2025 Kia Sportage vs 2026 Subaru Forester

$27,390 · Crossover

$29,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between the established efficiency of the 2025 Kia Sportage and the rugged capability of the all-new 2026 Subaru Forester? It's a tough choice, as these crossovers are closely matched but serve slightly different needs. The Kia Sportage leads the pack on immediate affordability with an MSRP of $27,390 versus the Forester's $29,995, offering $2,605 in upfront savings. While horsepower is nearly a tie (187 hp in the Kia versus 180 hp in the Subaru), the Kia edges out slightly in fuel economy with 28 combined MPG compared to the Forester's 29 combined MPG, though the Forester does boast standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD). Interestingly, the Kia is slightly wider at 73.4 inches, but the taller 2026 Forester (68.1 inches high) provides substantially more vertical space, although its cargo capacity falls behind at 29.6 cu ft compared to the Sportage's 39.6 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Sportage

The 2025 Kia Sportage is the slight winner for commuters due to its lower starting MSRP of $27,390.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is better for families needing storage, offering significantly more cargo capacity at 39.6 cu ft compared to the Forester's 29.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Subaru Forester

Enthusiasts prioritizing sure-footed handling will prefer the standard All-Wheel Drive system offered on every 2026 Subaru Forester.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage offers a superior cargo-to-price ratio and higher horsepower rating for a lower initial investment.

Choose the Kia Sportage if...

You need maximum usable space, as the Kia Sportage boasts a leading 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity.
Keeping the initial purchase price down is critical, given the Sportage's MSRP of $27,390.
You prefer traditional automatic shifting over a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

Choose the Subaru Forester if...

You regularly drive in snow, ice, or unpaved conditions, thanks to the standard All-Wheel Drive system.
You prefer a taller vehicle stance, as the Forester is noticeably higher at 68.1 inches.
You prioritize slightly better fuel efficiency, earning 29 combined MPG versus the Sportage's 28.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sportage	Subaru Forester
Length	183.5"	183.3"
Width	73.4"	72.0"
Height	65.4"	68.1"
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	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6100 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 3700 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	26/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.5/457.6 mi.	431.6/547.8 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	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate 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	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	43.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	57.7 in.
Front Hip Room	54.8 in.	54.7 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.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.3 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	56.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.4 in.	53.7 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	225/60R H
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 2026 Subaru Forester.

Which crossover offers better handling in poor weather conditions?

The 2026 Subaru Forester is the clear choice here because it includes standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) across all trims. The Kia Sportage, in this configuration, comes standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD), which is generally less capable in slick conditions.

Is the difference in fuel economy significant between the two?

The difference is marginal; the 2026 Forester achieves 29 combined MPG, while the 2025 Sportage hits 28 combined MPG. This difference translates to perhaps only a gallon or two of gas saved over a year, depending on your total mileage.

Which vehicle provides more room for luggage and gear?

The 2025 Kia Sportage wins easily in cargo volume, offering 39.6 cu ft behind the rear seats, significantly more than the 29.6 cu ft available in the 2026 Forester.

How much more expensive is the Subaru Forester compared to the Kia Sportage?

The base MSRP for the 2026 Forester is $29,995, making it $2,605 more expensive than the 2025 Kia Sportage, which starts at $27,390.

Are the engine performance figures similar?

They are very close; the Sportage produces 187 hp, while the Forester offers 180 hp, meaning everyday acceleration should feel comparable, and both share 178 lb-ft of torque.