Going Pro: The 2026 Kia Sportage X-PRO Prestige AWD

The age of the cute-ute is over at last.

That was actually what people (some people, anyway) called the smallest of the crossover SUVs when they first appeared on the market near the end of the last century.

But there's a movement now to make compact crossovers capable---and it makes sense. If you really want a go-anywhere machine, it helps if that machine can fit anywhere.

2026 is an update year for the Kia Sportage. Most of the changes are cosmetic (new front lighting, new front and rear bumpers), but they've kept the good stuff---and they've made that good stuff better, including the Sportage X-PRO Prestige AWD.

There are no changes under the hood. The 2026 Kia Sportage X-PRO Prestige is still powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower, an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The EPA fuel economy estimate is 23 miles per gallon city, 26 highway.

Those are all-terrain tires wrapped around the 17-inch matte black alloy wheels, and this year, there are changes to the drive modes:

The addition of snow, mud and sand terrain modes make the Sportage X-Pro Prestige an even more capable vehicle off-road than before.

There's a dual-level cargo floor that allows for up to 39.6 cubic feet of whatever behind the second-row seats and up to 74.1 cubic feet with those seats folded.

Rear seat passengers get almost the same legroom as the people up front---41.3 inches to the front's 41.4. For the size class, that is remarkable legroom.

The base price of the 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige is $39,590---$40,925 with destination. That money buys a whole lot of standard equipment (see the window sticker at the end of the review).

The only extra-cost items were $595 for the Wolf Gray paint with a Black roof, $105 for a cargo mat, $180 for carpeted floor mats and $190 for a cargo cover. The bottom line on the window sticker: $42,055.

The 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid was a runner-up for best vehicle under $50,000 (it actually was my top choice) at last fall's Western Automotive Journalists Best of the Bay competition. If anything, the Sportage X-Pro Prestige is even more impressive---proving that you can get big off-road performance in a small package.

2026 Kia Sportage X-PRO Prestige AWD at a glance:

Price: $39,590 base/$42,055 as tested

Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder

Horsepower: 187

Torque: 178 lb-ft

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 3,827 lbs

0-60 Acceleration (manufacturer data): N/A

EPA Fuel Economy Estimate: 23 mpg city/26 highway/24 combined

Fuel tank capacity: 14.3 gallons

EPA Range Estimate: 343 miles

Click in upper right corner of window sticker to expand to fullscreen.