2026 Kia Sportage vs 2026 Subaru Impreza

$28,690 · Crossover

$26,595 · Wagon

Comparison Overview

The most significant measurable difference is the 35 horsepower advantage held by the 2026 Kia Sportage (187 hp) over the 2026 Subaru Impreza (152 hp), though this comes at a cost. The Sportage commands a higher MSRP of $28,690 compared to the Impreza's $26,595. Fuel economy is tightly contested, with the Impreza slightly edging out the Sportage with 29 combined MPG versus 28 combined MPG, while both achieve 33 MPG on the highway. Dimensionally, the Sportage is significantly larger, measuring 184.4 inches in length versus the Impreza's 176.2 inches, which translates directly to its substantial advantage in cargo space: 39.6 cu ft for the Kia versus only 20.4 cu ft for the Subaru. The standard AWD on the Impreza is a key powertrain difference against the FWD Sportage.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Subaru Impreza

The 2026 Subaru Impreza wins for commuters due to its slightly better 29 combined MPG and standard All-Wheel Drive capability.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sportage

The 2026 Kia Sportage offers nearly double the utility with 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Impreza's 20.4 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Sportage

Enthusiasts will favor the Sportage for its superior power output of 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Subaru Impreza

The 2026 Subaru Impreza offers better baseline value with a lower MSRP of $26,595 while still including AWD.

Choose the Kia Sportage if...

Maximum cargo space is essential, as the Sportage provides 39.6 cu ft.
You require the higher performance metric of 187 horsepower for highway merging.
A traditional 8-speed automatic transmission is preferred over a CVT.

Choose the Subaru Impreza if...

Standard All-Wheel Drive capability is non-negotiable for adverse weather conditions.
A lower entry price point of $26,595 is the primary purchasing driver.
Marginal fuel efficiency gains, achieving 29 combined MPG, are prioritized over outright power.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Sportage	Subaru Impreza
Length	184.4"	176.2"
Width	73.4"	70.1"
Height	65.4"	58.3"
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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6100 rpm	152 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	145 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	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)	25/33 MPG	27/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.5/471.9 mi.	448.2/547.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	16.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	11.6 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	1	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	39.8 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	42.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	56.8 in.
Front Hip Room	54.8 in.	55.1 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
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Rear Head Room	39.4 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.3 in.	36.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	55.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.4 in.	53.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/65R17	225/40R18
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
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 2026 Kia Sportage and 2026 Subaru Impreza.

What is the fundamental difference in drivetrain capability between these two models?

The 2026 Subaru Impreza comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, optimizing traction in various conditions. Conversely, the 2026 Kia Sportage is specified with front-wheel drive as standard for this comparison.

How does the cargo volume compare for practical hauling?

The Kia Sportage is significantly more capacious, offering 39.6 cubic feet of storage space. The Subaru Impreza provides substantially less utility at 20.4 cubic feet.

Is the performance gap noticeable between the two vehicles?

Yes, the Sportage outputs 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, representing a 35 hp difference over the Impreza's 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque.

Which vehicle is cheaper to purchase initially?

The 2026 Subaru Impreza carries a lower base MSRP at $26,595. The 2026 Kia Sportage starts $2,095 higher at $28,690.

How similar are their fuel economy ratings?

The ratings are very close, with the Impreza showing a slight edge at 29 combined MPG versus the Sportage’s 28 combined MPG. Both achieve 33 MPG on the highway cycle.

Are there any physical size differences that impact maneuverability?

The Sportage is the larger vehicle in all dimensions, measuring 184.4 inches long compared to the Impreza's 176.2 inches, and it is notably taller at 65.4 inches versus 58.3 inches.