The first-ever Kia Sportage PHEV, part of the compact SUV’s fifth-generation series, has received its mid-life facelift for the 2026 model year, and is heading to U.S. dealers in the second quarter of 2025.
The 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid sports fresh styling, new features, and an improved powertrain among many other changes. Here are some of its most significant upgrades that you need to know if you are considering this electrified SUV as your next car:
More rugged exterior
The 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid has a more aggressive character, thanks to a redesigned front-end. The new model features vertical headlamps with cube-style projection and integrated amber “Star Map” daytime running lights (DRLs). Like these headlamps, the new upper grille features a boxy shape, along with chunky inserts, giving the SUV a blocky look.
The front bumper and integrated fog lights take on similar changes. New 19-inch alloy wheels and revised rear combination lamps with Star Map light guides and a transparent surface further differentiate the plug-in hybrid SUV’s styling for MY2026.
Cleaner interior
A more elegantly designed dashboard, a new, two-spoke steering wheel, and a revised center console lend the interior of the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid a cleaner and more upscale look.
New screens running upgraded software
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system of the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid are integrated into a new, rectangular panel with tapered corners. They run the new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system that features a slick new user interface and supports OTA updates. The new infotainment system offers convenient smartphone integration with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto compatibility.
New Kia Connect
Through the new Kia Connect, you can stream music and even show support for your favorite NBA team with their colors and logos on the infotainment system.
10-inch HUD
An all-new 10-inch head-up display (HUD) reduces distraction, projecting key driving information like speed, navigation directions, and ADAS functions on the windshield.
Digital Key 2.0
Utilizing NFC, Bluetooth, and Ultra-wideband technology, Digital Key 2.0 allows you to conveniently unlock, lock, start the vehicle through a virtual key in your smart device. You don’t need to hold the device against the door handle to unlock the vehicle, meaning the process is seamless. The Digital Key 2.0 can also be shared with other users like family members or friends.
Improved ADAS
Kia offers the 2026 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid with an array of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The ADAS suite includes new and enhanced features like Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), Park Distance Warning – Front, Side, and Rear (PDW-F/S/R), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Direct Oncoming Detection & Avoidance, and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Car Detection.
More power
The 2026 Sportage Plug-in Hybrid employs an improved version of the current 1.6-liter powertrain. The revised system has a 72 kW (96.5 hp) electric motor instead of the current 66.9 kW (89.7 hp) unit. It produces 268 hp of combined power, 7 hp more than the 2025 model’s powertrain, which should result in slightly improved performance. The battery pack is the same 13.8 kWh unit consisting of lithium-ion pouch cells, so we expect the EPA-estimated electric range to hover around the same figure as in the outgoing model (34 miles).
Featured Image: Kia
I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.
