Head-to-head
2027 Kia Sportage vs 2027 Subaru Forester
The Kia Sportage wins clearly, 100 to 82, on tech & comfort, safety, fuel & range.
A
2027 Kia Sportage
The 2027 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…
vs
A*2027 Subaru Forester
The 2027 Subaru Forester is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Forester Hybrid AW…
Verdict · default weights
2027 Kia Sportage
Clear winThe Kia Sportage wins clearly, 100 to 82, on tech & comfort, safety, fuel & range.
Tech & comfort 2027 Kia Sportage leads by 64.3
Safety 2027 Kia Sportage leads by 16.2
Fuel & range 2027 Kia Sportage leads by 13.6
| Category · weight | 2027 Subaru Foresteroverall 82 | 2027 Kia Sportageoverall 100 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 96.6 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 86.4 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 83.8 | 100 | ||||||||||||
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 & cargow 2 | 97.5 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 96.7 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 35.7 | 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 | 82 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Subaru Forester: base trim Base AWD · Kia Sportage: base trim LX FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2027 Kia Sportage wins
- It lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 13.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (49 points against 17.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It costs $250 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,500 against $1,750).
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 100.
- 178 lb-ft.
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
51 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $29,995 | $28,990 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,498 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 4-cylinder horizontally opposed (SUBARU BOXER®); aluminum cylinder block and cylinder heads | 2.5L 4-cylinder gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 187 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 25 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 28 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 33 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.700 | 3.648 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 8 |
| Transmission type | cvt | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 7.1 in |
| Overall height | 68.1 in | 65.4 in |
| Overall length | 183 in | 184 in |
| Overall width | 72 in | 73.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 105 in | 109 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 68.6 cu-ft | 69.3 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 35.4 cu-ft | 36.6 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 111 cu-ft | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 41.2 in | 39.6 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 39.4 in |
| Third-row headroom | 39.6 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 43.3 in | 41.4 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 41.3 in |
| Third-row legroom | 39.4 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,510 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,510 lbs | 3,434 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,901 lbs | 4,740 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson-type struts, lower L-arms, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar, hydraulic engine mounts | McPherson strut |
| Rear suspension type | Double wishbone, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar | Multi-Link |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Assisted Rack-and-Pinion (Dual Pinion) | Column Type - Motor Driver Power Steering (MDPS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 35.4 ft | 19.3 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 315 mm | 320 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 300 mm | 300 mm |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | 7 in | 7 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/60R17 99H all-season | 235/65R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 16.6 gal | 14.3 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | MySubaru Companion | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 57.7 in | 57.5 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 55.6 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 56.7 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
160 features · differences first, then sharedSafety46 differ · 48 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance Fusion+ with Car, Pedestrian, Cyclist Detection and Direct Oncoming Detection and Avoidance | — | std |
| Highway Driving Assist (HDA2) | — | std |
| Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go (SCC with S&G) | — | std |
| Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) | — | std |
| Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA) | — | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | — | std |
| Dual front advanced airbags | — | std |
| Front seat-mounted side air bags | — | std |
| Full-length side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | — | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | — | std |
