2026 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Kia Sportage

Price, size, cabin, cargo, towing, safety and ownership side by side. Every value comes from the cited sources in each model-year profile, and gaps stay labeled instead of guessed.

Build a comparisonChange the SUVs
Swap A and B

Where the published numbers differ

No overall winner: each line is one source-backed figure. Decide which ones matter for how you will use the SUV.

ACR-V has

  • Overall lengthlonger by 0.4 in
  • Overall widthwider by 0.1 in
  • Maximum cargomore maximum cargo by 2.4 cu ft

BSportage has

  • Starting pricelower starting price by $2,130
  • Wheelbaselonger wheelbase by 2.2 in
  • Rear legroommore rear legroom by 0.3 in

=Same figure

None of the compared fields are identical.

The numbers, side by side

Bars share one scale starting at zero, so small real differences are not exaggerated. Where a profile lists several figures, the highest published one is used.

CR-VSportage
Starting price2026 Kia Sportage: lower starting price by $2,130
$30,920
$28,790
Overall length2026 Honda CR-V: longer by 0.4 in
184.8 in
184.4 in
Wheelbase2026 Kia Sportage: longer wheelbase by 2.2 in
106.3 in
108.5 in
Overall width2026 Honda CR-V: wider by 0.1 in
73.5 in
73.4 in
Ground clearanceVaries by trim or option; compare the exact configuration
7.8 in FWD; 8.2 in AWD
7.1 in FWD; 8.3 in AWD
Rear legroom2026 Kia Sportage: more rear legroom by 0.3 in
41.0 in
41.3 in
Front headroomVaries by trim or option; compare the exact configuration
40.0 in LX; 38.2 in moonroof-equipped trims
39.6 in without sunroof; 37.8 in with sunroof
Cargo behind rear seatVaries by trim or option; compare the exact configuration
39.3 cu ft
36.6-39.6 cu ft
Maximum cargo2026 Honda CR-V: more maximum cargo by 2.4 cu ft
76.5 cu ft
69.3-74.1 cu ft

Six buyer questions, without an overall winner.

Each card compares one documented criterion. A lead is shown only when both source-backed values use a compatible measurement; otherwise the raw facts stay visible and the criterion stays unresolved.

Starting priceStarting MSRP
ACR-V$30,920LX, before destination
BSportage$28,790Manufacturer-published U.S. specification

2026 Kia Sportage has lower published starting MSRP by $2,130.

EfficiencyGas / base fuel economy
ACR-VUp to about 28 city / 33 highway mpgHonda published trim/drivetrain figures
BSportageNot verifiedNo source-backed value in this profile

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Maximum cargoMaximum cargo volume
ACR-V76.5 cu ftHonda published figure
BSportage69.3-74.1 cu ftCargo-floor position

2026 Honda CR-V has more published maximum cargo volume by 2.4 cu ft.

Rear-seat roomRear legroom
ACR-V41.0 inHonda U.S. specification
BSportage41.3 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification

2026 Kia Sportage has more published rear/second-row legroom by 0.3 in.

Maximum towingMaximum towing
ACR-V1,500 lb gas; 1,000 lb hybridHonda 2026 CR-V specification by powertrain
BSportageNot verifiedNo source-backed value in this profile

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Basic warrantyNew-vehicle / basic warranty
ACR-V3 years / 36,000 milesHonda U.S. warranty
BSportageVerify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service date

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Table view

Key specifications

4 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Kia Sportage
Starting MSRPDifferent$30,920LX, before destination$28,790Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
Primary engine / systemDifferent1.5L turbocharged four-cylinderHonda U.S. specification2.5L four-cylinderManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Primary outputDifferent190 hp1.5L turbo187 hpManufacturer-published U.S. specification
DrivetrainData gapFWD or Real Time AWDAvailability depends on trim—No source-backed value verified yet
SeatingData gap5Honda U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo behind rear seatData gap39.3 cu ftHonda published figure—No source-backed value verified yet
Maximum cargoDifferent76.5 cu ftHonda published figure74.1 cu ftLow cargo-floor position
Maximum towingData gap1,500 lb gas; 1,000 lb hybridHonda 2026 CR-V specification by powertrain—No source-backed value verified yet

