The Sportage Is Next
Kia is clearly busy cooking up the next-gen Sportage, and the camouflaged prototypes are already out stretching their legs. The Hyundai Tucson – its mechanical twin – has already shown its face, so we have a decent idea of what Kia might be planning.
The current Sportage still feels pretty new, but Kia seems eager to shake things up again. Expect the next version to stretch out a bit, stand taller, and pack in a serious tech upgrade. Details are still thin on the ground, but the reveal could happen sooner than you think. Here’s what we know so far.
AI-generated image/Autoblog
A More Upright Sportage
Based on the latest spy shots, Kia is ditching the soft curves of the current Sportage for a boxier, more upright look. Think Telluride vibes mixed with a dash of the brand’s latest EVs like the EV3 and EV5.
Up front, expect vertical lights, a wider grille, and a squared-off bumper that means business. The sides lose the swoopy lines, and the rear could get vertical taillights and a tailgate that stands out.
A stretched wheelbase – reportedly about 2,790 mm or around 109 inches – should mean more space inside. Prototypes also show off bigger wheels, regular door handles, and plenty of chunky black trim for that rugged look.
Of note, the images here are AI-generated, meant to visualize what the next Sportage could look like. They’re based on spy shots, reports, and what we expect Kia to change, but should not be treated as official images.
New York Mammoth/Youtube
Hybrid Power Is Likely to Take Center Stage
Kia’s electrification push isn’t slowing down, and the next Sportage looks set to make hybrid tech a bigger part of the lineup. A mild-hybrid setup could mix a turbocharged gas engine with a 48-volt system, while a regular hybrid would pair a gas engine with an electric motor and battery. There’s also talk of a plug-in hybrid that could deliver up to 62 miles (100 km) of electric-only range on the WLTP cycle.
Rumor has it the next Sportage could borrow its powertrain from the new Telluride Hybrid. That means a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with about 242 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Of course, final specs will depend on the market, so take these numbers as educated guesses for now.
Autoblog/SH Proshots
Likely a 2028 Model
Kia hasn’t dropped a launch date yet. With the 2027 Sportage already announced for America, don’t expect the new one to show up right away. Right now, the smart money is on Kia revealing the new Sportage in 2027, with sales kicking off as a 2028 model. That gives Kia time to iron out the new platform, hybrid bits, towing chops, and all the latest tech before it hits showrooms.
For now, the prototypes are our best sneak peek at Kia’s next move. If the rumors hold up, the next Sportage will be bigger, boxier, and even more electrified – a bold new chapter for one of Kia’s key SUVs.
Autoblog/SH Proshots
