2013 Kia Sportage vs. Its Competition

Meta Rating 8 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

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Apr 2, 2013

The stylish Kia Sportage has an athletic look and feel, especially with turbo power, but it's a bit small compared to some of the crossovers in its class.

The likely alternatives you'll shop include the Hyundai Tucson, a mechanical cousin of the Kia, but with "fluidic sculpture" styling all its own--and without the turbo-four option.

The Nissan Rogue is quite close in execution to the Kia (and Hyundai), but some might be turned off by its continuously variable transmission, which can create more drivetrain noise and isn't particularly efficient in this application, either.

The Chevy Equinox is noticeably bigger than the Sportage, but the four-cylinder model gets the same top EPA highway rating, and its second-row seat slides for flexible interior space.

New this year, the 2013 Ford Escape has very sporty handling and styling, and features that will awe some and confuse others--while the newest Honda CR-V makes the most of its interior space and reputation for durability, while styling's just improved enough to ignore, and fuel economy's now a bit above average.

2013 Kia Sportage Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Chevrolet Equinox Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Ford Escape Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Honda CR-V Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Hyundai Tucson Get FREE Price Quote	2013 Nissan Rogue Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8 A rakish crossover with a 260-horsepower four on tap, the Kia Sportage reboots its image on a few levels all at once.	8 The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is a good, affordable choice for cost-conscious families, but it doesn't skimp on comfort, safety, or the latest connectivity features.	8 After eleven years, a change-up: the 2013 Ford Escape drops the faux-SUV pitch and reels off authentically athletic looks and performance.	7.8 The 2013 Honda CR-V hits all the right marks for cost-conscious families—with its interior layout and safety ratings both best-in-class—although it doesn't feel as sprightly as former CR-V models.	7.8 Rich in value and interesting styling cues, the 2013 Hyundai Tucson's a pint-sized crossover that completely avoids SUV cliches of size and looks.	7.2 The 2013 Nissan Rogue may not have excitement in its corner, but its layout, features, and affordability make a lot of sense for smaller families.
MSRP From
$19,000	$24,155	$22,470	$22,795	$20,395	$22,610
Gas Mileage
20 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy	20 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy	21 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy	20 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas I4	Gas/Ethanol I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4
EPA Class
2WD Sport Utility Vehicle	2WD Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD	2WD Sport Utility	Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD	FWD Sport Utility
Style Name
2WD 4dr Base	FWD 4dr LS	FWD 4dr S	2WD 5dr LX	FWD 4dr Man GL Ltd Avail	FWD 4dr S
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
4 Door	Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility Vehicle	Sport Utility
Transmission
Manual	Automatic	Automatic w/Manual Shift	Automatic	Manual	Continuously variable ratio