Compare the2024 Kia Sportage HybridVS 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander

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

Both the Sportage Hybrid and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 and around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia Sportage Hybrid is safer than the Outlander:

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sportage Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 58 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2023.

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 Hybrid’s warranty.

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 Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below 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 Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 14th.

The Sportage Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 46 more horsepower (227 vs. 181) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kia Sportage Hybrid is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage Hybrid gets better mileage than the Outlander:

Regenerative brakes improve the Sportage Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Outlander doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Sportage Hybrid’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Sportage Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Mitsubishi Outlander (6 to 7). This means the Sportage Hybrid produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Outlander every 15,000 miles.

The Sportage Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage Hybrid’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the Outlander (108.5 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

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

The Sportage Hybrid has .8 inches more front hip room and .1 inches more rear hip room than the Outlander.

The Sportage Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Outlander with its rear seat up (39.5 vs. 11.7 cubic feet).

The power windows standard on both the Sportage Hybrid and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sportage Hybrid is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige 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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige 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 Sportage Hybrid SX-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 Outlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Sportage Hybrid and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost three to one during 2022.