If you’re shopping for a small SUV, you’re in luck. This vehicle segment is the most crowded and most competitive. That means there is a bounty of excellent choices, and each model has to bring its “A” game to woo buyers. Two competitors doing just that are the 2025 Kia Sportage and 2025 Subaru Crosstrek. Each has recently been revamped and brings the latest features to the table. Here’s how these two compare.
2025 Kia Sportage
No matter what you’re looking for in a compact SUV, the 2025 Kia Sportage likely offers it. Kia’s compact SUV and best-selling model is available in seven trims, ranging from the value-laden LX to the top-line X-Pro Prestige. Powering them is a 187-horsepower 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The adventurous and upmarket X-Pro trims come with all-wheel drive (AWD) standard. The Sportage is also available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which we review separately.
Kia Sportage Highlights
Dual-screen displays: All Kia Sportage trims except the base LX include a prominent 12.3-inch center touchscreen with navigation (the LX has an 8-inch screen), and all models come with a 12.3-inch instrument display. In addition to providing a wealth of information, these screens look great. The Subaru has decent tech, but nothing like this.
X-Pro trims: The trend toward more off-road-oriented SUVs is apparent in the Sportage. In the X-Pro configuration, you get off-road features such as extra ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and off-road settings for the all-wheel-drive system. It’s these models in particular that compete most directly with the outdoorsy Crosstrek.
Excellent warranty: Once again, Kia deserves credit for tacking on some serious peace of mind to its vehicles. This comes in the form of a 5-year/60,000-mile standard warranty, plus powertrain coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Subaru can’t touch these terms.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sportage models for sale near you.
2025 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is just off a revamp that gave it fresh technology, updated looks, and more safety features. What remains is this model’s inherent “Subaruness” — a rugged personality, adventurous attitude, and the hardware to back it up. Like every Subaru SUV, the Crosstrek comes with all-wheel drive standard, ground clearance of 8.7 inches — or more for the Wilderness trim — and other off-road-oriented features. You also get a choice of engines, with our recommended one highlighted below.
Subaru Crosstrek Highlights
2.5-liter engine: The Crosstrek in Base trim certainly has value, but it’s also the only ‘Trek still lugging the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, good for just 152 hp. All other models now come with the upgraded 2.5-liter, making a far more adequate 182 hp. That higher figure is basically on par with what the Sportage’s standard powerplant.
Wilderness trim: We call this the most Subaru of Subaru Crosstrek models. It has more ground clearance than the standard model (9.3 inches vs 8.7), more towing capacity (3,500 pounds vs. 1,500), and 17-inch all-terrain tires ready for off-road action. We’ve personally taken this model to surprising extremes off-road, and it ate up every challenge we could throw at it.
Value: The Crosstrek not only starts at a slightly lower price point than the Sportage, but it also has all-wheel drive standard, which costs extra in the Kia. The Crosstrek also slightly outperforms the Sportage when it comes to resale value.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Crosstrek models for sale near you.
Similarities
Though they technically compete in different segments — the Sportage is a compact SUV, the Crosstrek is a subcompact — both boast ample cargo space, the ability to venture off pavement, high value, and the latest tech and safety features.
Pricing
New 2025 Kia Sportage Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (19801)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$28,785
|
$27,892
|
|||
|
$30,885
|
$29,921
|
|||
|
$33,685
|
$32,886
|
|||
|
$34,385
|
$33,611
|
|||
|
$36,385
|
$35,246
|
|||
|
$37,885
|
$36,911
|
|||
|
$39,685
|
$38,359
|
New 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (19801)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$27,980
|
$26,379
|
|||
|
$29,230
|
$27,385
|
|||
|
$31,780
|
$30,143
|
|||
|
$33,680
|
$31,945
|
|||
|
$34,780
|
$32,988
|
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 Subaru Crosstrek 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.
Specifications
| 2025 Kia Sportage | 2025 Subaru Crosstrek | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capacity | 2,500 pounds | 1,500 pounds |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 152 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | automatic, 8-speed | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic |
| Fuel Economy | 25 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg | 27 city/34 highway/29 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.5 inches | 176.4 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 79.4 inches |
| Height | 65.4 inches | 62.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 19.3 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.6 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.4 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 42.9 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 41.3 inches | 36.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.5 inches | 56.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.6 inches | 55.3 inches |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 74.1 feet | 54.7 feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
The Kia Sportage is the larger of the two, giving it the edge in cargo space and passenger room, while the Crosstrek is a bit smaller, less expensive, and comes embedded with all-wheel drive and that adventurous Subaru vibe. Really, both of these 2-row/5-passenger SUVs shine in their own ways. Our suggestion is to assess your budget and needs, test drive them both, and see which one woos you.