2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2026 Kia Sportage
Comparison Overview
Stuck between the freshly redesigned 2025 Chevrolet Equinox and the sharp 2026 Kia Sportage? It's a tight toss-up at the entry point, with both starting right around $28,600 and $28,690 respectively. The key differences pop up in efficiency and space. The Sportage edges out the Equinox slightly in combined fuel economy at 28 MPG versus the Equinox's 27 MPG, particularly thanks to its superior highway rating of 33 MPG compared to the Chevy's 28 MPG. Power delivery is close; the Kia offers 187 hp to the Chevy's 175 hp, although the Equinox brings slightly more pulling power with 184 lb-ft of torque versus the Sportage's 178 lb-ft. However, the biggest physical disparity is cargo room: the Sportage offers a cavernous 39.6 cubic feet, dwarfing the Equinox's 29.8 cubic feet, which is a massive factor for real-world hauling.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Kia Sportage
The 2026 Kia Sportage wins for commuters due to its superior highway fuel economy rating of 33 MPG.
2026 Kia Sportage
The Sportage clearly benefits families with significantly more available storage space, offering 39.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Equinox's 29.8 cubic feet.
2026 Kia Sportage
The 2026 Kia Sportage holds the advantage for enthusiasts with a slightly higher 187 horsepower output.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offers a marginally lower starting MSRP at $28,600, providing a slight cost advantage.
Choose the Chevrolet Equinox if...
- You want the lowest starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at $28,600.
- You prefer slightly more low-end torque, boasting 184 lb-ft to the Kia's 178 lb-ft.
- You are prioritizing a slightly wider vehicle for potentially wider shoulder room at 74.9 inches wide.
Choose the Kia Sportage if...
- You need maximum utility, as the Sportage offers 39.6 cu ft of cargo space, almost 10 cubic feet more than the Equinox.
- Highway cruising is a priority, given its 33 MPG highway rating compared to the Equinox's 28 MPG.
- You prefer a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over the Equinox's continuously variable transmission.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Chevrolet Equinox | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.2" | 184.4" |
| Width | 74.9" | 73.4" |
| Height | 65.6" | 65.4" |
| Wheelbase | 107.5" | 108.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 175 hp @ 5600 rpm | 187 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/28 MPG | 25/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 27 MPG | 28 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 384.8/414.4 mi. | 357.5/471.9 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.8 gal. | 14.3 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cargo Floor Mats | ✓ | — |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 11.3 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 40.9 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 57.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.2 in. | 54.8 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
Rearseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.2 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.9 in. | 41.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.8 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 51.7 in. | 53.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R17 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Size | — | 17 x 7.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Chevrolet | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox and 2026 Kia Sportage.
How do the horsepower and torque compare between the two models?
The 2026 Kia Sportage is technically more powerful with 187 horsepower, while the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox has 175 horsepower. However, the Equinox has a slight edge in torque, producing 184 lb-ft compared to the Kia's 178 lb-ft.
Is the Equinox or the Sportage better on gas for long trips?
The Kia Sportage is the better choice for long trips, achieving a superior highway rating of 33 MPG; the Equinox maxes out at 28 MPG on the highway.
Which crossover has significantly more room for groceries or gear?
The 2026 Kia Sportage provides significantly more cargo space. It boasts 39.6 cubic feet, whereas the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox only offers 29.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
Are there any major price differences between the two base models?
The pricing is extremely close; the Chevrolet Equinox starts at $28,600, giving it a very slight $90 advantage over the Kia Sportage's $28,690 starting MSRP.
Do these base models use the same type of engine power?
Both utilize regular unleaded fuel, but they differ in transmission type; the Equinox uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), while the Sportage uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic.
How do the physical dimensions stack up for fitting into tight city spots?
The two are very similar in size, but the 2026 Kia Sportage is slightly narrower at 73.4 inches, potentially making parallel parking easier than in the 74.9-inch wide Equinox.
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