The new 2026 Kia Sportage is a top contender in the compact SUV segment. But how does it compare to popular rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V? At Dean McCrary Kia in Hattiesburg, MS, we've put together this head-to-head comparison to help shoppers see how the Sportage stacks up against the competition.
Kia Sportage vs Toyota RAV4: Performance and Fuel Economy
2026 Kia Sportage offers a powerful yet efficient engine lineup. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 187 horsepower and gets an EPA-estimated 27 miles per gallon combined. The Kia Sportage also offers an available hybrid powertrain that boosts fuel economy to an impressive 39 miles per gallon combined. In comparison, the Toyota RAV4 comes standard with a less powerful 2.5-liter engine with 203 horsepower. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid gets slightly better fuel economy than the Kia Sportage Hybrid at 40 miles per gallon combined, but has a higher starting price.
Kia Sportage vs Honda CR-V: Interior Space and Comfort
The 2026 Kia Sportage offers a spacious and well-appointed interior. It has 104.5 cubic feet of total passenger volume, beating out the 102.9 cu ft offered in the Honda CR-V. The Kia Sportage also has more front and rear headroom and legroom than the Honda CR-V, providing extra space and comfort for passengers. Both SUVs come standard with cloth upholstery and offer available leather. However, the Kia Sportage has some luxury upgrades you won't find on the Honda CR-V, like ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof.
2026 Kia Sportage: Advanced Safety and Technology
The new Kia Sportage also stands out with its suite of advanced safety and driver assist features. All trims come standard with automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and more. Available upgrades include navigation-based smart cruise control and highway driving assist. The Kia Sportage matches or exceeds the safety offerings of both the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
On the technology front, the Kia Sportage offers a standard 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 don't offer. Higher trims upgrade to a 12.3-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation. A premium Harman Kardon audio system is also available.
Book Your Test Drive
To experience the new 2026 Kia Sportage for yourself and see how it compares to the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and other rivals, visit Dean McCrary Kia in Hattiesburg, MS. Discover why more SUV shoppers are choosing the Kia Sportage over the competition at our Hattiesburg Kia dealership.