2025 Kia Sportage vs 2025 Subaru Crosstrek

$27,390 · Crossover

$26,560 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Sportage bursts onto the scene with a spirited 187 hp, offering tangible performance superiority over the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek's 152 hp, making highway passing feel decidedly effortless. The Sportage, however, sacrifices some efficiency, achieving 28 combined MPG compared to the Crosstrek's 29 combined MPG. Design-wise, the Sportage is significantly larger at 183.5 inches long, translating to an expansive 39.6 cu ft of cargo space, dwarfing the Crosstrek's 19.9 cu ft. Conversely, the Crosstrek counters with standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) capability, an inherent advantage for challenging road conditions, whereas the Sportage relies on FWD in its base trim. While the Sportage starts slightly higher at $27,390 versus the Crosstrek's $26,560, the power and space advantage offered by the Kia might justify the difference for many buyers seeking utility and punch.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek offers superior fuel economy at 34 highway MPG and standard AWD, which benefits unpredictable daily driving conditions.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage provides nearly double the utility with 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Crosstrek's 19.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage boasts a substantial 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, delivering significantly more power than the Crosstrek's 152 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek is $830 cheaper, comes standard with AWD, and returns better MPG figures despite having less power.

Choose the Kia Sportage if...

You prioritize raw power, benefiting from the Sportage's 187 hp output.
Maximum interior storage is crucial, as the Sportage offers a cavernous 39.6 cu ft of cargo space.
You prefer the traditional feel and engagement of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if...

All-Wheel Drive capability is non-negotiable for year-round traction.
You want the best base fuel efficiency, netting 34 highway MPG.
A slightly more compact footprint (176.4 inches long) is beneficial for city parking.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sportage	Subaru Crosstrek
Length	183.5"	176.4"
Width	73.4"	70.9"
Height	65.4"	62.8"
Wheelbase	108.5"	105.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6100 rpm	152 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	145 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	Kia	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/32 MPG	27/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.5/457.6 mi.	448.2/564.4 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	16.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	7.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	39.8 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	42.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	56.8 in.
Front Hip Room	54.8 in.	55.1 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	Subaru
Rear Head Room	39.4 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.3 in.	36.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	55.3 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	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R17	P225/60R17
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Subaru
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 Subaru Crosstrek.

Is the Kia Sportage significantly faster than the Subaru Crosstrek?

Yes, the Kia Sportage is noticeably quicker, producing 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque compared to the Subaru Crosstrek's 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. This 35 hp advantage means the Sportage will accelerate with more authority.

Which crossover is better for snowy climates based on these specs?

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is inherently better equipped for snow because it features standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), while the base Kia Sportage uses Front Wheel Drive (FWD).

How much more interior space does the Sportage offer?

The Kia Sportage offers substantially more room, boasting 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, which is nearly double the 19.9 cu ft provided by the Subaru Crosstrek.

Is the difference in MPG meaningful between the two vehicles?

The difference is slight but favors the Crosstrek, which achieves 29 combined MPG versus the Sportage's 28 combined MPG. The Crosstrek also leads in highway driving, achieving 34 MPG versus the Sportage's 32 MPG.

What is the price difference between the base models?

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek has a lower starting MSRP at $26,560, making it $830 more affordable than the 2025 Kia Sportage, which starts at $27,390.

Do these crossovers use the same type of fuel?

Both the Kia Sportage and the Subaru Crosstrek are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, meaning neither requires more expensive premium gasoline for optimal operation.