KIA AMERICA EMBARKS ON EPIC ROAD TRIP IN NEW TWO-PART CREATIVE CAMPAIGN FOR THE 2026 SPORTAGE COMPACT SUV

• Campaign highlights versatility and capability of Kia's longest-running nameplate
• Episodic broadcast effort features the new 2026 Sportage X-Pro and Sportage Hybrid models

IRVINE, Calif., July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia America is reveling in the joy, adventure and excitement of the classic American road-trip in a new two-part creative campaign for the 2026 Sportage SUV. As the fast-growing brand's longest-running nameplate, the popular Kia Sportage was recently updated to include a dynamic exterior design featuring a broad, upright grille and a tech-forward cabin with advanced wireless connectivity.

The episodic campaign features two 30-second spots that take viewers along for the journey of a lifetime. Entitled "Keep the Adventure Going" and set to "Rock'n Me" by the Steve Miller Band, the first episode follows a young man in a Sportage X-Pro as he drives through various weather conditions and over multiple terrains, with the progress of his cross-country road trip charted by the location on his ever-changing t-shirt. Making a stop in Texas, the driver meets his match – literally – when he spots a young lady wearing the same t-shirt. Hinting of things to come, the tagline "Keep the Adventure Going" appears before the spot cuts to the happy couple, now seated side by side in the Sportage, wearing his-and-hers "Virginia is for Lovers" t-shirts.   

Picking up where the first let off, we next see the couple – now driving a Sportage HEV with a turbo hybrid powertrain – continuing their adventure and celebrating life's milestones along the way.

"Sportage is Kia's longest-running nameplate for a reason, because it is the perfect SUV for every driver regardless of life stage," said Russell Wager, vice president, marketing, Kia America. "With its class-leading interior space, advanced driver assistance features, a tech-forward cabin and available electrified powertrains, Sportage is built for anything people might encounter on the road of life."

In addition to the 30-second broadcast spots, making their debut in July, the campaign includes 15-second shorts, digital, print and out-of-home components as well as paid social media including social skins and banners ads across a variety of platforms including: TikTok, Pinterest, Meta, Reddit and Snapchat.

Kia America – about us

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2024. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and WNBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*.

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* Select trims of the 2025 all-electric EV6 and EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excludes HEV and PHEV models), Sorento (excludes HEV and PHEV models), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

SOURCE Kia America