Compare the2025 Kia SportageVS 2025 Hyundai Kona

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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sportage’s reliability 18 points higher than the Kona.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 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).

The Sportage has a tether attaching its gas cap to prevent its loss. The Kona’s gas cap isn’t tethered, so it can be left at a gas station if the driver forgets to screw the cap back in.

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

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 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Kona.

The Sportage’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57.9% to 42.1%) than the Kona’s (59.3% to 40.7%). This gives the Sportage more stable handling and braking.

The Sportage X-Pro Prestige handles at .84 G’s, while the Kona N Line AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver 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.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Sportage X-Pro Prestige is quieter than the Kona N Line AWD (68 vs. 69 dB).

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/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 both the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Kona, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Hyundai Kona by 89% during 2024.