Hyundai Nexo vs Kia Sportage: Specs Compared
Also searched as Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Nexo specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Hyundai Nexo is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 68 mpg combined versus 43 mpg for the Kia Sportage, a 25 mpg advantage.
Across 3 measured categories, the Hyundai Nexo leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2019–2026
Hyundai Nexo
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 16 configurations
2015–2027
Kia Sportage
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 69 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Hyundai Nexo | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 68 mpg ✓ | 43 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 71 mpg ✓ | 42 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 64 mpg ✓ | 44 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | Not available | $1,450 |
| Lowest CO2 output | Not available | 55 g/mi |
| Engines offered | PMSM, PEM | SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1) | Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8), Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrains | Front-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Hydrogen | Regular Gas and Electricity, Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2019–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 16 | 69 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Hyundai Nexo vs Kia Sportage dimensions and size
The Kia Sportage is 0.4 inches longer than the Hyundai Nexo on a wheelbase 1.2 inches shorter, and 440.9 lbs lighter. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Hyundai Nexo (2022) | Kia Sportage (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.9 in | 184.3 in | 0.4 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 73.2 in | 73.6 in | 0.4 in |
| Height | 64.6 in | 65.7 in | 1.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.8 in | 108.7 in | 1.2 in |
| Curb weight | 4,059 lbs | 3,618 lbs | 441 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Hyundai Nexo vs Kia Sportage: what the numbers mean
City and highway economy: the Hyundai Nexo leads in both cycles — 71 mpg city and 64 mpg highway against 42 and 44 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Powertrain choice: the Hyundai Nexo is recorded with 2 distinct engine configurations (PMSM, PEM), the Kia Sportage with 4 (SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid). Across 16 recorded Hyundai Nexo configurations and 69 for the Kia Sportage, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Hyundai Nexo is offered with Front-Wheel Drive, the Kia Sportage with All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD and Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Nexo vs Sportage: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Hyundai Nexo or the Kia Sportage?
The Hyundai Nexo is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 68 mpg combined versus 43 mpg for the Kia Sportage, a 25 mpg advantage.
What engines do the Nexo and Sportage offer?
Hyundai Nexo: PMSM, PEM. Kia Sportage: SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Hyundai Nexo as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD and the Kia Sportage as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
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Comparison id: hyundai-nexo-vs-kia-sportage