Compare the2025 Kia Sportage PHEVVS 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

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

Safety

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To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Sportage PHEV. But it costs extra on the Corolla Cross.

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 Corolla Cross 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.

The Sportage PHEV has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Sportage PHEV has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Both the Sportage PHEV and the Corolla Cross have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The Kia Sportage PHEV weighs 901 to 1174 pounds more than the Toyota Corolla Cross. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 PHEV is safer than the Corolla Cross:

	Sportage PHEV	Corolla Cross
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	121	193
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	1.38 in
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1539 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head Injury Criterion	116	131
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Neck Compression	-134 lbs.	67 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Kia Sportage PHEV achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Corolla Cross last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023.

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 Corolla Cross’ 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 Toyota covers the Corolla Cross. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Corolla Cross ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 17th.

Engine

The Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 92 more horsepower (261 vs. 169) and 107 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 151) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kia Sportage PHEV is faster than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Sportage PHEV	Corolla Cross
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	9.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.1 sec	9.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.3 sec	4.7 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.6 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the Corolla Cross:

			MPGe
Sportage PHEV
	AWD	Electric Motor	88 city/79 hwy
Corolla Cross
			MPG
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/31 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Corolla Cross:

			MPG
Sportage PHEV
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	36 city/35 hwy
Corolla Cross
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/31 hwy

The Sportage PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 34 miles. The Corolla Cross can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Sportage PHEV	Corolla Cross
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.1 inches

The Sportage PHEV stops shorter than the Corolla Cross:

	Sportage PHEV	Corolla Cross
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sportage PHEV has larger tires than the Corolla Cross (235/55R19 vs. 215/65R17). The Sportage PHEV’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corolla Cross (235/55R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Sportage PHEV’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corolla Cross L/LE’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sportage PHEV has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Corolla Cross L/LE. The Corolla Cross’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Kia Sportage PHEV 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 Corolla Cross 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Sportage PHEV has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Corolla Cross’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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

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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage PHEV’s wheelbase is 4.6 inches longer than on the Corolla Cross (108.5 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage PHEV is 2 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Corolla Cross.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige handles at .84 G’s, while the Corolla Cross XLE AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

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

Chassis

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

Passenger Space

The Sportage PHEV has 2.2 inches more front hip room, 4.8 inches more front shoulder room, 7.5 inches more rear legroom, 9.6 inches more rear hip room and 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Corolla Cross (34.5 vs. 25.5 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sportage PHEV’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The Sportage PHEV’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Corolla Cross’ (2000 vs. 1500 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 Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sportage PHEV has a standard Smart Key that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers a Smart Key System.

The Sportage PHEV’s variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Corolla Cross L’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Sportage PHEV 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 Corolla Cross has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/XLE.

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 Corolla Cross’ 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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

The Sportage PHEV has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Corolla Cross XLE.

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. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers wireless 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sportage PHEV third among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Corolla Cross isn’t in the top three.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Toyota Corolla Cross by 68% during 2024.

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