Kia Sportage 2026 pricing revealed as sales surge: Can the SUV withstand Donald Trump's tariffs and remain affordable?
Kia Sportage 2026 price breakdown
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What makes the Kia Sportage stand out
How will Trump tariffs affect Kia Sportage's 2026 pricing
Kia Sportage 2026: Looking ahead
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Kia's popular small SUV, the Sportage, is set to continue its strong sales streak in the United States in 2025. This takes place a year after the South Korean automaker set an all-time annual sales record in FY 2024-25. In fact, in April alone, Kia sold 16,178 Sportage models. This marks an 18 per cent year-over-year increase.However, the big question looming over the car's prices concerns the recent market changes. Amid global business turbulence and US auto tariffs, will the refreshed 2026 Sportage keep up the momentum? Let's know more.The Korean automaker has released an official pricing list for the 2026 Sportage model, and buyers will be pleased to know that the rise in the cost is relatively minor. The base LX trim, as per a USA Today report, begins at $28,690, up by just $1,300 from last year.After including the $1,395 destination charge, the total MSRP of the car jumps to $30,085 for a front-wheel-drive Sportage LX.The base LX FWD is priced at $30,085, while the LX AWD will be sold slightly higher at $31,885. Moving up, the EX FWD will be available at $33,685.For motorists who want more premium features, the SX FWD costs $35,685 and the SX Prestige FWD is listed at $37,685, with the AWD version and the SX Prestige AWD priced at $39,485.The adventure-ready trims like the X-Line AWD and top tier X-Pro Prestige AWD lead the lineup at $40,985.The range of Sportage offers buyers different choices to fit their budget and driving needs.The sole reason that makes the Kia Sportage remain appealing is its strong list of standard features, even at the base level.The LX trim boasts a dual 12.3-inch panoramic display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front and rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.The top-end X-Pro Prestige model, as per the USA Today report, offers premium features like all-wheel drive with terrain modes.It additionally boasts of a Harman Kardon eight-speaker system, panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera, and heated/ventilated front seats—all for just under $41,000.Motorists can avail accessories like cross bars and side steps with the updated price of over $40,000.The Sportage, under the hood, runs on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivers 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.Although it is slightly underpowered as compared to its rivals—Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V—it stays competitive with affordable pricing and solid fuel economy.Kia has managed to keep the Sportage's price hike modest despite the Trump administration's tariffs on imported vehicles and parts.How did the automaker manage it? By creating an assembly plant in the United States.Reportedly, the Sportage is assembled at Kia's plant unit in Georgia's West Point—the company's only US-based factory. Even though only 20 per cent of the parts are sourced from the US or Canada, its local assembling helps the car remain relatively unaffected by tariff-related cost hikes.While Kia has not confirmed whether the current prices fully reflect the tariff impact, it seems as though it has already been factored into pricing. The 2026 models will be hitting dealerships this summer.With good sales momentum, competitive pricing, and a new design under Kia's new "Opposites United" styling language, the 2026 Sportage is poised to stay a top consumer preference for value-packed SUVs, even amid continued market pressures.The 2026 Kia Sportage is due in US dealerships this summer 2025.A fully loaded Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige with accessories can cost more than $40,000, with the base price of $40,985, including the destination charge.
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