Proof, if anyone needed it that a car’s name matters not a fig when it comes to success. Model 3, Model Y, F-150, N-Box, Seagull, Golf, the list goes on. Each of those out of context is either odd or boring. And then there are those other big-selling vehicles which people pronounce differently.
Sportidge or Spor-tahj? Which is it? Each is correct. I’ve lived in northern Europe for decades but the second of those still feels strange, so I say it the same way other Australians do. And did you know, Koreans say Sportajee? Just goes to show that if the vehicle itself is sound, or even better, class-leading, it will succeed everywhere.
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Still no EV but there’s a reason why
Kia keeps refining its global best-seller and, like Toyota, brings in new powertrains and deletes others, all to help maintain and speed up the sales momentum. It has been impressive to see just how the Sportage has changed over what are now five generations. And if an EV is absent from the line-up, that’s because Kia’s strategy is to have bespoke electric models; in this case, the new and similarly sized EV5.
What we have in the UK is a choice of petrol and series hybrid power, with a plug-in hybrid to be added in 2026. Yes, there has indeed been a PHEV before but after the recent facelift, that derivative is still to come. Which gives Kia a chance to effectively relaunch the updated model in higher-priced forms, generating even more publicity.
A lot more than the usual mid-life facelift
I borrowed an HEV for this review, and even though this is a mid-life freshening, there are a lot of changes. Immediately you notice a new front end, which is what Kia would hope for – a great way to tempt existing owners to trade in – and the dashboard is also dramatically different. The Sportage remains strictly a five-seater, however, and the base engine cannot be paired with all-wheel drive.
So what are the drivetrains and propulsion systems? The new line-up starts with a 110 kW (150 PS) and 250 Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo. A six-speed manual is standard or for those wanting an automatic, there’s an optional seven-speed DCT.
New motor means more power
Step up to the hybrid, and you have the same engine, albeit with combined outputs of 175 kW (239 PS) and 265 Nm. This compares to 158 kW (215 PS) – torque is the same – for the pre-facelift HEV. The extra boost is courtesy of a new 47.7 kW motor.
An updated six-speed torque converter transmission is the default with petrol-electric power but there is a choice of FWD or AWD. The hybrid battery’s capacity is 1.49 kWh while the platform, revised somewhat though not in a major way, remains HMG’s N3.
Trim levels are Pure (replaces 2 and 3), GT-Line and GT-Line S and there are eight variants in all. Along with the new front and rear ends, which also slightly alters the length to 4,540 mm, there are fresh wheels, these coming in 17-, 18- and 19-inch diameter choices. By the way, not only are lights new, so too are the front wings, bumpers at either end and side cladding.
A far more digital dashboard than before
Opening either front door reveals more change, this being perhaps even more extensive than what’s different on the outside. For GT-Line S versions, there is a long, curved panel which integrates digital instrumentation and touchscreen as what looks like one wide-view display. On lower trims, there is a smaller diameter cluster. The steering wheel is also new and comes with many buttons and rolling switches.
Roominess remains a strongpoint, Kia noting that luggage space is 562 (petrol) or 587 (HEV) litres, and with the 40:20:40 back seats dropped, that becomes 1,751 or 1,776 l respectively. The company is yet to say what the capacity for the PHEV’s boot is but it will likely be less although still competitive.
I should add that on HEV variants, trunk space is the same for both FWD and AWD, while the latter also includes a Terrain mode for the transmission. This is claimed to help with traction on either mud, snow or sand. And if I have one main concern, the front-drive test vehicle did suffer from momentary wheel-spin when there was a need to join fast-moving A-roads from a standstill. So AWD is needed in autumn and winter.
Not one Sportage but two
The facelift is the main change for the North American region’s 2026 model year Sportage. This is the same long body which the South Korean market also has. It was announced there first back in November 2024 and then by Kia USA six months later.
Here, we have a special short wheelbase model; let’s call it standard length as it’s typically sized for the segment. Kia Europe first told us about the update in June. All our Sportages are sourced from a plant in Slovakia whereas Korea and the ‘States get theirs from locally located factories.
All of the above detail demonstrates just what a big deal the Sportage is for Kia worldwide. And if the brand performed better in China, it would be bigger still. This SUV is in fact Kia’s best seller worldwide and easily the number one model across Europe.
UK: Kia’s No.1 market in Europe
The British market is a major one too, and depending on what happens in December, the Sportage will be key to whether Ford (109,304 for 1 January to 30 November) or Kia (109,042) ends 2025 in fourth place behind VW, BMW and Audi. All are well ahead of next placed Hyundai (87,570).
As for model tallies, the Puma and Puma Gen-E are a combined number one (50,808) with the Sportage in second (45,814). The Kia’s main class rival comes next, Nissan having delivered 38,254 examples of the Qashqai during the year to the end of November.
Summary
Refining what was already a sound vehicle is the best way to sum-up what Kia has done with the Sportage. It’s no longer one of the cheapest models in its class – the brand has left those days well behind it – yet when it comes to value, the overall package is very strong. By which I mean a big list of standard equipment and that seven-year transferrable warranty. No wonder it’s the best performer in its size class.
MY26 Kia Sportage prices start at GBP30,885 for the 1.6 T and at GBP34,425 for the 1.6 T Hybrid. The updated PHEV will be announced shortly. In as-tested HEV form, C02 is 126 g/km and average consumption 50.4 mpg.
