8 Top Kia Sportage Competitors
The 2022 Honda CR-V is just one of the Kia Sportage competitors you should consider if you’re in the market for a new compact crossover SUV.
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
With competitors like the Toyota RAV4, the Chevrolet Equinox, and the Honda CR-V, drivers who are interested in a compact crossover SUV may want to look beyond the Kia Sportage before making a final decision.
The 2022 Kia Sportage compact crossover SUV offers drivers a comfortable cabin outfitted with quality materials, an exciting turbocharged engine, and a satisfying driving experience. That being said, when it comes to powerful V6 engines, standard driver assistance and infotainment technology, and available upgrades, the Sportage’s compact crossover competitors outclass the model from tip to tail.
While the Kia Sportage is an undeniably desirable vehicle, we suggest checking out some of the model’s key rivals before making a final decision to avail of the best features, prices, and upgrades. Here to break down eight of the Sportage’s top competitors is
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers1. Jeep Cherokee
Starting price:$31,590 to $40,940
Selling points: Performs well off-road with a high towing capacity
Weak spot: Interior feels somewhat dated and cramped compared to rivals
Where the Kia Sportage can only tow a maximum of 1,600 pounds, the 2022
Jeep Cherokee
can tow a maximum of 4,500 pounds courtesy of its standard 270-horsepower 3.2-liter V-6 engine and advanced all-wheel drive capabilities. Another turbocharged four-cylinder engine is also available for drivers looking for something with a little more fuel efficiency. Cherokee drivers will also benefit from access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and plenty of other standard infotainment tech—all of which can be accessed through an 8.4-inch touchscreen display.
Similarly, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, all-terrain tires, and an off-road suspension contribute to establishing the 2022 Cherokee as a model that is significantly more powerful, and far more capable of performing off-road than the Kia Sportage.
MORE: Jeep Cherokee Limited towing capacity
2. Honda CR-V
Starting price: $28,045 to $39,045
Selling points: Spacious both in terms of passenger space and cargo capacity
Weak spot: Compared to its compact SUV rivals, the CR-V is somewhat weak and slow
If you’re looking for a seriously fuel-efficient alternative to the Kia Sportage, you can avail of a hybrid powertrain on the 2022
Honda CR-V
—specifically on the CR-V EX trim. For more traditional drivers, however, all other CR-V trims are equipped with a gas-powered 2.0-liter I-4 engine. Regardless of which engine you select, your CR-V will be equipped with standard features such as all-wheel drive, blind-spot monitoring, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjusted driver’s seat. Additionally, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display grants owners access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity.
3. Mazda CX-5
Starting price: $27,475 to $40,225
Selling points: More luxurious than its rivals
Weak spot: Towing capacity is low and cargo space is cramped
One of the safest compact crossover alternatives to the Sportage is the 2022
Mazda CX-5
. This refined SUV model received a perfect five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) thanks in part to standard driver assistance technology such as automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The 2022 CX-5 boasts a pair of powertrain options—either a 187-horsepower four-cylinder engine or a more powerful, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces a total of 256 horsepower.
Regardless of engine choice, CX-5 drivers have access to Mazda Connected Services by way of a 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen display. Tech services such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are joined by remote vehicle functions that can be accessed via Mazda’s smartphone app.
MORE: How to replace Mazda tail lights
4. Ford Escape
Starting price: $28,500 to $42,120
Selling points: Bountiful powertrain options and plenty of driver assistance technology
Weak spot: Basic entry-level trim features, hybrid models are expensive
Boasting a bevy of powertrain options, 2022
Ford Escape
owners have the option to choose between an outstanding four different engines, including a 181-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine; a 250-horsepower, 2.0-liter I-4 engine; a plug-in hybrid with a combined I-4 engine and dual electric motors; and a standard hybrid Escape. The Escape PHEV and hybrid models can produce 221 horsepower each. The base
Escape SE
comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display equipped with Ford’s latest Sync3 infotainment interface, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. While all-wheel drive is optional for the 2022 Escape, safety comes standard. With a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA, Escape owners can rest assured they are safe behind the wheel courtesy of standard driver assistance technology like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automated emergency braking.
