Compare/Sportage vs. Tucson

Configuration-aware comparison

2027 Kia Sportage vs. 2026 Hyundai Tucson

The Sportage and Tucson share a 187-horsepower engine, EPA ratings and warranty, so the differences are small. The Tucson has more cargo space, 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats against 39.6, and a more upscale cabin; the Sportage starts cheaper and its hybrid is rated up to 41 mpg combined against 38.

Checked Aug. 17, 2026United States specifications7 linked sources

Which to choose, and why

What they share

U.S. News (opens in a new tab) says the two use exactly the same base powertrain, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic, return the same EPA 25 city and 33 highway mpg with front-wheel drive and 24/30 with all-wheel drive, and carry the same five-year/60,000-mile limited and ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Both tie for the class's largest rear legroom at 41.3 inches. CarBuzz (opens in a new tab) adds that both have a 108.5-inch wheelbase and offer gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.

Where they split: hybrids and efficiency

CarBuzz lists the Sportage Hybrid at 232 horsepower and up to 40 city, 42 highway and 41 combined mpg with front-wheel drive, against 231 horsepower and 38 combined mpg for the most frugal Tucson Hybrid (Hybrid Blue) and 36 for other Tucson hybrids. The plug-in versions are close: CarBuzz gives the Sportage 33 miles of electric range and 83 MPGe against 32 miles and 77 MPGe for the Tucson. If a hybrid is on your list, the Kia has the efficiency edge.

Space, cabin and price

U.S. News says the Hyundai wins on cargo space, interior quality, interior features and safety, while the Kia has the lower starting price and a higher predicted reliability rating. It lists the Tucson at 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 80.3 folded, and the Sportage at 39.6 and 74.1. CarBuzz notes the Tucson also has more headroom, over 40 inches in front against 39.6 for a non-hybrid Sportage, and that a top-trim Tucson costs a few hundred dollars less than the Sportage's equivalent. iSeeCars (opens in a new tab) lists new pricing of $30,461 to $39,759 for the Sportage and $31,771 to $43,249 for the Tucson, and gives reliability ratings of 7.5 and 7.4 out of 10.

Resale and running cost

CarBuzz, citing resale forecasts, says the Tucson holds about 53% of its value after five years and the Sportage about 50%, a marginal edge to the Hyundai, and cites CarEdge at $2,659 in repairs and maintenance over the Sportage's first five years, better than the segment average. The difference between these two is small enough that the trim, the local dealer and the inspection of the exact vehicle will decide more than the badge.

Questions buyers ask

Do the Sportage and Tucson use the same engine?

Yes. U.S. News (opens in a new tab) says both use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic, and they have the same EPA ratings with gas power.

Which has more cargo space, the Sportage or the Tucson?

The Tucson, at 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats against 39.6 for the Sportage, according to U.S. News.

Which has the better hybrid?

On fuel economy, the Sportage Hybrid, rated up to 41 mpg combined against 38 for the best Tucson Hybrid, per CarBuzz (opens in a new tab).

Decision fieldKia SportageHyundai Tucson

Power187–261 hp187–268 hp

DrivetrainFWD / AWDFWD / AWD

Trim map12 published positions7 published positions

Seating5Not published

Powertrain contextPowertrain: 2.5L gas, turbo hybrid or plug-in hybrid · Output: 187–261 hpEngine: 2.5L (gas) / hybrid / plug-in hybrid · Gas output: 187 hp

Towing contextThe most the 2027 Kia Sportage is published to tow is 2,500 lb.Hyundai lists 2,750 pounds with trailer brakes and 1,650 pounds without trailer brakes for the gas model.

Ranges and maximums describe family-level possibilities. Open each vehicle record before treating a number or feature as applicable to a particular trim.

What separates them

Four decisions that change the answer.

This comparison does not force a universal winner. It identifies the configuration question that matters for each use case.

Powertrain range

Sportage: Powertrain 2.5L gas, turbo hybrid or plug-in hybrid; Output 187–261 hp. Tucson: Engine 2.5L (gas) / hybrid / plug-in hybrid; Gas output 187 hp.

Drivetrain

The Sportage is represented with FWD / AWD; the Tucson with FWD / AWD. Standard status must be checked by trim.

