Which One?
Let’s take the popular two-row mid-sized Sportage, for example.
For around $30,000, including transportation, you get a smartly refreshed for ’26 two-row with 17” alloys, LED lighting, a 12.3” screen, front and rear parking sensors… powered by a non-turbo 2.5-liter four with 187 HP. Expect to get around 28 MPG with average driving. The Sportage is a vehicle you could park next to a much more expensive Euro-import without feeling outclassed.
But that’s just where you’ll probably start to scratch your head, ‘cause for only a couple thousand more……………..
Yes…KIA plays that “for just a little more game” like a champ. There’s five more levels of trim above that base 30K LX…all selling for “Just a little more”…and all offering increased levels of comfort and content. When you reach the top, your Sportage will be packed like a sausage with luxury content.
But now there’s even more.
KIA now offers its spunky Sportage in five different levels of Hybrid trim…and on average, they’re all just around $1,700 more than their respective non-Hybrid cousins.
For that roughly $1,700, you’ll get a new 232 HP 1.6 liter turbo with your hybrid…getting you significantly brisker acceleration and mileage averaging in the mid-30s.
We got lucky and were able to test today’s top Sportage…the Hybrid SX-Prestige AWD.
Here’s just some of what KIA packs into that package: Heated and ventilated faux leather with heated outboard rears, heated steering, Harman Kardon audio, Sunroof, heads-up display with surround view, 19” alloys, smart power rear liftgate, front, rear, and side parking alerts, and all of KIA’s smart-key remote capabilities.
How much? Even with floormats and transportation, your loaded Hybrid is just a hair under $42,000. Pretty impressive.
Now, to be fair, I must say that I drove an American competitor that was only a couple thousand more…had a more luxurious interior and a little softer ride, but wasn’t a Hybrid…and consequently didn’t get anywhere near the Sportage’s mileage.
KIA’s Sportage, in contrast, feels and handles much more like a European ride…crisp and nimble. More of a driver’s car. Perhaps with KIA, the name “Sportage” really does reflect some of the vehicle’s DNA.
2026 KIA Sportage HybridSX-Prestige AWD
Bob Jackson
