- Kia’s new Sportage compact SUV model year is on its way.
- The Sportage is a best-selling model for the South Korean automaker.
- It has an affordable starting price and great new standard features.
The Kia Sportage set an all-time annual sales record in 2024. Can the Sportage do it again this year amid market turbulence?
The South Korean automaker sold 16,178 Sportage models in April, up 18% year-over-year from 13,739 sales. Last year, Kia sold a whopping 51,025 Sportage models in the United States. Part of the reason it’s so appealing is its affordable price and standard features. Despite tariffs, the 2026 Kia Sportage will remain affordable, according to new pricing information from the automaker.
How much does the 2026 Kia Sportage cost?
Kia has officially released pricing information on its full run of 2026 Kia Sportage trims. There are six trim levels in total and the pricing is as follows:
- LX: $28,690 (starting MSRP)
- EX: $30,490 (starting MSRP)
- SX: $34,290 (starting MSRP)
- SX Prestige: $36,290 (starting MSRP)
- X-Line: $32,990 (starting MSRP)
Kia has also released feature highlights for each respective trim so drivers could refine their searches. The base model 2026 Kia Sportage LX comes standard with 12.3-inch dual panoramic displays with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Such a large infotainment screen is uncommon in affordable mainstream SUVs, and usually exclusive to more expensive luxury models. It also comes standard with features like front and rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and smart cruise control with stop and go capabilities.
The LX’s affordable pricing comes as a surprise to consumers, as several major automakers expect pricing increases due to tariffs. The Kia Sportage LX’s MSRP increased by just $1,300 from $27,390 for the 2025 model year. Such an increase is average for a newer model year.
How much is a fully loaded 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige?
The 2026 Kia Sportage LX may come with plenty of standard features, but some drivers may be more interested in the fully loaded model. The final configuration 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige starts at $39,590. That’s a $10,900 price difference from the base model. That $10,900 gets you standard features like (but not limited to):
- All-wheel drive with terrain mode (snow, sand, and mud)
- Panoramic sunroof and LED interior lighting
- Blind-spot and 360-degree surround-view monitor
- An eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
- Heated/ventilated front seats with a heated steering wheel
There’s no additional package information available for the 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige at the time of writing, but Kia offers several accessories like X-Line cross bars ($360) and side step bars ($690). A fully loaded 2026 Kia Sportage with accessories easily costs over $40,000.
2026 Kia Sportage specifications
The 2026 Kia Sportage comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The Environmental Protection Agency hasn’t yet released fuel economy estimates on the 2026 model year, but the 2025 Sportage earns 25 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.
The Kia Sportage is underpowered compared to rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, but it remains the more affordable small SUV.
2026 Kia Sportage colors
The 2026 Kia Sportage LX comes in seven different colors, two of which cost an additional $495. The base model is available in:
- Ebony Black
- Fusion Black
- Gravity Gray
- Panthera Metal
- Steel Gray
- Glacial White Pearl ($495)
- Snow White Pearl ($495)
Each Sportage trim has a different set of standard and available color options to choose from. The new SUV is expected to arrive mid 2025, according to Kia. It is being manufactured at the Kia plant in West Point, Georgia, though only 20% of all the company’s vehicle parts come from the U.S. or Canada. Can the South Korean automaker manage to avoid price bumps while enduring auto tariffs?