MORE: Ford lug pattern guide
5. Chevrolet Equinox
Starting price: $27,695 to $32,895
Selling points: Plentiful standard tech and a spacious cabin
Weak spot: Less powerful than competitors
The 2022
Chevrolet Equinox’s
sole engine is a 170-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter I-4 engine—making it the weakest base engine on our list. On the other hand, however, the Equinox features an extensive list of standard technology, including a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen display equipped with Chevy’s MyLink infotainment interface, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot. Standard driver assistance technology on all Equinox models includes automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
MORE: Chevrolet common problems
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers6. Toyota RAV4
Starting price: $28,310 to $38,250
Selling points: Smooth and comfortable driving experience with a rugged exterior
Weak spot: Basic entry-level trim with a noisy powertrain
The
Toyota RAV4
was named an Editor’s Choice pick by Car and Driver for 2022. Powered by the same 203-horsepower 2.5-liter I-4 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission across each and every one of its trim level options, the RAV4 is far from the most powerful vehicle on this list. That being said, this compact crossover is equipped with a number of enviable features such as a 7.0-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a JBL premium audio system. Built-in satellite navigation is optional on higher RAV4 trims, but even without it, drivers will benefit from ScoutGPS Link navigation services.
Drivers looking to save money on fuel costs, or just to be more environmentally friendly, might prefer the hybrid engine found in the Toyota RAV4 Prime.
MORE: Toyota RAV4 towing capacity
7. Nissan Rogue
Starting price: $28,445 to $38,225
Selling points: Rugged exterior styling with a tech-savvy interior
Weak spot: For the best features, you’ll have to dish out for more expensive trims
Critics have knocked the 2022
Nissan Rogue
for its poky base engine, less-than-stellar warranty coverages, and relatively boring on-road handling. In fact, the Rogue’s most desirable features, such as in-dash navigation, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and a 360-degree exterior camera, you’ll have to be willing to pay for one of the model’s more expensive trim levels.The base Rogue trim, for example, features an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display, but that display grows to 9.0 inches on the more expensive Rogue SL and Rogue Platinum trims. Nissan’s ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving mode is also exclusive to its more expensive trim levels.
MORE: Nissan Rogue oil capacity
8. Subaru Forester
Starting price: $27,070 to $36,420
Selling points: Spacious cargo capacity and a comfortable interior
Weak spot: Base engine is somewhat boring compared to rival models
Featuring an airy and spacious cabin decked out with multiple storage cubes, the 2022
Subaru Forester
added new optional gesture controls for its climate control system in its latest model year. New Foresters also come standard with a panoramic sunroof and Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver assistance features including upgraded cameras, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The all-new Subaru Forester Wilderness trim also joins the line-up for 2022 with a rugged exterior style package and additional ground clearance.
The Base, Premium, and Sport trims of the Forester are each equipped with the same 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen display with Subaru’s StarLink interface—which includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and optional built-in navigation services. A larger 8.0-inch touchscreen is available as a standard feature on both the Limited and Touring trims.
Kia Sportage vs. the competition
Want to see all of these rivals’ key specs laid out side-by-side? Take a look at our comprehensive comparison of the 2022 Kia Sportage and its main competitors.
Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating capacity | Maximum cargo volume | Maximum towing capacity | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Kia Sportage | $25,305 to $34,965 | I-4 or turbo I-4 | 5 | 31.1 cubic ft | 1,600 lbs | 21/19/24 |
2022 Jeep Cherokee | $31,590 to $40,940 | V-6 or I-4 | 5 | 54.7 cubic ft | 4,500 lbs | 21/18/24 |
2022 Honda CR-V | $28,045 to $39,045 | I-4 or 1.4kWh | 5 | 75.8 cubic ft | 1,500 lbs | 28/34/30 |
2022 Mazda CX-5 | $27,475 to $40,225 | I-4 or turbo I-4 | 5 | 59.6 cubic ft | 2,000 lbs | 25/31/28 |
2022 Ford Escape | $28,500 to $42,120 | 3-cyl, turbo 3, I-4, hybrid, or PHEV | 5 | 65.4 cubic ft | 3,500 lbs | 27/33/30 |
2022 Chevrolet Equinox | $27,695 to $32,895 | I-4 | 5 | 63.9 cubic ft | 3,500 lbs | 26/31/28 |
2022 Toyota RAV4 | $28,310 to $38,250 | I-4 | 5 | 69.8 cubic ft | 3,500 lbs | 28/35/30 |
2022 Nissan Rogue | $28,445 to $38,225 | I-4 or turbo 3 | 5 | 70.0 cubic ft | 1,100 lbs | 26/33/29 |
2022 Subaru Forester | $27,070 to $36,420 | I-4 | 5 | 76.1 cubic ft | 1,500 lbs | 26/33/29 |
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