Kia Sportage GT-Line MY 26 review

Up ahead

How much does an MY26 Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6 HEV AWD cost?
What features does the Kia Sportage have?
What is the exterior of the Kia Sportage like?
What is the Kia Sportage like inside?
How much space does the Kia Sportage have?
Is the Kia Sportage good to drive?
How much power does the Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6 HEV AWD have?
How does the Kia Sportage compare?
Should I buy a Kia Sportage?

There’s no understating the importance of the Sportage SUV to Kia’s fortunes.

The medium SUV is the best-selling model in the Korean car maker’s global portfolio and its best-selling Australian model.

The current fifth-generation Sportage launched in 2021 and has built on the nameplate’s strengths as a practical five-seat family wagon, offering a diverse range of powertrains and price points that helps ensure it remains a mainstay of both fleet and private buyers.

In a significant MY25 mid-life update, Kia has added a range of upgrades and improvements to its popular five-seat wagon, including the addition of two new AWD Hybrid variants, an eight-speed automatic transmission for the 1.6 petrol turbo engine, refreshed exterior and interior design, upgraded comfort and convenience features, and new safety tech.

How much does an MY26 Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6 HEV AWD cost?

Wrapping your head around the dizzying complexity of the 13-variant Sportage range isn’t easy, with no fewer than four engines, three transmissions, front-wheel and all-wheel drive, four trim levels, and a price spread that starts at $37,990 and tops out at $60,370.

As with the outgoing model, the range is divided into S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line variants.

The entry-level S comes with the choice of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol (115kW/192Nm) front-wheel drive with six-speed auto, or a 2.0-litre four-cylinder all-wheel drive turbodiesel with eight-speed auto.

The SX gets the same driveline combinations as the S but adds the 1.6-litre petrol hybrid with six-speed auto in either 2WD or AWD guise

The SX+ gets the 2.0-litre petrol and turbodiesel plus a 1.6-litre petrol turbo (132kW/265Nm) AWD with eight-speed auto but no hybrid variants.

Finally, the GT-Line gets the 2.0-litre turbodiesel AWD, the 1.6-litre petrol turbo AWD, and the 1.6-litre petrol hybrid in 2WD and AWD configurations.

We’re focused here on the new top of the line GT-Line 1.6T HEV AWD with its full-fat $60,370 (MRLP) price tag, as the model that brings the most changes in the lineup, but the same drivetrain can also be had in the more affordable SX trim for $49,450.

In addition to its all-wheel drive hybrid drivetrain, what the GT-Line brings over and above the SX+ is a head-up display (HUD), synamic welcome lights (front and rear), panoramic sunroof, power front passenger seat and driver's seat with memory function, ambient lighting, surround view monitor, alloy sports pedals, and dual 12.3-inch digital screens.

What features does the Kia Sportage have?

That's in addition to the features it shares with the lower grade SX+ including wireless phone charger, highway drive assist (HDA), heated steering wheel, power driver's seat, heated seats (front), Harmon Kardon sound system, Smart power tailgate, privacy glass, artificial leather seats.

Standard on both the SX+ and GT-Line, and shared with the lower-grade SX is rain-sensing wipers, two-way driver's lumbar support, satellite navigation, remote folding second row, and dual zone climate control.

Finally, features available in every model from entry-level S up includes Kia Connect and over-the-air updates, smart key with push button start, electronic park brake with auto hold, tyre pressure monitoring system, and a leather steering wheel,

Disappointingly, what you don’t get in either of the GT-Line hybrids is a full-size spare wheel, with a temporary spare taking the place of the full-size spare wheel that’s offered on other variants, presumably due to the hybrid battery and AWD system taking up too much real estate.

What is the exterior of the Kia Sportage like?

Taking design cues from its larger seven-seat stablemate the Sorento, the new Sportage adopts contemporary Kia styling cues meaning a sharper look thanks to vertical stacked star map headlights, plus a redesigned grille, bumper and indicator lights which contributes to a bluffer front end and boxier-looking proportions.

At the rear, the Sportage has been subtly tweaked with redesigned tail-light graphics and revised rear bumper elements.

