Kia Sportage

the Kia Sportage has relied on wilder styling to stand out in a sea of versatile compact SUVs. The 2026 Sportage introduces a few aesthetic tweaks that tames its front fascia. With a refresh focused on tech and style, the Sportage continues to lean on its spacious interior, generous list of standard features, and solid value to make it a competitive player. While it offers a quiet ride and accurate steering, the Sportage has dull road manners that directly contradict the model’s name. The 187-hp four-cylinder gas engine found in the nonhybrid car isn’t nearly as peppy as the powertrains found in the Sportage Hybrid (reviewed separately). Front-wheel drive comes standard, but all-wheel drive is available on all trims except the SX, and it comes standard on upper trim levels. The Sportage’s revised interior is clean and simple, ditching the outgoing model’s quirky vertical air vents and introducing a new panoramic display. Despite delivering on the fundamental pillars that define the compact-SUV segment—space and versatility—the nonhybrid Sportage lacks the driving verve of competitors like the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-50.