Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV

The Tiguan has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tiguan its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sportage PHEV is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

The Tiguan’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Sportage PHEV’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sportage PHEV.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Sportage PHEV’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Both the Tiguan and Sportage PHEV have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Tiguan has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Tiguan FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sportage PHEV (15.3 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tiguan AWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sportage PHEV (15.9 vs. 11.1 gallons).

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Volkswagen Tiguan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sportage PHEV.

For better stopping power the Tiguan’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Sportage PHEV:

For better traction, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sportage PHEV (255/45R19 vs. 235/55R19).

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sportage PHEV’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tiguan SEL R-Line has standard 20-inch wheels. The Sportage PHEV’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Tiguan has a standard 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 Sportage PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tiguan’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Sportage PHEV (109.9 inches vs. 108.5 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Tiguan’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Sportage PHEV’s (37.7 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

The Volkswagen Tiguan may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 450 pounds less than the Kia Sportage PHEV.

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Sportage PHEV can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sportage PHEV.

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the Sportage PHEV.

The Tiguan uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sportage PHEV uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Tiguan’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sportage PHEV’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Tiguan SE/SEL/SEL Premium the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Sportage PHEV can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tiguan’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Sportage PHEV’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL/SEL Premium R-Line has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Tiguan SEL Premium R-Line also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Tiguan is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Kia Sportage by 9% during the 2021 model year.