Kia Sportage vs. Subaru Forester
When comparing the Kia Sportage to the Subaru Forester, 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 fuel efficiency and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Kia Sportage versus the Subaru Forester, the Kia Sportage is a better car than the Subaru Forester.
Kia Sportage versus Subaru Forester Pricing
A one- to five-year-old used Kia Sportage ranges from $18,884 to $29,861 while a used Subaru Forester from the same model year range is priced between $23,362 to $34,063. For a new model, the Kia Sportage's price is between $29,437 and $39,961, with the Subaru Forester priced between $29,698 and $38,813.
Kia Sportage versus Subaru Forester Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Kia Sportage is 8.1 out of 10 while the Subaru Forester's quality rating is 8.7 out of 10. This results in the Kia Sportage being ranked 9 out of 14 Best Small SUVs for the Money and the Subaru Forester being ranked 4 out of 14. Out of 24 Best Small SUVs, the Kia Sportage is ranked 24 and the Subaru Forester is ranked 4. The Kia Sportage is also ranked 16 out of 28 Best Crossover SUVs for the Money while the Subaru Forester is ranked 4 out of 28. The Kia Sportage is also ranked 18 out of 61 Best Crossover SUVs while the Subaru Forester is ranked 4 out of 61.
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. The Sportage is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 458 miles. The Forester is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 548 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.
Hauling, Towing, and Off-Road Capabilities Comparison
The Subaru Forester has the advantage of offering higher ground clearance and payload capacity than the Kia Sportage.
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. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Subaru Forester has the better rating with a Top Safety Pick+ award compared to the Kia Sportage’s Top Safety Pick award.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$29,437 - $39,961
Used Asking Price:
$18,884 - $29,861
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
42.8%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$29,698 - $38,813
Used Asking Price:
$23,362 - $34,063
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
38.4%
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.1 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
9 out of / 14Ranking
10 out of / 24Ranking
11 out of / 24Ranking
15 out of / 24Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
18 out of / 61Ranking
21 out of / 61Ranking
30 out of / 61Ranking
34 out of / 61iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 61Ranking
4 out of / 61Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 24Ranking
4 out of / 24Ranking
4 out of / 14Ranking
8 out of / 24Ranking
11 out of / 61Ranking
16 out of / 61Summary 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
Trim Levels
LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, X-Pro Prestige
Trim Levels
Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, 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
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
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):
25 / 32 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
358 / 458 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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):
26 / 33 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
432 / 548 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
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:
3373 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:
alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
225/60R17