated front-end design
Larger standard touchscreen and instrument displays
More standard driver assistance features
Part of the fifth Sportage generation introduced for 2023

Kia Sportage Video Shorts

by Edmunds Test Team

Overview

Written by automotive expert Dan Frio

Updated: 9/22/2026

One of today's most stylish compact SUVs, the Kia Sportage gets a fresh look for 2026 along with tech upgrades that make it a top value in the class. Up front, a new grille design resembles gear teeth, while revised headlights and amber running lights help distinguish it from rivals. A 12.3-inch touchscreen now comes standard throughout the lineup, a welcome upgrade from the base trim's previous 8-inch display. The new larger glass also combines with a digital instrument display of the same size. Adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors are among the newly standard safety features, making the Sportage an even better buy than before.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Jonathan Elfalan

Excellent

7.8

out of 10

We drove the 2026 Kia Sportage on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

6/10

How does the Kia Sportage drive? The Sportage fails to impress in day-to-day driving. The X-Pro trim we tested, with its all-terrain tires, makes on-road handling feel a bit softer, but that's less of an issue than the lack of power. It took our Sportage test car more than 9.5 seconds to reach highway speeds of 60 mph, which is very slow and seconds behind class leaders. As such, the driver needs to plan for passing maneuvers well ahead of when they might need to occur. There are no other engines offered unless you opt for the Sportage Hybrid, which we highly recommend checking out.

Otherwise, we found the steering easy and accurate and the brakes smooth and responsive. The Sportage's suspension is very softly tuned, allowing it to absorb bumps and broken pavement well, but it has a tendency to bob up and down over undulating road surfaces. Thanks to big windows, visibility is excellent, and for those who want even better visibility, the Prestige trims include an excellent surround-view camera system.

The Sportage is available with loads of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, a surround-view monitor, and parking assist. We like how it all works in real-world use.

Comfort

7.9/10

How comfortable is the Kia Sportage? If comfort is a priority, the Sportage has you covered. The seats may not offer extensive adjustments, but they provide excellent support and cushioning in all the right places. And if you opt for the higher trim models, the front seats include ventilation and heating functions. The rear seats have a lot of adjustable recline, which will certainly make your rear passengers happy.

Kia also did a great job keeping unwanted noise out of the cabin and the interior free of squeaks or rattles. We think the climate control layout is pretty slick, and the touch panel controls convert to media controls when not in use, but we could see some people not liking the dual functionality. Interface aside, the system performance is strong and effective at maintaining your target cabin temperature.

While our X-Pro test vehicle sat slightly higher thanks to its all-terrain tires, it was still easy to get in and out of both rows, and its squared-off door openings provide good head clearance. The rear seats have car seat anchors that are easy to locate and access, and the rear seat is spacious enough for even larger rear-facing car seats.

In-cabin tech

9.7/10

How’s the tech? Kia offers loads of in-car tech and driver aids with the Sportage. Its device integration has improved over previous model years thanks to the addition of standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. You also get a pair of USB-C ports in both rows for charging, along with a well-placed wireless charging pad on most trims.

Our test vehicle was equipped with 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system. The navigation system feels a touch behind the rest of the technology suite, but connecting your phone to use Google Maps or Apple Maps is a quick solution for that. Also, the touchscreen inputs for navigation lock out when you're on the move.

Storage & cargo

8.9/10

How’s storage and cargo? With 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 74.1 cubic feet with that row folded down, the Sportage is one of the most spacious vehicles in this class. The two-tiered load floor offers a higher position to make a flat floor with the seats in front, or a lower position for maximum space. And we especially like that the rear seats can be folded down from the hatch.

The center console has a small bin in front of the shifter that's large enough for more than just a phone. The cupholders can retract into the walls to make space for larger beverages or create another bin for other things. The Sportage can tow up to 2,500 pounds when properly equipped. That's average for a small SUV and enough for a small trailer or boat.

Value

9.3/10

Is the Kia Sportage a good value? The Sportage packs in a lot of features and feels like good value for the money, even if it doesn't have as big of a price advantage over its competitors as it used to. What it provides in return is an attractive cabin with great build quality and some premium luxuries like ventilated seats that some competitors simply don't offer. Our loaded Sportage X-Pro Prestige test model had nearly every feature you'd want in a modern small SUV.

