- We hit the road in the latest Kia Sportage
- All the big questions answered
- It's still the UK's most popular medium-sized family car
- Lots of powertrains to choose from
- Entry-level models could offer everything you'd ever need
- Arguably the best value-for-money SUV in its class
It's the UK's best-selling family SUV - and here's EVERYTHING you need to know about the latest Kia Sportage.
Kia has been selling cars in the UK for over 30 years.
It’s quietly forged a reputation for making decent vehicles for decent money – and, for over a decade, has had an industry-leading warranty, offering added peace of mind to an already reliable fleet.
Kia may not have the wow factor, but what it does, it does well – and that’s why it’s popular amongst journalists and the public alike.
We grabbed the keys to one, enjoyed a week-long blast with it, and can now answer all of your burning questions.
What's good about the Kia Sportage?
A few years ago, Kia began overhauling its line-up with bolder designs – and one of the first to benefit was the Sportage SUV.
With far more personality and aggression, the fifth-generation model took people by surprise – but it’s paid off, with annual European Sportage sales more than doubling in the last decade.
Four years into the new model, it’s been facelifted, bringing a handful of upgrades without ruining an already tasty recipe.
With petrols, full hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) offered, plus a range of trim levels, the Sportage suits a variety of budgets in a crowded marketplace.
What's new on the 2026 Kia Sportage?
If you don’t know the Sportage well, you’ll struggle to find any exterior changes.
They are mainly in the form of new vertical LED headlights, a chunkier front grille and redesigned bumpers, while the daytime running lights are revised.
These changes make the Sportage slightly longer – 4,540mm to the outgoing model’s 4,515mm – but all other dimensions remain the same.
The rest is essentially unchanged, except for some new cladding on the side and fenders, and updated designs of alloy wheels.
As before, the sides feature sculpted doors, including a weaving shape at the bottom of the doors, while the rear side window tapers to a point at the back.
The rear stays attractive, with pointed taillights connected by a single horizontal light bar along a boot spoiler naturally created by the shape of the bodywork.
Lower down, a blackened curved panel accommodates the number plate, while rear fog lights sit inside two exhaust-like silver-bordered units, with a silver diffuser completing the look.
Admittedly, in terms of the front, we wondered if we preferred the outgoing model, but the Sportage remains an attractive car that makes much older Sportages look mundane.
What trim levels are available with the Kia Sportage?
Thankfully, Kia has simplified its trim levels.
The confusingly named ‘2’ trim (which was actually the entry-level model, hence the confusion) is gone, along with ‘3’ and ‘4’ models.
GT-Line and GT-Line S trims top the range, sitting above the newly named entry-level Pure trim (below)
The base model comes with 17-inch alloys, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB radio and SatNav, a 4.2-inch driver display screen, LED headlights and day running lights.
You also get driver’s seat electric lumbar support, rain-sensing wipers, automatic air conditioning and plenty of safety kit, which we’ll cover later.
The GT-Line gets 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, front heated seats and steering wheel, alloy pedals, gloss black door mirrors, black and white leather and suede seat upholstery and electric front windows. This trim also comes with quilted leather suede seats and keyless entry/go in the hybrid versions.
Range-topping GT-Line S (below) gets electric driver’s seat adjustment with memory function, a smart powered tailgate, a head-up display, eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, front ventilated seats and a tilting/sliding panoramic sunroof with blinds.
What engine options are available with the Kia Sportage?
In terms of engines, the diesel went a couple of years ago – and curiously the mild hybrid (MHEV) has now followed – but pure petrol, full hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models remain.
All are based on a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 150PS. However, the HEV ups the power to 239PS – more than the outgoing model, thanks to upgrades to its electric motor.
The PHEV will follow later, so exact specs haven’t been confirmed, but it’s had motor upgrades too, so it will be more potent than the outgoing model's 265PS.
There is a six-speed manual transmission in the Pure and GT-Line S petrol models, while the latter can also choose the seven-speed automatic gearbox, which is mandatory throughout the rest of the range – and it’s been upgraded, too.
All models are offered with front-wheel drive only, though the GT-Line S HEV is available with all-wheel drive (along with the PHEV when it launches, as its predecessor was).
Is the Kia Sportage good to drive?
The non-hybrid Sportage does 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds, which isn't bad.
It feels gutsy enough for most situations and doesn’t lag when accelerating to overtake, so it’s worth considering if your leasing budget doesn't stretch to the hybrids.
However, the HEV has a considerable 89PS power advantage, reducing the 0-62mph time to 8.1 seconds.
The performance increase is noticeable – it feels punchier. Still, the petrol is well refined for what it is, offering more capability and less shrieking when pushed, compared with many rival engines with similar performance.
That said, the upgraded automatic gearbox in the HEV is a definite improvement over its predecessor’s, which felt lethargic, as if holding the engine back when accelerating. It now feels like the reins are off!
As for handling, the Sportage is a good contender without spending a fortune. It can’t match premium brands for excitement – in fact, it isn’t particularly fun to drive – but it performs admirably well for this class.
