The next-generation Kia Sportage has been spied testing ahead of its expected showroom arrival in 2027, revealing a glimpse of the all-new mid-size SUV's cabin for the first time – despite the Toyota RAV4 rival being heavily camouflaged.

Sharing its underpinnings and powertrains with the Hyundai Tucson, given Kia is part of the broader Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), the Sportage is the Korean brand's best-selling model globally and in Australia.

The fifth-generation Tucson has also been spied undergoing development testing in Europe ahead of its expected debut in 2027 – the same year as the new, sixth-generation Sportage.

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These images of the heavily disguised new Sportage show it will feature similar proportions to the current (fifth-generation) model, which was introduced in 2021 (a year later than the current Tucson, which was originally named the ix35) and updated in Australia earlier this year.

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The new Sportage has a more heavily raked windscreen and tapering roofline like the next Tucson, but without the Hyundai's boxier styling.

Images of the Kia's side profile reveal a glimpse of its interior, revealing a larger central touchscreen display that is almost certain to employ HMG's next-generation Pleos Connect infotainment system.

Revealed earlier this year, Pleos Connect is an Android Automotive-based operating system developed in-house by HMG, which the automaker says will be used across 20 million Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles by 2030.

The Hyundai Grandeur luxury sedan, which isn't sold in Australia, was the first model fitted with the system, while the Hyundai Ioniq 3 small electric SUV (due in local showrooms from early 2027) is expected to be among the first models sold here to use it.

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On the outside, the black covering seams suggest the new Sportage will feature a clamshell bonnet similar to the new Tucson's, while a visible exhaust outlet at the rear indicates this pre-production test vehicle is powered by a hybrid powertrain.

Powertrains are expected to include mild-hybrid (MHEV), hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options, which may be joined by range-extended electric vehicle (EREV) variants.

The current Sportage is offered with a PHEV powertrain overseas, however, Kia Australia did not add it to its local lineup as it believed the business case wasn't strong enough.

The new Sportage is expected to ditch petrol-only engines, as well as diesels, even though the latter currently accounts for around one-third of Sportage sales in Australia.

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Kia Australia told CarExpert in October 2025 that the Sportage and the bigger Kia Sorento large SUV would both continue to be available with diesel engines for the foreseeable future, given their popularity with local customers.

The latest updates to the two SUVs saw hybrid powertrains offered across more model grades, following a similar move with the Kia Carnival people mover, which retains its diesel options for now.

The existing Sportage and Sorento are among the few remaining diesel-powered models in their respective categories.

While Hyundai dropped diesel power from the local Tucson lineup in 2025, the Sportage is still available with a diesel engine in S, SX, SX+, and GT-Line variants.

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Rivals for the Sportage include the hybrid-only Toyota RAV4, while the Mazda CX-60 is one of the few competitors still offering diesel power.

Similarly, the Sorento is no longer available with a petrol-only powertrain, but can still be had with a diesel engine in S, Sport, Sport+, and GT-Line grades.

Its rivals include the Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-80, both of which also offer diesel powertrains.

In June 2026, more battery-electric cars were sold in Australia than diesels, with 32,570 EVs sold compared with 31,789 diesel cars, while petrol vehicles remained the most popular choice for new car buyers with 34,717 sales. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles combined for 36,809 sales.

MORE: Explore the Kia Sportage showroom