2026 Kia Sportage Gas AND Hybrid Review

Connie Peters is an automotive video creator and journalist covering all types of cars and trucks for the past 10 years in suburban Vancouver. You can watch all of her  videos on her YouTube channel or find here on social media: Instagram.com/xoconniepeters, TikTok.com/@xoconniepeters, Facebook.com/xoconniepeters, Threads.net/@xoconniepeters

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A transcript, cleaned up by AI and edited by a staffer, is below.

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Transcript:

And here we have it — a baby Telluride or a mini Sorento. I really like Kia SUVs. The Sorento has always felt like a sleeper to me. It seats seven, it’s the right size if you don’t need a full-size SUV, and it has a long list of features. Same with the Telluride. It’s a bit bigger, has more amenities, and offers more space.

Today, though, I have the Sportage — or Sportage. I’m not sure how you’re pronouncing it. I doubt most Americans say “Sportage,” but maybe that’s the French spin. Either way, this is the 2026 Kia Sportage. It gets a refresh for this year with updated styling front and rear, along with new interior tech.

I love this spec. I usually prefer lighter colors for shooting photos and video, but this looks great, especially with the brown interior. Speaking of color, from what I can tell, the U.S. and Canada use different names. Panthera Metal in the U.S., Gravity Grey in Canada. You can also get a matte Panthera Metal in the U.S. I didn’t see the matte option on the Canadian site, though it may still exist. I just wish the names were consistent. Same story with the trim names.

This is the top-spec model, so it gets all the features: digital key, Harman Kardon audio, and standard all-wheel drive. In Canada, this trim is called X-Line Limited; in the U.S., it’s called X-Pro Prestige. I wish they used the same naming, but I get that they’re different markets. Either way, “top trim” is what matters on the gas Sportage. You can also get a hybrid or plug-in hybrid version, which are more powerful and more expensive.

Styling isn’t as boxy as the Sorento or Telluride, but it still fits the Kia SUV look. This top trim gets 19-inch wheels and a clean rear design that gives me a slight EV6 vibe — just not as sculpted. You get black Sportage badging, X-Line (or X-Pro) badging, a power liftgate, and good cargo space. If you don’t need a third row, you may not need to move up to the Sorento. There’s a spare tire, three child-seat tethers, a 60/40 folding second row you can drop from the cargo area, and a 12-volt outlet.

Driving the Sportage, it uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque paired with an eight-speed automatic. It’s nothing exciting, but it’s sufficient. All-wheel drive is standard on this top trim. It can tow up to 2,500 pounds when properly equipped. I find it comfortable and roomy, and honestly, it’s a nice drive. And like always with Kia, the headrests are great. I can actually rest my head while driving — something I can’t say for many other brands.

Now, when I recorded the gas Sportage I wasn’t sure if I’d get the hybrid soon, but I ended up with it right away, so I’m including both. This one is the hybrid, also the top trim — SX in Canada or SX Prestige in the U.S. The color is Heritage Blue, which looks really good. The wheels have that typical geometric Kia styling.

Because it’s a hybrid, it sounds a bit different. It uses a 1.6-liter turbo engine combined with two electric motors for a total of 231 horsepower. This one is all-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic. It’s quiet, comfortable, and again, these seats and headrests are excellent. They’re synthetic leather and suede, but they feel great.

I genuinely like all three Kia SUVs, and the Sportage has plenty of space unless you specifically want that Sorento third row.

Inside, everything is new for 2026 — the steering wheel, the screens, the layout. This top trim has a big head-up display. I like the two-tone brown and black wheel and the off-center Kia badge. Because it’s all-wheel drive, you get terrain modes, plus drive modes for Normal, Sport, and an Individual “My Drive.”

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect quickly. The climate and media controls use the familiar Hyundai/Kia touch-toggle strip. You get dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, two USB-C ports (one for phone connection), a wireless charging pad, and cupholders that can retract if you need the space.

The synthetic leather interior looks great with the quilting. There’s LATCH for two child seats, a center armrest with cupholders, a nearly flat floor, vents, USB-C ports, seatback pockets, and even little hooks for bags or jackets. The heated rear seats and the Harman Kardon system are exclusive to this top trim. The panoramic sunroof has a powered solid shade, and the front panel opens.

For reference, I’m 5'1", and sitting behind my own driving position leaves lots of space. The Sportage is genuinely a great small SUV if you don’t need three rows. It’s comfortable, easy to drive, has great seats, a strong sound system, a large sunroof, wireless CarPlay — a lot to like. And yes, I still think the Sorento is a sleeper that doesn’t get enough attention.

Pricing: the gas Sportage starts around $35,000 Canadian or about $29,000 USD. This top trim, with standard all-wheel drive, is $48,500 Canadian or about $41,000 USD. The hybrid starts at $44,000 Canadian or roughly $30,000 USD. The top-trim hybrid is $50,727 Canadian or just over $40,000 USD.

So which one would you choose — gas, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid? The gas model is the least expensive and least powerful, but it’s still a solid vehicle inside and out. I really like Kia SUVs. Let me know what you think. Don’t forget to subscribe and follow me on social media — I’m @xocconniepeters everywhere.