2025 Kia Sportage vs 2025 Mazda CX-30

$27,390 · Crossover

$25,195 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between the practical utility of the 2025 Kia Sportage and the slightly more premium, agile feel of the 2025 Mazda CX-30 often boils down to space versus efficiency and drive type. The Sportage clearly wins on sheer volume, offering a massive 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the CX-30’s 20.2 cu ft, which is a significant gap for families. However, the Mazda squeezes out a slight MPG advantage, achieving 29 combined MPG versus the Kia's 28, and it also comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, even though the Sportage has a slight edge in pure power with 187 hp versus the Mazda's 191 hp, which seems counterintuitive based on the slight performance edge the CX-30 claims in torque (186 lb-ft vs 178 lb-ft). Priced at $27,390, the Sportage is noticeably more expensive than the CX-30's starting MSRP of $25,195, forcing buyers to weigh extra utility against a lower entry cost and standard AWD.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-30

The 2025 Mazda CX-30 wins for commuters due to its better fuel economy (29 combined MPG) and standard All-Wheel Drive.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Sportage

The 2025 Kia Sportage is the clear family choice, offering nearly double the cargo capacity at 39.6 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-30

The 2025 Mazda CX-30 offers slightly higher torque at 186 lb-ft and comes standard with AWD, suggesting better handling characteristics.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 provides standard AWD and better fuel economy for a lower starting MSRP of $25,195.

Choose the Kia Sportage if...

You haul a lot of gear or travel frequently with bulky items, thanks to its 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity.
You prefer a larger overall vehicle footprint, with a length of 183.5 inches.
You want the slightly higher baseline horsepower rating of 187 hp in the FWD configuration.

Choose the Mazda CX-30 if...

Budget is a major concern, as the CX-30 starts lower at an MSRP of $25,195.
All-weather capability is non-negotiable, given its standard All-Wheel Drive across trims.
Maximizing fuel efficiency is key, as it achieves 29 combined MPG versus the Kia's 28.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sportage	Mazda CX-30
Length	183.5"	173.0"
Width	73.4"	70.7"
Height	65.4"	61.7"
Wheelbase	108.5"	104.4"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6100 rpm	191 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	186 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	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/32 MPG	26/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.5/457.6 mi.	330.2/419.1 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	12.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Mazda
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	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	8.8 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	38.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	55.6 in.
Front Hip Room	54.8 in.	54.6 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	Kia	Mazda
Rear Head Room	39.4 in.	38.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.3 in.	36.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	53.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.4 in.	53.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R17	215/65R16
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Mazda
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Sportage and 2025 Mazda CX-30.

Is the 2025 Kia Sportage much bigger than the 2025 Mazda CX-30?

Yes, the Kia Sportage is substantially larger, measuring 183.5 inches long compared to the CX-30's 173.0 inches. This size difference translates directly to cargo space, where the Sportage boasts 39.6 cu ft versus the Mazda's 20.2 cu ft.

Which crossover is better on gas for my daily commute?

The Mazda CX-30 holds a slight edge in fuel economy, achieving 29 combined MPG (26 City/33 Highway). The Kia Sportage trails slightly with 28 combined MPG (25 City/32 Highway).

Why is the Mazda CX-30 considered better for enthusiasts despite having less horsepower?

While the Sportage has 187 hp, the CX-30 offers higher torque (186 lb-ft vs 178 lb-ft) and comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, generally contributing to a more engaging and capable driving experience for spirited driving.

What is the price difference between the base models?

The 2025 Mazda CX-30 has a lower entry price point with an MSRP of $25,195. The 2025 Kia Sportage starts higher, listed at $27,390, making the Mazda a more budget-friendly starting option.

Does the extra cost of the Kia Sportage justify its features over the CX-30?

The higher cost of the Sportage is primarily justified by its significantly larger interior volume and nearly 20 additional cubic feet of cargo capacity. If space is your priority, that $2,200 premium might be worthwhile over the CX-30.

Do both cars use regular unleaded fuel?

Yes, both the 2025 Kia Sportage and the 2025 Mazda CX-30 use regular unleaded fuel, simplifying ownership costs compared to vehicles requiring premium gasoline.