Spy shots from South Korea show that Kia recently began road-testing the next-generation Sportage, internally known as the Kia NQ6. We expect the new compact SUV to be announced for North America during the second half of next year.
Like today’s car, in the hybrid form, the new model should make a lot more sense than the regular gas model for many buyers. Our time with the North American-spec Sportage Hybrid showed that Kia has just a few areas to really improve, which we detail in this article.
1. Smoother hybrid power delivery
The Sportage Hybrid has solid numbers on paper. Its 1.6-liter turbo hybrid system produces 232 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The issue is not power, but the way it is delivered.
In our experience, the system did not always feel confident when switching between electric drive and engine power, and acceleration felt best with gentler throttle inputs.
For the future Sportage Hybrid, Kia should improve engine-motor blending, throttle response, and overall powertrain calibration, all of which should be achieved with the new 1.6L TMED-II system.
2. A better infotainment experience
The Sportage has a modern cabin with large screens and plenty of technology. However, during our test, the infotainment screen was occasionally slow to respond and sometimes needed an extra tap.
The multifunction touch panel also needs work. It switches between climate and media controls, which helps keep the dashboard clean, but it is not always easy to use while driving. Dedicated physical climate controls would be more convenient.
For the future Sportage, Kia should improve screen response, simplify menus, and make key controls easier to access on the move. These should be relatively easy to achieve with the next-gen Pleos Connect system, which worked brilliantly during our time with it.
3. More natural brakes & regen
The Sportage Hybrid’s regenerative braking system is useful, but it could be smoother. It has three regen levels controlled by the paddles, but there is no one-pedal driving. Level three slowed the SUV more strongly, but it also introduced a slight jerk, so level two felt better in normal driving.
Brake pedal feel also needs improvement. In our test, the pedal felt soft at first, with stronger braking arriving later in the travel. The stopping power was fine, but the tuning could be more progressive.
A future Sportage Hybrid should offer smoother blended braking, regen memory, and a more natural brake pedal.
4. Better cabin usability & convenience
The Sportage has a spacious and well-equipped cabin, which should not be meddled with. However, Kia should fix a few small issues to perfect the formula.
The steering wheel feels large, especially during U-turns. The hard plastic near the driver’s leg rest should be replaced with a softer surface. Separate physical climate control switches would also make the cabin easier to use.
We also found the windshield heating filaments distracting at night, as they created reflections and haze around the edges. The panoramic sunroof could open farther as well.
5. A proper X-Pro Hybrid trim
The 2026 Sportage Hybrid is available in X-Line form, which is a step in the right direction. It gives buyers the more adventurous look without forcing them into the regular gas model.
However, Kia should go further with the next Sportage Hybrid and offer a proper X-Pro trim. Buyers who want a rugged-looking hybrid SUV would likely appreciate extra ground clearance, better underbody protection, all-terrain tires, and more capability beyond styling changes.
Rivals such as the Toyota RAV4 Woodland Hybrid, Subaru Forester Hybrid, and Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport show that buyers want efficient SUVs with a more outdoorsy character. The future Sportage should capitalize further on this combination.
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.
