2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2026 Kia Sportage

$24,550 · Crossover

$28,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the agile 2025 Hyundai Kona and the more substantial 2026 Kia Sportage often boils down to budget versus space. Many buyers grapple with whether the extra cost buys meaningful utility. The Kona starts impressively low at $24,550 compared to the Sportage's $28,690 MSRP, a difference of $4,140. While the Kona sips fuel slightly better with a 31 MPG combined rating versus the Sportage's 28 MPG combined, it trails significantly in power, offering only 147 hp against the Sportage's 187 hp. Furthermore, practicality swings heavily toward the larger Sportage, boasting 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, trouncing the Kona's 25.5 cu ft. Both FWD models use regular unleaded, but the Kona's smaller 171.3-inch length makes it more nimble for tight city navigation.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Hyundai Kona

The 2025 Kona wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 31 MPG combined versus the Sportage's 28 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sportage

The 2026 Sportage is the clear family choice, offering significantly more utility with 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Kona's 25.5 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Sportage

Enthusiasts will prefer the Sportage's superior performance, evidenced by 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque over the Kona's lower output.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Kona

The Kona offers superior immediate value, starting $4,140 cheaper than the Sportage while still providing good efficiency.

Choose the Hyundai Kona if...

You prioritize keeping the initial purchase price low, starting at just $24,550.
You frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic and value maximizing fuel efficiency (34 MPG highway).
Your primary use involves navigating tight city streets where the shorter 171.3-inch length is advantageous.

Choose the Kia Sportage if...

You regularly haul significant cargo, benefiting from the massive 39.6 cu ft capacity.
You need quicker merging and passing power, thanks to 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer the smoother driving characteristics of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Kona	Kia Sportage
Length	171.3"	184.4"
Width	71.9"	73.4"
Height	62.2"	65.4"
Wheelbase	104.7"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention 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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	187 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 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	Hyundai	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	29/34 MPG	25/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	359.6/421.6 mi.	357.5/471.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	14.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	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	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.8 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 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

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.3 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.2 in.	41.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.4 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Kia
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Kona and 2026 Kia Sportage.

What is the actual difference in passenger space between the 2025 Kona and 2026 Sportage?

While exact interior volume isn't provided, the Sportage is physically larger in every dimension (longer, wider, and taller), suggesting a more spacious cabin than the Kona.

Is the higher horsepower in the Sportage noticeable during daily driving?

Yes, the Sportage's 187 hp output provides a significant advantage over the Kona's 147 hp, which should translate to more confident acceleration, especially when fully loaded.

How much money can I save by choosing the Kona over the Sportage?

There is a definite price gap: the 2025 Kona's MSRP of $24,550 is $4,140 less expensive than the 2026 Sportage's starting price of $28,690.

Which vehicle is more fuel-efficient for highway commuting?

The Kona edges out the Sportage in efficiency; the Kona manages 34 MPG highway, whereas the Sportage is rated for 33 MPG highway, though both use regular unleaded fuel.

Do both crossovers come standard with FWD?

Based on the provided specs, both the 2025 Hyundai Kona and the 2026 Kia Sportage come equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD) as the standard setup.

What kind of automatic transmission do these two models use?

The Kona utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), while the more powerful Sportage is equipped with a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.