The Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage are both great choices if you’re shopping for a compact SUV. The RAV4 has been around in its current generation for a few years, while the Kia Sportage is all-new for 2023.
Let’s take a closer look at these SUVs and find the right one for you.
2023 Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage has been fully redesigned for 2023. The big story with the new Sportage is that it’s quite a bit larger than the outgoing model. It’s slotted between the smaller Seltos and the bigger, 3-row Sorento in the Kia SUV lineup. Although it’s bigger than its predecessor, it’s still a similar size to the popular Toyota RAV4. The starting price at the base trim is $25,990.
There’s also a hybrid version of the Sportage available, and a plug-in hybrid variant is on the way.
Kia Sportage Highlights
Huge cabin: The Sportage got bigger with the 2023 redesign, which means more interior space. It has two adult-friendly rows of seats with plenty of legroom in the back. On top of that, Kia claims the Sportage has the biggest cargo hold in its class, with 39.6 cubic feet of room behind the back seats. This adds up to a compact SUV that makes a great family vehicle as long as you don’t need a third row of seats.
High-tech interior: The roomy interior of the all-new Kia Sportage is packed with impressive tech features, especially in the upper trims. Even in the base LX trim, you get a 12.2-inch digital gauge cluster, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and many Kia DriveWise driver assistance tech features. Optional tech features include Harman Kardon premium audio, dual panoramic displays, a surround-view monitor, etc.
X-Pro off-road models: The all-new Kia Sportage does a bit of a return to its heritage as a compact off-road SUV. It still has unibody construction giving it a smooth and car-like ride, but the new X-Pro models are competent off-roaders that can compete with the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road. The X-Pro trims come with 8.3 inches of ground clearance, all-wheel drive (AWD) with a center locking differential, multi-terrain drive modes, all-terrain tires, and more.
2022 Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is America’s best-selling SUV, and it’s not hard to see why. It continues its well-earned reputation for being good at just about everything. It’s roomy, fuel-efficient, high-tech, and carries the Toyota brand’s calling card of safety and reliability. Starting price is $26,975.
If you’re considering the RAV4 and want the best fuel economy, check out the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime.
Toyota RAV4 Highlights
Excellent fuel economy: The Toyota RAV4 beats the Kia Sportage when it comes to fuel economy. The RAV4 gets up to 30 combined mpg with both front-wheel drive (FWD) and AWD. By comparison, the Sportage gets up to 28 combined mpg with FWD and only 25 mpg with AWD. The result is lower fuel costs with the RAV4, which add up over time.
Stellar resale value: The Toyota RAV4 is our Compact SUV Best Buy for 2022, partially because of its outstanding resale value. If you’re in the market for a new compact SUV and don’t want to take a significant depreciation hit, then the RAV4 is one of the best values in its class.
Many standard features: Every trim of the Toyota RAV4 comes well-equipped with standard features. The base LE trim comes with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 safety tech suite, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and LED headlights. The top Limited trim has premium features like JBL premium audio and a power sunroof, and the TRD Off-Road model comes with many off-road features like a TRD-tuned suspension and torque-vectoring AWD.
Similarities
Off-road trims, similar sizing, similar pricing, roomy interior, hybrid options
Conclusion
You can’t go wrong with either of these compact SUVs. They’re two of the top choices in the competitive compact SUV class. Both have spacious interiors, excellent standard and available features, and they even both offer impressive off-road chops when properly equipped. Go with the RAV4 if you want better fuel economy and choose the Sportage if you want more interior space. See Kia Sportage models for sale or See Toyota RAV4 models for sale
| 2023 Kia Sportage | 2022 Toyota RAV4 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 2.5L 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 203 hp @ 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 25 city/32 highway | 27 city/35 highway |
| Also Available | AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 36 months/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 60 months/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not Rated | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 105.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.5 inches | 180.9 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 73.0 inches |
| Height | 65.4 inches | 67.0 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.6 feet | 36.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.6 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.4 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 41.0 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 41.3 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.5 inches | 57.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.6 inches | 56.4 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 39.6 cubic feet | 37.6 cubic feet |