Kia offers a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and covers the powertrain for 10 years/100,000 miles. That's stellar stuff that no one, other than sister company Hyundai, can match. Kia also includes five years/60,000 miles of roadside assistance.

MPG

5/10

How’s the fuel economy? In all-wheel-drive form with its all-terrain tires, the Sportage X-Pro (which is what we tested) gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined. This isn't that great, considering many competitors manage to be more efficient. Adding insult to injury is how slow the Sportage is in return. Usually you give up one quality for another. We managed 26.4 mpg on our mixed-driving evaluation route, which indicates the Kia should meet its economy estimates. But if you're like us and see yourself being heavy on the gas around town, expect this number to decrease.

X factor

5/10

We think this Sportage is an improvement over the previous model in appearance, but we're not convinced the styling will be for everyone. It's aggressive and bold and maybe just a hair over the top. But, hey, maybe you love that! We do love the interior direction Kia has taken and think most people will too.

While the X-Pro trim is designed to pull more off-road duty and even looks a little rugged, we aren't sure it can step up in a real way. The powertrain is probably the weakest link, and since we spend most of our time on the road, it's what spoils the experience for us.

Save as much as $2,718 with Edmunds

2026 Kia Sportage pricing in Columbus, OH

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Buying Tips for the 2026 Kia Sportage for October

Shoppers are getting roughly $1,600 off a 2026 Kia Sportage when you stack the typical dealer discount with Kia’s $750 customer cash, and there’s plenty of new inventory to shop against.

You can now save about $1,600 total on a new Sportage. Buyers were already paying about $800 below MSRP, and the $750 customer cash stacks on top. Trim discounts are fairly consistent, though the X-Pro Prestige and SX-Prestige look a bit stronger at around 3% off MSRP.
Kia has about 17,900 new Sportage SUVs in inventory nationwide, so supply is plentiful. The EX is the easiest trim to find by far, while X-Pro Prestige is much tighter. More selection usually makes it easier to compare dealers and press for a better deal.
New Sportage inventory is taking about 70 days to turn, which is much slower than the 29-day market average. That suggests softer demand for new Sportage models right now, which supports patient negotiating.
If you’re financing, the best promo is 0.9% APR for 60 months for qualified buyers. That is far below typical market rates and can save you a lot more over the life of the loan than chasing a tiny extra discount.

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2026 Kia Sportage trim level differences

The 2026 Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV offered in LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line and X-Pro Prestige trim levels. Each comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (187 horsepower, 178 lb-ft of torque) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Most trims come with standard front-wheel drive and an all-wheel-drive option. X-Line and X-Pro Prestige trims come standard with all-wheel-drive. The Sportage is also available as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, each reviewed separately. Continue reading for our summary of the Sportage's top features. Compare the 2026 Kia Sportage trim levels in-depth.

Which Sportage trim does Edmunds recommend?

The Sportage EX gets our nod as the best pick of the lineup. It costs a modest amount more than the base trim LX but delivers far more value. Upgraded features include heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, a wireless phone charger, a dual-level cargo floor for extra utility, and a few more driver assistance features.

Competitors to consider

There are plenty of compact SUVs to choose from, including our top picks like the Mazda CX-50, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Mazda offers more punch and more athletic handling, while the CR-V is more refined and the RAV4 more efficient. You'll find more luxury touches, and stronger acceleration, in the similarly priced Volkswagen Tiguan, while the Chevrolet Equinox and Hyundai Tucson (the Sportage's corporate counterpart) are also viable — and almost equally pokey — alternatives. Be sure to read our Expert Rating below to learn all about the Kia's strengths and deficiencies.

Edmunds spotlight: More value can't overcome pokey power

Fresh style and more standard features are great, but they can't overcome the Sportage's primary weakness: an underpowered and inefficient engine. With just 187 horsepower from its 2.5-liter four-cylinder, the Sportage is much slower than its competitors. Passing maneuvers require planning. And that's with just one person in the car. Add more passengers and gear and the Sportage turns positively glacial. Nor does the Sportage's lackluster power save fuel. At 28 mpg combined, the Sportage trails its Honda and Toyota peers by a few mpg. The more powerful Sportage Hybrid and Sportage Plug-in Hybrid versions (reviewed separately) reinject some vigor into the lineup, but they also cost more. Fortunately, the Sportage's key advantages remain: roomy cabin, comfortable ride, huge cargo space.

