2026–27 Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Sportage — it leads our weighted scorecard 4–1 across 9 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.51 vs 0.97) and better fuel economy (41 mpg vs 38 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Tucson if you tow (2,750 lb vs 2,500 lb max).
Scorecard: Sportage 4 pts · Tucson 1 pts across 9 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Sportage | 2026 Tucson | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $28,990 | $29,200 | Tie |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.51 | 0.97 | Sportage |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 47.8% | 48.8% | Tie |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 41 mpg | 38 mpg | Sportage |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 268 hp | 268 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 2,500 lb | 2,750 lb | Tucson |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 39.6 cu ft | 38.7 cu ft | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 4.6% off MSRP | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 8 | 10 | Sportage |
| Weighted points | 4 | 1 | Sportage |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Sportage — 41 mpg vs 38 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Sportage — 0.51 vs 0.97 (NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold).
- Budget. Tight budgets: it's a wash — Sportage $28,990 vs Tucson $29,200 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $22,948 for the Sportage vs $22,862 for the Tucson.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: it's a wash — Sportage 47.8% vs Tucson 48.8% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Tucson — 2,750 lb vs 2,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Sportage starts at $28,990 and tops out at $47,390; the Tucson runs $29,200 to $48,300 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Sportage buyers paid a median 4.6% off MSRP across 15 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 8.7% off. Used, the median asking price is $22,948 for the Sportage and $22,862 for the Tucson (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Sportage: 0.51 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 60th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Tucson: 0.97 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 21th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Sportage 8, Tucson 10.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Sportage 2016 (caution) · Tucson 2016 (avoid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Sportage | 2026 Tucson | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $28,990 | $29,200 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $47,390 | $48,300 |
| Horsepower | 187–268 hp | 187–268 hp |
| Max torque | 271 lb-ft | 271 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 24–41 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 26–38 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 2,500 lb | 2,750 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 39.6 cu ft | 38.7 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| Sportage | Tucson | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Sportage lists for a median $16,398 — 47.8% of today's median new price of $34,274. A 5-year-old (2021) Tucson lists for a median $17,499 — 48.8% of today's median new price of $35,830.
Shop both
- See 32,216 new 2027 Kia Sportages for sale →Median listed price $35,635 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Hyundai Tucsons for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Kia Sportage
More on the Hyundai Tucson
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Sportage better than the Tucson?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Sportage — it leads our weighted scorecard 4–1 across 9 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.51 vs 0.97) and better fuel economy (41 mpg vs 38 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Tucson if you tow (2,750 lb vs 2,500 lb max).
Which is more reliable, the Sportage or the Tucson?
On federal data, the Sportage: owners filed 0.51 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold versus 0.97 for the Tucson (2015–2022 sales years). That's complaint volume, not a survey score. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Sportage and 10 for the Tucson.
Which holds its value better, the Sportage or the Tucson?
About the same — 47.8% vs 48.8% retained after five years (within 2 points).
Which is cheaper, the Sportage or the Tucson?
They start within 3% of each other: $28,990 vs $29,200.
Which has better gas mileage, the Sportage or the Tucson?
The Sportage: up to 41 mpg combined vs 38 mpg for the Tucson (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/kia-sportage-vs-hyundai-tucson, updated November 8, 2026.