Pricing and trim lineup

4 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Kia Sportage
Starting MSRPDifferent$30,920LX, before destination$28,790Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
Entry trimDifferentLX · $30,920190-hp turbo; FWD standardLX FWD · $28,790Gas
Highest listed trimDifferentSport Touring Hybrid · $42,550Hybrid with standard AWD and top technology packageX-Line AWD · $33,090AWD
Trim lineupDifferentLX · EX · Sport Hybrid · EX-L · TrailSport Hybrid · Sport-L Hybrid · Sport Touring Hybrid7 researched trimsLX FWD · EX FWD · X-Line AWD · HEV LX4 researched trims

Engine, output and drivetrain

4 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Kia Sportage
Engine / primary systemDifferent1.5L turbocharged four-cylinderHonda U.S. specification2.5L four-cylinderManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Primary outputDifferent190 hpHonda U.S. specification187 hpManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Hybrid outputData gap204 hpHonda U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
TransmissionDifferentCVTHonda U.S. specification8-speed automaticManufacturer-published U.S. specification
DrivetrainData gapFWD or Real Time AWDAvailability depends on trim—No source-backed value verified yet
All-wheel driveDifferentAvailable; standard on TrailSport and Sport Touring HybridHonda trim specificationAvailable or standard by trimManufacturer-published U.S. specification

Fuel and efficiency details

0 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Kia Sportage
Fuel typeData gapRegular unleadedHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Gas / base fuel economyData gapUp to about 28 city / 33 highway mpgHonda published trim/drivetrain figures—No source-backed value verified yet
Hybrid fuel economyData gapUp to 43 city / 36 highway mpgHonda published trim/drivetrain figures—No source-backed value verified yet
Off-road trim fuel economyData gap38 city / 33 highway mpgHonda published configuration figure—No source-backed value verified yet
Fuel tankData gap14.0 galHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet

Exterior dimensions

4 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Kia Sportage
WheelbaseDifferent106.3 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification108.5 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Overall lengthDifferent184.8 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification184.4 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Overall widthDifferent73.5 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification73.4 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Overall heightData gap66.2 in FWD; 66.5 in AWDHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Ground clearanceDifferent7.8 in FWD; 8.2 in AWDHonda 2026 CR-V specification7.1 in FWD; 8.3 in AWDManufacturer-published U.S. specification

Interior space and seating

3 of 10 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Kia Sportage
SeatingData gap5Honda U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Front legroomDifferent41.3 inHonda U.S. specification41.4 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Rear legroomDifferent41.0 inHonda U.S. specification41.3 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Front headroomDifferent40.0 in LX; 38.2 in moonroof-equipped trimsHonda U.S. specification39.6 in without sunroof; 37.8 in with sunroofManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Rear headroomData gap38.2 inHonda U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Front shoulder roomData gap57.9 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Rear shoulder roomData gap55.9 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Front hip roomData gap55.6 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Rear hip roomData gap52.6 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Passenger volumeData gap106.0 cu ft LX; 103.5 cu ft other trimsHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet

Cargo space and practical measurements

2 of 7 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Kia Sportage
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent39.3 cu ftHonda published figure36.6-39.6 cu ftCargo-floor position
Maximum cargo volumeDifferent76.5 cu ftHonda published figure69.3-74.1 cu ftCargo-floor position
Hybrid cargo behind rear seatData gap36.3 cu ftHonda published figure—No source-backed value verified yet
Hybrid maximum cargoData gap71.8 cu ftHonda published figure—No source-backed value verified yet
Width between wheel housingsData gapAbout 41 inThird-party/owner reference—No source-backed value verified yet
Hatch-opening heightData gapAbout 32 inThird-party/owner reference—No source-backed value verified yet
Rear seatData gap60/40 split-foldingHonda 2026 CR-V seating specification—No source-backed value verified yet

