Subaru Outback vs. Kia Sportage
When we compare the Subaru Outback to the Kia Sportage, the Subaru Outback has the advantage in the area of overall quality score. 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 Outback and Kia Sportage have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Outback versus the Kia Sportage, the Kia Sportage is a better car than the Subaru Outback.
Subaru Outback versus Kia Sportage Pricing
A one- to five-year-old used Subaru Outback ranges from $23,499 to $34,488 while a used Kia Sportage from the same model year range is priced between $18,884 to $29,861. For a new model, the Subaru Outback's price is between $32,795 and $44,141, with the Kia Sportage priced between $29,437 and $39,961.
Subaru Outback versus Kia Sportage Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru Outback is 8.8 out of 10 while the Kia Sportage's quality rating is 8.1 out of 10. This results in the Subaru Outback being ranked 2 out of 61 Best Crossover SUVs and the Kia Sportage being ranked 18 out of 61. Out of 28 Best Crossover SUVs for the Money, the Subaru Outback is ranked 28 and the Kia Sportage is ranked 16. The Subaru Outback is also ranked 2 out of 24 Best Small SUVs while the Kia Sportage is ranked 10 out of 24. The Subaru Outback is also ranked 2 out of 14 Best Small SUVs for the Money while the Kia Sportage is ranked 9 out of 14.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Subaru Outback’s base engine makes 182 horsepower, and the Kia Sportage base engine makes 187 horsepower. Both the Outback and the Sportage are rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 592 and 458 miles respectively. Both models use regular unleaded.
Hauling, Towing, and Off-Road Capabilities Comparison
The Subaru Outback has the advantage of offering higher ground clearance, while the Kia Sportage has the advantage of offering higher payload capacity.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Outback and the Kia Sportage have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Subaru Outback has the better rating with a Top Safety Pick+ award compared to the Kia Sportage’s Top Safety Pick award.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$32,795 - $44,141
Used Asking Price:
$23,499 - $34,488
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
39.5%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$29,437 - $39,961
Used Asking Price:
$18,884 - $29,861
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
42.8%
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 61Ranking
2 out of / 61Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
2 out of / 14Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
6 out of / 61Ranking
7 out of / 24Ranking
15 out of / 61iSeeCars 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 / 61Summary Review
The Subaru Outback has been a staple on American roads since its inception in 1994. Two different Subaru models, sold side-by-side, bore the Outback name: the wagon-style crossover-SUV we associate with the name today, and the Outback Sport, which eventually became the Crosstrek. The Outback is best known for its standard all-wheel drive, excellent utility, and all-weather capability. New models of the Outback average $36,354 and 3-year-old models average $25,939.
Summary 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.
Pros and Cons
- Utilitarian with easy entry and exit and highly function cargo space
- Comfortable ride quality with an upscale interior
- Excellent all-weather and light off-road capability
- Not always fast or inspirational for driving enthusiasts
- Similarly-sized SUVs often have more cargo and passenger room
- Fuel economy can be less than expected
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
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Trim Levels
Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, Touring XT, Wilderness
Trim Levels
LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, X-Pro Prestige
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 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:
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
176 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing Capacity:
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
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 / 32 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
481 / 592 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
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:
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
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
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
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.4 inches
Cargo Space:
32.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
75.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
141.6 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3641 lbs
Width:
82 inches
Height:
66.4 inches
Length:
191.1 inches
Wheelbase:
108.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
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
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
alloy
Tire Size:
225/65R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
alloy
Tire Size:
235/65R17
