2025 Honda HR-V vs 2025 Kia Sportage

$25,400 · Crossover

$27,390 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Honda HR-V and the 2025 Kia Sportage often boils down to balancing upfront cost against interior space. If stretching your budget is a concern, the HR-V starts at a lower MSRP of $25,400 compared to the Sportage's $27,390. However, that extra spend on the Kia nets you significantly more utility; the Sportage offers a massive 39.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, dwarfing the HR-V's 24.4 cubic feet. While both achieve a similar 28 MPG combined, the Sportage brings a noticeable performance edge with 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque versus the HR-V's 158 hp and 138 lb-ft. The HR-V counters with slightly more compact dimensions (179.8 inches long) which might appeal to city parkers, but the Sportage is the clear winner for maximum passenger and luggage hauling capability in this FWD crossover showdown.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Honda HR-V

The slightly smaller size and marginally better city MPG (26 MPG) of the HR-V make it marginally easier to live with daily.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is the undeniable choice for families due to its vastly superior cargo capacity of 39.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sportage

With 29 more horsepower and 40 more lb-ft of torque, the Sportage offers a noticeably punchier driving experience.

💰 Best Value

2025 Honda HR-V

The HR-V provides great fuel economy and brand reliability at a starting MSRP that is nearly $2,000 less than the Sportage.

Choose the Honda HR-V if...

You prioritize saving money upfront, as the HR-V has a $25,400 MSRP entry point.
You prefer a marginally smaller footprint (179.8 inches long) for easier urban maneuvering.
You want the maximum city fuel economy rating of 26 MPG among these two FWD models.

Choose the Kia Sportage if...

You frequently haul large items, benefiting from the Sportage's class-leading 39.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
You enjoy spirited driving, thanks to the Sportage's higher output of 187 horsepower.
You prefer the shifting feel of a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda HR-V	Kia Sportage
Length	179.8"	183.5"
Width	72.4"	73.4"
Height	63.4"	65.4"
Wheelbase	104.5"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Kia
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	—
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear 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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	158 hp @ 6500 rpm	187 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	138 lb-ft @ 4200 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	Honda	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/32 MPG	25/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	364.0/448.0 mi.	357.5/457.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.0 gal.	14.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	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	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Kia
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	180W	—
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Kia
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Front Head Room	39.4 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.6 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.0 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

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.7 in.	41.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.4 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Kia
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R H	235/65R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Honda	Kia
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Honda	Kia
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda HR-V and 2025 Kia Sportage.

Is the 2025 Kia Sportage much bigger than the 2025 Honda HR-V?

Yes, the Sportage is noticeably larger; it measures 183.5 inches in length compared to the HR-V's 179.8 inches, and it is also slightly wider and taller. This increased size translates directly into the massive 39.6 cu ft of cargo space the Sportage offers.

Which crossover is faster when accelerating?

The 2025 Kia Sportage pulls ahead significantly in performance, boasting 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The 2025 Honda HR-V trails with only 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, making the Sportage the more energetic choice.

Do these two crossovers get similar gas mileage?

Both vehicles officially share a combined rating of 28 MPG. Looking closer, the HR-V edges out slightly better city mileage at 26 MPG compared to the Sportage's 25 MPG, though highway ratings match at 32 MPG for both FWD models.

How much money can I save by choosing the Honda HR-V?

The starting MSRP for the 2025 Honda HR-V is $25,400, which is $1,990 less than the 2025 Kia Sportage's starting price of $27,390. This makes the HR-V the better budget starter option.

Does the transmission difference matter between these two SUVs?

It can for certain drivers; the HR-V uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which favors smoothness and efficiency. The Sportage uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic, which generally provides a more traditional, responsive feel during acceleration.

Which car is better for routine highway commuting?

Both offer the same 32 MPG highway rating, but the Sportage's 187 horsepower means it has more readily available passing power at highway speeds. The HR-V is slightly less powerful but equally fuel-efficient once cruising.