Kia Sportage vs. Mazda CX-7
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-7 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Kia Sportage and the Mazda CX-7.
When we compare the Kia Sportage's and the Mazda CX-7's specifications and ratings, the Kia Sportage has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. The Mazda CX-7 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Kia Sportage's and the Mazda CX-7's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2012 Kia Sportage ranges from $4,503 to $12,889 while a used 2012 Mazda CX-7 is priced between $3,996 to $12,070.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia Sportage’s base engine makes 176 horsepower, and the Mazda CX-7 base engine makes 161 horsepower. The Sportage is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 392 miles. The CX-7 is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 443 miles.This gives the Kia Sportage the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Mazda CX-7 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mazda CX-7 has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Kia Sportage, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Kia Sportage has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
18500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
22664
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
18500 - 26115
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
22190
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
8179
Price Range:
4503 - 12889
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
9420
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
7043 - 23632
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
56
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
134965
# Good or Great Deals:
27
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
7333
Price Range:
3996 - 12070
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
10
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
166329
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Kia Sportage Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Mazda CX-7 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Sportage
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-7
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.906030755600205
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 20.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.025077871280065
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Kia Sportage Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 18Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 12Ranking
7 out of / 7Ranking
8 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 18Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 66Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 66Ranking
15 out of / 54Ranking
15 out of / 54Ranking
17 out of / 66Ranking
19 out of / 66Ranking
20 out of / 66Ranking
25 out of / 66Ranking
28 out of / 66Ranking
31 out of / 66Ranking
33 out of / 66Ranking
45 out of / 66Ranking
45 out of / 66Ranking
48 out of / 66Mazda CX-7 Rankings
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Sportage Trim Levels
Base, EX, LX, SX
Mazda CX-7 Trim Levels
i Sport, i SV, i Touring, s Grand Touring, s Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
176 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
168 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
161 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
161 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.046 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
290 / 392 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
328 / 443 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
26.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
54.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
126.1 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.8 inches
Cargo Space:
29.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
58.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
131.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3157 lbs
Width:
73 inches
Height:
64.4 inches
Length:
175 inches
Wheelbase:
104 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3496 lbs
Width:
73.7 inches
Height:
64.8 inches
Length:
184.3 inches
Wheelbase:
108.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/70R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/70R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Cherry
Silver
Bright Silver / Mineral SIlver
Blue
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black Clearcoat
Silver
Liquid Silver Metallic
Blue
Stormy Blue Mica
Red
Black Cherry Mica / Copper Red Mica
White
Crystal White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Beige
Sand
