Kia has launched a new entry-level hybrid version of its Sportage midsize crossover SUV. It’s priced under $45,000, making it more affordable than its two main competitors.
The new 2026 Kia Sportage S HEV (Hybrid) was offered at the price $44,450 before on-road costsundercutting the cheapest version of the upcoming new-generation 2026 Toyota RAV4 range – the GX Hybrid FWD ($45,990 plus on-roads).
Kia’s new Sportage hybrid price guide lowers the entry price of the gasoline-electric midsize SUV lineup by $2,000 compared to the existing SX HEV ($46,450 plus ORCs), but still commands a $5,960 price premium over the equivalent non-hybrid, front-drive Sportage S, which uses a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
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Kia Australia is now offering 2025 built versions of the new Sportage HEV S variant for $44,490 with auto until February 29, 2026. That makes it cheaper than the entry-level front-wheel-drive 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, which currently retails for $44,990 with auto, although its list price (excluding ORCs) is lower than the Kia’s at $42,850.
National Drive-Away offers are now also available on existing Sportage hybrids, including the SX HEV FWD at $48,490 ($46,450 plus ORCs), the SX HEV AWD at $51,990 ($49,450 plus ORCs), the GT-Line HEV FWD at $59,490 ($57,370 plus ORCs) and the GT-Line HEV AWD for $62,990 ($60,370 plus ORCs) – except Western Australia, where all grades are $1,000 more expensive.
Pricing for a new entry-level variant of the Sportage S with hybrid all-wheel drive has also been announced ahead of its arrival in local showrooms and is set at $47,450 plus ORCs, or $49,990 off-road by the end of this month.
Compared to the existing Sportage SX Hybrid, the new base S-Class lacks standard features including native satellite navigation, rain-sensing wipers, two-way driver lumbar adjustment and gloss black exterior trim, while the wheels shrink from 18- to 17-inch alloys.
However, standard equipment still includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Kia Connect, adaptive cruise control, DAB+ digital radio, 4.2-inch driver display, six-speaker audio, cloth seat upholstery and leatherette steering wheel covers.
The hybrid versions of the Kia Sportage feature a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with an electric motor and a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
Combined outputs are rated at 173kW of power and 367Nm of torque, and combined fuel consumption is claimed at 4.9L/100km for front-wheel drive configurations (5.3L/100km for all-wheel drive).
The addition of the two new base hybrid variants brings the total number of Sportage variants now available to 15 and the number of hybrid model variants to six.
While the recently updated fifth-generation Sportage remains the only midsize SUV (under $60,000) still available with a diesel engine, its sixth-generation successor is expected to be offered only with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains when it goes on sale in the second half of next year.
MORE: Explore the Kia Sportage showroom
