The 2026 Kia Sportage Is Surprisingly Cheap

Kia's best-selling vehicle is still affordable, tariffs be dammed.

2026 Kia Sportage

Photo by: Kia

Christopher Smith

By: Christopher Smith

May 7, 2025 at 5:00pm ET

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It's common for refreshed vehicles to have price increases. The 2026 Kia Sportage, with its new face and other updates, is no exception. When it goes on sale later this summer, it'll be a bit more expensive than last year. However, the increase is surprisingly reasonable for a refresh, never mind one reaching dealerships amid a tariff war.

The 2026 Sportage starts at $28,690. That's a $1,300 bump compared to last year, not bad considering the Trump administration's tariffs on imported vehicles and parts are now in full force. Kia's $1,395 destination charge hasn't changed for 2026, and with that added in, the new Sportage has an MSRP of $30,085.

2026 Kia Sportage Interior

Photo by: Kia

That gets you a Sportage LX with front-wheel drive, powered by a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower. Inside you get dual 12.3-inch digital displays for the driver and infotainment system, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, and a bevy of driver assist systems, including automatic emergency braking. These features are standard across the entire Sportage lineup.

Stepping up to the EX is only $1,000 more than a year ago. The Sportage EX FWD starts at $31,885 and adds features like heated front seats, a power rear hatch, and blind-spot monitoring, among others. The SX starts at $34,290—$1,300 more versus 2025—and plugs in a panoramic roof, the Harman Kardon eight-speaker stereo, and more advanced driver-assist tech.

Here's a complete price breakdown of 2026 Kia Sportage trim levels. All prices include the $1,395 destination fee.

Model/Trim Price (including destination) Sportage LX FWD $30,385 Sportage LX AWD $31,885 Sportage EX FWD $31,885 Sportage EX AWD $33,685 Sportage SX FWD $35,685 Sportage SX Prestige FWD $37,685 Sportage SX Prestige AWD $39,485 Sportage X-Line AWD $34,385 Sportage X-Pro Prestige AWD $40,985

Kia did away with the bracketed running lights and tiger face of the outgoing model. In its place is the brand's "Opposites United" design language with a larger grille and vertically oriented lights. The brackets are still there, but the result is a more symmetrical face. A similar theme was undertaken for the interior, providing a cleaner vibe for the integrated displays to shine.

The price bump is minor, but will tariffs have an impact later on? We asked Kia about that, and we're still awaiting a reply. It's worth nothing that 2026 models won't reach dealerships until the summer. That suggests the current pricing already has tariffs factored in. If Kia tells us otherwise, we'll certainly let you know.

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It's also worth noting that the Sportage—Kia's best-selling model in America—is assembled in West Point, Georgia. It's the only Kia factory located in the United States, though the Sportage is also built in other locations around the world. That could certainly be a factor behind the relatively minor price bump in the face of tariffs, though the Korean-based company certainly imports all kinds of parts from global suppliers.

The pricing listed here only applies to the 2026 Sportage with standard combustion powertrains. Pricing for hybrid models will come later this year.

Kia News:

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Source: Kia

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