The 2025 Kia Sportage and Ford Escape are compact SUVs with seating for five and lineups that include several powertrain choices. They offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, for example, and each is available with front- or all-wheel drive (AWD).
Having gotten an extensive redesign just two years ago, the stylish 2025 Sportage arrives with only a few updates, specifically cosmetic changes to the X-Line and X-Line pro variants. Visually, the Sportage packs a wallop, particularly when taking in its expansive front grille flanked by boomerang-shaped side lights. We think this is one seriously stylish SUV.
The Escape is notably handsome if not as stylistically daring as its Kia rival. It’s still fresh from design revisions just two years ago. As a long-standing member of the compact SUV club, the Escape continues to deliver plenty of value and clever cabin features to woo SUV shoppers.
Here’s how these two popular compact SUVs compare.
2025 Kia Sportage
There’s a lot of choice when it comes to the Kia Sportage. It’s available in seven trims, from the base 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 rugged and upmarket X-Pro trims come with all-wheel drive standard. The Sportage is also available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, which we review separately. Pricing starts at $28,565, including destination charge.
Kia Sportage Highlights
Dual-screen displays: All Kia Sportage trims except the base LX come standard with a prominent 12.3-inch center touchscreen with navigation (the LX has an 8-inch screen), and all models come with either a 12.2-inch or 12.3-inch instrument display. In addition to providing a wealth of information, these screens look great.
X-Pro trims: The trend toward more off-road-oriented SUVs is apparent in the Sportage. In the X-Pro configuration, you get an off-road features such as extra ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and off-road settings for the AWD system.
Excellent warranty coverage: Once again, Kia deserves credit for tacking on some serious peace of mind to its vehicles. This entails a 5-year/60,000-mile standard warranty, plus powertrain coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Read our Kia Sportage Expert Review or see 2025 Kia Sportage models for sale near you.
2025 Ford Escape
The Ford Escape is also available in several trims — five in all. Serving as the base powertrain is a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that sends 180 hp to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional, though it comes standard on models ordered with the optional 250-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Like the Sportage, the Escape also can be had with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain. Pricing starts at $29,490.
Ford Escape Highlights
Sliding rear seat: The Escape’s sliding rear seat is perfect for those times when you need more cargo-toting space, or extra legroom for taller folks seated in the second row. This handy feature is one of those things you never knew you needed until you had it. Consider us hooked.
Optional turbo 4-cylinder: The 250-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine adds a lot more performance and personality to the Escape. It’s standard when you choose the ST-Line Select, Platinum, or ST-Line Elite. Sure, the base 3-cylinder gets the job done. Except it tends to run out of steam when trying to pass someone at highway speed. The sporty turbo 4-cylinder has no such problem. Acceleration is smooth and strong in every driving situation.
User-friendly infotainment system: The Escape comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB ports, a digital instrument display, and Wi-Fi hot spot. Options worth considering include a rich-sounding Bang & Olufsen audio system, a larger 13.2-inch screen, and interior ambient lighting.
Read our Ford Escape Expert Review or see 2025 Ford Escape models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Kia Sportage and Ford Escape are aimed right at the heart of one of the most competitive vehicle segments in the U.S. Compact SUVs are popular due to their higher ride height, good outward visibility, reasonable proportions, and solid fuel economy. These two deliver on all counts, with the added bonus of having several powertrain choices.
Conclusion
Starting with the Kia Sportage, we love its upscale cabin, class-leading warranty, and laudable ride quality. While you won’t be bowled over by the acceleration provided by the 187-hp engine, the Sportage still shines in terms of its overall driving refinement. Not hurting matters is that moving only one trim above the base model brings with it tons of sought-after features like a power-adjustable driver’s seat, larger touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Ford Escape is also a well-rounded SUV, though its base turbo 3-cylinder engine leaves us wanting more in the way of accelerative oomph and smoothness. Opting for the turbo 4-cylinder raises the price, but also significantly boosts the appeal of this practical and family-friendly SUV.
In this comparison of two popular and competent compact SUVs, we feel the Sportage has more to offer.
New 2025 Kia Sportage Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (77701)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$28,785 |
$27,550 |
|||
$30,885 |
$29,618 |
|||
$33,685 |
$32,506 |
|||
$34,385 |
$33,222 |
|||
$36,385 |
$34,896 |
|||
$37,885 |
$36,483 |
|||
$39,685 |
$37,978 |
New 2025 Ford Escape Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (77701)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$29,895 |
$28,439 |
|||
$30,890 |
$29,490 |
|||
$33,725 |
$32,598 |
|||
$33,985 |
$32,849 |
|||
$35,685 |
$33,832 |
|||
$37,040 |
$35,802 |
|||
$37,110 |
$35,414 |
|||
$38,035 |
$36,525 |
|||
$39,605 |
$38,539 |
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 Ford Escape 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 Ford Escape | |
| Popular Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter gas-powered 4-cylinder | 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 180 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 178 hp @ 4,000 rpm | 199 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy | 28 mpg combined (25 city, 32 highway) | 30 mpg combined (27 city, 34 highway) |
| Also Available | AWD, Hybrid, PHEV | 250 hp, AWD, Hybrid, PHEV |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 106.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.5 inches | 180.1 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 74.1 inches |
| Height | 65.4 inches | 66.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.6 feet | 38.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.6 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.4 inches | 39.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 42.4 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 41.3 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.5 inches | 57.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.6 inches | 56.0 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 39.6 cubic feet | 37.5 cubic feet |
