The upcoming Kia Sportage has been photographed during development trials ahead of its expected 2027 showroom debut in Australia, providing the first look at the redesigned mid-size SUV's interior even though heavy camouflage remains in place.

It shares its platform and powertrains with the Hyundai Tucson because Kia belongs to the larger Hyundai Motor Group, and the Sportage continues as the Korean maker's top-selling nameplate both globally and in Australia.

The fifth-generation Tucson has likewise been seen undergoing testing in Europe ahead of its planned 2027 introduction, matching the timeline for the sixth-generation Sportage.

These photos of the disguised new Sportage indicate it will keep proportions close to the current fifth-generation model launched in 2021 and refreshed locally earlier this year.

The new Sportage features a steeper windscreen angle and sloping roofline similar to the next Tucson, yet avoids the Hyundai's more angular design language.

Side-profile shots reveal part of the cabin, showing a larger central touchscreen that will almost certainly run the group's latest Pleos Connect infotainment platform.

Introduced earlier this year, Pleos Connect is an Android Automotive-based system created internally by the group and slated for use in 20 million Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles by 2030.

The Hyundai Grandeur sedan, not offered in Australia, was the first vehicle to receive the system, while the Hyundai Ioniq 3 small electric SUV arriving locally from early 2027 is expected to be among the earliest models here to feature it.

Externally, the black seams on the cover hint at a clamshell bonnet like the new Tucson's, and a visible rear exhaust suggests the test vehicle uses a hybrid powertrain.

Expected powertrains include mild-hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, with possible range-extended electric variants also under consideration.

The current Sportage offers a plug-in hybrid overseas, but Kia Australia chose not to bring it here because the business case appeared limited.

The next Sportage is expected to drop pure-petrol engines along with diesels, even though the latter still represent about one-third of local Sportage sales.

Kia Australia stated in October 2025 that both the Sportage and the larger Sorento would retain diesel options for the foreseeable future due to strong local demand.

Recent updates to both SUVs added hybrid powertrains to more grades, following a similar approach with the Kia Carnival, which keeps diesel choices available.

The current Sportage and Sorento remain among the few diesel-powered models still offered in their segments.

While Hyundai removed diesel from the local Tucson range in 2025, the Sportage continues with diesel engines in S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line variants.

Key rivals include the hybrid-only Toyota RAV4, whereas the Mazda CX-60 remains one of the few competitors still offering diesel.

The Sorento likewise no longer offers petrol-only power but keeps diesel in S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line grades.

Its competitors include the Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-80, both of which also provide diesel options.

In June 2026, more battery-electric vehicles were sold in Australia than diesels, with 32,570 EVs registered compared with 31,789 diesel cars, while petrol models led with 34,717 sales and hybrid plus plug-in hybrid units combined for 36,809 sales.