2025 Mazda CX-30 vs 2026 Kia Sportage

$25,195 · Crossover

$28,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the compact 2025 Mazda CX-30 and the slightly larger 2026 Kia Sportage is a common dilemma: do you prioritize compact maneuverability and a lower price, or do you need more room? The CX-30 starts at a tempting $25,195, significantly undercutting the Sportage's $28,690 MSRP. Performance is closely matched; the Mazda offers slightly more muscle with 191 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque compared to the Kia's 187 hp and 178 lb-ft. However, that extra space in the Sportage comes at a cost, offering nearly double the cargo capacity at 39.6 cu ft versus the CX-30's modest 20.2 cu ft. Fuel economy is nearly a wash, both achieving a combined 29 MPG (for the AWD CX-30) versus the FWD Sportage's 28 MPG combined, though the Mazda's standard AWD is a major plus.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 wins for commuters due to its smaller footprint (173.0 inches long) making city parking easier and its lower starting price.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is the clear winner for families as it provides substantially more utility with 39.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to just 20.2 cu ft in the CX-30.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-30

The CX-30 appeals slightly more to enthusiasts because it boasts more torque (186 lb-ft vs 178 lb-ft) and comes standard with All-Wheel Drive.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-30

The Mazda CX-30 offers better pure financial value, starting $3,495 cheaper while delivering marginally better horsepower and standard AWD.

Choose the Mazda CX-30 if...

You want to save $3,495 upfront, as the Mazda starts at $25,195.
You frequently drive in slippery conditions, benefiting from the standard All-Wheel Drive.
Your driving involves tight city streets where the shorter 173.0-inch length is an advantage.

Choose the Kia Sportage if...

Hauling gear is a priority, given the Sportage's massive 39.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
You prefer smoother, potentially more efficient shifting from the 8-speed automatic transmission.
You prefer a larger vehicle overall, as the Sportage is taller (65.4 inches) and wider (73.4 inches).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-30	Kia Sportage
Length	173.0"	184.4"
Width	70.7"	73.4"
Height	61.7"	65.4"
Wheelbase	104.4"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	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	✓	✓
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 Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

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

Drive Train

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

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/33 MPG	25/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	29 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	330.2/419.1 mi.	357.5/471.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.7 gal.	14.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	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	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Kia
Infotainment Display	8.8 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

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

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-30 and 2026 Kia Sportage.

Is the 2026 Kia Sportage's extra size worth the $3,495 price hike over the 2025 Mazda CX-30?

It depends entirely on your needs; the Sportage provides nearly double the cargo capacity at 39.6 cu ft, which is huge for families or weekend trips. If maximum hauling isn't necessary, saving the $3,495 by choosing the smaller, well-equipped CX-30 makes more sense.

Which vehicle is technically more powerful?

The 2025 Mazda CX-30 has a slight edge in raw power, offering 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque compared to the 2026 Kia Sportage's 187 hp and 178 lb-ft. This difference, combined with the CX-30's standard AWD, might feel punchier in everyday driving.

How do the drivetrains compare between these two crossovers?

The CX-30 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. In contrast, the base Sportage utilizes Front Wheel Drive paired with a more modern 8-speed automatic transmission, giving it a slight mechanical difference in how power is delivered.

Are there major differences in fuel consumption?

Not really; both are quite efficient. The AWD Mazda CX-30 gets 29 MPG combined (26 city/33 highway), while the FWD Kia Sportage is rated at 28 MPG combined (25 city/33 highway). The difference is negligible for regular driving.

If I live in an area with heavy snow, which crossover is better equipped?

The 2025 Mazda CX-30 is generally better equipped out of the box because it includes All-Wheel Drive standard, while the comparative Sportage model uses Front Wheel Drive. AWD provides superior traction when dealing with slippery roads.

How much bigger is the Kia Sportage physically?

The Sportage is noticeably larger in all dimensions, being 11.4 inches longer (184.4 inches vs 173.0 inches) and wider by about 2.7 inches (73.4 inches vs 70.7 inches). This size increase directly translates to its massive advantage in cargo capacity.