As you’d expect in an SUV, there’s noticeable body roll around faster bends, but the steering is well-weighted in Sport mode, offering a decent level of feedback through the wheel, and plenty of tyre grip.
Sport mode also sharpens the accelerator response, which, especially in the non-hybrid, mitigates any concerns about being underpowered.
There are also Comfort and Eco modes, plus, in all-wheel drive versions, Terrain – aiding grip on rough or slippery surfaces, though we can’t imagine many people leasing one as a serious off-roader.
Is the Kia Sportage comfortable for long drives?
Some rivals offer more engaging handling, but the Sportage is a decent middle-of-the-band contender, preserving its ride comfort by treading the often-fine line between handling and absorption well, and comfort was a highlight of the outgoing model.
It is a highlight in this new facelifted version, too, feeling well planted and settled at higher speeds, ironing out bumps better than many foes.
Entry-level Pure trim (below) offers superior ride comfort thanks to smaller 17-inch alloys, with 18-inches featuring on GT Line and GT Line S trims, while 19-inch rims are offered as optional extras.
The Sportage sounds refined when it comes to noise, although you’ll get more silent treatment in the HEV – and even more in the forthcoming PHEV.
Both hybrids offer regenerative braking, adjusted via steering wheel paddles when in Eco mode.
It works well and is predictable, albeit a little harsh when set to maximum.
Is the Kia Sportage good on fuel and is it cheap to run?
The petrol version achieves 39-40mpg, emitting 160-163g/km of CO2 depending on trim level, improving to 50.4mpg and 126g/km of CO2 in the HEV.
Kia hasn’t revealed the PHEV’s figures yet, but the outgoing model managed 252mpg and 25g/km of CO2, so we’ll expect something similar when it’s launched.
It will likely come with the same 13.8kWh battery, which managed 43 miles of all-electric driving in the outgoing model, and a maximum recharge rate of 7.2kW, meaning a 10-100% top-up will take just under two hours.
It is worth waiting for the PHEV if you’re after a company car, due to the savings in Benefit in Kind tax.
Kia has a reputation for superb reliability and, while that’s still true, other brands are gradually regaining ground.
What are the key tech upgrades for the Kia Sportage in 2026?
There aren’t many changes inside compared with the pre-facelift version.
But that’s no bad thing, because it was already very nice – a sophisticated cabin that’s more than a match for competitors.
While it lacks the extravagance of premium brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Kia has climbed more than a rung or two of the ladder when it comes to interior design.
As before, everything is of a high build quality, with decent materials, lots of soft-to-the-touch, plush surfaces and silver trim in places to brighten the darkened interior. Thinner, cheaper plastics are mostly hidden from view.
Buttons feel well-damped and satisfying to press, while the facelifted version sees new patterned décor, notably on the centre console surrounding the gear lever, instead of the shiny piano-black plastic of the outgoing model.
Not much else has changed, but the differences stand out markedly, notably a new steering wheel featuring a white inner skin, a more hexagonal shape, and only vertical spokes.
There was nothing wrong with the old wheel, but the new one looks more striking, also helping brighten up the colour scheme.
The layout of the buttons is also logical – everything is where you’d expect it to be, rather than dotted about all over the place, so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.
There are plenty of switches and buttons, so fans of the new wave of minimalist interiors may be disappointed, but it’s more convenient to use physical controls on the move.
That goes for the air conditioning controls, too, which are found beneath the central air vents to the left of the steering wheel – the buttons are touch sensitive, but separate from the main touchscreen, nevertheless.
What size screen do you get with the 2026 Kia Sportage?
All versions have a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, while the bottom two trims also get a 4.2-inch driver display, with GT-Line S getting a full-size 12.3-inch digital instrument display, replacing analogue dials, built into the same unit as the touchscreen.
The infotainment is impressive, responding quickly to finger inputs, with sharp graphics and a reasonably intuitive interface. It is tricky to read the screen when driving, though, as some of the text is quite small, but overall, it's a nice system to use.
Range-topping GT-Line S now gets a head-up display as standard, which is very nice, clear and informative. The larger digital driver’s display is also equally clear and has several layouts to pick from.
Behind the gear selector panel, there’s a lidded tray on lower models, swapped for the wireless phone charger in the GT-Line S, which also gets very pleasant ambient lighting.
Overall, Kia has done an excellent job. It is not quite on the standard of premium brands, but it’s at least as good as any rival and adds to the Sportage’s temptation.
Is the Kia Sportage practical as a family car?
Yes, the Kia Sportage makes an ideal family car and it's extremely practical.
Finding a comfy driving position is easy, with plenty of travel in the seats and steering wheel.
Powered lumbar adjustment is standard on all models, although electric driver’s seat adjustment is only offered in the range-topping GT-Line S, with memory function.
The top trim also gets a hands-free powered tailgate along with a suede finish on the seats.
Nevertheless, the seats in all models are comfortable and absorbing, which is handy for longer journeys.
