Compact SUVs are all the rage with their higher seating positions, all-season capabilities, and versatility. However, some brands are light-years ahead of the competition. The 2025 Kia Sportage and 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport represent disparate opportunities. Let’s compare these two small SUVs.
2025 Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage received a complete redesign for 2023, and it’s still riding high with a sharp design and an interior that has won praise from most critics. These looks, in conjunction with an industry-leading warranty, have raised Kia’s profile with the buying public. The standard powertrain in the Kia Sportage gets an impressive EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 25 city/33 highway/28 combined mpg. Pricing starts at $28,785, including the factory-to-dealer destination charge.
Kia Sportage Highlights
Great space: Kia designers create some of the best interiors, and the Sportage’s luxurious cabin certainly supports that notion. Its classy interior features include dual panoramic displays and available aluminum pedals.
Top warranty: Kia’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty is the industry’s longest coverage. It’s peace of mind knowing you can keep the Sportage for a decade, and if something falters, there will be some assistance. By the way, Mitsubishi’s warranty is equally as long.
Three powertrain options: The Kia Sportage offers one of the most varied lineups in the compact SUV class, with gas-powered, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. Not only are there three options, but they’re all reasonably priced.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sportage models for sale near you.
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Mitsubishi hasn’t updated its Outlander Sport since 2020 and that was a refresh rather than a redesign. That said, the exterior has aged well; therefore, it’s still an attractive small SUV. It compensates for its lack of power and technology with simplicity and value. It also boasts an impressive warranty that matches the Kia Sportage.
Mitsubishi does make All-Wheel Control — its version of all-wheel drive — standard equipment across the Outlander Sport lineup. You can also punch up the standard 148-hp 4-cylinder for another 20 ponies. Its small stature and lighter weight make it an appealing combination. The Outlander Sport comes in five trim levels: 2.0 S, 2.0 ES, 2.0 LE, 2.0 SE, and 2.4 SEL. Pricing starts at $25,400, including the destination charge.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Highlights
Trail Edition: Mitsubishi’s Trail Edition package gives you the look of an off-road machine, including black side and fender moldings, black hood protector and tailgate trim, black inner door handle protectors, mud flaps, and all-weather floor mats.
Safety technology: All Outlander Sport models feature a bundle of advanced standard safety equipment across all trim levels: automatic forward braking, lane-departure warning, automatic headlights, auto-dimming rearview mirror,rear-park assist, rain-sensing wipers, and high-beam assist.
All-Wheel Control: Standard across the Outlander Sport lineup, the brand’s all-wheel-drive system provides increased handling, traction, and stability during varied driving or weather situations.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Outlander Sport models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport are well-designed small SUVs with nice exteriors and excellent warranties.
Price
New 2025 Kia Sportage Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (92620)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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$28,785
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$27,443
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$30,885
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$29,507
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$33,685
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$32,384
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$34,385
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$33,099
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$36,385
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$34,765
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|||
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$37,885
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$36,346
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$39,685
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$37,795
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The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia Sportage vehicles and New 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Kia Sportage | 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 148 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 25 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg | 23 city/29 highway/26 combined mpg |
| Also Available | Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, AWD | 168 hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Stars | 4-Stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.5 inches | 171.9 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 71.3 inches |
| Height | 65.4 inches | 64.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.6 feet | 34.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.6 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.4 inches | 37.9 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 41.6 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 41.3 inches | 36.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.5 inches | 56.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.6 inches | 55.5 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 39.6 cubic feet | 21.7 cubic feet |
Conclusion
If price is your prime directive, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport beats the Sportage by about $3,000, which includes the Outlander Sport’s all-wheel drive. That’s a mega-price advantage in this segment. However, performance, room, technology, options, powertrains, and just about every other factor lean heavily toward the Kia Sportage. If price isn’t the main factor, we give the nod to the Kia Sportage.