Kia Sportage Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

30 reviews

5(77%)

4(10%)

3(3%)

2(0%)

1(10%)

Owners Say

Overall, owner sentiment is mixed. Owners like the roomy cabin, comfy ride, good gas mileage, and helpful tech features like the large touchscreen and cameras. Some owners also like the warranty and value for the price. But others report bad road noise, shaking or vibration, slow starts, and problems with seats, safety alerts, or getting the car to start.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

See all 30 reviews of the Kia Sportage

Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Review

It's "The One"

Jwell, 01/17/2025

2025 Kia Sportage EX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A)

Love this car, love its comfortable, stylish and roomy interior, comfortable ride, aggressive front end and sporty look. For the money it's heads above the Chevy Trailblazer I traded in. I have the EX, and do not feel I am missing out for not having a higher trim level, it has everything I need without having too much. The interior is very nicely styled and does not feel "base level". …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2026 Kia Sportage, so we've included review for other years of the Sportage since its last redesign.

Helpful shopping links

2026 Kia Sportage video

Small SUV Comparison Test | Honda CR-V vs. Kia Sportage vs. Mazda CX-50

NOTE: This video is about the 2023 Kia Sportage, but since the 2026 Kia Sportage is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

The Honda CR-V has been one of the best selling and most popular small SUVs in America for some time now. But with the redesign of the Kia Sportage and the release of the new Mazda Cx-50, the CR-V has some new competition. In this video, Lauren McCay and Ryan ZumMallen from Edmunds present our small SUV comparison test of the 2022 Honda CR-V vs. 2023 Kia Sportage vs. 2023…

2026 Kia Sportage Features & Specs

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$28,790
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$189/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	39.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2026 Kia Sportage has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #7 out of 29 among Compact SUVs.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent

#7 out of 29 among Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$406/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

0.83x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

10.9%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

Recalls

1 recall found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 26V046000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SC361
Number of vehicles affected:: 42677
Defect Description:: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Defect Consequence:: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles

Where the Kia Sportage ranks:

#5 in Small SUVs

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Safety

Key safety features on the Sportage include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	5 / 5
Back Seat	5 / 5
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	16.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Good
Side Impact Test – Original	Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated	Good
Roof Strength Test	Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Acceptable

Research other Sportage years

FAQ

Is the Kia Sportage a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 Sportage both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.8 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2026 Sportage gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 30 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Sportage has 39.6 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Kia Sportage. Learn more

What's new in the 2026 Kia Sportage?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Kia Sportage:

Updated front-end design
Larger standard touchscreen and instrument displays
More standard driver assistance features
Part of the fifth Sportage generation introduced for 2023

Learn more

Is the Kia Sportage reliable?

To determine whether the Kia Sportage is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Sportage. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Sportage's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2026 Kia Sportage a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Kia Sportage is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 Sportage and gave it a 7.8 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2026 Sportage gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 30 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 Sportage is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2026 Kia Sportage?

The least-expensive 2026 Kia Sportage is the 2026 Kia Sportage LX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $28,790.

Other versions include:

LX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $28,790
EX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $30,590
LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $30,590
EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $32,390
X-Line 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $33,090
SX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $34,390
SX-Prestige 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $36,390
SX-Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $38,190
X-Pro Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $39,690

Learn more

What are the different models of Kia Sportage?

If you're interested in the Kia Sportage, the next question is, which Sportage model is right for you? Sportage variants include LX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A), EX 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 8A), LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A), and EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 8A). For a full list of Sportage models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$189/mo

$267/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

2026 Kia Sportage

Pricing

Pros

Cons

What's new

Kia Sportage Video Shorts

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Driving experience

Comfort

In-cabin tech

Storage & cargo

Value

MPG

X factor

Buying Tips for the 2026 Kia Sportage for October

2026 Kia Sportage trim level differences

Which Sportage trim does Edmunds recommend?

Competitors to consider

Edmunds spotlight: More value can't overcome pokey power

Kia Sportage Reviews

Owner Reviews

Owners Say

Most Helpful Owner Review

2026 Kia Sportage video

2026 Kia Sportage Features & Specs

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Where the Kia Sportage ranks:

Check a dealer's price

Safety

Key safety features on the Sportage include:

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

IIHS Rating

FAQ

Is the Kia Sportage a good car?

What's new in the 2026 Kia Sportage?

Is the Kia Sportage reliable?

Is the 2026 Kia Sportage a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2026 Kia Sportage?

What are the different models of Kia Sportage?

Cost to Drive