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2026 Kia Sportage vs 2026 Subaru Forester

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.

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Key differences

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.

ASportage has

  • Starting pricelower starting price by $1,205
  • Overall lengthlonger by 1.1 in
  • Wheelbaselonger wheelbase by 3.4 in
  • Overall widthwider by 1.4 in
  • Rear legroommore rear legroom by 1.9 in

BForester has

  • Maximum cargomore maximum cargo by 0.3 cu ft

=Same figure

None of the compared fields are identical.

Head-to-head

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.

SportageForester
Starting price2026 Kia Sportage: lower starting price by $1,205
$28,790
$29,995
Overall length2026 Kia Sportage: longer by 1.1 in
184.4 in
183.3 in
Wheelbase2026 Kia Sportage: longer wheelbase by 3.4 in
108.5 in
105.1 in
Overall width2026 Kia Sportage: wider by 1.4 in
73.4 in
72.0 in
Ground clearanceVaries by trim or option; compare the exact configuration
7.1 in FWD; 8.3 in AWD
8.7 in
Rear legroom2026 Kia Sportage: more rear legroom by 1.9 in
41.3 in
39.4 in
Front headroomVaries by trim or option; compare the exact configuration
39.6 in without sunroof; 37.8 in with sunroof
Up to 41.2 in
Cargo behind rear seatVaries by trim or option; compare the exact configuration
36.6-39.6 cu ft
29.6 cu ft
Maximum cargo2026 Subaru Forester: more maximum cargo by 0.3 cu ft
69.3-74.1 cu ft
74.4 cu ft

Decision snapshot

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
ASportage$28,790Manufacturer-published U.S. specification
BForester$29,995Base gas Forester

2026 Kia Sportage has lower published starting MSRP by $1,205.

EfficiencyGas / base fuel economy
ASportageNot verifiedNo source-backed value in this profile
BForesterUp to 26 city / 33 highway mpgSubaru published estimates

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

Maximum cargoMaximum cargo volume
ASportage69.3-74.1 cu ftCargo-floor position
BForester74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration

2026 Subaru Forester has more published maximum cargo volume by 0.3 cu ft.

Rear-seat roomRear legroom
ASportage41.3 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification
BForester39.4 inSubaru U.S. specification

2026 Kia Sportage has more published rear/second-row legroom by 1.9 in.

Maximum towingMaximum towing
ASportageNot verifiedNo source-backed value in this profile
BForester1,500 lbProperly equipped

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

Basic warrantyNew-vehicle / basic warranty
ASportageVerify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service date
BForesterConfirm current Subaru warranty bookletCoverage is tied to in-service date and mileage

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

Table view

At a glance

Key specifications

4 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Kia SportageB2026 Subaru Forester
Starting MSRPDifferent$28,790Manufacturer-published U.S. specification$29,995Base gas Forester
Primary engine / systemDifferent2.5L four-cylinderManufacturer-published U.S. specification2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification
Primary outputDifferent187 hpManufacturer-published U.S. specification180 hp2.5L BOXER
Maximum cargoDifferent74.1 cu ftLow cargo-floor position74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
DrivetrainData gap—No source-backed value verified yetSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup
SeatingData gap—No source-backed value verified yet5Subaru U.S. specification
Cargo behind rear seatData gap—No source-backed value verified yet29.6 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Maximum towingData gap—No source-backed value verified yet1,500 lbProperly equipped

Price & trims

Pricing and trim lineup

4 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Kia SportageB2026 Subaru Forester
Starting MSRPDifferent$28,790Manufacturer-published U.S. specification$29,995Base gas Forester
Entry trimDifferentLX FWD · $28,790GasBase · $29,995Gas
Highest listed trimDifferentX-Line AWD · $33,090AWDTouring Hybrid · $41,545Hybrid
Trim lineupDifferentLX FWD · EX FWD · X-Line AWD · HEV LX4 researched trimsBase · Premium · Premium Hybrid · Sport · Wilderness · Sport Hybrid · Limited · Limited Hybrid · Touring · Touring Hybrid10 researched trims

Performance

Engine, output and drivetrain

3 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Kia SportageB2026 Subaru Forester
Engine / primary systemDifferent2.5L four-cylinderManufacturer-published U.S. specification2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification
Primary outputDifferent187 hpManufacturer-published U.S. specification180 hp / 178 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification
TransmissionDifferent8-speed automaticManufacturer-published U.S. specificationLineartronic CVTSubaru U.S. specification
All-wheel driveData gapAvailable or standard by trimManufacturer-published U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Hybrid outputData gap—No source-backed value verified yet194 hpSubaru Hybrid System
DrivetrainData gap—No source-backed value verified yetSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup

