I recommended this car to EVERYONE

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In today's video we're taking a close take a look at the 2026 Kia Sportage, including whatever you require to know about the performance figures, practicality, tech, and how this SUV has actually progressed over the previous generation!

Design-wise, this 2026 Sportage gets a noticeable facelift over the pre-facelift design. Outside there's a bolder new front end with upgraded LED headlights and broader grille, sharper bumpers and brand-new alloy wheel designs that provide it a more modern-day, positive stance. Inside, the cockpit has been considerably refreshed with Kia's most current scenic double curved screens, a slimmer control panel profile, brand-new two-spoke wheel and higher quality materials throughout the cabin.

The heading figure under the bonnet of the Sportage GT-Line S is a 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine coupled with an electrical motor, producing 238 hp it provides smooth power with an effective self-charging hybrid setup.

The starting rate for the brand-new Sportage is similar to its rivals (the Nissan Qashqai and the Skoda Karoq) at ₤ 31,000 but for the top-spec car, you'll be parting with ₤ 44,000 of your difficult made cash!

The Sportage stays a considerable compact SUV with a kerb weight of around 1,733 kg, and yet still manages impressive functionality. Boot area is generous, with 591 litres behind the rear seats and expanding to 1,780 litres with the seats down, giving correct family-friendly load-lugging capacity.

The top-spec GT-Line S also includes premium goodies like a panoramic sunroof, 360 ° camera, heated and ventilated seats and advanced safety tech as standard.

Whether you're after everyday usability, cutting-edge hybrid tech or a SUV with design and substance, the 2026 Kia Sportage delivers a compelling plan. Watch the complete evaluation to see how it drives, where it shines and how it compares to rivals in the segment!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:54 Style
02:01 Engines
02:51 0-60
03:35 Brake Test
04:18 Boot
07:20 Cost
8:27 Interior
10:49 Country Road Driving
12:07 Freeway Driving
12:56 Back Seats
15:04 Bads
18:10 Town Driving
19:26 Decision

Comments

49 responses to “I recommended this car to EVERYONE”

  1. @halamadridpatriotsnationgo1057 Avatar
    @halamadridpatriotsnationgo1057

    20 years ago if you preferred me to buy a Korean car I would’ve laughed at you. 20th years later, I’m humbled by their global presence! Well done 🇰🇷

    1. @TheoDaJunk Avatar
      @TheoDaJunk

      Will it be the same case with Chinese cars in 20 years ?

    2. @halamadridpatriotsnationgo1057 Avatar
      @halamadridpatriotsnationgo1057

      @TheoDaJunkmaybe. We can’t predict the future so let’s see what happens.

    3. @HellcatRedeye786 Avatar
      @HellcatRedeye786

      ​@TheoDaJunk Chinese cars have taken over the market in some countries. lots of people would already love one

    4. @DazieArt Avatar
      @DazieArt

      @TheoDaJunk I’d want a Xiaomi now if they dropped anti-free market tariffs. High quality for a good price.

    5. @TheoDaJunk Avatar
      @TheoDaJunk

      ​@HellcatRedeye786it’s taken over here in south Africa but after years of ownership I’m hearing people complain about thee ol’ reliability and parts taking months to arrive from china. So I am sceptical as I don’t think the Koreans and Japanese had these issues but I’m open to being wrong

  2. @Machines.In.Action Avatar
    @Machines.In.Action

    Boot size looks big on paper, but seven suitcases tells the real story

    1. @Jeffreyfromtheshadowrealm Avatar
      @Jeffreyfromtheshadowrealm

      Ik

    2. @nicey4100 Avatar
      @nicey4100

      thats what she said

    3. @x3merx3mer Avatar
      @x3merx3mer

      Not really, in Q3 he slid the back seat all the way, so no leg room left at all. If you have kids with no legs, its absolutely fine, but if they happen to have legs that comparison is useless. With the back seat in place it has identical boot space.

    4. @purwantiallan5089 Avatar
      @purwantiallan5089

      ​@x3merx3merthe other Compact Cars also especially Audi A3.

    5. @theprotagonist8988 Avatar
      @theprotagonist8988

      Metric dont lie, but Matt should remove cover, this is double floor, then u have 590 L .. pr review.

  3. @carwow Avatar
    @carwow

    Change your car with Carwow: https://bit.ly/Change-your-car-0326

    1. @eikbolha5883 Avatar
      @eikbolha5883

      You could also order also 180hp 1.6L turbo with AWD on 2025 model but one is gone now and you can order only once si gle engine and that is 1.6L turbo PHEV with 288hp pretty ok i would say my self but last gen i drive with 180hp and it feels more quick for some reason, i already have test drive of this new one and it is nice car, however it feels heavy but one thing is very bad and that are those ugly rims on all new kia cars. Also price goes up a lot and i mean it cuz the base engine with 150hp is gone and this PHEV is currently only engine this new sportage offer and that is jot good too expensive.

    2. @rearlcatsuk Avatar
      @rearlcatsuk

      only sex offenders use Car Vertical!

    3. @purwantiallan5089 Avatar
      @purwantiallan5089

      ​@eikbolha5883handling wise, the KIA Sportage looks like somewhere between MG TF160 and Mazda Miata 1989.

