Compare the2022 Kia SportageVS 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

Both the Sportage and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 2 times as many Kia dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sportage’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sportage’s reliability 31 points higher than the Outlander.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sportage first among compact suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Outlander isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia third in reliability, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 5 places higher in reliability than Mitsubishi.

The Sportage SX Turbo’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 56 more horsepower (237 vs. 181) and 79 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Sportage SX Turbo’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 59 more horsepower (240 vs. 181) and 79 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kia Sportage 4 cyl. is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

The Sportage has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (16.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Sportage stops shorter than the Outlander:

The Sportage offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Sportage has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Sportage SX Turbo AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Outlander SEL AWC (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Sportage’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Outlander’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

The Kia Sportage may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 300 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Sportage is 9 inches shorter than the Outlander, making the Sportage easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Sportage LX/Nightfall/EX has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage’s rear seats recline. The Outlander’s middle row seats don’t recline.

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume than the Outlander with its rear seat up (30.7 vs. 11.7 cubic feet).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Sportage to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Outlander doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the Sportage’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Outlander’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Sportage (except LX/Nightfall) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Kia Sportage has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Kia Sportage outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost four to one during the 2021 model year.