2026 Kia Sportage

The 2023-present Kia Sportage is the NQ5 generation and grew dramatically in every dimension, moving from the smaller end of the compact class to among the largest vehicles in it. Powertrains are a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic, a 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid, the hybrids using a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive optional, and X-Line and X-Pro trims add ride height and all-terrain tires.

The wheelbase increase produced rear-seat and cargo space at the top of the segment, resolving the packaging compromise that had defined earlier Sportages. The exterior design is deliberately dramatic, with boomerang-shaped running lights, and the interior features a curved panoramic display on higher trims. The hybrid variants give the model genuine efficiency credentials.

For used buyers, the NQ5 Sportage is recent enough that most examples retain Kia's factory warranty. The Smartstream engines are a newer family than the Theta II units associated with earlier recalls. The hybrid is the standout for running costs and pairs with a conventional automatic rather than a continuously variable transmission. Interior space is the strongest practical argument for this generation against both its predecessor and most direct rivals.