Kia · Updated June 2026
Kia Sportage (2026): price, specs & release date
Kia Sportage (2026), released 2026. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: fueleconomy.gov verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
The Kia Sportage (2026) is listed at $28790 on fueleconomy.gov as of 2026-06-27, #5 cheapest of 16 cars (median $29740); other retailers may be lower. It earns a Silver Deskmark — 49/100 pay-blind standing, #5 of 16 in class.
Verified Jun 27, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
- Best for Comfortable, quiet, well-controlled ride; Strong value — low entry price and generous standard equipment.
- Skip if Sluggish, underpowered 2.5-liter non-hybrid gas engine is a dealbreaker.
Is the Kia Sportage (2026) a good buy?
At $28790, the Kia Sportage (2026) is #5 cheapest of the 16 cars we track, where the median is $29720. On the spec sheet, its mpg combined of 28 is below the median of the 15, its horsepower of 187 is at the median of the 16, and its seats of 5 is at the median of the 16.
Evidence of Record
Our data- Independent labsmeasured it
- 2
- Physical metricsrecorded
- 4
- Outlets on recordall tested
- 2
Two independent labs measured this product across 4 physical metrics — 0-60 mph, 75-mph highway fuel, cargo and observed fuel economy. With a second lab on record, each figure comes from more than one independent hands-on source — a measure of how much evidence exists, not a rating of the product.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the Kia Sportage (2026)
Both whitelisted hands-on reviews survived verification. Car and Driver (instrumented) and MotorTrend (hybrid first drive) rate the refreshed 2026 Sportage a comfortable, well-equipped value whose weak 2.5-liter non-hybrid gas engine is its main flaw; the hybrid supplies the missing pep. Car and Driver measured 9.1-sec 0-60 for the gas engine versus 7.4 for the hybrid, plus 31 mpg observed highway. Non-whitelisted outlets were excluded.
Based on 2 reviews · 2 lab-tested · 2025-08–2025-08-25
Tested by Car and Driver, MotorTrend
Consistently praised
- Comfortable, quiet, well-controlled ride · 2 sources
- Strong value — low entry price and generous standard equipment · 2 sources
- Hybrid powertrain adds welcome pep and refinement over the gas engine · 2 sources
Commonly flagged
- Sluggish, underpowered 2.5-liter non-hybrid gas engine · 2 sources
- Unengaging, dull driving dynamics (non-hybrid)
- Hybrid fuel economy regresses on larger-wheel SX/X-Line trims
Where reviewers disagree Real split on driving character: Car and Driver's instrumented test frames even the refreshed nonhybrid Sportage as dull and 'unengaging' (9.1-sec 0-60 gas, 7.4 hybrid at its test track), while MotorTrend's hands-on of the hybrid found Sport mode genuinely fun and the retuned suspension improved — but MotorTrend only estimates the hybrid's 0-60 (7.0-7.3 sec, MT est) and had not yet instrument-tested the 2026 car.
The sources (2)
0-60 mph, non-hybrid 2.5L (test track): 9.1 sec · 0-60 mph, hybrid (test track): 7.4 sec · 75-mph highway fuel economy, AWD X-Pro Prestige (observed): 31 mpg · Cargo, carry-on suitcases (behind rear seat / seats folded): 11 / 26 cases
Glides over pavement, no shortage of standard equipment, low entry price.
Gutless gas engine, unengaging road manners, perhaps too stylistically demure.
The Sportage is roomy, comfortable, and now more visually palatable, but it doesn't stand out in a crowded segment full of more entertaining SUVs.
Observed fuel economy, 154-mi mixed back-roads route: 31.8 mpg
power from the turbo engine and motor crank up the enthusiasm factor noticeably
firmed things up just enough to quell our previous complaints about a too-soft suspension
the 187-hp 2.5-liter non-turbocharged engine won’t light anybody’s hair on fire
Specifications
| Price (US) | $28790 US MSRP base 2.5L FWD per fueleconomy.gov; full range $28,790–$40,590 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kia |
| Released | 2026 |
| Body style | compact SUV |
| Mpg combined | 28 |
| Horsepower | 187 |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Seats | 5 |
| Cargo cuft | — |
| Powertrain | 2.5L inline-4 naturally aspirated, 8-speed automatic |
Source: fueleconomy.gov (verified 2026-06-15) · corroborated by consumerreports.org. EPA vehicle ID 49455 (2026 Kia Sportage FWD 2.5L): 28 MPG combined (25 city/33 hwy), MSRP $28,790–$36,390, 2.5L 4-cyl S8. ConsumerReports confirms 187 hp (2.5L), starting $28,790, 5 seats (2+3). Sportage Hybrid FWD (ID 49456) achieves 42 MPG at $30,490. Cargo volume not accessible; null entered.
Is the Kia Sportage (2026) worth it vs cheaper cars?
Kia Sportage (2026) against its closest cheaper and pricier cars on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 16 ranked
| Product | Price | Body style | Mpg combined | Horsepower | Drivetrain | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sportage (2026) this | $28790 | compact SUV | 28 | 187 | FWD | 5 |
| Honda Accord (2026) | $28395 | midsize sedan | 32 | 192 | FWD | 5 |
| Toyota Camry (2026) | $29100 | midsize sedan | 51 | 225 | FWD | 5 |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the Kia Sportage (2026)?
Both whitelisted hands-on reviews survived verification. Car and Driver (instrumented) and MotorTrend (hybrid first drive) rate the refreshed 2026 Sportage a comfortable, well-equipped value whose weak 2.5-liter non-hybrid gas engine is its main flaw; the hybrid supplies the missing pep. Car and Driver measured 9.1-sec 0-60 for the gas engine versus 7.4 for the hybrid, plus 31 mpg observed highway. Non-whitelisted outlets were excluded. Praised: Comfortable, quiet, well-controlled ride; Strong value — low entry price and generous standard equipment; Hybrid powertrain adds welcome pep and refinement over the gas engine. Flagged: Sluggish, underpowered 2.5-liter non-hybrid gas engine; Unengaging, dull driving dynamics (non-hybrid); Hybrid fuel economy regresses on larger-wheel SX/X-Line trims. (From 2 tester reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
How much does the Kia Sportage (2026) cost?
The Kia Sportage (2026) has a US price of $28790 (US MSRP base 2.5L FWD per fueleconomy.gov; full range $28,790–$40,590), as of 2026-06-15.
How does the Kia Sportage (2026) compare on price?
At $28790, the Kia Sportage (2026) is #5 cheapest of the 16 cars we track, where the median is $29720.
When was the Kia Sportage (2026) released?
The Kia Sportage (2026) was released 2026.
What are the Kia Sportage (2026)'s key specs?
Kia Sportage (2026) (Kia): body style compact SUV, mpg combined 28, horsepower 187, drivetrain FWD, seats 5. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-15.
Price of record: $28790 at fueleconomy.gov, 2026-06-27. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
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Compare with
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