Compare the2025 Kia SportageVS 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

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

Safety

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The Sportage 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.

Both the Sportage and the Corolla Cross 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 rear cross-path warning.

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 is safer than the Corolla Cross:

	Sportage	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

Warranty

The Sportage 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 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’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (187 vs. 169) and 27 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 151) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

	Sportage	Corolla Cross
Zero to 60 MPH	8.6 sec	9.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.9 sec	9.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	4.1 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Sportage has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross FWD’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 Corolla Cross AWD’s standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 13.2 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

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

Tires and Wheels

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sportage SX Prestige/X-Line has standard 19-inch wheels. The Corolla Cross’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

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 Corolla Cross 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

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

The Sportage 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’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 average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Corolla Cross.

The Sportage’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57.9% to 42.1%) than the Corolla Cross’ (59% to 41%). This gives the Sportage more stable handling and braking.

The Sportage X-Pro 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.

The Sportage X-Pro executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Corolla Cross LE (27.9 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

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

Chassis

The front grille of the Sportage 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 has 13.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Cross (102 vs. 88.4).

The Sportage has 1 inch more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front hip room, 4.8 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 9.3 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’s rear seats recline. The Corolla Cross’ rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Corolla Cross (39.6 vs. 25.5 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sportage’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’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Corolla Cross’ (2500 vs. 1500 pounds).

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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

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 Corolla Cross 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 Corolla Cross doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sportage’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 X-Pro 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 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 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 Corolla Cross’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage 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 Prestige/X-Pro’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.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Sportage and the Toyota Corolla Cross, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sportage 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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