2026 Kia Sportage price and specs: More tech, more hybrids, higher prices
Pricing and specifications for the facelifted 2026 Kia Sportage have been announced for Australia as first vehicles arrive in showrooms, and the upgraded mid-size SUV lineup brings more more hybrid variants, more standard equipment, and the introduction of Kia Connect services, accompanied by price increases of up to $4070.
As before, the Sportage will be offered in S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line trim levels, with no less than five different drivetrain variants available. The six-speed manual is dead, and 1.6T AWD variants swap out their dual-clutch automatic transmission for an eight-speed torque converter unit.
Further, hybrid (HEV) versions of the SX and GT-Line are now available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) form, taking the total number of hybrid options to four. Revised design details, new alloy wheel options and increased tech levels round out the highlights.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 2026 Kia Sportage SX 1.6T HEV AWD Credit: CarExpert
Pricing for the MY26 Kia Sportage starts from $37,990 before on-road costs, which is $5000 higher than the old base manual and $3000 more than the outgoing entry-level S automatic. These price rises are somewhat offset by enhanced specification levels, as detailed further down.
Prices are up across the board, by at least $500 and an average of around $3000 depending on the model variant. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Kia has confirmed a four-strong engine lineup and changes like a new eight-speed auto for the 1.6T and the availability of AWD for the 1.6T Hybrid (HEV), though further details like outputs (if changed) and fuel consumption are still to be confirmed. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
*Figures quoted are for pre-facelift vehicles
Kia Australia hasn't confirmed any changes to the Sportage's dimensions – see below for pre-facelift figures. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The updated Kia Sportage, like the Korean brand's other models, will be covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty. Hybrid vehicles are also subject to a seven-year/150,000km high-voltage battery and component warranty. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Kia Australia offers seven years of capped-price servicing across its lineup, though finer details around intervals and pricing for the updated Sportage range are still to be confirmed.
For reference, the 2.0L petrol and turbo-diesel models in the pre-facelifted range have 12-month/15,000km intervals, while the turbocharged 1.6L petrol and HEV versions have shorter 10,000km distance intervals.
The updated Kia Sportage is expected to retain its five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on 2022 Euro NCAP tests. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
While there have been some feature upgrades – such as a more advanced semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system from SX+ level and up – the fundamentals appear to be the largely same.
Standard safety equipment includes: 7 airbags incl. front-centre
Smart Cruise Control 2 – SCC 2 (NEW)
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
Blind-spot assist
Intelligent speed limit assist
Lane Following Assist (centring)
Lane-keep assist
Multi Collision Brake
Rear cross-traffic assist
Parking sensors – front (NEW), rear
Reversing camera
Tyre pressure monitor
SX+ adds: Highway Driving Assist (NEW)
GT-Line adds: AEB – reverse
Blind Spot View Monitor
Surround View Monitor – 360 cameras
Kia has confirmed preliminary specifications across the range, with each trim level scoring new equipment. SX 1.6T HEV AWD Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert
2025 Kia Sportage S equipment highlights: Kia Connect Services (NEW)
12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment – ccNC Lite (NEW)
Over the air (OTA) updates (NEW)
17-inch alloy wheels
Full-size alloy spare wheel
Cloth upholstery
Electronic park brake incl. Auto Hold
Leather steering wheel
PVC shift selector
Sportage SX adds: 12.3-inch navigation system – ccNC (NEW)
18-inch alloy wheels
Rain-sensing wipers
2-way lumbar support – driver
Premium shift selector – Petrol, Diesel
Dial-type shift selector – HEV
Remote folding second-row seats
Dual-zone climate control
Temporary spare wheel – HEV
Sportage SX+ adds: Wireless phone charger (NEW)
Heated steering wheel (NEW)
19-inch alloy wheels – Petrol, Diesel
Power driver seat
Heated front seats
Harman Kardon premium audio
Power tailgate
Rear privacy glass
Artificial leather upholstery
Sportage GT-Line adds: Head-up display (NEW)
Dynamic welcome light – front, rear (NEW)
Heated steering wheel (NEW for Petrol, Diesel)
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Memory function – driver seat
Power front passenger seat
Ventilated front seats
Ambient mood lighting
Panoramic sunroof
LED interior lighting
Alloy sports pedals
Dial-type shift selector – all variants
Further details will be confirmed at the Australian media launch next week.
Two new paint options join the Sportage's palette, while the outgoing model's Dawning Red has been discontinued. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Standard: $NCO
Premium paint: $TBC Heritage Blue (NEW)
Wolf Grey (NEW)
Steel Grey
Gravity Grey
Fusion Black
Vesta Blue
Snow White Pearl – SX+, GT-Line only
Jungle Wood Green – SX+, GT-Line only
MORE: Everything Kia Sportage
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