2026 Kia Sportage review TechTricks365

Kia had a record year in Australia in 2024 – led by the popular Sportage mid-size SUV.

Above: GT-Line HEV FWD

No less than 22,210 out of the Korean brand’s 81,787 new registrations in Australia last year were Sportages, meaning the long-running fSUV nameplate accounts for more than one in four of the brand’s sales Down Under.

Therefore, the updated 2026 Kia Sportage is critical for the brand to continue its upward momentum on the sales charts, and its increasing impact on Australian new car buyers.

Some may not immediately notice the design changes, but that’s likely intentional. Given the success of the outgoing model, Kia has subtly refined the quite edgy look of the current-generation Sportage and added its latest tech.

Prices are up, and the range-opening manuals are gone. Instead, Kia has added two new hybrid variants to the mix – marking the first time an electrified Sportage with AWD has been offered in Australia.

New displays incorporating Kia Connect Services and over-the-air updates are now standard across the range, with an enhanced set of safety and driver assistance technologies fitted too.

Is it still a top contender in an ever-competitive and popular vehicle class? Read on to find out.

How much does the Kia Sportage cost?

Prices are up across the board, by at least $500 and an average of around $3000 depending on the model variant.

To see how the Kia Sportage lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Kia Sportage like on the inside?

Like other new Kia products, the updated Sportage plonks in the brand’s latest display tech, a new retro-inspired steering wheel design, and revised trims throughout.

Above: S

Ahead of the driver is either a ‘basic’ digital instrument cluster with 4.2-inch TFT supervision display, or a high-spec 12.3-inch digital binnacle if you spend up to the GT-Line.

It’s a shame the nicer driver display is limited to the flagship variant when most of the company’s EVs get it from the base grade, and it really cheapens the feel of the not-so-cheap SX+ grade.

Anyway, all models get the new ‘ccNC’ 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, now with Kia Connect Services and wireless smartphone mirroring across the board. It also brings new Valet Mode, weather forecast and calendar functions.

Kia’s latest connected interface remains easy to use, well featured and snappy in operation. The base grade misses out on native navigation with online routing, but it’s a very consistent experience across the range.

Above: S (top); GT-Line (bottom)

Haters of the old model’s piano black console finish will be happy to know Kia has subbed out the fingerprint- and scuff-prone material with faux aluminium or wood surfaces.

Lower grades still have a lot of blank switchgear where the heated and ventilated seat controls go, and unless you get one of the SX-grade hybrids the dial-type shifter is reserved for the GT-Line. An old-school T-bar features otherwise.

Kia has blended conventional buttons and switchgear with touch-capacitive controls a bit better than other brands and rival models, with a configurable touch bar for infotainment and climate controls featuring user-friendly controls as well as a pair of physical knobs for volume and tuning or temperature and fan speed.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is now compatible with models fitted with satellite navigation too, with the former working reliably with my iPhone 16 Pro Max. Sadly, you need to get the SX+ for a wireless charger.

Above: S (top); GT-Line (bottom)

As before, comfort and practicality up front is pretty good. Regardless of seat spec the front pews are comfortable and supporting with heaps of manual or electric adjustment depending on variant.

They are a little light on for side bolstering when you’re tackling harder corners, and the seat base doesn’t angle up as much as we’d like. Still, you should be able to spend long stints behind the wheel without issue.

We’re fans of the modular centre console with lidded drawer and adjustable cupholders, and the cubby under the centre armrest offers good hideaway storage.

One complaint is the small-ish door bins, which won’t hold big bottles like some rivals.

Given Australia opts for the long-body Sportage out of Korea, rear seat space is at the upper end of the segment, with heaps of head and leg room even with the panoramic sunroof of the GT-Line grade. The flat bench and floor means three across shouldn’t be too much of a hassle, either.

Amenities include air vents – but no extra zone of climate – as well as map pockets, bottle holders in the doors and a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. You get top-tether points across all three seatbacks, as well as ISOFIX anchors on the outboard positions, too.

Further back there’s 542-586 litres of boot space depending on variant. Hybrids quote more outright volume but forfeit the full-size alloy spare of petrol and diesel models for a space saver spare.

Drop the second row and you get a pretty cavernous 1829-1872 litres of volume, which is very good for the class and up there with SUVs from the next size segment.

To see how the Kia Sportage lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

Four different engine variants are offered, with the turbocharged hybrid now offering both front- and all-wheel drive.

