2021 Kia Sportage vs 2020 Subaru Forester

2021 Kia Sportage

2020 Subaru Forester

Select style

EX AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Sportage EX AWD	21	25	$27,733	$28,890
Sportage EX FWD	23	30	$26,295	$27,390
Sportage LX AWD	21	25	$24,567	$25,590
Sportage LX FWD	23	30	$23,125	$24,090
Sportage S AWD	21	25	$27,157	$28,290
Sportage S FWD	23	30	$25,527	$26,590
Sportage SX Turbo AWD	19	24	$33,664	$35,250
Sportage SX Turbo FWD	20	28	$32,232	$33,750

Select style

CVT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Forester CVT	26	33	$23,099	$24,495
Forester Limited CVT	26	33	$29,062	$31,095
Forester Premium CVT	26	33	$25,753	$27,395
Forester Sport CVT	26	33	$27,224	$28,995
Forester Touring CVT	26	33	$32,266	$34,595

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$27,733

$23,099

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$28,890

$24,495

Monthly Payment Estimate

$482 / month

$408 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.7

Read Our Full Review

6.8

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2021 Kia Sportage hits with value and looks even if its performance and fuel economy slightly miss.

The 2020 Subaru Forester is an incredible value among compact crossovers and a former Best Car To Buy winner.

TCC Likes

Good looks
Value at lower ends
Good safety equipment and results

Remarkable capability
Remarkable value
Remarkable space

TCC Dislikes

Poor fuel economy
Adequate performance
Outward vision isn’t great

Looks haven’t changed much
Not especially powerful
It’s not free...

Fuel Economy

City

21 mpg

26 mpg

Highway

25 mpg

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Small SUV 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

51.2

53.6

Passenger Volume (ft³)

98.6

111.9

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.1

58.2

Second Head Room (in)

39.1

39.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

55.1

57.2

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

41.5

43.3

Front Hip Room (in)

54.3

54.1

Second Leg Room (in)

38.2

39.4

Front Head Room (in)

39.3

41.2

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

63.5

61.6

Min Ground Clearance (in)

6.8

8.7

Length, Overall (in)

176.4

182.1

Height, Overall (in)

65.2

67.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.8

Wheelbase (in)

105.1

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

71.5

Liftover Height (in)

28.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

30.7

31.1

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

30.7

31.1

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

60.1

74.3

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

43.3

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

70.3

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

51.2

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

34.8

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

35.7

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.9

11.2

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.6

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

16.4

16.6

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

34.8

35.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P225/55HR18

P225/60HR17

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P225/55HR18

P225/60HR17

Rear Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1653

1500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

1653

1500

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

1653

1500

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

165

150

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

165

150

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3448

3449

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7

17 X 7

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7

17 X 7

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

140

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

175 @ 4000

176 @ 4400

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.4 L/144

2.5 L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

181 @ 6000

182 @ 5800

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded I-4

Regular Unleaded H-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.19

3.70

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.80

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.38

3.69

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.64

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.39

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.77

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.21

3.60 - 0.75

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.56

Summary

Vehicle Name

Kia Sportage

Subaru Forester

Body Style

Sport Utility

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.7

6.1

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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