The 2026 Kia Sportage gets more muscle and extra tech

Before it was discontinued back in 2021, the Kia Sportage was Kia’s companion piece to Hyundai’s Tucson crossover. Serving as the smaller sibling to the Sorento, the Sportage provided buyers with another diesel-propelled crossover option in the market. 

The Sportage has been out of the Philippines for a while now but in other parts of the world, the crossover has been holding it down. Recently, Kia has unveiled the mid-cycle refresh of the fifth generation Sportage, with the crossover receiving exterior updates and several interior tech upgrades.

Starting with the exterior updates, the refreshed fifth generation now bears an angrier and more aggressive front end. The headlights have been reshaped, featuring boomerang-shaped LEDs at the sides, flanking a grille that's now more squared-off. While the taillights retain their original shape, they feature a refreshed graphic design. Both the front and rear bumpers have been redesigned as well, and the Sportage will come with new wheel options in 17, 18, and 19-inch sizes.

Inside, the Sportage now features a more rectangular curved display, centered around a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. An optional 10-inch head-up display can project information such as driver-assistance alerts and turn-by-turn navigation. The Sportage now includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with hybrid and plug-in hybrid models integrating these features into the head-up display. 

An available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot can connect up to five devices. Additionally, Kia's new Digital Key allows owners to use compatible smartphones or smartwatches to lock, unlock, and start the vehicle, as well as remotely control climate settings. 

The 2026 Sportage will be available with three powertrain options. The first is a 2.5-liter inline-four gasoline engine producing 187 hp. For those seeking hybrid options, there’s a traditional hybrid (HEV) with a 1.6-liter engine paired with a 47.7 kW electric motor, delivering a combined output of 231 hp. Alternatively, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant uses the same engine but adds a more powerful 72 kW motor, boosting output to 268 hp. All powertrains come with all-wheel drive (AWD), though the gas and hybrid models also offer a front-wheel-drive (FWD) option. 

For customers who want to take the Sportage beyond the paved road, the top-tier X-Line and X-Pro trims are designed for off-road adventures, and equipped with specialized drive modes for snow, mud, and sand. They also come with all-terrain tires and additional lighting for enhanced capability and visibility in rugged conditions.

Kia Philippines has yet to announce any plans for the Sportage's return to the local market. Don’t worry though, the brand offers plenty of other exciting models to explore. You can check them out by visiting the Kia Car Guide on AutoDeal.com.ph, or in the AutoDeal app, available for iOS and Android.