| Navigation based Smart Cruise Control Curve (NSCC-C) | — | std |
| Parking Collision Avoidance - Reverse (PCA-R) | — | std |
| Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines | — | std |
| Downhill Brake Control (DBC) | — | std |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) with Leading Vehicle Departure Alert | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning - Front and Rear (PDW-F/R) | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning - Front and Rear (PDW-F/R) | — | std |
| Rear seat-mounted side airbags | — | std |
| Safe Exit Warning (SEW) | — | std |
| Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) | — | std |
| Adaptive Cruise Control w/Lane Centering | std | — |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | — | std |
| Auto Vehicle Shut Down | std | — |
| Blind Spot-Collision Warning (BCW) | — | std |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold | — | std |
| Emergency Stop Assist | std | — |
| EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology | std | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Fusion+ with Car, Pedestrian, Cyclist Detection and Direct Oncoming Detection and Avoidance | — | std |
| Height adjustable up/down headrests | — | std |
| Height-adjustable front seat-belt anchors | — | std |
| Highway Driving Assist (HDA) | — | std |
| Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) | — | std |
| Impact sensing auto door unlock | — | std |
| Lane Departure & Sway Warning | std | — |
| Lead Vehicle Start Alert | std | — |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) | — | std |
| Pre-Collision Braking, Follow Distance Warning, and Throttle Management | std | — |
| Rear Seat Reminder | std | — |
| Rear-Vision Camera | std | — |
| Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) | — | std |
| Speed sensing auto door locks | — | std |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensor | std | — |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) with electronic traction control (TCS) and rollover sensor | std | — |
| Immobilizer | — | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) High-Line | — | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | std | std |
| High-Beam Assist (HBA) | std | std |
Infotainment22 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SAT, HD Radio, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto (ccNC Lite) | — | std |
| AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspot (30-day free trial or up to 3GB / Subscription Required After): Integrated Streaming, Wi-Fi HotSpot | std | — |
| 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation with Satellite Radio, Kia Connect, HD Radio, Voice Recognition, Wi-Fi, Map OTA, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (ccNC Navigation) | — | std |
| 3.5 MM Auxiliary Input Jack | std | — |
| 4-Speaker System | std | — |
| 6 speakers (including 2 tweeters) | — | std |
| AM/FM Stereo HD Radio® | std | — |
| Bluetooth phone and streaming audio hands-free | — | std |
| Bluetooth® Audio Streaming, Hands-Free Phone Connectivity, SMS Text Messaging | std | — |
| Center speaker (front x1) | — | std |
| Front USB c-type charging and connection (x1) | — | std |
| Harman Kardon Premium Audio system | — | std |
| Paddle shifters | — | std |
| Rear USB c-type chargers (x2 ports rear console) | — | std |
| SiriusXM | opt | — |
| Steering wheel mounted audio controls | — | std |
| Subaru Dual 7-inch Multimedia System | std | — |
| Subwoofer speaker (front x1) | — | std |
| USB-A charge port (Front Center Console) | std | — |
| USB-Based Android Auto™ | std | — |
| USB-Based Apple CarPlay® | std | — |
| Wireless phone charging pad with integrated cooling fan | — | std |
Convenience9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Height adjustable Smart power liftgate | — | std |
| Digital Key 2.0 Premium | — | std |
| Smart Key with Push Button Start with burglar alarm and panic function | — | std |
| 12-Volt Power Outlet (Front Center Console) | std | — |
| 12V power outlet (console x1, cargo x1) | — | std |
| Power window with one-touch auto up/down (driver window) | — | std |
| Powered front and rear windows | — | std |
| Driver and Passenger's central door lock | — | std |
| Power windows with front one-touch auto up/down and safety | — | std |
Climate4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd row air vents | — | std |
| Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control w/Voice Activation | std | — |
| Dual-zone full automatic temperature control (FATC) | — | std |
| Automatic defog system | — | std |
Seating10 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-way power adjustable driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support | — | std |
| Heated front seats | — | std |
| SynTex premium artificial leather seating | — | std |
| 2-position Integrated Memory System (IMS) for driver's seat and outside mirrors | — | std |
| 10-way power adjustable driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support | — | std |
| 4-way manual adjustable front passenger seat | — | std |
| 60/40 Folding Rear Seatback | std | — |
| Front passenger seatback pockets | — | std |
| Rear 60:40 folding with recline | — | std |
| Rear center padded armrest with cup holders | — | std |
