Kia Sportage vs. Subaru Forester
In comparing the Kia Sportage's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the Kia Sportage has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and base engine power. The Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Kia Sportage's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Kia Sportage vs. Subaru Forester Pricing
A used 2024 Kia Sportage ranges from $30,457 to $39,859 while a used 2024 Subaru Forester is priced between $32,324 to $39,982. For a new model, the Kia Sportage's price is between $30,366 and $40,135, with the Subaru Forester priced between $30,617 and $40,108.
Kia Sportage vs. Subaru Forester Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia Sportage loses 42.8 percent of its value and the Subaru Forester loses 38.4 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Forester retains 4.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia Sportage.
Kia Sportage vs. Subaru Forester Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Sportage is 8.2 out of 10 while the Subaru Forester's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Kia Sportage being ranked 6 out of 19 Best Small SUVs and the Subaru Forester being ranked 3 out of 19. Out of 66 Best Crossover SUVs, the Kia Sportage is ranked 14 and the Subaru Forester is ranked 3. The Kia Sportage is also ranked 16 out of 56 Best 5-seater SUVs while the Subaru Forester is ranked 4 out of 56.
Kia Sportage vs. Subaru Forester Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Kia Sportage is 7.9 out of 10. For the Subaru Forester the reliability rating is 8.6 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Forester a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Kia Sportage.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Kia Sportage’s base engine makes 187 horsepower, and the Subaru Forester base engine makes 182 horsepower.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Kia Sportage and the Subaru Forester have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
30366 - 40135
Used Asking Price:
30457 - 39859
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.427825
Pricing
New Asking Price:
30617 - 40108
Used Asking Price:
32324 - 39982
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.383753
Kia Sportage Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1594 / 10
Reliability:
7.8782 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.563112 / 10
Reliability:
8.589335 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Kia Sportage Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 11Ranking
11 out of / 66Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 66Ranking
14 out of / 56Ranking
16 out of / 58Ranking
16 out of / 56Ranking
16 out of / 49Ranking
16 out of / 26Ranking
17 out of / 66Ranking
17 out of / 56Ranking
23 out of / 66Ranking
25 out of / 66Ranking
25 out of / 56Ranking
32 out of / 56Ranking
32 out of / 56Ranking
33 out of / 66Ranking
35 out of / 56Ranking
38 out of / 66Ranking
38 out of / 56Ranking
41 out of / 66Ranking
43 out of / 66Ranking
43 out of / 66Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
3 out of / 66Ranking
3 out of / 66Ranking
3 out of / 66Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 26Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 56Ranking
4 out of / 56Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 66Ranking
6 out of / 56Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 56Ranking
12 out of / 66Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
13 out of / 56Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 56Ranking
17 out of / 58Ranking
17 out of / 49Ranking
24 out of / 66Ranking
24 out of / 56Ranking
32 out of / 66Ranking
38 out of / 56Ranking
46 out of / 66Summary Review
The Kia Sportage is a compact sport utility vehicle and a mainstay of Kia’s model line, going through several generations prior to the current Sportage, which debuted in 2017. The Sportage is known for its sharp looks, feature-packed interior, and low cost of entry, with new models costing an average of $28,105 and 3-year-old models averaging $20,380.
Summary Review
The Subaru Forester is a five-seat, compact SUV that foregoes the station wagon styling of other Subaru models for a more utilitarian, square-bodied design. The Forester has earned a reputation as a reliable and capable all-weather SUV with a spacious cabin and versatile cargo space. New models of the Forester cost an average of $32,632 and 3-year-old models average $23,752.
Pros and Cons
- Smooth ride quality with a quiet interior
- Spacious seating front and rear
- Smart instrumentation and control layout
- Smaller cargo capacity than many rivals
- Acceleration can be sluggish
- Fuel economy adequate at best
Pros and Cons
- All-wheel drive is standard
- Better-than-average ground clearance and off-road capability
- Large cargo area
- Engine power could be stronger
- Low tow rating may not match many buyers’ lifestyles
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT) not to everyone’s liking
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Kia Sportage Trim Levels
EX, LX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, X-Pro Prestige
Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring, Wilderness
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
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
187 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
176 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
39.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.2 inches
Cargo Space:
28.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
140.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3396 lbs
Width:
73.4 inches
Height:
65.4 inches
Length:
183.5 inches
Wheelbase:
108.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3454 lbs
Width:
80.9 inches
Height:
67.5 inches
Length:
182.7 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
225/60R17