Kia Sportage vs Subaru Crosstrek

The Kia Sportage starts from $38,490 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Crosstrek opens at $36,490. That makes the Subaru Crosstrek the more affordable entry point by $2,000.

Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $42,339 and $40,139 respectively.

Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Subaru Crosstrek by roughly $1,285 in fuel alone.

Both the Kia Sportage and Subaru Crosstrek hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Kia Sportage and 83% for the Subaru Crosstrek.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 5 out of 10 key ADAS systems.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Kia Sportage and 9 in the Subaru Crosstrek.

The Kia Sportage features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Crosstrek gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Kia Sportage stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Subaru Crosstrek. The Subaru Crosstrek counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

The Kia Sportage uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.

The Subaru Crosstrek responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 196Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.9 seconds.

Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

The Kia Sportage measures 4,685mm long on a 2,755mm wheelbase, 190mm longer than the Subaru Crosstrek at 4,495mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 291L in the Subaru Crosstrek, giving the Kia Sportage a 252L advantage.

For towing, the Kia Sportage leads with a 1,650kg braked capacity vs 1,400kg. That 250kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Kia Sportage and $2,052/year for the Subaru Crosstrek. That is a $257 annual difference in favour of the Subaru Crosstrek.

Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Kia Sportage) vs $2,052 (Subaru Crosstrek). The Subaru Crosstrek saves you roughly $257 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.

Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Sportage) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Crosstrek). The Kia Sportage has longer coverage.