| 6-way manual adjustable driver's seat | std | std |
| Cloth seating | std | std |
Interior18 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2-inch Combination Meter Display | std | — |
| Cargo Area Light | std | — |
| Day and night rear-view mirror | — | std |
| Door pocket bottle holder | — | std |
| Extendable sunvisor | — | std |
| Hydrographic wood center fascia | — | std |
| Leather wrapped steering wheel | — | std |
| Metal paint center fascia | — | std |
| Metal paint inside door handle | — | std |
| Padded front center armrest with storage box and cupholders | — | std |
| Soft PVC Trans gearshift knob | — | std |
| Soft-touch crashpad | — | std |
| Tilt and telescopic steering column | — | std |
| Welcome Lighting | std | — |
| Illuminated sunvisor mirrors | — | std |
| Front passenger seatback pockets | — | std |
| LED luggage lamp | — | std |
| LED map lamp | — | std |
Exterior32 differ · 33 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Panoramic sunroof with power shade | — | std |
| Power folding outside mirrors | — | std |
| 18-inch Alloy wheels | — | std |
| Black radiator grille with silver trim | — | std |
| Body-color outside mirrors | — | std |
| Crossbar Mounting Points | std | — |
| Door Cladding | std | — |
| Front variable intermittent windshield wipers | — | std |
| Gloss black outside mirrors | — | std |
| Gloss black radiator grille with dark trim / Gloss black unique design radiator grille with dark trim | — | std |
| Gloss black window DLO surround | — | std |
| Heated outside mirrors | — | std |
| Heated tailgate glass | — | std |
| Hidden rear tailgate glass wiper | — | std |
| Ladder Type Roof Rails | std | — |
| LED daytime running lights (DRL) Amber Type | — | std |
| LED fog light | — | std |
| LED Low Projection and High MFR Beam Low and High Beam, Cube type | — | std |
| LED rear combination lights | — | std |
| Matte black over fender trim | — | std |
| Matte black side sill trim | — | std |
| Power adjustable outside mirrors | — | std |
| Power adjustable outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals | — | std |
| Power Mirrors | std | — |
| Privacy rear windows (PHEV: Privacy rear windows) | — | std |
| Rear spoiler | — | std |
| Silver finish window DLO surround | — | std |
| Tire Mobility Kit (TMK) | — | std |
| Wheel Arch Cladding | std | — |
| Auto light control | — | std |
| Privacy glass (tailgate and rear windows) | — | std |
| LED high mounted stop lamp | — | std |
| Acoustic Laminated Windshield | std | std |
Powertrain6 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | — | std |
| Terrain mode, Snow, Mud, Sand modes (AWD only) | — | std |
| 6-Speed Automatic Transmission | — | std |
| Eco, Sport and MyDrive | — | std |
| Electric Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) | — | std |
| Transmission gear selector - Rotary Dial (Shift-by-wire) | — | std |
| All Wheel Drive (AWD) | std | std |
Chassis4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Active Torque Vectoring (Brake based) | std | — |
| McPherson strut front suspension | — | std |
| Multi-link rear suspension | — | std |
| Shock Absorber Type: Gas | — | std |
Cargo3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Area Hooks | std | — |
| Dual-level cargo floor | — | std |
| Luggage net hook | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPSubaru Forester
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints —
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Kia Sportage
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 1 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (1), Engine (1), Power Train (1)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Kia SportageLX FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29,995 (base trim) | $28,990 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $29,995 – $41,545 9 trims | $28,990 – $47,390 18 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | PHEV, HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Forester Hybrid AWD | Sportage Hybrid FWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 36 | 41 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,750 | $1,500 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2027 Subaru Forester or the 2027 Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage wins clearly, 100 to 82, on tech & comfort, safety, fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Kia Sportage scores 100 and the 2027 Subaru Forester 82. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2027 Subaru Forester or the 2027 Kia Sportage?
The 2027 Kia Sportage starts lower — $28,990 against $29,995, a gap of $1,005 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2027 Subaru Forester or the 2027 Kia Sportage?
2027 Subaru Forester: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Kia Sportage: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 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 2027 Subaru Forester and the 2027 Kia Sportage?
Where the 2027 Kia Sportage wins: it lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 13, lists more comfort and tech equipment (49 points against 17.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and costs $250 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,500 against $1,750). What they share: a Safety Signal of 100 and 178 lb-ft.