2026 Kia Sportage vs 2026 Tesla Model Y
Too close to call: Tesla Model Y 81.8 vs Kia Sportage 80.3 with these weights. The Kia Sportage is ahead on safety and price. Raise the safety weight from 4 to 4.7 and it flips.
2026 Kia Sportage
The 2026 Kia Sportage is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sport…
2026 Tesla Model Y
The 2026 Tesla Model Y is sold in the U.S. as an electric compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Model Y Long Range RWD, is…
2026 Tesla Model Y
Toss-upToo close to call: Tesla Model Y 81.8 vs Kia Sportage 80.3 with these weights. The Kia Sportage is ahead on safety and price. Raise the safety weight from 4 to 4.7 and it flips.
| Category · weight | 2026 Kia Sportageoverall 80.3 | 2026 Tesla Model Yoverall 81.8 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 72 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 33.1 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 98.9 | 64.2 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargonot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 76.3 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 80.3 | 81.8 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 4 of 7 categories compared
Kia Sportage: base trim LX FWD · Tesla Model Y: base trim Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the safety weight from 4 to 4.7 and the answer flips.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Tesla Model Y wins
- It is rated 138 combined against 42 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $1,050 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $1,600).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (19 points against 14.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2026 Kia Sportage answers
- It lists 23 standard driver-assist features against 2.
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (40 against 419 filed with NHTSA).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
48 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $39,990 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | — |
| Cylinder count | 4 | — |
| Engine displacement | 2,497 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.5L Turbo Hybrid, 4-cyl, GDI, DOHC 16-Valve, P1+P2 motors | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 187 hp | — |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | — |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| EPA City MPG | 25 mpg | — |
| EPA Combined MPG | 28 mpg | — |
| EPA Highway MPG | 33 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.648:1 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | automatic | — |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in | 6.4 in |
| Overall height | 65.4 in | 63.8 in |
| Overall length | 184 in | 189 in |
| Overall width | 73.4 in | 78 in |
| Wheelbase | 109 in | — |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 74.1 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 39.6 cu-ft | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.6 in | — |
| Second-row headroom | 39.4 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.4 in | — |
| Second-row legroom | 41.3 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,697 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,434 lbs | 4,061 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,740 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | McPherson Strut, Stabilizer and High-Performance Dampers | — |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link Independent, Self-Leveling, Stabilizer Bar | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Column Type - Motor Driver Power Steering (MDPS) | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 19.3 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 320 mm | — |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | — |
| Parking brake type | epb | — |
| Rear brake diameter | 300 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | — |
| Wheel material | forged alloy | — |
| Wheel width | 7 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 235/65R17 | — |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 14.3 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Grok |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 57.5 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 55.6 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
92 features · differences first, then sharedSafety27 differ · 27 listed
| Feature | Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (FCA) | std | — |
| Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with STOP & GO (S&G) | std | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance - Junction Turning (FCA-JT) | std | — |
| Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA2) | std | — |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision - Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | opt | — |
| Dual front advanced airbags | std | — |
| Dual front seat-mounted side airbags | std | — |
| Full-length side curtain airbags | std | — |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | std | — |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | std | — |
| Rear View Monitor (RVM) with Parking Guidance-Dynamic | std | — |
| Downhill Brake Control (DBC) | std | — |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | std | — |
| Parking Distance Warning - Forward (PDW-F) | std | — |
| Parking Distance Warning - Reverse (PDW-R) | std | — |
| Rear side (2nd row) airbags | std | — |
| Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) | std | — |
| 8 exterior cameras | — | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | — |
| Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) | opt | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | std | — |
| Full Self-Driving (Supervised) capable; Traffic-aware cruise control | — | std |
| High Beam Assist (HBA) | std | — |
| Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) | std | — |
| Rear Occupant Alert (door-logic system) | std | — |
| Immobilizer | std | — |
| Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) high-line | std | — |
