Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2026 Sportage.
The 2026 Kia Sportage is configured with an Automatic (S8) transmission and returns EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24/30/26 mpg, arriving with 21 total owner complaints and one recall documented. Within the model's complaint history spanning 1995-2026, this volume aligns more closely with the 2003 low of 4 complaints than the 2017 peak of 394, placing it well below the highest recorded year. While the top complaint area remains categorized as Unknown Or Other, the low aggregate count positions this model year on the more reliable end of the vehicle's historical track record.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 24 / 30 / 26 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Sportage of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | HEV SX-Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh | 7.30 sec | 15.60 sec | 231 hp | AWD |
| 2026 | HEV SX-Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh | 7.50 sec | 15.50 sec | 231 hp | AWD |
| 2024 | X-Pro Prestige 2.5L I-4 | 9.10 sec | 16.90 sec | 187 hp | AWD |
| 2023 | PHEV X-Line Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec | 6.90 sec | 15.20 sec | 261 hp | AWD |
| 2023 | PHEV X-Line Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec | 7.00 sec | 15.20 sec | 261 hp | AWD |
| 2023 | PHEV X-Line Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec | 7.10 sec | 15.30 sec | 261 hp | AWD |
| 2023 | HEV SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec | 7.20 sec | 15.50 sec | 227 hp | AWD |
| 2023 | HEV SX Prestige 1.6L Turbo I-4 + Elec | 7.30 sec | 15.60 sec | 227 hp | AWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2026 Kia Sportage arrives at the tail end of its current generation with the lowest complaint volume (22) and only one recall—markedly improved from the 2023 spike (182 complaints, 6 recalls) and even below the 2024–2025 average. Complaint categories are diffuse, with no single issue accounting for more than six reports, and crash- and fire-related complaints are minimal (4 and 0, respectively). Across the generation, the 2023 peak appears to have triggered preemptive corrective actions, as evidenced by the sharp decline in recalls and investigations in 2024–2026. This downward trend suggests Kia has largely stabilized production quality by the 2026 model year. With no open investigations and a recall count in line with the generation’s quietest years, the 2026 Sportage stands out as a low-risk used purchase.
All 21 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid… Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026…
Showing 5 of 22 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB_ELE422 | 2026-05-27 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM… |
| PS811 | 2026-05-18 | Structure | TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: PITSTOP: ENGINE BAY/DASHBOARD RATTLE NOISE (PS811) - This Pitstop… |
| SC363_TSB | 2026-04-17 | Power Train | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OIL LEVEL PLUG (OLP) INSPECTION… |
| SC363_OWNR_NQ5 | 2026-04-17 | Power Train | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC363) - This document is the owner… |
| SC363_DPSM | 2026-04-14 | Power Train | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC363) - This document… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined mpg.