Kia Sportage vs. Honda CR-V

Designed to Stand Apart

The Kia Sportage and the Honda CR-V share exterior hallmarks: a range of wheel sizes, LED lighting, and vertical taillights. But only the Kia Sportage adds a signature touch: distinctive vertical headlights framed by amber Daytime Running Lights, creating a sharper, more modern face.

Both offer a generous color palette, yet the Sportage dares to go bolder with its available matte finish and 2-tone design featuring a contrasting Black roof. The CR-V opts for caution, favoring familiarity over flair. For drivers drawn to design that speaks louder than badges, the Sportage projects personality before it even hits the road.

Inside, Form Meets Feel

Step inside, and Kia’s design precision becomes personal. The Kia Sportage and the Honda CR-V offer available heated front seats, but the Sportage adds a heated flat-bottom steering wheel for comfort on cold commutes. The CR-V skips that touch of convenience that makes cool drives a little warmer.

The Sportage also offers optional features that speak to real life and real families that the CR-V forgoes, including:

• Heated windshield to clear overnight frost
• Ventilated front seats that cool you after a weekend hike
• Premium quilted SynTex seating that’s soft and sustainable yet easy to clean after a backseat spill.

Every detail feels designed for comfort, care, and calm.

Though their footprints are similar, the Sportage wins where it counts: space that supports your life in motion. With a class-leading rear legroom of 41.3 inches and rear cargo room of 39.6 cubic feet, it easily accommodates backpacks, strollers, groceries, and getaways. When every inch matters, the Sportage makes every trip feel effortless.

Confidence With Every Command

The Kia Sportage and the Honda CR-V start strong with available all-wheel drive (AWD) and three standard Drive Modes that adapt to changing conditions. Yet only the Kia Sportage adds excitement with standard Sport mode and customizable MyDrive settings, letting you fine-tune throttle, steering, and responsiveness to match your route or your playlist.

All-wheel drive versions expand capability, but only the Sportage ventures further. Its available multi-terrain drive modes—Mud, Sand, and Snow—instill confidence when the pavement ends or the weather turns. The Sportage adapts instantly, keeping you composed, calm, and in command wherever the day leads.

Built for Real-World Versatility

When you leave the asphalt behind, it’s the Kia Sportage and its 8.3 inches of ground maximum clearance that leads the charge. It confidently clears rocks, ruts, and rain-soaked trails where the CR-V’s maximum 8.2 inches might hesitate. Add 178 lb-ft of torque standard across all trims, and the Sportage tackles uphill climbs and quick passes with ease.

When the weekend calls, the Sportage brings more muscle to your moments. Its 2,500-pound towing capacity (when properly equipped) easily outperforms the CR-V’s 1,500 pounds. The CR-V handles bikes or small trailers, but the Sportage is ready for boats, campers, and bigger plans ahead.

Smarter from the Start

The Kia Sportage and the Honda CR-V offer wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ and wireless charging, but the Sportage includes a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen versus the CR-V’s 9-inch display. Kia’s available Dual Panoramic Displays with Navigation, totaling over 24 inches, creates a seamless, intuitive interface that makes navigation, media, and connectivity second nature.

Mornings and shared drives demand simplicity, and the Sportage delivers. Its available Digital Key 2.0 lets you lock, unlock, and start the vehicle with your phone while sharing access via text. Kia’s tech feels intuitive and inviting, while the CR-V’s suite works reliably but rarely surprises or delights.

Confidence You Can See

Advanced driver-assistance technology comes standard in both SUVs, but the Kia Sportage goes the extra mile. Along with similar brand-specific features found in the Honda CR-V, such as Smart Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Warning, and Rear Occupant Alert, the Kia Sportage also includes standard front and rear parking sensors that make navigating busy parking lots easier.

Peace of mind in the Kia deepens with features the CR-V can’t match, like an optional 360-degree Surround View Monitor and Safe Exit Warning system. The Surround View system provides sharp visual awareness from every angle, while Safe Exit Warning protects passengers before they step out. The CR-V delivers competence, but the Sportage surrounds you with confidence that feels intuitive and always one step ahead.