2025 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Kia Sportage

$29,995 · Crossover

$28,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Subaru Forester bursts onto the scene emphasizing rugged capability, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a robust 180 horsepower from its 2.5L engine, making it the adventurous choice ready for any terrain. Conversely, the 2026 Kia Sportage presents an alluring value proposition, starting at a lower MSRP of $28,690 and offering a slight power advantage with 187 horsepower, wrapped in a slicker, wider frame. While both offer comparable fuel economy, netting around 29 combined MPG for the Forester and 28 for the FWD Sportage, the Forester's dedicated AWD setup ensures superior traction in adverse conditions. The Sportage counters with significantly more usable space, boasting 39.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Forester's 29.6 cubic feet, appealing to those prioritizing hauling capability over off-road prowess. The Forester holds a height advantage at 68.1 inches, offering better ground clearance vision for its driver.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage wins for commuters due to its lower starting MSRP of $28,690 and slightly better city mileage efficiency when factoring in the FWD setup.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sportage

The 2026 Kia Sportage is the better family hauler, providing an enormous 39.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus the Forester's 29.6 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester appeals more to driving enthusiasts seeking confidence, thanks to its standard All-Wheel Drive system mated to a 180 hp engine.

💰 Best Value

2026 Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage offers greater utility and lower entry cost ($28,690 MSRP) relative to the 2025 Subaru Forester ($29,995 MSRP).

Choose the Subaru Forester if...

You require the superior traction and security of standard All-Wheel Drive, irrespective of road conditions.
You prefer the slightly taller stance, measuring 68.1 inches in height, for a commanding road view.
You value the mechanical simplicity and established reliability often associated with Subaru's powertrain structure.

Choose the Kia Sportage if...

Maximizing cargo volume is essential, as the Sportage offers a dominant 39.6 cubic feet.
You want the lowest initial outlay, with the Sportage starting at $28,690 compared to the Forester’s $29,995.
You prefer a more conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a continuously variable transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Subaru Forester	Kia Sportage
Length	183.3"	184.4"
Width	72.0"	73.4"
Height	68.1"	65.4"
Wheelbase	105.1"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Subaru	Kia
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front 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	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Subaru	Kia
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	flat 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	180 hp @ 5800 rpm	187 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	178 lb-ft @ 3700 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	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Subaru	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Subaru	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)	431.6/547.8 mi.	357.5/471.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.6 gal.	14.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Subaru	Kia
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	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Subaru	Kia
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	4 months	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Subaru	Kia
Front Head Room	41.2 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	43.3 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.7 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	Subaru	Kia
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	41.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.7 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.7 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Subaru	Kia
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	225/60R H	235/65R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Subaru	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 Subaru Forester and 2026 Kia Sportage.

How do the drivetrains compare between the 2025 Forester and the 2026 Sportage?

The Subaru Forester comes standard with legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, enhancing traction. In contrast, the standard 2026 Kia Sportage operates in Front Wheel Drive, which is generally better for maximizing fuel economy on dry pavement.

Which crossover offers significantly more space for gear?

The Kia Sportage is the clear winner for cargo space, offering a massive 39.6 cubic feet, which is substantially more than the Subaru Forester's 29.6 cubic feet. This makes loading large items much easier in the Sportage.

Is there a noticeable performance difference in horsepower and torque?

The Kia Sportage nudges ahead in pure power, producing 187 horsepower versus the Forester’s 180 horsepower, although both manage the same 178 lb-ft of torque. This slight advantage favors the Sportage for acceleration rushes.

How do their fuel economy figures stack up for daily commuting?

The Subaru Forester achieves a slightly better overall efficiency rating at 29 MPG combined, whereas the standard FWD Sportage is rated at 28 MPG combined. Both use regular unleaded fuel, making running costs similar.

What is the price difference between the base models?

The 2026 Kia Sportage starts appealingly at $28,690, positioning it as the more budget-conscious choice. The 2025 Subaru Forester carries a slightly higher base MSRP of $29,995.

Are the physical dimensions significantly different for garage parking?

The vehicles are very similar in footprint; the Sportage is slightly longer at 184.4 inches versus 183.3 inches, but the Forester is taller at 68.1 inches compared to the Sportage’s 65.4 inches.