Head-to-head
2027 Kia Sportage vs 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Kia Sportage wins clearly, 99 to 80.7, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, safety. The Volkswagen Tiguan is ahead on performance.
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
A2027 Volkswagen Tiguan
The 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Tiguan S, is EPA-rated at 2…
Verdict · default weights
2027 Kia Sportage
Clear winThe Kia Sportage wins clearly, 99 to 80.7, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, safety. The Volkswagen Tiguan is ahead on performance.
Tech & comfort 2027 Kia Sportage leads by 59.2
Fuel & range 2027 Kia Sportage leads by 28.6
Safety 2027 Kia Sportage leads by 10.1
| Category · weight | 2027 Volkswagen Tiguanoverall 80.7 | 2027 Kia Sportageoverall 99 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 92.9 | 100 | |||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 71.4 | 100 | |||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 89.9 | 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 | 92.3 | 100 | |||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 90.7 | |||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 40.8 | 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 | 80.7 | 99 | |||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Volkswagen Tiguan: base trim S FWD · 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 more comfort and tech equipment (49 points against 20 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 22.
- It is rated 41 combined against 29 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
Where the 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan answers
- It turns out 207 lb-ft of torque against 178.
- It makes 201 hp against 187.
What they share
- A Safety Signal of 100.
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 | Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $31,205 | $28,990 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 1,984 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.0L inline four cylinder, 16V, turbocharged/intercooled, TSI | 2.5L 4-cylinder gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 187 hp |
| Torque | 207 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 26 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 29 mpg | 28 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 35 mpg | 33 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 3.648 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic hybrid | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | — | 7.1 in |
| Overall height | 66.1 in | 65.4 in |
| Overall length | 184 in | 184 in |
| Overall width | 73 in | 73.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 110 in | 109 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | — | 69.3 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 33.8 cu-ft | 36.6 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 104 cu-ft | — |
| 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 (minimum) | — | 3,434 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,740 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | strut with coil springs and telescopic dampers | McPherson strut |
| Rear suspension type | multilink with coil springs and telescopic dampers | Multi-Link |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | — | Column Type - Motor Driver Power Steering (MDPS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 19.3 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 305 mm | 320 mm |
| Front brake type | vented disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | electronic | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 300 mm | 300 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 7 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 215/65 | 235/65R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | — | 14.3 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | myVW+ | — |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 3 months | — |
| 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
167 features · differences first, then sharedSafety37 differ · 48 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Highway Driving Assist (HDA2) | — | std |
| Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) | — | std |
| Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring) | std | — |
| Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA) | — | std |
| 10 airbags (dual front and side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, driver-side knee airbag, front center airbag, and dual rear side airbags) | std | — |
| Dual front advanced airbags | — | std |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | — | 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 |
| Safe Exit Warning (SEW) | — | std |
| Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) | — | std |
| 10 airbags (dual front and side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, driver-side knee airbag, front center airbag, and dual rear side airbags) | std | — |
| Auto Hold | std | — |
| Automatic Post-Collision Braking System | std | — |
| Blind Spot-Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) | std | — |
| Blind Spot-Collision Warning (BCW) | — | std |
| Electronic parking brake | std | — |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold | — | 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 |
| Intelligent Crash Response System | std | — |
| IQ.DRIVE (Travel Assist w/ assisted lane changing, Front Assist, Active Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, ACC Stop & Go, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist Plus) | std | — |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) | — | std |
| Park Distance Control (front and rear) | std | — |
| Rearview Camera | std | — |
| Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) | — | std |
| Speed sensing auto door locks | — | std |
| Immobilizer | — | std |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Fusion+ with Car, Pedestrian, Cyclist Detection and Direct Oncoming Detection and Avoidance | std | std |
| Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go (SCC with S&G) | std | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | std | std |
| Front seat-mounted side air bags | std | std |
| Full-length side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | std | std |
| Rear seat-mounted side airbags | std | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | std | std |
| High-Beam Assist (HBA) | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) High-Line | std | std |
Infotainment19 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SAT, HD Radio, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto (ccNC Lite) | — | std |
| myVW+ telematics w/ available Wi-Fi | std | — |
| myVW+ telematics w/ available Wi-Fi | 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 |
| 6 speakers (including 2 tweeters) | — | std |
| 7-speaker sound system | std | — |
| App-Connect | std | — |
| Bluetooth phone and streaming audio hands-free | — | std |
| Center speaker (front x1) | — | std |
| Front USB c-type charging and connection (x1) | — | std |