Forward visibility is decent, thanks to a reasonably high driving position, a swept-back windscreen, and pillars which are as thin as possible.
Rearward visibility isn’t as good, though, as the rearmost side window doesn’t extend far back, so the rear pillars are several times thicker. The slight slope in the roof spoiler doesn’t help matters, either.
Thankfully, all models have parking sensors, as well as a rear-view camera, which is upgraded to a 360-degree surround view camera on the GT-Line S. The hybrid models also include an automated parking function activated from the key fob.
What is the legroom like for passengers in the Kia Sportage?
Inside, there’s plenty of space up front, with legroom and headroom aplenty, while the fairly wide cabin means you won't be banging elbows with a fellow front-seat occupant.
The centre console is on the high side, creating a cocooning, cockpit-like feel to the cabin more so than most rivals.
In the back, there’s an impressive amount of space on offer, beating most competitors, while three adults in the back is doable, although a Kia Sorento will be better if you’ll be doing that regularly.
Two adults or three children will have no problems, comfort-wise, on long trips, with plenty of headroom and legroom.
The GT-Line S loses a bit of headroom thanks to the panoramic sunroof, which might impact taller rear-seat occupants, thanks to the sloping roofline.
However, the model also gets heated front seats and heated outer rear seats, so that might be a worthwhile trade-off, comfort-wise, in mid-winter.
The back seats recline, but the rear bench can't slide forwards or backwards, and, despite being a reasonable size, there’s no seven-seater option. Kia instead has the larger Sorento or the (admittedly very expensive) flagship battery-powered EV9.
How big is the boot of the 2026 Kia Sportage?
The Sportage offers 591 litres of boot space, though reduced slightly to 587 litres in the HEV – roughly matching other rivals.
Figures increase to 1,780- and 1,776-litres respectively with the rear seats folded over in a 40:20:40 split – more versatile than the 60:40 split in some competitors.
The outgoing PHEV, meanwhile, was slightly smaller, at 540 litres expanding to 1,715 litres, as we expect the new one to be.
The boot floor is height adjustable, meaning you can remove the loading lip, making it easier to load heavier or larger items. However, this feature was absent from the outgoing PHEV, and we expect that'll still be the case in the new one.
There is a generous amount of cabin storage, too, with accommodating door bins, a generously sized central cubby and a large glove compartment, as well as a couple of cupholders upfront and in the rear middle seat’s pull-down armrest.
You get four USB ports, too – two in the front and a couple built into the front seats for those in the back, though the rear ones aren’t included on the entry-level Pure model.
How safe is the 2026 Kia Sportage?
Given this is a minor overhaul, the pre-facelifted Sportage’s Euro NCAP safety rating from 2022 will suffice, which was five stars. It scored 87% for adults, 86% for kids and 72% for safety assists.
Kia includes a plethora of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance assist, highway driving assist, lane keep and lane follow assists, intelligent speed limit assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
GT-Line S models add blind spot collision avoidance and view monitor, parking collision avoidance, and top-of-the-range hybrid models get remote smart parking assist.
All automatics get smart cruise control with stop/go.
What options do you get with the 2026 Kia Sportage?
There are many optional extras offered on the Sportage.
The car comes by default in white, with dark ‘penta metal’ grey (Pure trim only), black, blue or dark red.
GT-Line and GT-Line S also get ‘wolf grey’ or green as additional colours, or you can opt for a black roof with a silver body.
Kia offers every accessory known to man, including wheel nuts, chrome bumper trimlines, side steps, bodywork decals, illuminated footwells, boot organisers, dashcams, a retractable towbar, roof boxes and bike racks.
You can even get a fluorescent safety vest, though that’s for you to wear, not the car!
What are the best alternatives or rivals to the Kia Sportage?
The Sportage has lots of competition, but it’s priced well to undercut many rivals.
The Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Karoq are among its main competitors.
Likewise, a Honda ZR-V, Mazda CX-5, MG HS, Renault Austral, Seat Ateca, Toyota RAV 4 and Volkswagen Tiguan are all worth looking at.
Those considering an electric car should look at the Skoda Enyaq.
And, at contrasting ends of the market, there’s also the Dacia Bigster and the Audi Q4 e-Tron, with the latter nearly twice the price of the former.
Why should I lease the 2026 Kia Sportage? Is it worth it?
The Kia Sportage has always had plenty going for it – and still does.
It is an excellent SUV, offering good looks, a sophisticated and classy interior, excellent practicality (unless you’re a tall rear-seat passenger with the panoramic roof in place), a big boot, reasonable performance and great ride comfort.
Entry-level Pure petrol has everything you need – and the engine’s impressive for what it is – although GT-Line and GT-Line S do offer plenty of additional conveniences and luxuries, but, in our view, the petrol-only version is the best value of the lot.
The HEV is worth considering for its superior fuel economy, although that will be dwarfed by the PHEV when it arrives.
The Sportage is also very reasonably priced if you stick to lower models, though you can find cheaper rivals. However, the Kia ticks more boxes and, in that respect, it’s arguably the best value for money in its class.
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