All four trim levels feature new alloy wheel designs, with the hybrid GT-Line featuring a unique 18-inch design compared to the 19-inch wheels fitted to petrol/diesel GT-Line variants and the 17s or 18s fitted to S and SX variants.

There are nine external paint colours available including two new premium paint options, Wolf Grey and Heritage Blue. 

What is the Kia Sportage like inside?

All Sportage variants have taken a step upmarket with this upgrade but the GT-Line is the most plushly-appointed, as befitting its circa $60,000 price tag.

Materials quality is impressive and there's an attractive mix of materials and finishes including artificial leather, piano black and chrome appointments that lift the interior ambience.

A 12.3-inch multimedia display is now standard across the Sportage range but the GT-Line alone gets a twin-screen setup featuring a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, creating a single, curved screen that stretches halfway across the dash.

Other variants get the same 12.3-inch infotainment display but a smaller Integrated 4.0-inch Digital Cluster.

All variants from the SX upwards now feature Kia's Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), which when synched with the Kia Connect phone app enables such features as remote engine start, find my car, check vehicle status, remote setting of climate control and contacting emergency services in the event of an accident.

The system also uses telematics to transfer real-time data, such as weather and traffic information and brings OTA (over the air updates) to the Sportage for the first time. The adoption of OTA means the vehicle's various software systems, including maps, user interfaces and infotainment can be updated automatically when a wireless internet connection is available. Kia's connected services technology is complimentary for the first seven-years of ownership, after which there may be an annual subscription cost, although these details haven't been provided.

Other standard features of the GT-Line include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging pad, a colour head-up display with nav and alerts, ambient mood lighting, and a Dynamic welcome lighting system. There's also a rotary dial-type shift-by-wire selector on all GT-Line variants where other models get a conventional T-bar transmission- lever, and Kia's dual-function infotainment and climate control panel that allows the user to control both infotainment and climate from a single panel, switching between functions at a single touch.

For its party trick, the Sportage GT-Line can be parked with the operator outside of the vehicle, using the Remote Smart Park Assist function. I'm sure that someone, somewhere uses and appreciates this function, perhaps when accessing a particularly tight car space or garage, but it's not something your correspondent feels compelled to experience.

How much space does the Kia Sportage have?

The Sportage interior is roomy and comfortable with nicely shaped front seats, a comfortable driving position and good all-round visibility.

Rear-seat occupants have plenty of legroom and headroom plus access to convenience features such as individual air vents with temperature control, two USB Charging Ports integrated into the inside edge of the front seats and another two behind the centre console, privacy glass, reclining seat backrests, and front seat back pockets.

The seats themselves are decently comfortable for three abreast and include a fold-down centre armrest and 60:40 split-fold function, plus quick release levers in the boot that fold the seat backs automatically.

The boot is accessible via an electric tailgate revealing a generous 586 litres (VDA) with the seats up, or 1872 litres (VDA) with the seats folded. The hybrid models have an extra 43-litres of boot space versus other variants, due to them lacking a full-size spare. The Sportage's key luggage dimensions compares well with the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid which boasts 580 litres, expanded to 1690 litres with the rear seats folded. A luggage net and retractable cargo cover come standard, as does a 12-volt power outlet, matching one in the front centre console.

Is the Kia Sportage good to drive?

Launched in 2021, the fifth-generation Sportage was a Covid-19 car and didn’t benefit from Kia’s usual local ride and handling development. That’s now been addressed with this update which features an Australian-specific suspension tune across the range.

Kia's local chassis engineers generally do an excellent job of finding the sweet spot of compromise between ride and handling and this update is no exception, with the Sportage feeling comfortable and confident across a mix of freeway and secondary roads experienced on a tight one-day launch program.

A stop-start grind in and out of Sydney showed the ride to be pleasingly compliant over bumpy urban sections, and well isolated from larger bumps out on country roads.

The steering is reasonably weighted for a family-oriented SUV, with accurate responses on turn-in and a relaxed feel on centre.

Threading the Sportage through a series of bends also showed it to have good body control, strong tyre grip and a pleasingly predictable and stable feel through corners.

The fact the AWD Hybrid rolls on 18-inch alloys instead of the 19s found on other GT-Line variants may lose it a few points in the styling stakes, but it's probably a net benefit when it comes to ride quality.