Fuel & efficiency

Fuel and efficiency details

0 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Kia SportageB2026 Subaru Forester
Gas / base fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 26 city / 33 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
AWD / alternate fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yetAbout 25 city / 32 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Hybrid fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yet35 city / 34 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Off-road trim fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yetAbout 24 city / 28 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Driving rangeData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 581 milesSubaru published estimate

Size & footprint

Exterior dimensions

4 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Kia SportageB2026 Subaru Forester
WheelbaseDifferent108.5 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification105.1 inSubaru U.S. specification
Overall lengthDifferent184.4 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification183.3 inMost trims
Overall widthDifferent73.4 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification72.0 inMost trims
Ground clearanceDifferent7.1 in FWD; 8.3 in AWDManufacturer-published U.S. specification8.7 inMost trims
Off-road ground clearanceData gap—No source-backed value verified yet9.3 inSubaru Wilderness specification

Cabin

Interior space and seating

3 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Kia SportageB2026 Subaru Forester
Front legroomDifferent41.4 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification43.3 inSubaru U.S. specification
Rear legroomDifferent41.3 inManufacturer-published U.S. specification39.4 inSubaru U.S. specification
Front headroomDifferent39.6 in without sunroof; 37.8 in with sunroofManufacturer-published U.S. specificationUp to 41.2 inEquipment dependent
SeatingData gap—No source-backed value verified yet5Subaru U.S. specification
Passenger volumeData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 110.8 cu ftConfiguration dependent

Cargo

Cargo space and practical measurements

2 of 2 differ
Research fieldA2026 Kia SportageB2026 Subaru Forester
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent36.6-39.6 cu ftCargo-floor position29.6 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Maximum cargo volumeDifferent69.3-74.1 cu ftCargo-floor position74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration

Utility

Towing, seating and capability

2 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Kia SportageB2026 Subaru Forester
All-wheel driveDifferentAvailable or standard by trimManufacturer-published U.S. specificationSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup
Maximum cargoDifferent69.3-74.1 cu ftCargo-floor positionUp to 74.4 cu ftRoomiest published configuration
Maximum towingData gap—No source-backed value verified yet1,500 lbProperly equipped
Cargo behind rear seatData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 29.6 cu ftRoomiest published configuration

Safety

Published safety ratings

0 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Kia SportageB2026 Subaru Forester
IIHS small overlap frontData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating
IIHS updated moderate overlap frontData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating
IIHS updated sideData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating
IIHS headlightsData gap—No source-backed value verified yetGood2026 rating

Ownership

Warranty and service planning

1 of 1 differ
Research fieldA2026 Kia SportageB2026 Subaru Forester
New-vehicle / basic warrantyDifferentVerify 2026 VIN/model-year bookletCoverage can vary by component and in-service dateConfirm current Subaru warranty bookletCoverage is tied to in-service date and mileage

Safety systems

Driver-assistance equipment and context

A2026 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
B2026 Subaru

Forester

The 2026 Forester earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and includes EyeSight driver-assistance technology. The hybrid also carries a published NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from Subaru’s U.S. materials.

  • EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
  • Automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise functions
  • Available blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert
  • DriverFocus available on upper trims

Cabin technology

Infotainment, connectivity and convenience

A2026 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.
B2026 Subaru

Forester

  • An 11.6-inch STARLINK Multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available on higher trims.
  • DriverFocus distraction mitigation is included on selected upper trims.
  • Power rear gate and panoramic moonroof availability depend on trim and package.
  • Hybrid models integrate Subaru’s electrified power display and energy-management information.

Evidence ledger

Source links and research freshness

Buying context

What to check before choosing a trim

A2026 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
B2026 Subaru

Forester

  1. Forester is unusually easy to shortlist for tall drivers because Subaru publishes 43.3 inches of front legroom and up to 41.2 inches of headroom.
  2. The hybrid materially improves city fuel economy while keeping standard AWD, but its pricing and packaging differ from the gas lineup.
  3. Wilderness trades some fuel economy for extra ground clearance and a substantially higher published tow rating.
  4. Moonroof and equipment packaging can reduce published cargo volume, so compare the exact trim instead of relying on the maximum 74.4-cu-ft figure.
Research caveat

SUVLook does not carry the separate 2025 third-party linear cargo measurements forward as guaranteed 2026 dimensions. This profile uses 2026 data only where the existing research supports it.

Updated 2026-09-163 research sources

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