Athletic on-road behavior and available turbo power are two of the main points that separate the Kia Sportage from most of its competitors.
The Hyundai Tucson is a mechanical cousin of the Kia, but with softer "fluidic sculpture" styling and without the turbo-four option it doesn't match the Kia for attitude.
The 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 quite good with the new direct-injection engine and CVT.
The Nissan Rogue is newly redone, with an improved feature set, although its continuously variable transmission doesn't make it feel all that lively.
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.
There's also the Ford Escape, which has very sporty handling and styling, and features that will awe some and confuse others.
Mazda's CX-5 is easily the most engaging in this segment, but even its optional larger engine can't keep up with the Kia's turbo; still, it's nicely balanced and relatively attractive.
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 2015 Kia SportageBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Chevrolet EquinoxBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Ford EscapeBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Honda CR-VBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Hyundai TucsonBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Nissan RogueBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2015 Kia Sportage is nice to look at and good fun to drive when equipped with the turbo engine; it's proof that crossovers don't have to be uninteresting. |
The 2015 Chevrolet Equinox is more refined and quiet than many of its competitors, while offering the versatility and value that a budget-conscious family would expect. |
With athletic looks and the performance to match, plus a roomy interior and loads of available cabin tech and convenience features, the 2015 Ford Escape is bolder and more exciting than most rivals, without much compromise. |
The 2015 Honda CR-V is neither sporty nor particularly quick, but fuel efficiency is excellent and it prioritizes interior space, earnest practicality, and cleverly chosen features in a way that buyers appear to crave. |
The 2015 Hyundai Tucson is a stylish choice in the compact crossover segment, with solid but unexciting powertrains and a strong feature set. |
The 2015 Nissan Rogue may have a small third row, but it's a better car than the previous generation in virtually every way. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $21,900 | $22,120 | $23,450 | $23,445 | $21,650 | $20,150 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 19 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded I-4 | Gas I4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Small SUV 2WD | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD |
| Style Name | |||||
| 2WD 4-Door LX | FWD 4-Door L | FWD 4-Door S | 2WD 5-Door LX | FWD 4-Door GLS | FWD 4-Door S *Ltd Avail* |
| 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 | |||||
| Sport Utility | Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | CVT w/OD | Automatic w/OD | CVT w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2015 Kia Sportage vs. 2015 Chevrolet Equinox | 2015 Kia Sportage vs. 2015 Ford Escape | 2015 Kia Sportage vs. 2015 Honda CR-V | 2015 Kia Sportage vs. 2015 Hyundai Tucson | 2015 Kia Sportage vs. 2015 Nissan Rogue | |
