Review: 2026 Kia Sportage HEV ‘GT-Line S’ AWD
First impressions – what it is, and where it sits
The Kia Sportage is one of those cars that’s quietly everywhere. You don’t notice it until you start counting them, and then you can’t unsee the things. School runs, supermarket car parks, motorway lane three doing a steady 72mph – the Sportage has become a default choice for British families who want an SUV without wanting to talk about SUVs.
This all-new 2026 model is Kia doubling down on that position, but with a bit more swagger. The design has been sharpened, the tech has been modernised, and the hybrid system has been refined to the point where it’s clearly the powertrain Kia wants most buyers to choose. The car tested here is the Sportage HEV ‘GT-Line S’, near enough the top of the tree, paired with Kia’s 1.6-litre turbo petrol hybrid engine, a six-speed automatic gearbox, and, crucially for us lot, all-wheel drive.
In the Kia line-up, the Sportage sits bang in the middle. Smaller than the Sorento, bigger and more substantial than the Niro, and pitched squarely at families who want space, comfort, and a bit of lifestyle image without venturing into luxury-brand prices. Under the skin, it shares plenty with its Hyundai cousin, the Tucson, engines, platform, and hybrid tech are all closely related, but the Sportage has always leaned a bit more into style and road presence, whereas the Tucson feels slightly more conservative.
The GT-Line S trim is Kia’s “have your cake and eat it” spec. Big wheels, sporty styling tweaks, all the toys, and an interior that’s trying very hard to feel premium without pretending it’s something it’s not. It’s still a family SUV at heart, just one that’s put its good jacket on.
On-road ride, comfort and driving feel
Let’s get this out of the way early: the Sportage HEV is not trying to be exciting. And that’s absolutely fine.
On the road, it majors on calmness and competence rather than thrills. The hybrid system combines a turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined output that feels more than adequate rather than headline-grabbing. Pulling away is smooth and quiet, especially around town where the electric motor does most of the heavy lifting at low speeds. In traffic, it’s relaxed, refined and pleasantly stress-free, exactly what you want when you’re late, surrounded by other parents who are also late.
The six-speed automatic gearbox is a refreshing change from the CVTs that plague many hybrids. It shifts smoothly, doesn’t flare or whine, and behaves like a normal gearbox should. You don’t think about it, which is high praise. When you ask for a bit more shove, joining a motorway or overtaking a tractor that’s had ideas above its station, the petrol engine joins in seamlessly. It’s not fast, but it’s brisk enough to never feel underpowered. That said, flick it into Sport mode and it’ll put a grin on your face.
Ride comfort is one of the Sportage’s biggest strengths. Even on the larger GT-Line wheels, it soaks up broken tarmac, potholes and general British road misery with a level of composure that makes long journeys genuinely easy. There’s a softness to the suspension that suits the car’s character, but it never feels floaty or wallowy. Motorways are its happy place, settled, quiet, and reassuringly stable.
On twisty A-roads, the Sportage behaves itself. The steering is light and accurate, if a bit numb, and body roll is kept in check unless you’re really pushing on, which, let’s be honest, you won’t be. This is a car that encourages smooth driving rather than enthusiastic thrashing, and it rewards that with excellent refinement.
Road noise is well suppressed, wind noise is minimal, and the overall impression is of a car that’s been engineered with real-world British driving in mind. It’s an easy thing to live with, and that counts for a lot.
Fuel efficiency – hybrid reality check
Hybrid SUVs live and die by their real-world efficiency, and the Sportage HEV does a solid job without rewriting the rulebook.
Around town and on short trips, it’s genuinely impressive. The electric motor does plenty of work, and if you drive with a light foot you’ll see fuel economy figures that make sense for a car of this size and weight. Stop-start traffic, school runs, and pottering about villages are where it shines.
Out on faster roads and motorways, the efficiency tails off a bit, as it does with most hybrids, but it never feels wasteful. All-wheel drive adds a small penalty, of course, but it’s a trade-off many will happily accept for the added security.
The key thing is that it never feels like you’re constantly chasing efficiency or fighting the car’s systems. Drive it normally, and it’ll reward you with sensible fuel consumption. Drive it like you’ve stolen it, and it’ll remind you that physics still applies.
All roads and surfaces – confidence over bravado
With AWD fitted, the Sportage gains a bit of extra confidence when the conditions turn grim. Wet roads, muddy lanes, icy mornings, it feels sure-footed and predictable. Power is shuffled around quietly in the background, and unless you’re really paying attention, you won’t notice it working.