    4. @eikbolha5883 Avatar
      @eikbolha5883

      ​​@purwantiallan5089its fine car for every day, a bit roo heavy with awd system but fine over all also big trunk space and diecent egine and now we talking about 2024 to 2025 option not brand new 2026 cuz new one have only PHEV engine option and nothing else and thx to that it gets soobmuch more expensive jot worth it no more. I like design of new hyundai cona or tuscon those at least dont ha e those ugly rims and still offer normal.engine

    5. @MrJeviD2 Avatar
      @MrJeviD2

      hi Mat! how u doin’ mate?

  4. @ebridgewater Avatar
    @ebridgewater

    For general info: This is a facelift dated 2024, of the current (fifth) generation Sportage (which began in 2021).

  5. @filiphoffer5172 Avatar
    @filiphoffer5172

    He I work in Kia and in order to activate the remote parking assitant, you have to first press the LOCK button, then hold the activation button and only then the assitant is activated and you can move your car forward and backwards using the key.

    1. @fuzzy-daddy83 Avatar
      @fuzzy-daddy83

      Yep, works great on my pre face lift. I live on a terraced street, so sometimes I get cars parked in front, when they move, I can reverse mine back without going out of the house if I’m close enough, much to the shock of people walking passed😂Anyone that’s seen it used is always taken aback and thinks it’s a great idea. Love my Sportage😁

    2. @purwantiallan5089 Avatar
      @purwantiallan5089

      ​@fuzzy-daddy83they occasionally also Parked it on either side.

    3. @vioss Avatar
      @vioss

      Excellent feature but you need a bit of experience with it to get it working.

  6. @DazieArt Avatar
    @DazieArt

    Thank You for still reviewing REAL Cars! 🥰

  7. @jbird_celica1186 Avatar
    @jbird_celica1186

    Wife’s just got one and I see myself driving it more than my proceed lol

  8. @mrnicktoyou Avatar
    @mrnicktoyou

    Despite all the fancy drag races, this is what Mat does best. Reviews of normal cars.

    1. @kane4013 Avatar
      @kane4013

      Yep, that’s what I thought most of his audience tuned in for anyway. Drag racing cars well out of the average viewers price range gets boring after a while.

    2. @TheRab101 Avatar
      @TheRab101

      @kane4013yeah I just ignore the drag races, don’t care for them. it’s the same thing everytime – what is faster

    3. @stevehunter7402 Avatar
      @stevehunter7402

      If I’m heading to the hardware store in my Golf estate and a Koenisegg tries to race me. At least I have an idea what I’m up against.🇨🇦

    4. @RoPoem Avatar
      @RoPoem

      That is true, this is how I got into carwow and why I appreciated him. The drag races can be fun, but I really like and enjoy watching the review of cars, especially normally prices, everyday cars!

    5. @BlakkPain Avatar
      @BlakkPain

      No lies detected there. He’s very good

  9. @osman_zengin Avatar
    @osman_zengin

    Diesel options are still available in Europe.

    1. @Al_Lergic Avatar
      @Al_Lergic

      Thank god. Hyundai/Kia petrol engines blow up easily.

    2. @purwantiallan5089 Avatar
      @purwantiallan5089

      ​@Al_Lergicit also had worse reliability compared to even Marcos cars like Marcos GTS.

    3. @TommyNowDoesGaming Avatar
      @TommyNowDoesGaming

      @Al_Lergic only american made ones blow up. no issues in europe and asia

    4. @Bluemon-u6p Avatar
      @Bluemon-u6p

      Toyota break down more often these days, so I’ll never buy one.

    5. @kobus69 Avatar
      @kobus69

      ​@Bluemon-u6pbullshit toyota is still bulletproof even the hybrids

  10. @Mastoblood Avatar
    @Mastoblood

    i can still remember one of my teachers had a second generation Kia Sportage and if you clapped to hard in your hand and or stamped with your feet hard on the ground near the car the alarm went off XD

  11. @elevandt.8535 Avatar
    @elevandt.8535

    This is reminiscent of the first car mat ever reviewed on carwow. A kia sportage.

    1. @glennchinyangarara Avatar
      @glennchinyangarara

      10 years ago this year as well

  12. @jblfan569 Avatar
    @jblfan569

    Me remembering the previous title:is the KIA Sportage Not good now?

  13. @lakshithaudara Avatar
    @lakshithaudara

    Last Video he said Headup Display should be standard , and in this he says that’s something he doesn’t want to spec , 😀

  14. @Justin-k9v2e Avatar
    @Justin-k9v2e

    Carwow, Matt please make a video on the Geely Monjaro

  15. @septopus3516 Avatar
    @septopus3516

    you have to use the automatic start on the keyfob , then you can use the forward and reverse feature on the keyfob

  16. @PUNCAKEEEE Avatar
    @PUNCAKEEEE

    The lacelifted front on the sportage just looks better rn

  17. @NeilJames1982 Avatar
    @NeilJames1982

    18:17 Mat Watsons impression of Delboy’s “he who dares wins my son”

  18. @robin0910 Avatar
    @robin0910

    Wow, a review about an affordable car on Carwow? Such a rare sight…

  19. @simontoilet-l9e Avatar
    @simontoilet-l9e

    you should do a test where you get driven while your sat in the back steats

  20. @mariusred9038 Avatar
    @mariusred9038

    I love the new bunker view scene in your videos

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