Compare the2023 Kia Sportage PHEVVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Crosstrek Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Sportage PHEV and Crosstrek Hybrid have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage PHEV has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sportage PHEV and the Crosstrek Hybrid 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Kia Sportage PHEV weighs 494 pounds more than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The Sportage PHEV comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage PHEV 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Crosstrek Hybrid. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Crosstrek Hybrid ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 22 percent more Kia dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sportage PHEV’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 81 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 22nd.

Engine

The Sportage PHEV’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 113 more horsepower (261 vs. 148) than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Sportage PHEV can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 34 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 17 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Sportage PHEV	Crosstrek Hybrid
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	11.2 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sportage PHEV has larger tires than the Crosstrek Hybrid (235/55R19 vs. 225/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sportage PHEV has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Suspension and Handling

The Sportage PHEV 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 Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage PHEV’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the Crosstrek Hybrid (108.5 inches vs. 104.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage PHEV is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Passenger Space

The Sportage PHEV has .8 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom and 4.6 inches more rear legroom than the Crosstrek Hybrid.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage PHEV’s rear seats recline. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat up (34.5 vs. 15.9 cubic feet). The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat folded (65.4 vs. 43.1 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sportage PHEV’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Sportage PHEV’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Sportage PHEV’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage PHEV uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sportage PHEV’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek Hybrid has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

On a hot day the Sportage PHEV’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Crosstrek Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

When the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Sportage PHEV’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Sportage PHEV and the Crosstrek Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Sportage PHEV has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Sportage PHEV has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.