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 switches 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.

To see how the Kia Sportage lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Kia Sportage drive?

While the powertrains are largely carryover, Kia Australia’s local ride and handling team have implemented a bespoke steering tune and the turbo-petrol variant gets a new eight-speed automatic instead of a dual-clutcher.

Pictured: S 2.0 FWD

The one-day drive event didn’t allow much of an extended experience behind the wheel of one particular variant, though we spent time in the S 2.0D AWD, SX HEV AWD, and the GT-Line 1.6T AWD throughout the program.

Kia Australia’s chassis localisation program is a key point of difference compared to many rival brands, and chief ride and handling engineer Graeme Gambold led the development and application of an Australian-specific steering tune.

Mr Gambold says the revised power steering map, replacing the old Korean tune which was used due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to provide more accuracy and feedback while retaining a natural feel.

Like the new K4 and EV3 before it, the Sportage’s rack doesn’t go for outright engagement and feel, better balancing comfort and accuracy to make placing this 4660mm-long and 1865mm-wide family SUV a cinch to place.

Our drive program commenced in the Sydney suburbs before taking us out through the NSW capital’s network of tunnels and highways out to the open road, and the base diesel remains a cracker of an all-rounder.

The oiler’s effortless low-down shove gets it to urban and freeway speeds nicely, and the signature clatter of most four-cylinder diesels remains excellently refined and subdued even under acceleration.

While most brands have been progressively moving away from diesel power in the medium classes and below, the Sportage makes a great case for the engine type with its solid long-legged performance and impressive fuel economy.

We saw in the low- to mid-6.0L/100km realm with mixed conditions, skewing slightly to urban highways and inclined freeways north of Sydney.

Pictured: GT-Line 1.6T AWD

Next we jumped into the SX Hybrid AWD for a 20-minute loop, on a mix of winding B-roads and country highways.

The hybrid has had a proper localised chassis retune for the facelift, as the pre-facelift version was a Frankenstein of parts and calibrations based on the petrol and diesel range. It also picks up a local steering tune with this update.

Recalling my time with the pre-facelift Sportage SX HEV in 2024, the new model feels more dialled in and tied down than before, with a more cohesive ride matched with a tighter steering tune that comes together nicely.

Performance is pretty good if you hammer it, and the new AWD version doesn’t slip and scrabble under hard acceleration like the FWD model might.

You might not really feel the added 4kW and 17Nm unless you drive them back to back, but the hybrid drivetrain in the Sportage feels quite smooth and refined. It doesn’t feel as thrashy under load like the last one, either.

However the six-speed automatic still feels like it’s lacking a cog or two at motorway speeds, with the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine spinning around the 2000rpm mark at 100km/h which sees fuel consumption sit anywhere between 6.0-7.0L/100km depending on the road’s incline.

At lower speeds it’ll happily accelerate to around 40km/h in EV mode, and admittedly the engine will shut off on occasion at 100km/h and above at a cruise to save fuel. At urban speeds you’ll see indicated fuel consumption closer to 5.0-5.5L/100km which is more in line with the brand’s claim.

Still, if you spend a lot of time touring the open road, I think one of the diesels might be a better bet as it’ll use less fuel and the eight-speed auto seems more relaxed.

The final variant we tested was the GT-Line 1.6T AWD with its new eight-speed automatic, a similar change to the smaller Seltos with the same base engine.

In the Sportage however, the 1.6 ‘T-GDI’ four-cylinder turbo-petrol retains its lower 132kW/265Nm tune as per the Korean market, rather than the more powerful 146kW version that was applied to the Seltos globally. Odd.

From the get-go you’ll notice the turbo-petrol Sportage is smoother off the line and less elastic when setting off and then shifting from first to second. The old seven-speed DCT had a habit of feeling a little slingshotty off the mark, and at times would send some unwanted vibrations through the cabin at low speeds.

There’s a nicer immediacy to initial response too, thanks to the conventional torque converter setup not suffering from that DCT lag that plagues transmissions of that type. On the highway it feels a little less worked too thanks to that extra cog.

Don’t be fooled into thinking the 1.6T is the sporty Sportage, though. The eight-speed auto seems to be more geared to refinement and smoothness rather than performance and engagement.