It’s not a driver’s car, but it’s a reassuring one. On greasy B-roads or rain-soaked motorways, it feels planted and trustworthy. The brakes are strong and progressive, and the stability systems are well judged, present, but not constantly nagging.
This is a car that inspires confidence without shouting about it, which is arguably exactly what most buyers want.
Off-road ability – honest expectations
Let’s be realistic. This is not a proper off-roader. It’s not pretending to be one, either.
That said, it’s more capable than many give it credit for. The all-wheel drive system, combined with decent ground clearance for a road-biased SUV, means it’ll handle muddy campsites, grassy fields, forestry tracks and snow-covered lanes without drama. It’s the sort of car that’ll get you to a campsite, or a remote dog-walking spot without breaking a sweat.
What it won’t do is serious green-laning, deep ruts, or anything that requires low-range gearing. Tyres are road-focused, approach and departure angles are limited, and there’s no pretence of rugged underbody protection. Push it beyond its comfort zone and it’ll politely ask you to reconsider your life choices.
But for the sort of “soft-roading” most Sportage buyers actually do? It’s absolutely fine. Better than fine, in fact.
Interior – comfort, space and everyday usability
Inside, the GT-Line S spec really comes into its own. Kia has made a concerted effort to push the interior upmarket, and largely succeeds.
The seats are comfortable and supportive, with enough adjustment to keep everyone happy on long journeys. There’s plenty of space up front, and the driving position is spot-on, high enough to feel commanding, without perching you awkwardly above the car.
Rear passengers are well catered for, too. Legroom and headroom are generous, even for adults, and the wide rear bench makes it a genuine five-seater rather than a “four adults and a small child” affair. Kids will be happy, adults won’t complain, and that’s the gold standard for family cars.
Storage is sensibly thought out. Big door bins, a decent centre console, useful cubbies and cupholders that actually hold cups. Kia hasn’t reinvented the wheel here, it’s just done the basics properly.
Boot space – muddy dogs and general tat
Round the back, the Sportage continues its theme of quiet competence. The boot is wide, square and easy to load, with a low lip that won’t have you heaving gear in awkwardly. For dog owners, this is a big win.
Throwing a muddy dog in the back is straightforward, and the flat load area means dog guards, liners and crates fit without fuss. Camping gear, muddy boots, recovery kit, kids’ bikes, it all disappears without needing Tetris-level planning.
There’s enough room for real-world family life, which sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many SUVs forget that bit.
Tech and pet peeves – the important stuff
Right. Deep breath.
The infotainment system is modern, slick, and generally easy to use. The screens are sharp, responsive, and logically laid out. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are present and correct, and the digital driver display is clear without being cluttered.
Now, the good news first: Kia still understands the value of physical controls. The climate system retains proper buttons and dials for temperature and fan speed, rather than burying everything in touchscreen menus. This alone earns it serious brownie points. Being able to adjust the heating without taking your eyes off the road should not be revolutionary, yet here we are applauding it like it is.
As for driver assistance tech - lane departure, speed warnings, the usual modern nags, it’s a mixed bag. The systems themselves work well enough, but switching them off can take a bit of menu-diving. It’s not the worst offender in the industry, but it’s not as simple as a single, blessed button either.
Another bonus is the adjustable camera system - it works an absolute treat, especially if you’re negotiating a tricky green lane, or parking spot.
Verdict – should you care?
The 2026 Kia Sportage HEV GT-Line S AWD is a car that knows exactly what it is, and doesn’t apologise for it. It’s not trying to be a rugged off-roader, a performance SUV, or a luxury show-off. It’s a well-sorted, comfortable, practical family SUV that just happens to look good and do most things very well.
For families who spend their lives juggling work, dogs, kids, camping trips and the odd muddy field, it makes an awful lot of sense. It’s calm, capable, and refreshingly free of nonsense where it matters most.
Is it exciting? No.
Is it competent, comfortable and easy to live with? Absolutely.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want. Especially when it’s chucking it down, the dog’s filthy, the kids are hungry, and you just want to get home without the car adding to your stress levels.
The Sportage doesn’t shout. It just gets on with the job. Which, in our book, is no bad thing at all. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go wipe dog snot off the windows…
Website: Kia Sportage
On the road: £43,725
