{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"2026 Kia Sportage SX Prestige Sneeks Up on the Premium Brands","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2026-kia-sportage-sx-prestige-sneeks-up-on-the-premium-brands","audioUrl":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/drivencarreviews/Kia_Sportage_Hybrid-SD_480p.mov?dest-id=185214","description":"Kia might not be known for hybrid powertrains but it has 10 electrified (yes, I hate that descriptor too) vehicles to choose from. For 2026, Sportage, its most popular model, gets a midcycle refresh and a little extra power. It might not be quite as efficient as RAV4 and CR-V but it's quiet, comfortable, stylish and a good value. Tom Voelk and Jeremy Korzeniewski drive an AWD SX Prestige trim outside of Louisville, KY. Bumping up towards near-luxury cars, it might be time to rethink your hybrid. Full disclosure- Kia brough Tom to Louisville, KY for this sponsored drive event. Opinions remain stubbornly his."},"annotations":[{"startTime":26.32,"endTime":31.76,"type":"car","title":"Kia Sportage","url":"/cars/kia/sportage","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/2018_Kia_Sportage_GT-Line_ISG_1.6.jpg","quote":"...ia feels shoppers don't know the fifth generation Sportage has always rolled with hybrid powertrains, so it'...","canonicalId":"car:kia:sportage","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":105.32,"endTime":111.7,"type":"car","title":"Honda Crv","url":"/cars/honda/cr-v","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/2018_Honda_CR-V_%28RW_MY18%29_%2BSport_2WD_wagon_%282018-10-22%29_01.jpg","quote":"segment in the automotive industry. Going up against other hybrids like Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester. Let's throw escape, CX-50, and sister Tucson into the mix, too, since all can be had with ice or hybrid powertrains.","canonicalId":"car:honda:cr-v","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"EurovisionNim (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":105.32,"endTime":111.7,"type":"car","title":"Ford Escape","url":"/cars/ford/escape","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/FORD_ESCAPE_%28CX482%29_China.jpg","quote":"...AV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester. Let's throw escape, CX-50, and sister Tucson into the mix, too, sinc...","canonicalId":"car:ford:escape","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":105.32,"endTime":111.7,"type":"car","title":"Mazda Cx50","url":"/cars/mazda/cx-50","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/2023_Mazda_CX-50_GT_in_Zircon_Sand_Metallic%2C_Front_Left%2C_06-18-2022.jpg","quote":"segment in the automotive industry. Going up against other hybrids like Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester. Let's throw escape, CX-50, and sister Tucson into the mix, too, since all can be had with ice or hybrid powertrains.","canonicalId":"car:mazda:cx-50","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Elise240SX (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":105.32,"endTime":111.7,"type":"car","title":"Toyota RAV4","url":"/cars/toyota/rav4","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/2021_Toyota_RAV4_PHV.jpg","quote":"...ustry. Going up against other hybrids like Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester. Let's throw esc...","canonicalId":"car:toyota:rav4","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"TTTNIS (CC0)"}},{"startTime":549.58,"endTime":554.5,"type":"car","title":"Ford Excursion","url":"/cars/ford/excursion","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/%2705_Ford_Excursion_Limousine_%28Vancouver_2010%29.jpg","quote":"... here for shorter trips across town, but for long excursions, I would stop at two. Those full sized adults wil...","canonicalId":"car:ford:excursion","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Bull-Doser (Public domain)"}},{"startTime":574.36,"endTime":578.68,"type":"car","title":"Kia EV6","url":"/cars/kia/ev6","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/2025_Kia_EV6_GT_IAA_2025_DSC_2508.jpg","quote":"...eworked with star map DRLs that are also found on EV6 and EV9. It's a little bit more rugged looking th...","canonicalId":"car:kia:ev6","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":578.68,"endTime":581.6,"type":"car","title":"Kia EV9","url":"/cars/kia/ev9","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Kia_EV9%2C_BAS_24%2C_Brussels_%28P1170541-RR%29.jpg","quote":"...with star map DRLs that are also found on EV6 and EV9. It's a little bit more rugged looking than the o...","canonicalId":"car:kia:ev9","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"fuzzy","data":{"imageAttribution":"Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)"}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Tom Voelk","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2026-kia-sportage-sx-prestige-sneeks-up-on-the-premium-brands/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}