The four-cylinder petrol engine without electric hybrid assistance also gets loud and thrashy under hard acceleration, and its relatively modest outputs don’t quite move the Sportage AWD’s 1.7-tonne heft with a whole lot of gusto.

You can flick it into Sport mode and shift via the steering-mounted paddles which offer surprisingly good shift response, but the drivetrain just doesn’t feel happy when driven like this.

The lack of idle stop-start also means this variant isn’t all that efficient in town either. Following a longer stint back to Sydney with both spirited B-road, freeway and suburban sections, the Sportage’s trip computer was showing a pretty thirsty 8.7L/100km.

We didn’t drive the base 2.0 ‘MPI’ FWD version, but given it’s carryover from the pre-update range it’s one to best avoid unless you want the absolute cheapest Sportage you can buy. It’s lacking in grunt, isn’t very efficient and can feel underdone if you’re regularly doing higher speeds.

Pictured: S 2.0 FWD

Overseas there are a couple of other powertrains that aren’t offered here, including the US market’s 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with the 1.6T’s eight-speed auto; a 1.6-litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid (PHEV) which is effectively the HEV with a larger battery; as well as a 1.6-litre turbo FWD that is the base engine in Korea.

Europe and the UK also offer a more efficient 48V mild-hybrid version of the 1.6 T-GDI petrol motor, though this comes out of the brand’s Slovakian factory. The PHEV and and 1.6T FWD would be good additions to the range if the Korean brand could make a case for them Down Under, but any major changes to the lineup will likely have to wait for a next-generation model in a few years time.

Kia’s local arm has said it’s working to get an S-spec Sportage HEV, though stopped short of giving any sort of timeframe. As has been the case for a while, the diesels and hybrids make the most sense if you can justify the premium – not just for efficiency but general driveability and refinement.

To see how the Kia Sportage lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

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

To see how the Kia Sportage lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Kia Sportage safe?

The updated Kia Sportage is expected to retain its five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on 2022 Euro NCAP tests.

While there have been some feature upgrades – such as a more advanced semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system from SX+ level and up – the fundamentals appear to be the largely same.

Some new or enhanced features have been confirmed from the base model up, however, including an emergency assist function for the adaptive cruise control if the driver becomes unresponsive, and front parking sensors.

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

To see how the Kia Sportage lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Kia Sportage cost to run?

The updated Kia Sportage, like the Korean brand’s other models, will be covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty.

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, though finer details around intervals and pricing for the updated Sportage range are still to be confirmed.

For reference, 2.0L petrol and turbo-diesel models in the pre-facelifted range have 12-month/15,000km intervals; while the turbocharged 1.6L petrol and HEV versions have shorter 10,000km distance intervals.

Pricing over a seven-year period varied between $3344 and $4502 depending on engine variant, which is quite expensive compared to the competition.

To see how the Kia Sportage lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Kia Sportage

The new Sportage brings a range of subtle refinements to polish an already very good overall package.

In lieu of wholesale or groundbreaking developments, Kia has carefully refined its top-seller to address key drawbacks of its predecessor, while democratising more assistance and infotainment tech across the range.

The addition of all-wheel drive hybrid models with an increase to towing capacity will no doubt strengthen the electrified version’s case against an increasing number of hybridised rivals, and Kia Australia is already reporting a 60:40 skew towards all-paw models based on initial orders.

We also appreciate the application of a localised steering software map which better ties the Sportage’s steering feel and response to the well-balanced chassis package, making this a lovely vehicle to ride in whether you’re in town or on the open road.

It offers as much choice as it ever has, and key spec additions lower down in the range mean you don’t have to spend up to the GT-Line to get a good suite of convenience features and in-car technologies.

However, there are still a number of areas that Kia Australia can improve on to align the Sportage with global specifications and move the dial even further.

Reserving nicer displays and headline features for the GT-Line still grates. Surely these can be introduced as an optional package to get buyers into a greater mix of lower variants, much like the brand employed with the new K4.

Fuel-efficiency and emissions performance could be improved too. The petrol engines aren’t doing much to help Kia meet looming Australian emissions regulations, and a quick change to Korean-spec Euro 6 powertrains and more electrification options like the PHEV would give consumers even more efficient choices to save at the pump.

Throw in cheaper servicing costs and you’ve got a much more well-rounded offering. Still, the Kia Sportage will no doubt remain a hit with Aussie buyers, with subtle changes that make a good thing even better.

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