Update (September 10, 2026): ‘Specifications’ updated.
It’s been barely a year since Kia commenced sales of the facelifted fifth-gen Sportage in the U.S., and the company is knee-deep in developing the sixth-gen model. Here’s everything we know and expect from the next-gen Kia Sportage, which should reach North America for the 2028 model year.
Design
Kia has started testing the next-gen Sportage Hybrid in Europe, and it is likely to be executing a fair part of the engineering work in Germany. In true Kia fashion, the company appears to have put prototypes featuring the production design directly on public roads, inadvertently revealing some of the changes early on.
As depicted in our exclusive renderings, Kia is sticking to the Sportage’s proven crossover roots rather than adopting more traditional SUV styling. However, we do expect a much tougher appearance, judging by the relatively flatter hood with wider, more prominently raised outer sections, along with more muscular fenders and shoulders.
The familiar layout of the headlamps, radiator grille, and lower air intake, and a similar roofline should complete the evolutionary look. That said, the sleeker and sharper design of the DRLs, connected via a light band, and the more aggressive radiator grille should lend it a more striking appearance.
At the rear, Kia will relocate the license plate area from the tailgate to the bumper and adopt a split look for the combination lamps, with the turn signals and reverse lights expected to be positioned beside the lower corners of the tailgate.
Interior
The interior of the next-gen Kia Sportage is likely to incorporate a far bigger transformation. Adopting Hyundai Motor Group (HMG)’s new Pleos Connect cockpit, the dashboard should feature a lower-profile look.
Kia will likely offer a 9.9-inch digital instrument cluster mounted atop the dashboard as standard and give a choice of 12.9- and 14.6-inch touchscreens for the infotainment system. The infotainment system should include a Gleo AI-based voice assistant and a store to download native apps.
Based on our extensive time with Pleos Connect in Hyundai models such as the Ioniq 3, 2027 Elantra (Avante), and 2026 Grandeur, a completely new experience will be in store, compared to the ccNC cockpit of the fifth-gen Sportage.
We expect tech upgrades in the next-gen Sportage to include a dual wireless smartphone charger, 100-watt USB Type-C ports, and some new and improved Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems.
Specifications
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are set to play a big role in the next-gen Sportage for the U.S. The hybrid variant of the current Sportage, based on our time behind the wheel, has room for improvement in smoothness and responsiveness.
1.6 TMED-II
Expect a compact version of the new TMED-II (Transmission Mounted Electric Device II) system, based on a 1.6-liter turbocharged direct-injection gas engine, under the hood of the new Sportage.
Two electric motors assist the gas engine in TMED-II. A small ‘P1’ unit, directly attached to the engine crankshaft, is responsible for engine starting, power generation, and torque assist. A ‘P2’ unit is also responsible for propulsion, as well as regenerative braking.
Based on the numbers confirmed for the 2027 Tucson Hybrid, the new powertrain should produce 242 total horsepower and 280 lb-ft of total torque. Compared to the current model’s 232 hp and 271 lb-ft, these figures would represent improvements of 4.3% and 3.3%, respectively.
It will likely accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in about 8.5 seconds and could deliver an EPA-estimated fuel economy of around 45 MPG, approximately 7.1% higher than the current model (42 MPG).
Powertrain features
Features such as Stay Mode, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, and Smart Regenerative Braking should provide added convenience. Stay Mode operates the air-conditioning and multimedia features using battery power if the battery’s charging level is 70-80%.
Stay Mode & V2L
Stay Mode Usage Reservation begins charging the battery to ensure availability of Stay Mode at an intended destination at approximately 2 km (1 mile) before arrival. V2L allows charging personal electronics and powering external appliances using battery power.
Smart Regen Braking
Smart Regenerative Braking tweaks regenerative braking based on the traffic ahead and the navigation data, aiming to reduce the need for hydraulic braking and increase energy recuperation.
e-VMC 2.0
The new Sportage is also expected to come with Electrification-Vehicle Motion Control (e-VMC 2.0), which comprises e-Handling 2.0, Electrification-Evasive Handling Assist (e-EHA 2.0), and e-Ride 2.0 features, if it switches from the current Sportage Hybrid’s mechanical AWD to an electric AWD setup in the next-gen model.
e-Handling 2.0 aims to reduce body roll by applying motor torque from the front and rear motors in opposite directions. e-Ride 2.0 reduces vertical movements when driving over speed bumps by applying motor torque from the front and rear motors in opposite directions.
e-EHA 2.0 improves evasive maneuvers through precise braking control of these motors using the same principle when it detects a potential frontal collision and sees sudden steering input from the driver.
After the emergency steering inputs, e-EHA 2.0 uses the front motor for forward propulsion while braking the rear motor to lower the vehicle’s center of gravity. This way, it reduces body roll and improves stability.
Plug-in Hybrid
There’s no word on the changes planned for the plug-in hybrid variant, but we expect efficiency gains and improvements in convenience functions. Currently, the plug-in hybrid variant offers an electric range of 34 miles and delivers 83 MPGe (gas and electric)/36 MPG (gas), also as per EPA.
Price & Release Date
The next-gen Kia Sportage should debut sometime in the second half of 2027, and reach the U.S. for the ’28 model year. While we aren’t holding our breath for the gas variant, the hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants are likely to be central to the renewed lineup, carrying base prices of around USD 32,000 and USD 42,000, respectively.
International Automotive News Editor since 2014, covering global motor shows, industry events, and test-driving various vehicles, with a focus on hybrid and electric cars in recent years.
