Compare the2023 Jeep RenegadeVS 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV

The Jeep Renegade has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Renegade has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Renegade 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights and rear parking sensors.

The Renegade’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sportage PHEV runs out after 100,000 miles.

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Renegade for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sportage PHEV.

There are over 3 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Renegade’s warranty.

The engine in the Renegade has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engine in the Sportage PHEV has dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

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

The Renegade has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sportage PHEV (12.7 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Renegade has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Jeep Renegade, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sportage PHEV.

The Renegade’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sportage PHEV’s 55 series tires.

The Renegade Trailhawk offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Sportage PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Renegade’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Renegade Trailhawk’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Sportage PHEV’s (35.3 feet vs. 38.6 feet). The Renegade’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Sportage PHEV’s (36.3 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Renegade Trailhawk has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sportage PHEV (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Renegade to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Jeep Renegade may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 900 pounds less than the Kia Sportage PHEV.

The Renegade is 1 foot, 4.9 inches shorter than the Sportage PHEV, making the Renegade easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Renegade has 3.3 inches more front headroom and 2.5 inches more rear headroom than the Sportage PHEV.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Renegade. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Renegade’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 Renegade offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Renegade offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Renegade owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Renegade will cost $1420 to $2525 less than the Sportage PHEV over a five-year period.

The Renegade will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Renegade will retain 52.53% to 58.07% of its original price after five years, while the Sportage PHEV only retains 45.04% to 45.21%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Jeep Renegade will be $14527 to $18760 less than for the Kia Sportage PHEV.