Quick experience KIA New Sportage Hybrid: More powerful for operation, still more convenient & versatile
KIA New Sportage 2026 has officially launched in the Vietnamese market with a total of 5 versions. Notably, the addition of the Hybrid engine version brings a completely different operating experience. At the same time, changes in design also give Sportage a more modern and fashionable appearance. New Sportage is built according to the "Opposites United" design language with new Star Map light patterns, synchronized with KIA's new generation product range in Vietnam. Up to now, Thaco KIA has completed three new generation Hybrid models including: New Carnival Hybrid, New Sorento Hybrid and the latest is New Sportage Hybrid.
Appearance design
The strongest innovation on the New Sportage focuses on the front of the car. The highlight is the completely renewed tiger-nose-shaped steering wheel with 3D embossed spokes with depth. The grille size is also expanded horizontally and designed seamlessly with the light cluster, providing a modern look, while also giving the car a more imposing appearance.
The DRL daytime positioning light system possesses a unique Star Map shape, providing unmistakable brand recognition. The main lighting cluster includes 4 bi-LED lenses placed vertically, similar to larger "elders" such as New Sorento or New Carnival.
Accompanying amenities will depend on each version, especially high-end Hybrid variants will be equipped with a series of safety and driving assistance technologies such as: 12 front/rear collision warning sensors for parking assistance, 360-degree camera displaying panoramic view from above and ADAS advanced driving assistance system.
The car has dimensions of Length x Width x Height of 4,685 x 1,865 x 1,665 mm, wheelbase length of 2,755 mm and ground clearance of 181 mm. With the advantage of the longest wheelbase in the segment, New Sportage offers spacious interior space for all 5 adults and luggage. At the same time, the operating experience also becomes more stable and steadfast in bad road conditions compared to models with short wheelbases, even though they are all positioned as C-size SUVs/CUVs.
All three New Sportage Hybrid versions are equipped with 18-inch wheels, 1 inch smaller than the pure 2.0G gasoline engine version. This is a reasonable trade-off between exterior aesthetics in exchange for comfort for passengers inside. Kia New Sportage in particular and KIA Hybrid products in general all provide a quieter operating experience. Because the drive mechanism gives priority to the electric motor operating actively, the internal combustion engine will be reduced or completely turned off when not needed, minimizing noise from the engine compartment. Therefore, equipping a set of moderately sized wheels with thick tires will help optimize underbody soundproofing, limiting noise from the road surface from entering the cabin.
At the rear of the car, New Sportage still retains the overall shape of the previous generation, the difference comes from smaller, more subtle details. The taillight cluster now has a sharp Star Map pattern instead of the old Boomerang shape. The car still maintains the glossy black strip connecting the two light clusters running across the rear of the car, creating a seamless and modern feeling. The rear bumper (bumper) below has also been reshaped, especially the new silver panel is rounded, softer and more refined instead of the previous sporty angular style.
Luggage compartment is one of the big plus points for a C-size SUV, where users expect the vehicle to be able to meet a variety of needs from daily personal transportation to long family trips. New Sportage has a luggage compartment with a standard volume of 600L and can be expanded up to 1,870L when folding the second row of seats. This space has more than enough capacity to accommodate more than 7 carry-on cabin-sized suitcases, or is comfortable for young families to bring along strollers, cribs and a variety of baby items.
Interior
The driver's cabin space has been completely renewed. The dashboard has details arranged horizontally. The air conditioning vents are cleverly hidden in the central decorative border, making this area visually more minimalist and modern. The car is still equipped with a seamless Panoramic curved screen cluster, including two 12.3-inch screens. The screen border has a slight change in appearance to match the new design. The viewing angle and placement are reasonably calculated to help the driver easily operate and receive information. The central entertainment screen has convenient wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The steering wheel is also refreshed according to KIA's global product range with a unique 2-spoke design, a sporty D-cut beveled bottom and the KIA logo placed completely to one side in an unconventional way. The car uses perforated leather seats with ventilation holes, and the seat shoulders are mixed with suede-like material (Microfiber) to increase touch and give a premium look.
The second row seat space continues to be a bright spot with a seat back recline of up to 120 degrees. Combined with a flat floor and spacious leg room, this area ensures an extremely comfortable sitting position even for passengers over 1m75 tall. The included amenities are also very complete: separate air conditioning vents, USB-C charging port located on the back of the front seat, center armrest and convenient hanger.
Chassis: Refined fork
The move to the global N3 chassis platform delivers significantly better torsional rigidity. Especially on this version, KIA has upgraded the McPherson front suspension and multi-link rear suspension with independent multi-line damping valve technology, accompanied by two-way damping front forks.
This new fork system coordinates very well with E-VMC electronic motion control technology (including E-Ride and E-Handling features):
Operability
Step into the cockpit and press the start button, absolute silence is the first feeling because the car will start entirely with an electric motor. At low speeds or without pressing the accelerator pedal deeply, the gasoline engine almost does not interfere. Crawling through traffic jams becomes extremely leisurely thanks to the electric motor's instant response, completely eliminating the phenomenon of turbo lag - something that was a classic minus point on previous small turbocharged gasoline engines. This smoothness also has a major contribution from the specialized 6-speed automatic transmission. The process of transferring traction between the gasoline engine and electric motor is so seamless that I can only recognize it through the energy flow display on the dashboard. To do this, KIA has eliminated the traditional hydraulic torque converter on AT gearboxes, replacing it with an electronic clutch, capable of instantly and intelligently switching the power source from the gasoline-electric engine going into the gearbox.
In light load conditions or slow city driving, the vehicle prioritizes the use of 100% electric motors. If the road is flat and the accelerator is not applied, the car can maintain pure electric power at speeds of up to 80 km/h. When acceleration or heavy load is needed, both engines will activate simultaneously, producing a total capacity of up to 232 horsepower and maximum torque of 367 Nm. With smart energy allocation, the car's 1.49kWh battery pack is quickly prioritized for full charging when less than 50% remains, or the amount of electricity recovered when braking or decelerating is also fully exploited for battery charging.
Conclusion
A stable and solid chassis, powerful and emotional engine are the two most valuable core values on the New Sportage Hybrid. In the car segment priced at 1 billion VND, today's users are not only looking for a means of protection from rain and sun; They need an SUV that is comfortable enough for the family and provides an attractive driving experience with decisive acceleration. Adding a spacious interior and a list of practical amenities, the Kia New Sportage 2026 is showing a comprehensive appeal, fully meeting the most stringent criteria of the C-size SUV/CUV segment in Vietnam. More pictures:
