04:29 17-02-2026

Kia Sportage Ace 2026 update features refreshed styling and advanced driver-assistance

An updated Kia Sportage Ace for 2026 is preparing for its debut in China. The model has already rolled off the production line at the Yancheng plant, with its official premiere scheduled for March 5. The refresh focuses on exterior styling, interior features, and an expansion of driver-assistance systems, while the powertrains carry over unchanged.

The design follows the brand's "Opposites United" concept, but the lighting has been reworked. The front end gets new star-style daytime running lights and a darkened grille that emphasizes the vehicle's width. At the rear, a full-width light bar now visually connects the fenders. A two-tone bumper and a roof spoiler create a more complex composition to distinguish this 2026 version from its predecessor.

Inside, the updates center on equipment. The base L2+ coverage is now more widely available, and the list of assistants has grown to include the HDA2 system for highway support and RSPA, a remote parking function. This brings the Ace up to par with competitors in its segment.

The dimensions remain familiar: 4,695 mm long, 1,865 mm wide, and up to 1,680 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,755 mm. The engine lineup consists of two gasoline turbo units: a 1.5T producing 147 kW and a 2.0T with 180 kW. Both engines are paired with an automatic transmission, though Kia will reveal more details about the gearbox closer to the sales launch.

Given the current generation's starting price of 179,800 yuan, the updated Sportage Ace crossover is expected to maintain its positioning in the midsize SUV segment. In practice, this means a sharper focus on technology and visual distinctiveness.