2025 Honda HR-V vs 2026 Kia Sportage

$25,400 · Crossover

$28,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2026 Kia Sportage (car2) and the 2025 Honda HR-V (car1) is the price disparity, with the Sportage commanding an MSRP of $28,690 compared to the HR-V's $25,400, a difference of $3,290. Performance metrics heavily favor car2, as it delivers 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the HR-V's 158 hp and 138 lb-ft. Dimensionally, the Sportage is the larger vehicle, measuring 184.4 inches in length versus 179.8 inches for the HR-V, which translates directly into its substantial cargo advantage of 39.6 cu ft against the HR-V's 24.4 cu ft. Fuel efficiency is virtually identical, with both achieving a combined 28 MPG. The Sportage utilizes a more traditional 8-speed automatic transmission, whereas the HR-V employs a continuously variable-speed automatic unit.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Honda HR-V

The HR-V is the marginally more fuel-efficient choice for daily commuting with 32 MPG highway versus the Sportage's 33 MPG highway, but its lower initial cost provides better immediate value.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sportage

The 2026 Kia Sportage offers significantly more utility, boasting 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the HR-V's 24.4 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Sportage

The Sportage provides a 29 hp advantage (187 hp vs 158 hp) and 40 lb-ft more torque (178 lb-ft vs 138 lb-ft), delivering superior acceleration.

💰 Best Value

2025 Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V undercuts the Kia Sportage by $3,290 while delivering identical 28 combined MPG figures.

Choose the Honda HR-V if...

Budget is the primary constraint, as the HR-V starts at $25,400 versus $28,690 for the Sportage.
Highway cruising economy is prioritized, as the HR-V achieves 32 MPG highway with its FWD configuration.
A smaller exterior footprint is necessary, with the HR-V measuring 179.8 inches in length compared to the Sportage's 184.4 inches.

Choose the Kia Sportage if...

Maximum storage volume is required, as the Sportage offers 39.6 cu ft of cargo space.
Superior engine output is desired, with the Sportage producing 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque.
A conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission is preferred over the HR-V's CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda HR-V	Kia Sportage
Length	179.8"	184.4"
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	25/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	364.0/448.0 mi.	357.5/471.9 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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Kia
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	12.3 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	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

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 2026 Kia Sportage.

What is the price difference between the 2025 Honda HR-V and the 2026 Kia Sportage?

The MSRP difference is substantial; the 2026 Kia Sportage starts at $28,690, which is $3,290 more than the 2025 Honda HR-V's $25,400 entry price.

Which crossover offers better power and torque specifications?

The 2026 Kia Sportage is significantly more powerful, producing 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, compared to the HR-V's 158 hp and 138 lb-ft.

Are the cargo capacities significantly different between these two models?

Yes, the Kia Sportage offers 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which is 15.2 cubic feet more than the 24.4 cubic feet provided by the Honda HR-V.

How do the fuel economy ratings compare for these FWD crossovers?

Both vehicles achieve an identical combined rating of 28 MPG; the HR-V splits this into 26/32 MPG city/highway, while the Sportage is rated slightly differently at 25/33 MPG city/highway.

Do the transmission types differ between the 2025 HR-V and 2026 Sportage?

Yes, the HR-V uses a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT), whereas the Sportage is equipped with a more traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Is one vehicle physically larger than the other?

The 2026 Kia Sportage is larger overall, standing 65.4 inches high and 184.4 inches long, while the 2025 Honda HR-V is slightly smaller at 63.4 inches high and 179.8 inches long.