Suv showdown: toyota highlander and kia sportage – which offers the best bang for your buck?

The Toyota Highlander and Kia Sportage are two popular midsize SUVs that offer families a spacious and versatile driving experience. Both vehicles boast impressive features, but they also have unique strengths and weaknesses. In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the key differences between the Toyota Highlander and Kia Sportage to help you make an informed decision about which SUV is the best fit for your needs.

Performance and Fuel Efficiency

The Toyota Highlander comes with a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offers a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Kia Sportage, on the other hand, offers a range of engine options, including a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a turbocharger, and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system. The Sportage also comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offers the same drive options as the Highlander.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Toyota Highlander with front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The Kia Sportage with the base four-cylinder engine gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The Sportage with the turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the Sportage Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.

Interior Space and Comfort

The Toyota Highlander offers a spacious interior with three rows of seating for up to eight passengers. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the second row offers plenty of legroom and headroom. The third row is best suited for children or occasional use, as it is somewhat cramped. The Kia Sportage has a smaller interior than the Highlander, with seating for up to five passengers in two rows. The front seats are comfortable, but the second row is less spacious than the Highlander’s.

Both the Highlander and Sportage offer a variety of features to enhance interior comfort, such as heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a premium sound system. However, the Highlander offers a few more features than the Sportage, such as a rear-seat entertainment system and a heated steering wheel.

Technology and Safety Features

The Toyota Highlander comes with a wide range of technology and safety features, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a wireless charging pad, and a suite of advanced safety systems. The Kia Sportage also offers a variety of technology and safety features, but it falls short of the Highlander in some areas. For example, the Sportage’s infotainment system is smaller, and it does not offer wireless charging or a heated steering wheel.

In terms of safety, the Toyota Highlander has received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while the Kia Sportage has received a four-star overall safety rating. The Highlander also offers a few more advanced safety features than the Sportage, such as blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Cargo Capacity and Towing Capacity

The Toyota Highlander offers a generous amount of cargo space, with 16.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row of seats, 48.4 cubic feet of space behind the second row of seats, and 84.3 cubic feet of space with both rows of rear seats folded down. The Kia Sportage offers less cargo space than the Highlander, with 30.9 cubic feet of space behind the second row of seats and 60.1 cubic feet of space with the second row of seats folded down.

In terms of towing capacity, the Toyota Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the Kia Sportage can tow up to 2,000 pounds.

Price and Warranty

The Toyota Highlander has a starting price of $36,420, while the Kia Sportage has a starting price of $27,290. The Highlander offers a wider range of trim levels and options, so it is possible to configure a Highlander that is more expensive than a Sportage.

Both the Highlander and Sportage come with a comprehensive warranty, including a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Which SUV is Right for You?

The Toyota Highlander and Kia Sportage are both excellent choices for families looking for a spacious and versatile SUV. However, there are some key differences between the two vehicles. The Highlander offers more interior space, a more powerful engine, and a longer list of standard and available features. The Sportage, on the other hand, is more fuel-efficient and has a lower starting price.

Ultimately, the best SUV for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you need a spacious SUV with a powerful engine and a long list of features, the Toyota Highlander is a great choice. If you are looking for a more fuel-efficient SUV with a lower starting price, the Kia Sportage is a great option.

What You Need to Learn

1. Which SUV has more seating capacity?

The Toyota Highlander has a seating capacity of up to eight passengers, while the Kia Sportage has a seating capacity of up to five passengers.

2. Which SUV has a better fuel economy?

The Kia Sportage has a better fuel economy than the Toyota Highlander, especially with the Sportage Hybrid model.

3. Which SUV has a more powerful engine?

The Toyota Highlander has a more powerful engine than the Kia Sportage, with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower.

4. Which SUV has a larger cargo capacity?

The Toyota Highlander has a larger cargo capacity than the Kia Sportage, with 84.3 cubic feet of space with both rows of rear seats folded down.

5. Which SUV has a longer warranty?

Both the Toyota Highlander and Kia Sportage come with a comprehensive warranty, including a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.