2026 Kia Sportage vast lineup includes versatile PHEV trim
The 2026 Kia Sportage, in its plug-in hybrid trim, extends the lineup of the increasing popular sport utility vehicle. It’s thriving in a crowded and always-changing automotive segment.
Kia is one-third owned by Hyundai, with the South Korean manufacturers steadily moving into the top of overall value, versatility and overall quality rankings.
Once considered bargain basement, unreliable and shoddily made, both carmakers’ offerings are among this decade’s industry success stories.
The Kia Sportage, which surpassed 100,000 yearly sales for the first time in 2022, was the country’s 19th best-selling vehicle in 2025 with an all-time best 182,823 units sold, a 12.9 percent increase from 2024. It’s also the best-selling Kia, slightly ahead of the vastly popular Telluride, the newbie three-row SUV.
The Sportage PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo gasoline direct injection (GDI) and 72kW motor. It has a six -speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. It includes all-wheel drive with multi-terrain mode.
Performance is bolstered with 268 horsepower, a seven horsepower increase from 2024. With its all-wheel drive configuration, gas mileage is reduced to 36 miles per gallon overall from the low 40 averages in front-wheel drive options. The all-electric range is 34 miles.
As a compact crossover SUV, the Sportage can never be mistaken as a performance vehicle or even possessing any degree of sportiness.
Rather, it’s at its best as a well-designed, well-equipped, quiet general-purpose family hauler. Its interior space matches or exceeds its lengthy list of rivals’ caverns. Its comfort and materials quality isn’t luxurious but it’s far from utilitarian.
The entire Sportage lineup had a mid-cycle refresh for 2026, including the PHEV trim. Major exterior changes include a new grille, headlights, bumper and wheel designs. The interior features a restyled dashboard and steering wheel. Acceleration from 0-to-60 miles per hour is achieved in a pedestrian 9.1 seconds.
Inside and outside, the Sportage is more attractive. Its exterior appearance is more rugged, the interior is more tech-oriented.
The PHEV top-level trim also includes a 10-inch head-up display that projects navigation, speed and driver-assist information onto the windshield.
Dual 12.3-inch displays form the panoramic screen, showcasing the gauge cluster and infotainment system.
The home screen highlights frequently used functions; other features are accessible with a swipe to the left. The system supports over-the-air (OTA) updates. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard with wireless connectivity on all trim levels.
Kia packs its vehicles with safety equipment, including Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2). It combines adaptive cruise control with active lane centering and an automated lane change feature. Remote Smart Parking Assist allows the vehicle to enter or exit a tight parking space while standing outside the SUV and using only the key fob.
With competitors also rapidly improving their lineups, the addition of the S and X-Line trims, including the PHEV option, provide a more pinpointed offering for Kia’s best-selling vehicle.
With its upgrades, the 2026 Kia Sportage has a $1,500 starting MSRP increase. The PHEV trim has a MSRP of $47,190. Its Shadow Matte Gray exterior paint cost $595 and is the most expensive of four comfort additions. With its destination fee, the vehicle is priced at $49,730.
It’s slightly less than the average price of a new vehicle in the United States, which makes the 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige a bargain.
James Raia is a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento. He contributes business, lifestyle, sports and travel articles to several print and online publications. Email: james@jamesraia.com.