Towing, seating and capability

1 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Kia Sportage
Maximum towingData gap1,500 lb gas; 1,000 lb hybridHonda 2026 CR-V specification by powertrain—No source-backed value verified yet
All-wheel driveDifferentAvailable; standard on TrailSport and Sport Touring HybridHonda trim specificationAvailable or standard by trimManufacturer-published U.S. specification
Rear seatData gap60/40 split-foldingHonda 2026 CR-V seating specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Maximum cargoData gap—No source-backed value verified yet69.3-74.1 cu ftCargo-floor position

Published safety ratings

0 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Kia Sportage
IIHS small overlap frontData gapGoodCurrent-generation applicable rating—No source-backed value verified yet
IIHS updated moderate overlap frontData gapPoorCurrent-generation applicable rating—No source-backed value verified yet
IIHS updated sideData gapGoodCurrent-generation applicable rating—No source-backed value verified yet
IIHS headlightsData gapGoodCurrent-generation applicable rating—No source-backed value verified yet

Warranty and service planning

1 of 3 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Kia Sportage
New-vehicle / basic warrantyDifferent3 years / 36,000 milesHonda U.S. warrantyVerify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service date
Powertrain warrantyData gap5 years / 60,000 milesHonda U.S. warranty—No source-backed value verified yet
Hybrid coverageData gapSee the hybrid warranty booklet for battery/system termsCoverage terms vary by component and state—No source-backed value verified yet

Driver-assistance equipment and context

A2026 Honda

CR-V

Honda Sensing is standard across the 2026 CR-V lineup. IIHS current-generation results remain useful where IIHS explicitly carries the same test rating across model years; SUVLook does not transfer a rating where applicability is unclear.

  • Collision Mitigation Braking System
  • Road Departure Mitigation
  • Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
  • Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition
B2026 Kia

Sportage

Driver-assistance equipment is kept separate from crash ratings. Check the exact 2026 model on IIHS and NHTSA before relying on a rating or award.

  • Automatic emergency braking / forward-collision features
  • Lane-support features
  • Blind-spot systems where equipped
  • Check trim for available advanced driver assistance

Infotainment, connectivity and convenience

A2026 Honda

CR-V

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available through the current infotainment system.
  • Wireless phone charging is available on equipped trims.
  • Sport Touring Hybrid adds Google built-in and a Bose premium audio system.
  • A 10.2-inch digital instrument display is included on selected upper trims, including TrailSport Hybrid.
B2026 Kia

Sportage

  • Infotainment and phone integration vary by trim.
  • Camera, parking and premium-audio features vary by equipment.
  • Connected-services availability and trial periods can change.

Source links and research freshness

What to check before choosing a trim

A2026 Honda

CR-V

  1. Gas models preserve more published cargo volume than the hybrids, so the more efficient powertrain comes with a packaging trade-off.
  2. The LX has substantially more published front headroom than moonroof-equipped trims.
  3. TrailSport Hybrid is the configuration to inspect when all-terrain tires and standard AWD matter more than the highest fuel-economy figure.
  4. The current generation has generous published rear legroom, but seat comfort and driving position still need an in-person fit check.
Research caveat

The approximately 41-inch wheel-housing width and 32-inch hatch-opening height are not presented as Honda factory dimensions. They are supporting physical references from the cargo guide.

Updated 2026-09-174 research sources
B2026 Kia

Sportage

  1. The sunroof reduces published front headroom by 1.8 inches.
  2. Cargo volume changes with the dual-level floor position.
  3. Compare gas and hybrid trims with matching drivetrain and equipment.
Research caveat

Use the exact trim, drivetrain, roof equipment and powertrain when a number is configuration-sensitive. Cargo volume does not prove that a rigid item fits through the hatch; measure the exact vehicle for close-fit use cases.

Updated 2026-09-232 research sources

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