Do you remember the Kia Sportage? This Korean compact SUV used to fill the streets, providing a diesel-powered alternative to the likes of the Hyundai Tucson.
Although it’s been discountinued in the Philippines since 2021, the Sportage has been busy in several markets around the world—consistently being one of Kia’s best selling models. Today, the 2026 Kia Sportage has just been unveiled at the 2024 LA Auto Show with a plethora of powertrain options and variants.
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The 2026 Sportage boasts an even angrier design than its predecessor with an almost teeth-like, snarling grille as its defining feature. It is not a complete redesign as it takes mostly the same shell and interior as the previous Sportage, but in a more rugged fashion. More pronounced bumpers are found on the front and the rear, but the vertical headlights are unchanged, as well as the design curves along the side.
Under the hood, future Sportage drivers will have three powertrain options. The first being an all-gas powered 2.5-liter in-line-four engine that runs with 187hp. Drivers will then have two hybrid options: an HEV system that sports a 1.6-liter engine and a 47.7kW motor that makes for 231hp, or a plug-in hybrid setup with the same engine but a more powerful 72kW motor that pushes 268hp.
All of these powertrains push an AWD system, but those opting for the ICE and HEV models will have an additional option of a FWD chassis. Among these three versions, Kia will be offering at least six different variants with different levels of luxury, wheel sizes, and infotainment capabilities.
The flagship trims, the X-Line and the X-Pro are made for overland driving as they feature different drive modes for snow, mud, and sand. Along with all-terrain tires and additional lights.
Inside the cabin, it mostly remains standard from the old Sportage. There is a new 10-inch head-up display is supported by a whole range of software updates to Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). These updates include an automatic braking protocol specifically for pedestrians and cyclicts, and a detection feature to ensure that the driver’s hands are consistently on the wheel.
Locally, the 2026 Kia Sportage has an interesting opportunity to fill in some gaps in Kia’s local lineup of SUVs. The Kia Sorrento could be too big and expensive for some, the Seltos and the Sonet can be too small for others and perhaps the pair lacks a bit of luxury. Meanwhile, there are drivers in the Philippines who are still on the fence about purchasing an all-electric car, hence the Sportage options of an HEV and a PHEV would be perfect.
Would you want to see the 2026 Kia Sportage make its way to the Philippines?
More photos of the 2026 Kia Sportage:
