Compare the2026 Kia SportageVS 2026 Subaru Crosstrek

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

Safety

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Both the Sportage and Crosstrek offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning also 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 and the Crosstrek have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Sportage is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek:

	Sportage	Crosstrek
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	263 lbs.	267 lbs.
Neck Compression	14 lbs.	99 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	48/154 lbs.	265/291 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Leg Forces (l/r)	292/203 lbs.	291/273 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Sportage is much safer than the Crosstrek:

	Sportage	Crosstrek
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	360/540 pounds	607/629 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Sportage is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek:

	Sportage	Crosstrek
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	70	113
Hip Force	247 lbs.	297 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	116
Spine Acceleration	47 G’s	52 G’s
Hip Force	581 lbs.	673 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	480 lbs.	721 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 Crosstrek:

	Sportage	Crosstrek
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	121	131
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	22 lbs.
Shoulder Deflection	1.1 in	1.65 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	402 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	848 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	116	215
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	134 lbs.
Neck Compression	-134 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.1 in	2.17 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	714 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.38 in	1.97 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1182 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Kia Sportage has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Crosstrek is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

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 Crosstrek’s 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 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 24 percent more Kia dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sportage’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Subaru is rated below average.

Engine

The Sportage’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (187 vs. 180) than the Crosstrek’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Sportage
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
Crosstrek
	AWD	Wilderness 2.5 DOHC flat-4	24 city/29 hwy

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Sportage	Crosstrek
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	12.4 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.2 inches

The Sportage stops much shorter than the Crosstrek:

	Sportage	Crosstrek
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	140 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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

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

Suspension and Handling

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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage’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 is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Crosstrek.

The Sportage X-Pro Prestige handles at .84 G’s, while the Crosstrek Limited pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Sportage AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Crosstrek Limited (27.9 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Sportage X-Pro Prestige is quieter than the Crosstrek Limited:

	Sportage	Crosstrek
At idle	37 dB	41 dB
Full-Throttle	74 dB	74 dB
70 MPH Cruising	68 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

The Sportage has .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 4.8 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Crosstrek.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 19.9 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek with its rear seat folded (74.1 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sportage’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Sportage’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’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek’s (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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Sportage has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Sportage (except LX/EX), the optional 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 (except LX/EX)’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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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

On a hot day the Sportage’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.

The Sportage EX/X-Line/SX/X-Pro Prestige’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Crosstrek’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

When the Sportage with available tilt-down mirrors 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.

Both the Kia Sportage and Subaru Crosstrek offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Sportage offers optional power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Crosstrek’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the Sportage and the Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Model Availability

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

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