Car shoppers looking for a spacious and versatile SUV are spoiled for choice. There are countless makes and models of all shapes and sizes.
Ranking as one of our favorite compact SUVs is the 2024 Kia Sportage. Fresh from a complete redesign for the 2023 model year, the Sportage combines a bold exterior with class-leading passenger and cargo volume. Available with front- and all-wheel drive (AWD), the Sportage is chock full of features and delivers a supple ride that’s every bit as good (if not better!) than many similarly-sized luxury-branded SUVs.
Representing the slightly smaller subcompact SUV field, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is updated with a refreshed exterior, stiffer chassis, smoother suspension, and upgraded safety and tech features. True to Subaru tradition, AWD is standard. A new outdoorsy trim called the Wilderness joins the lineup and further bolsters the go-anywhere credentials of the Crosstrek.
Let’s explore the highlights of the Sportage and Crosstrek.
2024 Kia Sportage
The 2024 Sportage is available in seven distinct trims and carries a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $28,565, including the $1,375 destination fee, for the entry-level LX model.
Adding AWD costs approximately $1,800 extra on the LX, EX, and SX Prestige trims, while it’s standard on the two uppermost trims, the X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige. Seeing how it’s fresh from a recent reboot, changes for the 2024 model year are limited to new standard LED projector headlights and second-row seat-mounted airbags. The Sportage is motivated by a 187-horsepower 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Though we review these separately, a hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain is available.
Kia Sportage Highlights
Class-leading interior space: The Sportage delivers copious passenger space and cargo volume. Rear seat occupants are treated to more than 41 inches of legroom, and behind the split-folding rear seat back, the trunk measures 39.6 cubic feet in capacity. The smaller Crosstrek doesn’t have anywhere near this much room inside.
High-tech infotainment system: Midlevel and upper trims have a sleek dual-screen instrument display and infotainment touchscreen. They’re mounted flush to create one flowing curved panel across the dashboard. These two 12.3-inch screens give the cabin the look and feel of a luxury vehicle.
X-Pro models: Kia wanted to give the Sportage a little more off-road capability when redesigning it last year. The X-Pro trims have a raised suspension, all-terrain tires, and an AWD system with more driver-selectable settings for venturing onto unpaved surfaces.
Superb warranty coverage: The Sportage is also notable for coming with outstanding bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty coverage. The basic warranty is five years/60,000 miles, and powertrain coverage extends to 10 years/100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sportage models for sale near you.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2024 Crosstrek has a starting price of $26,540, including the $1,345 destination fee, and is offered in five trims: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness. A 152-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder coupled to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is the powertrain found in the Base and Premium models. An 182-hp 2.5-liter is standard on the Sport, Limited, and Premium trims. We appreciate the extra 30 horsepower, though many Crosstrek buyers will likely be fine with the standard engine’s better fuel economy (and lower price).
Subaru Crosstrek Highlights
Standard AWD: Every Subaru SUV comes standard with AWD, and the Crosstrek is no exception. Thanks to its elevated ride height and short front and rear overhangs, the pint-size Crosstrek is tenacious at scrambling through mud, snow, or whatever else Mother Nature throws at it.
11.6-inch touchscreen: This expansive vertically-mounted screen is standard in all but the entry-level Crosstrek. It has large graphics and simple menus that make it a breeze to navigate while driving.
Wireless smartphone connectivity: Leave the phone cords at home because every Crosstrek comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This applies to the dual 7-inch screen setup in the base Crosstrek and the 11.6-inch touchscreen we raved about a moment ago.
Wilderness trim: The Crosstrek already has legions of fans who love its affordable price and go-anywhere credentials. The Wilderness trim takes the Crosstrek even further afield by adding off-road hardware like a front underbody skid plate, toughened-up suspension, all-terrain tires, added off-road drive modes, and more black plastic exterior body cladding.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Crosstrek models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Sportage and Crosstrek take similar approaches when delivering a lot of SUV for your money. They have roomy cabins with excellent outward visibility, not to mention off-road-themed models to appeal to adventure-seeking SUV shoppers. Both SUVs have standard 4-cylinder engines with similar fuel economy ratings. Each also boasts a long roster of standard driver aids, such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Conclusion
The Kia Sportage and Subaru Crosstrek are extremely good at what they do, so choosing between them is no easy task. Starting with the Sportage, it has a head-turning exterior wrapped around a very practical overall package. Fuel economy is good; you don’t have to scale upward the priciest trims to get sought-after safety and tech features. Better still, the Sportage absolutely spoils you with its abundant stretch-out space and cargo volume.
On the other hand, some SUV shoppers might prefer the smaller and less expensive charms afforded by the adventurous Crosstrek. Its size makes it maneuverable in an urban landscape or when traversing narrow off-road trails. We appreciate how Subaru significantly improved the ride with this latest generation while sticking to Crosstrek’s winning formula.
It’s worth taking both for a test drive to determine which delivers the better match for your driving demands and SUV shopping budget.
| 2024 Kia Sportage | 2024 Subaru Crosstrek | |
| Starting Price | $28,565 | $26,540 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| 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 | 8-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel economy MPG | 25 city/32 highway/28 combined | 27 city/34 highway/29 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | 2.5-liter 4-cyl. |
| 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 | 5-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | NA | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.5 inches | 176.4 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 70.9 inches |
| Height | 65.4 inches | 62.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.6 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.6 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.4 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 42.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 41.3 inches | 36.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.5 inches | 56.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.6 inches | 55.3 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 39.6 cubic feet | 19.9 cubic feet |
