2028 Kia Sportage Spied: Larger, Boxier Design and Overhauled Interior

Key Takeaways

• The next Kia Sportage looks larger and boxier.
• It has an overhauled interior with a large screen.
• Some physical buttons are expected to survive.
• The new Android-powered Pleos Connect system will be used.
• The Hyundai Tucson is likely to debut first with a similar interior design.

What’s New with the Kia Sportage’s Exterior Design?

The next-generation Kia Sportage has been spotted with a larger and boxier design. The test vehicle appears to conceal a more upright shape, and eagle-eyed viewers will notice the turn signals are mounted unusually low in the corners of the rear bumper.

This design choice is a common trait among Korean cars, making the turn signals harder to see from behind. As a vehicle researcher, I’ve noticed that Kia has been experimenting with different design elements in recent years, and this new look may be a departure from the current model’s more rounded shape.

How Has the Interior Been Overhauled?

The next-generation Kia Sportage will feature an overhauled interior with a large screen dominating the center console. The new Android-powered Pleos Connect system has already appeared in a handful of Hyundai models, and it looks as though the next Kia Sportage will get it as well.

Fortunately, some physical controls are expected to survive, including a rectangular digital instrument cluster mounted deep into the dashboard. This design choice is consistent with Kia’s approach to keeping conventional switchgear for frequently used functions such as climate and audio controls.

What Can We Expect from the Hyundai Tucson’s Interior Design?

The Hyundai Tucson is expected to lead the way with its new interior design, which will likely be shared with the Kia Sportage. While there will be some differences in interior design between the two compact crossovers, the screens and physical controls are likely to be shared to achieve economies of scale.

As a vehicle researcher, I’ve noticed that Hyundai and Kia have been adopting bolder styling and placing greater emphasis on hybrid powertrains in their recent models. This trend is likely to continue with the next-generation Tucson and Sportage.

When Can We Expect the Next-Generation Kia Sportage to Debut?

The next-generation Kia Sportage isn’t expected to reach North America before the 2028 model year, with its global debut likely to occur sometime next year. In the meantime, we can expect the Hyundai Tucson to debut first with a similar interior design.

As a vehicle researcher, I’m excited to see how the next-generation Kia Sportage will stack up against its competitors in the compact crossover segment.

What Does This Mean for Kia’s Future?

In typical Korean fashion, Kia appears to be making substantial changes with the Sportage’s generational transition. This approach has clearly paid off for both Kia and Hyundai, given their meteoric rise over the past few decades.

As a vehicle researcher, I believe that this bold approach will continue to serve Kia well in the competitive automotive market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s new with the Kia Sportage’s exterior design?

The next-generation Kia Sportage has been spotted with a larger and boxier design, with a more upright shape and turn signals mounted low in the corners of the rear bumper.

Q: What can we expect from the Kia Sportage’s interior design?

The next-generation Kia Sportage will feature an overhauled interior with a large screen and physical controls, including a rectangular digital instrument cluster mounted deep into the dashboard.

Q: When can we expect the next-generation Kia Sportage to debut?

The next-generation Kia Sportage isn’t expected to reach North America before the 2028 model year, with its global debut likely to occur sometime next year.