2025 Nissan Rogue vs 2026 Kia Sportage
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Nissan Rogue arrives feeling sharp, offering an engaging 201 horsepower and an excellent 33 MPG combined, making its modest $28,590 starting price highly appealing. In contrast, the 2026 Kia Sportage captivates with its dramatic styling and a massive 39.6 cu ft of cargo space, though its performance lags slightly with 187 horsepower and 28 MPG combined. For the daily driver needing efficiency, the Rogue pulls ahead, boasting a 5 MPG advantage over the Kia. However, the Sportage stretches its legs slightly longer at 184.4 inches versus the Rogue's 183.0 inches. Enthusiasts will gravitate toward the Rogue's superior 225 lb-ft of torque compared to the Sportage's 178 lb-ft, while value seekers must weigh the Rogue's fuel savings against the Sportage's greater utility.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Nissan Rogue
The 2025 Nissan Rogue wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 33 MPG.
2026 Kia Sportage
The 2026 Kia Sportage takes the family prize thanks to its significantly larger 39.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
2025 Nissan Rogue
Enthusiasts will prefer the Rogue's higher output, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Nissan Rogue
The Rogue offers better running costs, achieving 37 MPG highway versus the Sportage's 33 MPG highway rating.
Choose the Nissan Rogue if...
- You prioritize fuel efficiency, benefiting from 33 MPG combined versus the Sportage's 28 MPG.
- You want more pulling power, as the Rogue produces 225 lb-ft of torque.
- You prefer a slightly more nimble package, with the Rogue measuring 183.0 inches in length.
Choose the Kia Sportage if...
- Maximum storage is essential; the Sportage boasts an impressive 39.6 cu ft of cargo space.
- You desire the responsive feel of a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
- You prefer a slightly wider stance for stability, with the Sportage measuring 73.4 inches wide.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Nissan Rogue | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.0" | 184.4" |
| Width | 72.4" | 73.4" |
| Height | 66.5" | 65.4" |
| Wheelbase | 106.5" | 108.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Nissan | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| 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 Ventilated 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Nissan | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 3 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 201 hp @ 5600 rpm | 187 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 225 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 12 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Nissan | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Nissan | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 30/37 MPG | 25/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 33 MPG | 28 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 435.0/536.5 mi. | 357.5/471.9 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 14.3 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Nissan | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | — |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Nissan | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 4 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Nissan | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Nissan | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.1 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.5 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.1 in. | 57.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.1 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 | Nissan | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.2 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.5 in. | 41.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.4 in. | 53.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seat Feature | ✓ | — |
| Pass-Thru Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Nissan | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.5 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/65R17 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Nissan | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Nissan | 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. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Rogue and 2026 Kia Sportage.
Which crossover has better long-distance fuel economy for highway driving?
The 2025 Nissan Rogue offers superior highway efficiency, rating at 37 MPG. The 2026 Kia Sportage is rated for 33 MPG highway, meaning the Rogue can potentially save you significant money on longer journeys.
Is the performance difference between the two models noticeable?
Yes, the Nissan Rogue has a clear advantage in power, generating 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. The Kia Sportage provides 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, making the Rogue feel punchier during acceleration.
If I frequently haul gear, which crossover provides more room?
The 2026 Kia Sportage is the clear winner for cargo, offering 39.6 cu ft. The 2025 Nissan Rogue trails behind with 31.6 cu ft of available cargo space.
How do the starting prices compare for these base FWD models?
The pricing is nearly identical, with the 2025 Nissan Rogue starting at $28,590 and the 2026 Kia Sportage positioned slightly higher at $28,690.
Do the transmissions differ significantly between the Rogue and the Sportage?
They use very different approaches: the Rogue utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) optimized for efficiency, while the Sportage uses an 8-speed shiftable automatic for potentially more engaging gear changes.
Which car is physically larger overall?
While the Kia Sportage is longer at 184.4 inches compared to the Rogue's 183.0 inches, the Nissan Rogue sits slightly taller at 66.5 inches versus the Kia's 65.4 inches.
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