Latest news with #KiaSportage
West Australian
4 days ago
- Automotive
- West Australian
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 . 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. 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. *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. 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. 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. 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: SX+ adds: GT-Line adds: Kia has confirmed preliminary specifications across the range, with each trim level scoring new equipment. 2025 Kia Sportage S equipment highlights: Sportage SX adds: Sportage SX+ adds: Sportage GT-Line adds: 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. Standard: $NCO Premium paint: $TBC MORE: Everything Kia Sportage
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
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
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
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. 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. Pricing Prices are up across the board, by at least $500 and an average of around $3000 depending on the model variant. Drivetrains and Efficiency 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. *Figures quoted are for pre-facelift vehicles Dimensions Kia Australia hasn't confirmed any changes to the Sportage's dimensions – see below for pre-facelift figures. Servicing and Warranty 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. 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. Safety The updated Kia Sportage is expected to retain its five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on 2022 Euro NCAP tests. 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 Standard Equipment Kia has confirmed preliminary specifications across the range, with each trim level scoring new equipment. 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. Colours Two new paint options join the Sportage's palette, while the outgoing model's Dawning Red has been discontinued. Standard: $NCO Clear White 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
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
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. 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. 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. *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. 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. 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. 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: SX+ adds: GT-Line adds: Kia has confirmed preliminary specifications across the range, with each trim level scoring new equipment. 2025 Kia Sportage S equipment highlights: Sportage SX adds: Sportage SX+ adds: Sportage GT-Line adds: 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. Standard: $NCO Premium paint: $TBC MORE: Everything Kia Sportage Content originally sourced from: 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. 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. 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. *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. 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. 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. 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: SX+ adds: GT-Line adds: Kia has confirmed preliminary specifications across the range, with each trim level scoring new equipment. 2025 Kia Sportage S equipment highlights: Sportage SX adds: Sportage SX+ adds: Sportage GT-Line adds: 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. Standard: $NCO Premium paint: $TBC MORE: Everything Kia Sportage Content originally sourced from: 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. 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. 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. *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. 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. 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. 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: SX+ adds: GT-Line adds: Kia has confirmed preliminary specifications across the range, with each trim level scoring new equipment. 2025 Kia Sportage S equipment highlights: Sportage SX adds: Sportage SX+ adds: Sportage GT-Line adds: 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. Standard: $NCO Premium paint: $TBC MORE: Everything Kia Sportage Content originally sourced from: 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. 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. 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. *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. 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. 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. 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: SX+ adds: GT-Line adds: Kia has confirmed preliminary specifications across the range, with each trim level scoring new equipment. 2025 Kia Sportage S equipment highlights: Sportage SX adds: Sportage SX+ adds: Sportage GT-Line adds: 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. Standard: $NCO Premium paint: $TBC MORE: Everything Kia Sportage Content originally sourced from:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toyota to Dramatically Increase Plug-In Hybrids by 2030: Will Shoppers Go for It?
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Toyota is leaning into plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and aims to grow US sales of this category from last year's 2.4% to 20% by 2030. PHEVs sit between a traditional hybrid and a full EV. They can drive a certain number of miles on pure electricity, typically between 20 and 50, and also have a gas tank for longer trips. The small but mighty battery recharges with an external cord. "We are going to grow our PHEV volume through the lineup over the next few years,' David Christ, head of the Toyota brand in North America, tells CNBC. "We love the PHEV powertrain." PHEVs are the least popular form of EV, with sales far below hybrids and full EVs. One main reason is their price. Building a car with two powertrains, a battery, and a gas engine isn't cheap. It could also mean more complex maintenance. For example, the gas-powered 2025 Kia Sportage starts at $28,690, and the hybrid version is just $100 more at $28,790. However, the plug-in hybrid is over $10,000 more than that at $39,890. Toyota offers a PHEV version of the Prius ($28,350), called the Prius Prime ($33,375). It earned a PCMag Editors' Choice award for its top-tier, 44-mile battery range and relatively affordable starting price of $33,375. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe ($50,695) is another popular PHEV. But the car industry has not scratched the surface of these vehicles' potential. If they could go, say, 150 miles on pure electricity before switching to gas, they might be a serious competitor to full EVs. Christ tells CNBC the company is "working increase the amount of miles you can drive on EV-only range." It remains to be seen how lofty its ambitions are here. Toyota has been slower to adopt EVs than other automakers, instead embracing its signature hybrid-forward strategy. It expects hybrids, including PHEVs, to be more than 50% of US sales in 2025. That's up from 46% in 2024 and 30% in 2023, a steady and significant increase. However, the brand is making moves toward strengthening its EV-only lineup. Its first model, the bZ4X, is getting a range boost for 2026 (and a name change to just bZ). Toyota also debuted a brand-new model, the 2026 C-HR compact SUV. "We've got ICE [internal combustion engine]. We've got hybrid. We got plug-in hybrid. We got EV," Christ says. "So, our chances of being successful in scoring runs is just a lot better than if you're really overly committed to any one of those power trains." EV sales grew 11.4% in Q1 2025 in the US, according to Cox Automotive. Toyota's EV sales increased nearly 200% compared to Q1 2024, and that was before it made much-needed improvements to the bZ4X and introduced the C-HR. Next year could be big for its EV business. However, the auto industry overall is struggling to navigate the sharp policy differences between former President Biden and President Trump. The Department of Transportation is no longer releasing planned funds for a nationwide charging network. One in five CEOs at automotive companies has stepped down in the past year, the Financial Times reports, as the companies struggle to navigate tariffs. Toyota might be in "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" mode, and perhaps targeting a wealthier customer with the shift to PHEVs.
