Kia makes minor updates to 2026 Sportage Hybrid, wringing out five more hp

For 2026, Kia kept the powertrain from last year's Sportage Hybrid as it made light updates to the look and interior. The automaker has been in the hybrid business for a while, but the automaker is still looking to make a splash in the gas-electric space. Kia told the assembled journalists at a recent drive program for the 2026 Sportage Hybrid that it's clear not enough customers have noticed. The updated hybrid Sportage takes what has worked for the crossover and gives it a facelift and a slight powertrain upgrade, with results that still deliver a solid value to anyone in the market for a hybrid crossover.

The vehicle is available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrains. We drove the AWD SX-Prestige hybrid trim, which starts at $40,390 (destination fee: $1,445). The Prestige represents a $10,000 premium over the entry-level LX, which starts at $30,290 (destination fee: $1,445). Typically, the majority of sales for a vehicle reside in the middle trim level. A goldilocks vehicle with just enough options to appeal to the majority of buyers without bumping up the price too high. Not so in the Sportage. Kia said over 50% of Sportage sales are of the top-level SX-Prestige trim.