2025 Subaru Impreza vs 2026 Kia Sportage
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Subaru Impreza (Car 1) and the 2026 Kia Sportage (Car 2) lies in their relative size and power output. The Sportage offers a substantial 35 horsepower advantage, generating 187 hp compared to the Impreza's 152 hp, and possesses 33 lb-ft more torque at 178 lb-ft. Conversely, the Impreza is notably more fuel-efficient, achieving a 30 MPG combined rating versus the Sportage's 28 MPG combined. The Kia unit is larger, with a 39.6 cu ft cargo capacity—nearly double the Impreza's 20.4 cu ft—and is 6.2 inches taller overall. This performance and utility gap is reflected in the pricing, with the Sportage commanding an MSRP of $28,690, representing a $4,330 premium over the Impreza's $24,360 entry price.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Subaru Impreza
The Impreza secures the commuter victory due to its superior 30 MPG combined fuel economy and standard all-wheel drive capability for adverse weather.
2026 Kia Sportage
The Sportage is the clear family choice, offering 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, substantially more than the Impreza's 20.4 cu ft.
2026 Kia Sportage
The Sportage appeals more to enthusiasts with its 187 horsepower and a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission compared to the Impreza's 152 hp and CVT.
2025 Subaru Impreza
The Impreza offers superior initial value, costing $4,330 less while still providing a respectable 30 MPG combined and standard AWD.
Choose the Subaru Impreza if...
- Your primary focus is minimizing fuel stops, evidenced by the Impreza's 30 MPG combined rating.
- You require the traction benefits of standard all-wheel drive without paying a higher price point.
- You prefer the efficiency of a smaller vehicle footprint (176.2 inches long) for urban parking.
Choose the Kia Sportage if...
- Maximum utility is critical, as the Sportage provides 39.6 cu ft of cargo space versus 20.4 cu ft.
- You prioritize raw acceleration, benefiting from the Sportage's 187 hp engine.
- You prefer a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Impreza | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 176.2" | 184.4" |
| Width | 70.1" | 73.4" |
| Height | 58.3" | 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 | 2.0 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 152 hp @ 6000 rpm | 187 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 145 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
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) | 27/34 MPG | 25/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 28 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 448.2/564.4 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | 2 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.8 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.9 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.8 in. | 57.5 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.1 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 | Subaru | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.0 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.5 in. | 41.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.3 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 | Subaru | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Steel | — |
| Wheel Cover Type | Full | — |
| Wheel Size | 16 x 6.5 in | 17 x 7.0 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 205/55R16 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | — |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | — |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Kia |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| 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 Impreza and 2026 Kia Sportage.
How much more powerful is the Kia Sportage than the Subaru Impreza?
The 2026 Kia Sportage is significantly more powerful, delivering 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This is a distinct advantage over the 2025 Subaru Impreza, which produces 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque.
What is the measurable difference in cargo volume between the two vehicles?
The Sportage offers substantially more cargo room at 39.6 cubic feet. In contrast, the Impreza wagon configuration only provides 20.4 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats.
Which vehicle offers better fuel economy for long commutes?
The Subaru Impreza is the more economical choice for distance driving, achieving a combined 30 MPG (27 city/34 highway). The Kia Sportage trails slightly with a combined 28 MPG rating.
Why does the Kia Sportage cost $4,330 more than the Subaru Impreza?
The price difference of $4,330 reflects the Sportage's higher horsepower, greater overall size (it is 6.2 inches taller and 7.2 inches longer), and superior cargo volume.
Do both vehicles offer standard all-weather capability?
No, only the Subaru Impreza comes standard with all-wheel drive. The Kia Sportage model specified here is front-wheel drive, meaning the Impreza is inherently better equipped for slippery surfaces.
What type of transmission does each vehicle utilize?
The 2025 Impreza uses a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT). Conversely, the 2026 Sportage employs a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
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