Infotainment11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-inch audio display unit with navigation and ccNC, Wireless Apple CarPlay TM, Android Auto TM, Sirus XM and Bluetooth | std | — |
| 2 wireless phone chargers | — | std |
| 15.4" Center Touchscreen | — | std |
| 16'' First-row touchscreen | — | std |
| 3 USB-C ports | — | std |
| 7Speaker audio system | — | std |
| Basic Vehicle Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 mi, whichever comes first | — | std |
| Cellular data, Wi-Fi, ultra-wide band and Bluetooth connectivity | — | std |
| Grok voice assistant | — | std |
| MSRP (starting price, USD): $39,990 / $41,990 / $45,990 / $49,990 / $57,990 / $61,990 | — | std |
| Steering wheel-mounted audio controls | std | — |
Convenience5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Push-button start with Smart Key and burglar alarm | std | — |
| Hands-free power open on approach | — | std |
| 12V Power outlets (x2) | std | — |
| Driver and Passenger's central door lock | std | — |
| Power windows with auto up/down and safety | std | — |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Particulate and odor filter; First-row touchscreen-adjust air vents; Second-row manual-adjust air vents | — | std |
Seating10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 8-way power adjustable driver's seat | opt | — |
| First-row heated seats | opt | std |
| 6-way Manual Driver Seat | std | — |
| 2-way driver lumbar support | opt | — |
| 6-way Manual Passenger Seat | std | — |
| Cloth seating trim | std | — |
| Dual tone with textile and vegan leather | — | std |
| First-row power recline | — | std |
| Five-seat interior | — | std |
| Second-row manual-folding seats | — | std |
Interior7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated steering wheel | — | std |
| Interior door handles - metal paint | std | — |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | std | — |
| Manual-adjust heated steering wheel | — | std |
| Open center console | — | std |
| Day/night interior rear-view mirror | std | — |
| Front seatback pockets | std | — |
Exterior20 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| LED Projector-style headlights with high and low beams | std | — |
| Acoustic Front Windshield | std | — |
| Ground Clearance: 6.4" | — | std |
| Heated outside mirrors | opt | — |
| Knit textile roof | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | std | — |
| LED headlights; Auto high beams | — | std |
| LED rear combination lamps | std | — |
| Manual-folding side-view mirrors | — | std |
| Outside mirror turn signal indicators | opt | — |
| Overall Height: 63.8" | — | std |
| Overall Length: 188.7" | — | std |
| Tire Mobility Kit (TMK) - inflator based | std | — |
| Weight (Curb Mass): 4,061 lbs | — | std |
| Wheels: 18" or 19" | — | std |
| Auto light control (ALC) | std | — |
| Privacy Rear Windows, 3rd row/Cargo Side Glass and Liftgate Glass | std | — |
| Hidden single muffler | std | — |
| LED High Mounted Stop Lamp, integrated into rear spoiler | std | — |
| Temporary spare wheel tire | opt | — |
Powertrain8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | std | — |
| 0-60 mph: 6.8 sec | — | std |
| Battery & Drive Unit Warranty: 8 years or 100,000 mi, whichever comes first | — | std |
| Drive Mode Select (DMS): Eco / Normal / Sport / My Drive | std | — |
| Drive Modes: Chill, Standard | — | std |
| Range (EPA est.): 321 mi | — | std |
| Supercharge in 15 min: 160 mi | — | std |
| Supercharging Max: 225 kW; Pay Per Use | — | std |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Passive shock absorbers | — | std |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cargo Space: 76 cubic feet | — | std |
| Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPKia Sportage
Top recalls
- minor Electrical System 26V046000 · 42,677 vehicles
Tesla Model Y
Top recalls
- high Suspension 26V558000 · 19 vehicles
- high Structure 26V445000 · 15 vehicles
- high Electrical System 25V690000 · 12,963 vehicles
- high Seats 25V410000 · 48 vehicles
- moderate Exterior Lighting 25V658000 · 260 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 25V490000 · 6 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Kia SportageLX FWD | Tesla Model YModel Y Rear-Wheel Drive RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $28,790 (base trim) | $39,990 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $28,790 – $47,190 16 trims | $39,990 – $61,990 6 trims |
| Powertrains | PHEV, HEV, GAS | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Sportage Hybrid FWD | Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 42 | 138 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,600 | $550 |
| EV range | — | 321 mi |
| Basic warranty | — | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Kia Sportage or the 2026 Tesla Model Y?
Too close to call: Tesla Model Y 81.8 vs Kia Sportage 80.3 with these weights. The Kia Sportage is ahead on safety and price. Raise the safety weight from 4 to 4.7 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Tesla Model Y scores 81.8 and the 2026 Kia Sportage 80.3. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Kia Sportage or the 2026 Tesla Model Y?
The 2026 Kia Sportage starts lower — $28,790 against $39,990, a gap of $11,200 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Kia Sportage or the 2026 Tesla Model Y?
2026 Kia Sportage: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2026 Tesla Model Y: 5 NHTSA stars, grade D, 8 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Kia Sportage and the 2026 Tesla Model Y?
Where the 2026 Tesla Model Y wins: it is rated 138 combined against 42 (EPA mpg or MPGe), costs $1,050 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($550 against $1,600), and lists more comfort and tech equipment (19 points against 14.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2026 Kia Sportage answers: it lists 23 standard driver-assist features against 2 and has drawn fewer owner complaints (40 against 419 filed with NHTSA). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars.