The Sportage offers three powertrain options, each with different fuel economies.
As a car that offers buyers an unbelievable amount of powertrain options, the Kia Sportage is one of the best. Available in either gas-only, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid setups, there’s a Sportage out there for everyone. That, plus its generous cargo volume, make the Sportage a top pick in our book, and it even ranks among the best compact hybrid SUVs by our tally.
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Because of its small size and efficient powertrain, the Sportage returns strong fuel economy across all three powertrain options, so keep reading to see the ratings: If you’re shopping based on fuel economy, we have everything in one place for you. And regardless of what powers it, each Sportage wears the brand’s slick, modern design.
Gasoline-only Sportages are powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It produces a claimed 187 hp and can tow up to 2,500 pounds when properly equipped. Either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive are available, and six different grades are offered: LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line, and X-Pro Prestige.
2026 Kia Sportage fuel economy:
FWD – 25/33/28 mpg city/highway/combined
AWD – 24/30/26 mpg city/highway/combined
Standard hybrid Sportage models use a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and motor to produce 232 hp, which is 5 hp more than last year’s model. That’s routed via a six-speed automatic transmission, and either FWD or AWD can be equipped. You can expect a massive leap in mileage over the gas-only version. There’s also a 2,000-pound towing capacity with the proper equipment.
Kia Sportage Hybrid grades expand for 2026, with S and the rugged X-Line joining the LX (the only grade offered with FWD) and EX. The S brings the big touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, powered driver’s seat, and heated front seats. Glossy black window trim and front grille and 18-inch alloy wheels complete the look.
The Hybrid X-Line comes standard with AWD, as well as 8.3 inches of ground clearance, which is up from the base model’s 7.1 inches. It rides on 19-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and has a changeable Terrain mode for Snow, Mud, or Sand. Despite all that extra hardware, though, fuel economy remains the same as other AWD models.
2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid fuel economy:
FWD – 41/44/42 mpg city/highway/combined
AWD – 35/36/35 mpg city/highway/combined