Winter in Ontario brings snow-covered highways, icy commutes, and unpredictable road conditions that demand vehicles built for the challenge. Whether navigating morning commutes or weekend getaways, having a vehicle equipped with all-wheel drive, advanced safety features, and comfort amenities makes all the difference. Kia's 2026 lineup delivers exactly that, combining proven winter capability with modern technology and thoughtful design.
From compact crossovers to spacious three-row SUVs, Kia offers a range of models engineered to handle Ontario's toughest winter conditions. Each vehicle brings its own strengths, whether it's terrain-specific drive modes, heated seating across multiple rows, or advanced driver assistance systems that provide extra confidence when roads turn slippery.
2026 Kia Sportage: Versatile Winter Performer
The 2026 Kia Sportage stands out as a well-rounded compact SUV with multiple powertrain options and strong winter credentials. Available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the Sportage lineup includes gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants to suit different driving needs and fuel efficiency priorities.
The Sportage X-Line and X-Line Limited trims feature an Active AWD system with Terrain Mode, offering Snow, Mud, and Sand settings that optimize traction for specific conditions. This system automatically adjusts power distribution between the front and rear wheels, providing enhanced grip when accelerating on slippery surfaces. The X-Line Limited also comes standard with 19-inch wheels fitted with Michelin all-season tires, further improving winter handling.
Inside, the Sportage delivers comfort with heated front seats standard across all trims and available heated rear seats on EX Premium and X-Line Limited models. A heated steering wheel comes standard on LX AWD and above, ensuring warmth during cold morning drives. The Sportage also offers up to 2,098 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, providing ample room for winter gear, sports equipment, or emergency supplies.
Advanced safety features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2.0, Highway Drive Assist 2, and Blind View Monitor on higher trims. The Surround View Monitor on X-Line Limited offers a 360-degree view of the vehicle's surroundings, making parking in tight, snow-covered spaces easier.
2026 Kia Sorento: Three-Row Capability
For families needing more space, the 2026 Kia Sorento offers three rows of seating with standard all-wheel drive on both hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The Sorento's AWD system provides confident traction in snow and ice, while Downhill Brake Control helps maintain steady speeds when descending slippery hills.
The Sorento seats up to six or seven passengers depending on configuration, with heated front seats standard on all trims and available heated second-row seats on SX models. A heated steering wheel comes standard on LX and above, ensuring driver comfort throughout the winter months. Cargo capacity reaches up to 2,139 litres behind the first row and 1,090 to 1,274 litres behind the second row, accommodating everything from hockey equipment to luggage for family road trips.
The Sorento's advanced safety suite includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2, Highway Drive Assist 2, and Blind View Monitor, providing comprehensive protection in challenging winter driving conditions. The Sorento PHEV offers up to 55 kilometres of all-electric range, ideal for short commutes in winter when preconditioning the cabin using grid power can reduce fuel consumption.
2026 Kia Seltos: Compact and Capable
The 2026 Kia Seltos brings winter capability to a more compact package, making it an excellent choice for urban drivers who still need all-wheel drive and winter-ready features. Available AWD on LX AWD, EX AWD, EX Premium, SX, and X-Line trims provides confident traction without the bulk of a larger SUV.
Heated front seats come standard across all Seltos trims, while a heated steering wheel is standard on EX and above. The Seltos also offers up to 1,778 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, providing ample room for winter sports gear or shopping trips.
The Seltos lineup includes advanced safety features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Follow Assist, and Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist. The SX and X-Line trims come with a 1.6 L turbo GDI engine producing 195 horsepower, providing responsive acceleration when navigating winter traffic or merging onto highways.
2026 Kia EV9: Electric Winter Confidence

The 2026 Kia EV9 brings electric vehicle capability to winter driving with available dual-motor AWD and Terrain Drive Modes. The Land AWD trim and above feature an AWD system that provides instant torque distribution to all four wheels, ensuring strong traction when accelerating from a stop on icy roads.
Heated front seats come standard, with available heated and air-cooled second-row seats on Land with Premium Package and above. A heated steering wheel is also available, ensuring driver comfort throughout the winter season. The EV9's three-row seating accommodates up to six or seven passengers depending on configuration, making it a practical choice for families.
The EV9's advanced safety features include Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (Reverse), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Surround View Monitor on higher trims. The available V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) feature allows the EV9 to power external devices, making it useful for emergency situations or outdoor activities. Preconditioning the cabin while plugged in ensures a warm interior without draining the battery, maintaining optimal range during cold weather.
At a Glance: Top Kia Models for Winter
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Model
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AWD Available
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Heated Seats
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Terrain Modes
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Cargo Space (Behind First Row)
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2026 Sportage
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Yes (X-Line, EX, EX Premium, X-Line Limited)
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Front standard, rear available
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Yes (Snow, Mud, Sand on X-Line Limited)
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2,098 L
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2026 Sorento
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Yes (standard on HEV/PHEV)
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Front standard, rear available on SX
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No
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2,139 L
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2026 Seltos
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Yes (LX AWD, EX AWD, EX Premium, SX, X-Line)
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Front standard
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No
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1,778 L
|
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2026 EV9
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Yes (Land AWD and above)
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Front standard, 2nd row available
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Yes (Terrain Drive Modes)
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2,314 L
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Learn More at Plaza Kia
Ontario winters demand vehicles that combine capability, comfort, and safety. Kia's 2026 lineup delivers on all three, offering a range of models equipped to handle snow, ice, and cold temperatures with confidence. Whether choosing the versatile Sportage, the spacious Sorento, the compact Seltos, or the electric EV9, drivers in Ontario can find a Kia model suited to their winter driving needs.
Visit our team at Plaza Kia to explore the full 2026 Kia lineup and learn which model best fits your lifestyle.
To learn more about the 2026 Kia Seltos, visit Kia.ca