As you are looking for your next vehicle, it is important that you think carefully about the features you are looking for and make sure you choose something that delivers on it all. That might seem pretty obvious, I’ll admit, but it’s easy to overlook some important stuff as you’re shopping—you have a lot on your proverbial plate, after all.
Whether you’re already looking at a particular Kia Sportage for sale or you have just started checking out this compact SUV and getting to know what it offers, it’s important to keep some key decisions in mind. You don’t have to worry about a bunch of different powertrains or anything like that, but the right trim is a major decision that I’ll help you with today.
Let’s take a look at the 2026 Kia Sportage and see what you should have in mind while you shop.
A Brief Note on General Features
Before we start looking at trims for the Sportage, I want to go over a few general details you should have in mind.
Every 2026 Kia Sportage comes with a 2.5L I-4 engine that provides 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, which is quite good for a compact SUV like this. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) available; personally, I think AWD is a better choice if you’re somewhere with rough weather and snow, so keep that in mind.
This is a two-row SUV with seating inside for up to five people, plus you get nearly 40 cu.ft. of rear cargo space in the Sportage and more than 74 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats.
Six Different Trim Levels to Choose From
When shopping for a 2026 Sportage, the trim level is probably the most important decision you need to make. You have six different options available, and the kinds of features you get largely depend on which one you choose. Sometimes, the differences can be pretty minimal, but they quickly add up. So let’s take a closer look at each trim, and you’ll see what I mean—just note that I can’t cover every little detail, so keep that in mind as you shop.
2026 Kia Sportage LX
The Sportage LX is the starting trim and the perfect place to begin, since it gives us the foundation that the other models we’ll look at build upon.
Looking at the outside, you get 17-inch wheels on the LX, along with LED projector headlights, rear combination tail lights, and Amber LED daytime running lights. You get body-color door handles and a rear spoiler, plus body-color side mirrors and a rear fascia featuring silver accent trim. FWD is standard on the LX model, although you can choose AWD if you prefer.
One of the things I love about the modern auto industry is just how prevalent advanced safety technology has become. The LX comes with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist featuring Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection. You also get Front and Rear Park Distance Warning sensors to help you maneuver at low speeds, Lane Keeping Assist and a Lane Departure Warning all included. A Driver Attention Warning and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go are also standard for the 2026 Kia Sportage—more tech is available, but we’ll get to that.
Looking inside now, the Sportage LX comes with a Smart Key and Push Button start that makes it easier to get going in the morning. You get standard air conditioning here, along with standard cloth seating featuring a six-way manual driver’s seat and four-way manual front-passenger seat.
A leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard along with basic interior lighting, plus you get a 12.3-inch infotainment display with an integrated 4.2-inch cluster screen and a six-speaker sound system.
All of this creates a very nice starting experience, though you’ll see that plenty of enhanced options are available.
2026 Kia Sportage EX
The EX is our first step up from the starting features and includes upgrades like a smart power liftgate at the back and 18-inch wheels. Much like the LX, both FWD and AWD are available for this model (that’s not always the case, as we’ll soon see).
You get some enhanced safety technology with the EX, including a Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and a Safe Exit Warning to alert you if someone is approaching when you try to exit; these are available for the LX but not standard. The EX also includes heated side mirrors with LED turn signals incorporated into them.
Dual-zone climate control is standard in the EX trim (and all the models that follow), plus you get a 10-way driver’s seat for added comfort on the road. Heated front seats are included here, perfect if you live in the Midwest or anywhere with brutal winters, and you get SynTex seating that looks and feels great.
Tech features are largely the same as the LX with things like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included—the EX does feature a wireless charging pad that you won’t find on the standard trim, however.
2026 Kia Sportage X-Line
Moving up to the X-Line, you get a rugged compact SUV that comes with AWD standard—you can’t get FWD on this model.
Perfect for an adventurous lifestyle, the X-Line features high-utility roof rails, exclusive 19-inch wheels, and gloss black exterior details, including the front grille and side mirrors.
Interior features are much like the EX, though you do get distinct SynTex seating in this model, along with options for available tech upgrades that aren’t offered on the previous trims. The X-Pro Prestige we’ll look at in a bit goes further in terms of ruggedness and sophistication, but this is a good pick if you’re on a budget.
2026 Kia Sportage SX
Speaking of sophistication, the SX is a great choice if you’re looking for a more refined model than some of the previous trims.
FWD is standard and your only option here, which keeps things simple, and you get 18-inch wheels with body-color exterior details. The SX has numerous tech upgrades, including Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control with Highway Driving Assist.
You get a panoramic sunroof on the SX model with a power sunshade, plus LED interior lighting, a full 12.3-inch instrument display, and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon Premium sound system that fills your cabin with rich audio.
2026 Kia Sportage SX Prestige
The penultimate option for the 2026 Sportage, the SX Prestige is a nicely refined pick featuring 19-inch wheels, LED cube projector headlights, LED fog lights, and gorgeous exterior details in Gloss Black and Satin Chrome.
All available safety features are standard on the SX Prestige model, including a Blind-Spot View Monitor and Surround View Monitor for added visibility while driving, plus Side Parking Sensors and Rear Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist. You also get a Digital Key 2.0 system with this model that lets you use your smartphone as a virtual key.
Inside, you’ll find an eight-way power front-passenger seat, ventilated front seats for warmer weather, a heated steering wheel, and Premium SynTex seating.
2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige
Finally, the X-Pro Prestige is the way to go if you like some of the rugged, adventurous features of the X-Line, but you want to take things further. This trim comes with AWD, standard, and all of the safety tech found with the SX Prestige model.
You get high-utility roof rails on this trim, plus 17-inch wheels wrapped in exclusive all-terrain tires for excellent grip and traction in all kinds of conditions. This trim features the Digital Key 2.0 system, along with a heated windshield, stainless-steel pedals, and X-Pro SynTex seating for a distinct style that you won’t find on previous models.
Get a Kia Sportage That You’ll Love Driving
As you can see, there are a lot of differences across the various trim levels available for the 2026 Kia Sportage, which gives you impressive freedom as you look for your next SUV.
Although the price goes up as you move from one trim to the next, the steps are fairly gradual, giving you a variety of options to get the features you want while sticking to whatever your budget looks like. The important thing to do is figure out which kinds of features you want most, which makes it easier to look at what each trim offers and decide on the one that is right for you. Just don’t overlook the importance of details like comfortable seating and advanced safety tech, since they can improve your time on the road each day.