How much power does the Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6 HEV AWD have?

Performance wise, the1.6-litre turbo petrol hybrid musters a healthy 173kW/367Nm, which is less power but more torque than the non-hybrid 1.6-litre turbo petrol (132kW/265), but more power and less torque than the 2.0-litre turbodiesel (137kW/416Nm).

Whether FWD or AWD hybrid, drive is channelled through a smooth and responsive six-speed automatic transmission with Eco, Sport, and personalised My Drive options.

The hybrid system feels nicely integrated with the engine delivering its power smoothly and without any noticeable fussing about when the transmission-mounted hybrid-electric system kicks in, delivering a pleasing shove in the back when full power is demanded.

The power figure compares favourably with the Sportage's arch-nemesis the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which delivers a claimed 163kW.

Toyota doesn't quote a combined torque figure for its petrol-electric powertrain, instead quoting only the 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder's 221Nm, so we can't compare apples with apples. Suffice to say, the Kia is likely to be in the ballpark of the Toyota, if not a bit ahead in the torque stakes.

Perhaps more importantly for many buyers is the fact the hybrid is the most fuel-efficient drivetrain in the Sportage lineup, with claimed combined cycle consumption of 4.9L/100km for the FWD variants and 5.3L/100km for the AWD.

That's not quite as efficient as the RAV4's 4.7 and 4.8L/100km respectively, but still very respectable for a 1,793kg vehicle, with the Sportage able to tow a maximum 1,900kg versus the RAV4's 1,500kg.

What safety features does an MY26 Kia Sportage GT-Line 1.6 HEV AWD have?
The 2026 Kia Sportage comes with a comprehensive array of safety features starting with seven airbags, including dual front airbags, front-seat side airbags, head-protecting curtain airbags, and a front-centre airbag.

Additional active safety features that are standard across the Sportage range include:

• Smart cruise control
• Lane keep assist and lane follow assist
• Mmulti collision brake
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Intelligent speed limit assist
• Blind-spot collision assist
• Rear cross traffic collision assist
• Rear-view camera
• Parking sensors front and rear.

Sportage SX+ and GT-Line variants also add Highway Drive Assist (HDA) which works when driving on freeways or motorways, building on the existing adaptive cruise control system by adding stop-and-go capability and Lane Following Assist (LFA) to keep the car centred in the lane.

Safety features unique to the GT-Line include a head-up display, surround view monitor, and parking collision avoidance rear. 

How does the Kia Sportage compare?

The mid-size SUV class is one of the most fiercely contested segments of the Australian new car market and Kia is up against some polished contenders including the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4. 

Of these, it is the uber-popular Toyota RAV4 that sets the sales pace for rivals to chase, with a similarly-expansive 13 variant range that starts with the $39,670 RAV4 2WD 2.0 GX, and stretches all the way to the $58,360 RAV4 2.5 Edge Hybrid, which is the nearest direct competitor to our $60,370 Sportage GT-Line 1.6 HEV AWD.

While the top-spec Toyota undercuts its Kia equivalent by a couple of grand, the Sportage GT-Line offers a more premium cabin, a better technology suite, more drivetrain options including a diesel, and a longer warranty.

On the flip side, there’s no hybrid option available on the entry level S, which might be a bit of a miss by the product planners, with the most affordable hybrid variant being the SX HEV front-wheel drive which costs $46,450 at the time of writing.

Should I buy a Kia Sportage?

Given the quality of Kia's mid-size SUV offering, its wide model range, good selection of engine and transmissions options and competitive pricing, it's surprising that it has managed to sell less than half of what the Toyota RAV4 has in the first five months of 2025. In fact, if you add together the sales of the second placed Mitsubishi Outlander and the fourth-placed Sportage, they still don't manage to outsell the RAV4.

As good as the Toyota SUV is, sales aren't always the best barometer of quality or performance and anyone buying a medium SUV who is not also running the rule over other Top 5 players, including the Sportage, is doing themselves a disservice.

For the record, those top five medium SUV include the Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

Frankly, there's not a bad car among them, including the Sportage GT-Line which in this hybrid AWD trim makes a very compelling case for the family car buyer's dollar. 

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