This is it. Roughly two months after its official announcement, Kia Philippines has formally set Friday, July 24 as the official launch date of the Sportage Turbo Hybrid.
The launch will happen at the July 24 to 26 leg of the Kia Tech Tour happening at the SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
While the 2026 Sportage isn’t an all-new model (it was launched way back in 2021 and refreshed in 2024), it’ll be the first time the Philippines will get the compact SUV after it was discontinued in the local market in 2021.
The new Sportage Turbo Hybrid receives a front end that echoes Kia’s modern line-up. It receives the vertically-oriented LED headlights and Starmap lighting signature. The rear also has new rear lights and a garnish that connects both lighting units together.
You can read our First Drive impressions in Korea (or watch it on our YouTube channel), but based on Kia Philippines’ filing with the Department of Energy, the Sportage Turbo Hybrid will come in two variants—the EX and SX. Both with a front-wheel drive (2WD) configuration.
Globally, the Sportage Turbo Hybrid mates a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with an electric motor. All in all, it makes 235 horsepower and 367 Nm of torque. Power is routed through a 6-speed automatic.
Kia dealerships across the Philippines are now gauging customer interest and taking in reservations ahead of the launch. You can check out the sign-up page here.
The Kia Sportage AWD GT Line was considered overpriced when it was released, as the price was near that of the CR-V and RAV4. Kia Philippines fumbled in trying to market what was, on hindsight, a clear winner. I wonder if this iteration will also have the same fate.
ReplyDeleteHow much?
ReplyDeleteThe default choice in this segment is RAV4. Or SL5 for those willing to dip their toes in the non-legacy brand pool. So pick a good price point that will sell. I hope KIA has learned that "going upmarket" doesn't really work in the Philippines.
ReplyDelete