Kia has unveiled a refreshed version of its popular Sportage SUV in Korea, three years after the fifth-generation model made its debut. This facelift introduces a sharper styled front end, a more upscale interior, and some meaningful tweaks under the hood that could extend its appeal in a fiercely competitive segment. Following the recipe that Kia has already used on the Picanto, Sorento, Carnival, K4, and K8, this update aligns the Sportage’s look with the brand’s expanding EV lineup. The headline act is the redesigned front end, where vertically stacked, more aggressive headlights, larger bumper intakes, and a reworked grille give the SUV a more confident, upright stance.
From the side, most of the design remains
familiar, but the facelift brings new front fenders and fresh alloy wheel
designs ranging from 17 to 19 inches. Out back, subtle updates keep things
tidy: new LED taillight graphics and a slightly revised rear bumper sharpen the
overall look without reinventing it. The X-Line trim, intended as the flagship
variant, differentiates itself with sportier bumpers, extra black accents, and
its own exclusive 19-inch wheels. These design changes aren’t limited to the
long-wheelbase model shown here (meant for Korea, North America, and Australia).
They’re expected to be applied to the shorter, Europe-bound Sportage as well.
Moving inside, Kia has introduced a curved
digital cockpit that combines dual 12.3-inch screens and a new head-up display.
The redesigned two-spoke steering wheel, along with upgraded mood lighting,
slimmer A/C vents, and refreshed switchgear, aim to bring the Sportage closer
to the brand’s more premium models. Safety tech sees notable enhancements too:
a grip detection system with a vibration warning on the steering wheel, a
driver-facing camera, and the latest ADAS systems. Kia offers three interior
color schemes—Lounge Brown, Black, and Navy Gray—giving buyers a bit of
customization, along with eight different exterior colors.
In Korea, the entry-level Sportage is offered
with a carry-over 2.0-liter LPG engine generating 144 hp. The
more potent turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline engine produces the same 177 hp, but is now mated to a new eight-speed automatic
transmission, which is said to offer smoother gear changes compared to the old
seven-speed dual-clutch unit. The hybrid variant gets a slight power bump, with
an additional 5 hp over the outgoing model. Its powertrain combines
the 177 hp 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with a single
electric motor contributing 64 hp. Kia has also optimized the
regenerative braking, allowing drivers to tweak the intensity via the paddle
shifters, while the adaptive braking now responds to road conditions based on navigation
input. Furthermore, the electrified Kia Sportage inherits the infant driving
mode from the closely-related Hyundai Tucson, offering smoother acceleration.
It is safe to assume that the plug-in hybrid option of the Sportage will remain
available in other markets, including Europe, and North America.
In terms of the chassis setup, the front
wheel strut features a new two-way damper, which is said to reduce road noise.
The NVH credentials of the Sportage have been further improved thanks to the
application of extra sound-deadening material on the B-pillar, crash pad, and
door trim. Sound-insulating glass was already offered in the pre-facelifted
model since 2023.
In Korea, pricing of the updated Kia
Sportage ranges between ₩ 28.36 million (US$ 20,600) to ₩ 48.70 million (US$ 35,300)
depending on the powertrain choice and trim level. In a clever bit of
cross-promotion, Kia also announced a partnership with Netflix to showcase its
models in the second season of the global hit “Squid Game.” The North American
version of the facelifted Sportage is expected to be introduced soon before
going on sale next year as a 2026MY.
