Kia Sportage vs Toyota RAV4: Specs Compared
Also searched as Toyota RAV4 vs Kia Sportage specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 43 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Across 3 measured categories, the Kia Sportage leads in 2. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
Kia Sportage
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 69 configurations
2015–2026
Toyota RAV4
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 72 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Kia Sportage | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 43 mpg | 43 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 42 mpg | 47 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 44 mpg ✓ | 40 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,450 | $1,450 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 55 g/mi ✓ | 72 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI | SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, SIDI & PFI; PHEV |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (S8), Automatic (S6) | Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (variable gear ratios), Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular Gas and Electricity, Regular | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 69 | 72 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Kia Sportage vs Toyota RAV4 dimensions and size
The Kia Sportage is 3.2 inches longer than the Toyota RAV4 on a wheelbase 2.8 inches longer, and 127.9 lbs lighter. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Kia Sportage (2026) | Toyota RAV4 (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.3 in | 181.1 in | 3.2 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 73.6 in | 72.8 in | 0.8 in |
| Height | 65.7 in | 66.5 in | 0.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.7 in | 105.9 in | 2.8 in |
| Curb weight | 3,618 lbs | 3,746 lbs | 128 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.
Kia Sportage vs Toyota RAV4: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Kia Sportage burns about $1,450 of fuel annually against $1,450 for the Toyota RAV4. That $0 yearly gap compounds to roughly $0 over five years and $0 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Toyota RAV4 is the stronger commuter at 47 mpg city, while the Kia Sportage pulls ahead on the interstate at 44 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Kia Sportage is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid), the Toyota RAV4 with 4 (SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start). Across 69 recorded Kia Sportage configurations and 72 for the Toyota RAV4, 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 Kia Sportage is offered with All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, the Toyota RAV4 with Front-Wheel Drive, All-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 4WD and Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Kia Sportage emits 55 g/mile of CO2 versus 72 g/mile for the Toyota RAV4. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Sportage vs RAV4: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Kia Sportage or the Toyota RAV4?
The Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 43 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Toyota RAV4 runs about $1,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $1,450 for the Kia Sportage — a difference of roughly $0 per year.
What engines do the Sportage and RAV4 offer?
Kia Sportage: SIDI; PHEV, SIDI & PFI, SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI. Toyota RAV4: SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, SIDI & PFI; PHEV.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Kia Sportage and the Toyota RAV4 as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
More Sportage comparisons
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Comparison id: kia-sportage-vs-toyota-rav4