Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-05 · Specs from the manufacturers and fueleconomy.gov
The short answer
These cousins share a 108.5-in wheelbase and a gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid lineup. The 2027 Sportage starts lower ($28,990 vs $29,700), is 1.7 in longer, has slightly more cargo room behind the rear seat (39.6 vs 38.7 cu ft) and its hybrid rates up to 41 mpg versus 38. The Tucson tows more: 2,750 lb versus 2,500.
Key differences
- The Kia Sportage starts $710 lower (base MSRP $28,990 vs $29,700, before destination).
- The Kia Sportage is 1.7 in longer (184.4 vs 182.7 in).
- The Hyundai Tucson tows up to 2,750 lb, 250 lb more.
- Best combined fuel-economy rating: 41 vs 38 mpg (Kia Sportage leads).
- Longest rated range: 33 mi (Kia Sportage) vs 32 mi (Hyundai Tucson).
Sportage vs Tucson specs side by side
| Kia Sportage | Hyundai Tucson | |
|---|---|---|
| Model year compared | 2027 | 2026 |
| Base MSRP range (excl. destination) | $28,990–$47,390 | $29,700–$48,900 |
| Destination charge | $1,495 | $1,650 |
| Powertrains (hp / torque) | 2.5L 4-cyl: 187 hp / 178 lb-ft · 1.6L turbo 4-cyl hybrid: 232 hp / 271 lb-ft · 1.6L turbo 4-cyl plug-in hybrid: 268 hp / 271 lb-ft | 2.5L 4-cyl: 187 hp / 178 lb-ft · 1.6L turbo 4-cyl hybrid: 231 hp / 271 lb-ft · 1.6L turbo 4-cyl plug-in hybrid: 268 hp / 271 lb-ft |
| Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined) | 2.5L FWD: 25/33/28 mpg · 2.5L AWD: 24/30/26 mpg · 2.5L X-Pro AWD: 23/26/24 mpg · 1.6T Hybrid FWD: 40/42/41 mpg · 1.6T Hybrid AWD: 35/36/35 mpg · 1.6T Plug-in Hybrid AWD (gas-only mpg; 83 MPGe combined): 35/36/36 mpg | 2.5L FWD: 25/33/28 mpg · 2.5L AWD: 24/30/26 mpg · 1.6T Hybrid AWD: 36/37/36 mpg · 1.6T Hybrid Blue AWD: 38/38/38 mpg · 1.6T Plug-in Hybrid AWD (gas-only mpg; 77 MPGe combined): 35/35/35 mpg |
| Range | 1.6T Plug-in Hybrid AWD (gas-only mpg; 83 MPGe combined): 33 mi | 1.6T Plug-in Hybrid AWD (gas-only mpg; 77 MPGe combined): 32 mi |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Cargo behind rear row | 39.6 cu ft | 38.7 cu ft |
| Max cargo (seats folded) | 74.1 cu ft | 74.8 cu ft |
| Max towing | 2,500 lb | 2,750 lb |
| AWD / 4WD | Available | Available |
| Length | 184.4 in | 182.7 in |
| Width | 73.4 in | 73.4 in |
| Height | 65.4 in | 65.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 in | 108.5 in |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in | 7.1 in |
- Kia Sportage: Towing 2,500 lb gas / 2,000 lb PHEV (Kia's 2027 hybrid spec page lists no towing figure). Cargo uses dual-level floor in low position (high position 36.6/69.3); hybrid 39.5/73.7; PHEV 34.5/65.5 (high). Height 65.4 in FWD (66.1 AWD, up to 66.9 with roof rails on X-Line/X-Pro/PHEV). Ground clearance 7.1 in FWD / 8.3 AWD. PHEV row rangeMi = EPA all-electric range 33 mi (Kia page states 34). Hybrid/PHEV hp/torque are combined system output.
- Hyundai Tucson: 2026 is current US model year (all-new 2027 Tucson announced but not yet priced/on sale). Pricing sheet eff. Jul 29, 2026 adds FWD Hybrid SE/SEL. Towing 2,750 lb gas / 2,000 lb hybrid & PHEV (Hyundai 2026 model-year-changes doc; spec sheet shows TBD). Height 65.6 in FWD / 66.3 AWD; ground clearance 7.1 FWD / 8.3 AWD. Cargo SAE 38.7/74.8 cu ft (Hyundai 'max' 41.2/80.3); PHEV 31.9/66.3. fueleconomy.gov lists no FWD hybrid record yet. PHEV row: rangeMi = all-electric range; 80/73/77 MPGe city/hwy/combined. Hybrid/PHEV hp/torque are total system output.
Reliability and known issues
More on each model
FAQ
Which is better, the Kia Sportage or the Hyundai Tucson?
These cousins share a 108.5-in wheelbase and a gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid lineup. The 2027 Sportage starts lower ($28,990 vs $29,700), is 1.7 in longer, has slightly more cargo room behind the rear seat (39.6 vs 38.7 cu ft) and its hybrid rates up to 41 mpg versus 38. The Tucson tows more: 2,750 lb versus 2,500.
Is the Kia Sportage cheaper than the Hyundai Tucson?
The Kia Sportage has the lower starting price: the 2027 Kia Sportage starts at $28,990 and tops out at $47,390, and the 2026 Hyundai Tucson starts at $29,700 and tops out at $48,900. Those are base MSRPs before destination ($1,495 and $1,650), from the manufacturers.
Is the Kia Sportage bigger than the Hyundai Tucson?
The Kia Sportage is 184.4 in long on a 108.5-in wheelbase; the Hyundai Tucson is 182.7 in on a 108.5-in wheelbase. Maximum cargo space is 74.1 vs 74.8 cu ft. Seating: 5 vs 5.
Which tows more, the Kia Sportage or the Hyundai Tucson?
The Hyundai Tucson: up to 2,750 lb vs 2,500 lb, properly equipped, per the manufacturers.
Which gets better gas mileage?
Combined ratings: 24–41 mpg for the Kia Sportage and 26–38 mpg for the Hyundai Tucson, depending on powertrain and drivetrain. Figures are EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov, or the manufacturer's estimate where the EPA has not yet listed the new model year (see notes under the table).
Related comparisons
Sources
- Kia Media — 2027 Sportage specifications
- Kia Media — 2027 Sportage pricing
- Kia Media — 2027 Sportage HEV specifications
- Kia Media — 2027 Sportage HEV pricing
- Kia Media — 2027 Sportage PHEV specifications
- Kia Media — 2027 Sportage PHEV pricing
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 50532
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 50549
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 50550
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 50345
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 50347
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 50706
- Hyundai News — 26MY Tucson pricing sheet (eff. Jul 29, 2026)
- Hyundai News — 2026 Tucson specs & features
- Hyundai News — 2026 Hyundai model year changes
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 49453
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 49500
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 49498
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 49499
- fueleconomy.gov — EPA record 49764
"Not published" means the manufacturer has not released that figure for this model year; CarWhere does not estimate missing specs.
Cite this page: CarWhere Research, "Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson," carwhere.com/car-comparisons/kia-sportage-vs-hyundai-tucson.