Compare the2024 Kia Sportage HybridVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek

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

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/11/21

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

Both the Sportage Hybrid and Crosstrek offer 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 Crosstrek’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sportage Hybrid and the Crosstrek 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and blind spot warning systems.

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 much safer than the Crosstrek:

	Sportage Hybrid	Crosstrek
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	121	245
Head Peak Forces	no contact	55 G’s
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	290 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	0 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.1 in	1.89 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	2.01 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	116	231
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	89 lbs.
Neck Compression	-134 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.1 in	2.09 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.38 in	1.69 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	825 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

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 Crosstrek was last a “Top Safety Pick Plus” in 2019 but no longer qualifies.

Warranty

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

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Crosstrek. 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 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 Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru 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 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 Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 75 more horsepower (227 vs. 152) and 113 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 145) than the Crosstrek’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Sportage Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 45 more horsepower (227 vs. 182) and 82 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 176) than the Crosstrek Sport/Limited’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kia Sportage Hybrid is faster than the Subaru Crosstrek 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

	Sportage Hybrid	Crosstrek
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	10.2 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.7 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	82 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Sportage Hybrid
FWD	Auto	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/44 hwy
AWD	Auto	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/38 hwy
Crosstrek
AWD	Manual	2.0 DOHC flat-4	22 city/29 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 DOHC flat-4	28 city/33 hwy
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	27 city/34 hwy

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

Transmission

The Kia Sportage Hybrid comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Crosstrek.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Sportage Hybrid	Crosstrek
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	10.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sportage Hybrid has larger tires than the Crosstrek (235/65R17 vs. 225/60R17).

Suspension and Handling

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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage Hybrid is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Crosstrek.

The Sportage SX Prestige HEV AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the Crosstrek Limited pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The front grille of the Sportage Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Sportage Hybrid has .8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and 3 inches more rear legroom than the Crosstrek.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Sportage Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek with its rear seat up (39.5 vs. 20.8 cubic feet). The Sportage Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek with its rear seat folded (73.7 vs. 55.3 cubic feet).

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

Towing

The Sportage Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

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

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Sportage Hybrid SX-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 doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Sportage Hybrid SX-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 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sportage Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek 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 Hybrid’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Sportage Hybrid’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Crosstrek’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Sportage Hybrid has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Crosstrek has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Premium/Sport/Limited.

When the Sportage Hybrid SX-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’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Sportage Hybrid’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 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Sportage Hybrid and the Crosstrek offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Sportage Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Crosstrek 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 Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

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

Recommendations

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