Compare the2024 Kia SportageVS 2024 Hyundai Kona

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Sportage Prestige has standard Parking Collision Avoidance-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Kona doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the Sportage and the Kona 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is rated lower.

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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 1 place higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Sportage’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (187 vs. 147) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 132) than the Kona SE/SEL’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The Sportage has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona’s standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Sportage has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N Line/Limited’s standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 13.2 gallons).

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

The Sportage stops shorter than the Kona:

For better traction, the Sportage has larger tires than the Kona (235/65R17 vs. 215/60R17).

For superior ride and handling, the Kia Sportage has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kona 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Sportage has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Sportage flat and controlled during cornering. The Kona 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage’s wheelbase is 3.8 inches longer than on the Kona (108.5 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the average track on the Kona.

The Sportage X-Pro handles at .81 G’s, while the Kona N Line AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Sportage has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Kona (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Sportage to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Sportage has .5 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 3.1 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more rear hip room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona.

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 25.5 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona with its rear seat folded (74.1 vs. 63.7 cubic feet).

The Sportage has a 2500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage 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 Kona doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

When two different drivers share the Sportage SX/Prestige/X-Pro, 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 Kona doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Sportage SX/Prestige/X-Pro’s standard Easy Access Function 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 Kona doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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

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

When the Sportage SX/Prestige/X-Pro 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 Kona’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sportage, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Hyundai Kona by 78% during 2023.