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In today’s video we’re taking a close look at the 2026 Kia Sportage, including everything you need to know about the performance figures, practicality, tech, and how this SUV has evolved over the previous generation!
Design-wise, this 2026 Sportage gets a noticeable facelift over the pre-facelift model. Outside there’s a bolder new front end with updated LED headlights and wider grille, sharper bumpers and new alloy wheel designs that give it a more modern, confident stance. Inside, the cockpit has been significantly refreshed with Kia’s latest panoramic dual curved displays, a slimmer dashboard profile, new two-spoke steering wheel and higher quality materials throughout the cabin.
The headline figure under the bonnet of the Sportage GT-Line S is a 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine paired with an electric motor, producing 238 hp it delivers smooth power with an efficient self-charging hybrid setup.
The starting price for the new Sportage is similar to its competitors (the Nissan Qashqai and the Skoda Karoq) at £31,000 but for the top-spec car, you’ll be parting with £44,000 of your hard earned cash!
The Sportage remains a substantial compact SUV with a kerb weight of around 1,733kg , and yet still manages impressive usability. Boot space is generous, with 591 litres behind the rear seats and expanding to 1,780 litres with the seats down, giving proper family-friendly load-lugging capacity.
The top-spec GT-Line S also includes premium goodies like a panoramic sunroof, 360° camera, heated and ventilated seats and advanced safety tech as standard.
Whether you’re after everyday usability, cutting-edge hybrid tech or a SUV with style and substance, the 2026 Kia Sportage delivers a compelling package. Watch the full review to see how it drives, where it shines and how it compares to rivals in the segment!
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:54 Design
02:01 Engines
02:51 0-60
03:35 Brake Test
04:18 Boot
07:20 Price
8:27 Interior
10:49 Country Road Driving
12:07 Motorway Driving
12:56 Back Seats
15:04 Bads
18:10 Town Driving
19:26 Verdict
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Buy Kia every time; seven year no quibble warranty, no brainer
Personally prefer the previous iteration, but it's still a good looking SUV.
You need to review the omoda 5
A friend of mine has just gone from a 2022 Nissan Qashqai to a Chery Tiggo 8. That car cost him £34k and its like a Benz inside. Can't believe the price of the thing. I'm a huge JDM fan boy, but for my family errands, I'd be buying one of those next myself.
you dont want leather in the back where the children are mate… cheap plastic is good because its cheap and plastic. my rear doorcard have red crayons all over them, image if they were leather.
yeah cause buying a nissan is such a good idea
Brother had one, died after 5 years. Garage said very common. People buying these and crap china vehicles, worth nothing after a few years, falling apart and electric issues. Not very environmentally friendly is it?
spor taj…
it's on my list thanks carwow
Sorento is very hot😊
Kia's problem CAN'T go straight.
Inside, Kia looks cheap and tacky
The old sportages still running in my country, this is very reliable car
I watch your video and just felt compelled to leave this comment regarding my recent experience with a NEW Kia Sportage GT-Line S PHEV 2025 which has been the worst and costly experience I have every had with a NEW car. I am disabled and had my very first PIP Mobility Car and as I had had good feedback about Kia cars before like this video I decided to have a NEW Kia Sportage GT-Line S PHEV 2025 which was great for the first 2 months then I did a long Journey from South Wales to Nottinghamshire some 225 miles for Christmas Holiday. When arriving I needed to re fuel so went to petrol station when opening the petrol tank gasses burst out like a champagne cork popping and gurgling. I then tried to refuel and petrol blew back out going all over my legs and shoes and the petrol station floor and I could not refuel the car and was some 225 miles away from home in Wales. This was not the end of my ordeal the front and rear Cameras, Sensors and safety collision systems also failed causing me not to have assistance reversing and I did cosmetic damage maneuvering into a lamppost as the warning sensors did not activate at all. So RAC towed my car back to Wales on the 30th Dec 2025 to start to be repaired as it was deemed dangerous to drive with petrol tank issues, camera , sensor and safety collision system warning not working properly and the battery not holding its charge too, and all this happened just over 2 months after having the new car. In December 2025 the RAC supplied me with a hire car which I still have March 2026 and have now had longer to date than my Mobility – Kia Sportage GT-Line S PHEV car. Lastly the dealer has been dragging their heels on all the repairs and has not been returning calls to the RAC Repair team so I have now taken the decision to come out of my PIP Mobility agreement early as I have now lost total confidence in the Kia Sportage GT-Line S PHEV car and also the Kia dealer so I have now lost another £250 to leave early so that's £2500 I have paid out and had nothing but three months of hell with constant calls to Mobility, RAC and Kia and I am now looking for another Mobility Car and I will NOT be choosing any Kia Cars in the future. Thanks Bex
It’s still just a kia 🙃
I think you are the reason why it is the best selling SUV in the UK right now.
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I sometimes wonder why automakers can't bring over their European versions of SUVs like this or the smaller Tiguan to the US market. I'd much prefer this over the Seltos we get in the States, and can sell this and the bigger Sportage side by side. The size looks just right, and it can actually hold all that gear while the "subcompact SUVs" in the States couldn't hold that.
make a comparaison betwen sportage and byd sealion 6
I always liked Kia Spotrage but I think they consume loads of fuel cose it's a massive car
Your comments about not being able to spec the car how you want without features you do not want I think is very annoying.Personally have had sunroofs(in one form or another) on my cars for over 30 years and on older Vauxhalls even the spec above base models could have one.(Before air con was widely available).On my current Skoda with pan roof to buy a new one with it I have to buy the sports edition with massive wheels/sports seats etc and probably stiffer suspension too! Regarding Kia looked at the xceed but the only one with the sunroof is the gt line s again with 18 inch wheels and depressing black interior all over.Because of the state of the roads dont want lower profile tyres on massive wheels(currently on 16 inch–17 would be the limit).So that car has now gone off my list with alot more.We are paying lots more now with fewer choices.
Kia or Nokia
In my country Lidl prices are a lot higher than the rest of the supermarkets.
Always enjoy your reviews but can you do something about your microphone/sound system. Always sounds muffled and sometimes unclear!! Cheers
Diesels are dead. Move on
7 years worenty – audi 2 years. I TAKE KIA.
Hyundai Tuscon long wheel base and Kia Sportage have exactly the same engine and specs, comparison would that be great
Isn't KIA related to HYUNDAI? The same company whose equipment was used to demolish homes of native Palestinians in the West Bank for illegal settlement?
yes.
The answer to the thumbnail is yes.
wait is the eu sportage smaller then the US one? Or am I on something