Trim structure

The Sportage comes in 12 trims and the Tucson in 7. Package combinations can create additional builds.

Capability

The most the 2027 Kia Sportage is published to tow is 2,500 lb. Hyundai lists 2,750 pounds with trailer brakes and 1,650 pounds without trailer brakes for the gas model.

Seating & cargo

The 2027 Kia Sportage seats 5 (compact SUV). No sourced seating figure is published for this record yet.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Kia Sportage: 6 records · Hyundai Tucson: 5 records.

Decision field	Kia Sportage	Hyundai Tucson
Exact EPA records	6	5
Model / option labels	6	5
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; PHEV, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI	1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid, 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; PHEV, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI
Transmissions	Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8)	Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity	Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	24–41 MPG/MPGe	26–38 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	33 miles	32 miles
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$1600–2700 per year	$1700–2500 per year

Head to head

Kia Sportage vs. Hyundai Tucson: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Kia Sportage	Hyundai Tucson
Starting price (KBB base)	$30,485	$31,050
Top trim price (KBB base)	$41,385	$42,525
Horsepower	187 hp	187 hp
Torque	178 lb-ft	178 lb-ft
Curb weight	3,434-3,603 lb	3,572-3,800 lb
Length	184.4 in	182.3 in
Wheelbase	108.5 in	108.5 in
Cargo volume	74.1 cu ft	80.3 cu ft
Towing capacity	2,500 lb	2,700 lb
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	5 years	5 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2027 and 2026 model years); prices are KBB base prices.

The Kia Sportage starts $565 lower: $30,485 against $31,050 before options and fees.
Both list the same peak horsepower: 187 hp.
Both list the same peak torque: 178 lb-ft.
The Kia Sportage is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,434 lb against 3,572 lb.
On length, the Kia Sportage leads: 184.4 in against 182.3 in.
Both list the same wheelbase: 108.5 in.
On cargo volume, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 80.3 cu ft against 74.1 cu ft.
On maximum towing capacity, the Hyundai Tucson leads: 2,700 lb against 2,500 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 5 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson.

2027 Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is a series of automobiles manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Kia since 1993 through five generations.

Safety: The second-generation Sportage earned a top rating of five stars in crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it only “acceptable” for frontal and side impact crash protection and “poor” for roof strength.
Awards: In 2022, the Sportage won the 'Family SUV' and 'Full Hybrid' categories in the Scottish Car of the Year Awards. In 2023, the Sportage was chosen as Car of the Year in Morocco.

Source: Kia Sportage (Wikipedia)

Engines. The SL series Sportage was released to Asian and European markets in April 2010, the North and Central American markets in August 2010, and the Australian market in October 2010, for the 2011 model year. Two engines were available, a 2.0-litre Hyundai R diesel engine with 184 hp (137 kW), and a 2.0-litre Theta T-GDi petrol engine.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Kia Sportage overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

January 2026, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may… Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
December 2025, Trailer Hitches. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As… Consequence: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Kia Sportage, most often about unknown or other (21), electrical system (15), forward collision avoidance (8).

2026 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is a compact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. It is named after the city of Tucson, Arizona, U.S. The second-generation model was marketed as the Hyundai ix35 in several markets, including Europe, Australia and China, before reverting to Tucson for the third-generation.

Source: Hyundai Tucson (Wikipedia)

Safety. There are dual-stage frontal impact airbags, torso side-impact airbags built into the front seats, and curtain airbags for side-impact protection for front and rear passengers. The 2009 Hyundai Tucson was rated by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Frontal Rating (Driver): Frontal Rating (Passenger): Side Rating (Driver): Side Rating (Passenger):

Powertrain. The Hyundai Tucson received accolades from Canadian Car of the Year Best New Crossover award for 2005. It was named as one of the most reliable vehicles from the 2009 Consumer Reports reliability survey.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Hyundai Tucson overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (12 campaigns across the latest model years)

June 2026, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle… Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
May 2026, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes. Consequence: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
April 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Side Impact. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment. Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Owners filed 283 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Hyundai Tucson, most often about forward collision avoidance (148), electrical system (63), unknown or other (57).

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2027 Kia Sportage or the 2026 Hyundai Tucson?

Efficiency

The 2027 Kia Sportage lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (32.5 vs. the 2026 Hyundai Tucson's 32 MPG/MPGe).