| Harman Kardon Premium Audio system | — | std |
| MIB4 infotainment with 12.9-in display, HD radio, SiriusXM with 360L (3-mo trial), Bluetooth connectivity, and USB-C (4 ports, 45w) | std | — |
| Natural Voice Control | std | — |
| Paddle shifters | — | std |
| Rear USB c-type chargers (x2 ports rear console) | — | std |
| Steering wheel mounted audio controls | — | std |
| Subwoofer speaker (front x1) | — | std |
| Volkswagen 10.25-in Digital Cockpit Pro | std | — |
| Wireless App-Connect (Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™) | std | — |
| Wireless phone charging pad with integrated cooling fan | std | std |
Convenience10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | 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 |
| 12V power outlet (console x1, cargo x1) | — | std |
| Keyless access w/ push-button start (KESSY) and proximity lock & unlock | 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 |
| Two 12-V Outlets (front center console, cargo area) | std | — |
Climate4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd row air vents | — | std |
| Dual-zone full automatic temperature control (FATC) | — | std |
| Two-zone Climatronic climate control with touch functionality | std | — |
| Automatic defog system | — | std |
Seating12 differ · 14 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-way power adjustable driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support | — | std |
| 60:40 2nd row seat (fixed, with cargo fold down) | std | — |
| SynTex premium artificial leather seating | — | std |
| 2-position Integrated Memory System (IMS) for driver's seat and outside mirrors | — | std |
| 6-way manual adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| 10-way power adjustable driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support | — | std |
| 4-way manual adjustable front passenger seat | — | std |
| Front passenger seatback pockets | — | std |
| Manually adjustable front driver's seat | std | — |
| Manually adjustable front passenger's seat | std | — |
| Rear 60:40 folding with recline | — | std |
| Rear center padded armrest with cup holders | — | std |
| Heated front seats | std | std |
| Cloth seating | std | std |
Interior16 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Day and night rear-view mirror | — | std |
| Door pocket bottle holder | — | std |
| Extendable sunvisor | — | std |
| Hydrographic wood center fascia | — | std |
| Metal paint center fascia | — | std |
| Metal paint inside door handle | — | std |
| New 7.6L center console | 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 |
| Framed manual-dimming rearview mirror | std | — |
| Illuminated sunvisor mirrors | — | std |
| Front passenger seatback pockets | — | std |
| LED luggage lamp | — | std |
| LED map lamp | — | std |
| Leather wrapped steering wheel | std | std |
Exterior35 differ · 36 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Panoramic sunroof with power shade | — | std |
| Power folding outside mirrors | — | std |
| 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels | std | — |
| 18-inch Alloy wheels | — | std |
| 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels | opt | — |
| Acoustic Laminated Windshield | — | std |
| Automatic headlights | std | — |
| Black radiator grille with silver trim | — | std |
| Body-color outside mirrors | — | 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 tailgate glass | — | std |
| Heated washer nozzles | std | — |
| Hidden rear tailgate glass wiper | — | std |
| LED daytime running lights (DRL) Amber Type | — | std |
| LED fog light | — | std |
| LED headlights w/ LED DRLs | std | — |
| LED Low Projection and High MFR Beam Low and High Beam, Cube type | — | std |
| LED rear combination lights | — | std |
| LED taillights | 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 |
| Privacy rear windows (PHEV: Privacy rear windows) | — | std |
| Rain-sensing wipers | std | — |
| Rear spoiler | — | std |
| Silver anodized roof rails | std | — |
| Silver finish window DLO surround | — | std |
| Tire Mobility Kit (TMK) | — | std |
| Auto light control | — | std |
| Privacy glass (tailgate and rear windows) | — | std |
| LED high mounted stop lamp | — | std |
| Heated outside mirrors | std | std |
Powertrain8 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Terrain mode, Snow, Mud, Sand modes (AWD only) | — | std |
| 2.0T EA888 201-hp engine | std | — |
| 6-Speed Automatic Transmission | — | std |
| 8-Speed Automatic Transmission | std | — |
| Active Control (4Motion AWD terrain management: Onroad, Snow, Offroad, Custom Offroad) | std | — |
| Electric Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) | — | std |
| Start/Stop system | std | — |
| Transmission gear selector - Rotary Dial (Shift-by-wire) | — | std |
| All Wheel Drive (AWD) | std | std |
| Front Wheel Drive (FWD) | std | std |
| Eco, Sport and MyDrive | std | std |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| McPherson strut front suspension | — | std |
| Multi-link rear suspension | — | std |
| Shock Absorber Type: Gas | — | std |
Cargo4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | Kia SportageLX FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo storage solution w/ Smart Floor | std | — |
| Dual-level cargo floor | — | std |
| Luggage net hook | — | std |
| Trailer hitch preparation | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPVolkswagen Tiguan
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| Volkswagen TiguanS FWD | Kia SportageLX FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $31,205 (base trim) | $28,990 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $31,205 – $43,085 7 trims | $28,990 – $47,390 18 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | PHEV, HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Tiguan S | Sportage Hybrid FWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 29 | 41 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,300 | $1,650 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | 3 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan or the 2027 Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage wins clearly, 99 to 80.7, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, safety. The Volkswagen Tiguan is ahead on performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Kia Sportage scores 99 and the 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan 80.7. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan or the 2027 Kia Sportage?
The 2027 Kia Sportage starts lower — $28,990 against $31,205, a gap of $2,215 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan or the 2027 Kia Sportage?
2027 Volkswagen Tiguan: 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 Volkswagen Tiguan and the 2027 Kia Sportage?
Where the 2027 Kia Sportage wins: it lists more comfort and tech equipment (49 points against 20 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), lists 37 standard driver-assist features against 22, and is rated 41 combined against 29 (EPA mpg or MPGe). Where the 2027 Volkswagen Tiguan answers: it turns out 207 lb-ft of torque against 178 and makes 201 hp against 187. What they share: a Safety Signal of 100.