Update: ‘Pleos Connect’ and ‘Gleo AI’ updated.
South Korean publication ET News reported last year that Kia will release the sixth-generation Sportage in the local market in the third quarter of 2027.
As per the report, the next-gen Kia Sportage (code: Kia NQ6) will shift entirely to hybrid power (hybrid and plug-in hybrid), with no standalone internal combustion engines offered.
In this article, we’ll discuss the reported details, information from Kia’s future product strategy, and our expectations for the new Sportage, having experienced the facelifted hybrid and plug-in hybrid models first-hand.
62-mile PHEV
The report says that the new Sportage’s hybrid systems will include improved motors and larger batteries. These upgrades will deliver significant gains in power and efficiency.
Kia plans a plug-in hybrid version that can travel up to 100 km (62 miles) on electric power. The report is likely referring to the WLTP cycle metric, where the current Sportage manages 43 miles.
Pleos Connect
The next-gen Kia Sportage will adopt the ‘Pleos Connect’ infotainment system based on the Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS). This system features a freestanding horizontal display with a smartphone-like user interface, paired with a slim 9.9-inch instrument cluster.
Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) has developed Pleos Connect in multiple versions, including versions with 12.9-, 14.6-, and 17-inch touchscreens. The company includes a bank of physical controls for key functions, including volume knobs, climate control system switches, and a hazard warning light switch, at the bottom of the touchscreen.
Pleos Connect can show up to three windows side by side, along with a permanent shortcut menu bar at the bottom. It offers native apps for frequently used services such as YouTube and Spotify, some pre-installed from the factory and others downloadable via the Pleos App Market.
Gleo AI
Pleos Connect offers voice control through an AI assistant named Gleo AI. Customers will be able to use it to search for destinations, set routes, adjust climate settings, obtain information on topics such as sports, weather, and news from the web, and also access the vehicle manual. Gleo AI can process multiple commands from a single prompt.
Gleo AI’s intelligence extends to recognizing the user’s location when they give a voice command. For instance, when the user says “turn on my seat ventilation,” it can identify which seat the prompt came from and precisely enable ventilation in that particular seat.
Well-Equipped Interior
Both the next-gen Tucson and Sportage are expected to keep their premium interior features. These include a Head-Up Display (HUD), heated and ventilated seats, digital keys, and wireless phone charging. A panoramic sunroof, premium audio system, and fingerprint scanners are also expected.
1.6L ‘TMED-II’ Hybrid
Hyundai recently announced its improved hybrid technology, known as TMED-II (Transmission Mounted Electric Device II). This new system offers better fuel efficiency and more power, and it debuted in the 2026 Palisade.
While the inaugural launch is a 2.5-liter system, the company has also confirmed that it is working on a smaller 1.6-liter version where system torque increases from 367 Nm (270 lb-ft) to 380 Nm (280 lb-ft). Fuel economy is expected to improve by over 4%, which should lead to 37-40 mpg (combined) from the next-gen Sportage lineup.
TMED-II also offers refined engine performance. Idle vibrations are expected to be reduced, and gear shifts should become smoother. Crucially, transitions between electric and gasoline modes will happen with less lag.
Smart Regenerative Braking & Stay Mode
Smart Regenerative Braking, a key TMED-II feature, automatically adjusts brake force based on navigation data and traffic conditions. Drivers of the next-gen Sportage should experience improved braking performance and comfort, and reduced cabin noise during hard acceleration. Stay Mode allows occupants to run the air conditioning and infotainment system for up to one hour without the engine running.
A new, next-generation gasoline 1.6-liter turbo hybrid powertrain will also be available.
HMC at the ‘Next-Gen Hybrid System Tech Day’ on April 21, 2025
e-Handling 2.0, e-VMC 2.0 & e-Ride 2.0
Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, capable of delivering 3.6 kW of power, is expected to be carried forward to the next-gen Sportage. This allows powering external tools or appliances.
Kia’s future hybrid vehicles will continue offering electronic all-wheel drive (e-AWD), complemented by improved handling technologies such as e-Handling 2.0, e-VMC 2.0, and e-Ride 2.0. These features, developed alongside the next-gen hybrid powertrain, promise better ride comfort and stability, and are likely to support the next-gen Sportage Hybrid.
For the U.S. & Canada
For 2026, Toyota’s new RAV4 comes exclusively in hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Hyundai and Kia appear to be adopting the same strategy for their future compact SUVs, where hybrids are the primary path forward.
We expect the next-gen Sportage to reach the U.S. in late 2027 or early 2028, with a starting price of around USD 30,000 for the Hybrid, and around USD 42,000 for the plug-in hybrid.
For Canadian buyers, the all-new Kia Sportage Hybrid should be priced between CAD 43,000-50,000 when it hits the market in 2028.
Featured image: current-gen Sportage
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
