2022 Subaru Forester vs. 2022 Kia Sportage
The Subaru Forester and Kia Sportage are both compact crossovers that aim to provide more space and comfort than subcompact hatchbacks but are less of a mid-size crossover. They also feature standard all-wheel drive (AWD) as part of their standard setups. So which one is better for your needs? Let’s find out!
Design & Style
- Exterior Design
The Subaru Forester is available in a few different trim levels, but all of them have a look that’s instantly recognizable as belonging to the Subaru brand. The front end features Subaru’s signature grille and headlights shaped like teardrops and fog lights in the shape of diamonds. The Sportage has LED headlights and taillights, giving it a more modern appearance than previous models.
The Sportage rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, while the Forester uses 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-season tires. Both vehicles feature an automatic headlight system that turns on when there is low light or darkness ahead and off when there’s bright or direct sunlight.
- Interior Design
The Subaru Forester has a very roomy cabin with a high ceiling and plenty of legroom for passengers. The seats are comfortable and supportive, which makes it easy to enjoy a long road trip without feeling sore after hours in the car seat. You even get heated seats for cold days and leather trim for extra luxury. The Kia Sportage also offers plenty of space inside, with ample headroom that’s great for taller drivers or passengers who want to sit higher up than normal SUV seating, which allows them to do so in other vehicles like this one. But there’s an issue with both models—in certain areas where they overlap (like front-seat passenger footwells), they have similar dimensions but still different shapes: In short, if you use the same size shoes on both vehicles then chances are your toes will hit something if you wear those shoes while riding shotgun passenger-side!
Technology & Safety
In terms of technology and safety, the 2022 Subaru Forester is fully stacked. It’s got Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, an 8-inch touchscreen display with navigation and various apps, as well as Subaru’s Starlink telematics system.
The 2022 Kia Sportage doesn’t have quite as much in the way of tech (it does have Apple CarPlay but doesn’t come standard with Android Auto), but it does have a lot to offer in terms of safety features. The Kia offers automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane keep assist with lane departure warning, blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
Performance
The Subaru Forester has a more powerful engine than the Kia Sportage, but it gets less fuel efficiency. Both vehicles have an eight-speed automatic transmission, so you don’t have to worry about shifting in either car. The Subaru Forester has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the Kia Sportage has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 255 hp and 260 lb/ft of torque. You might think this would mean the Subaru gets better fuel economy than the Kia since it’s smaller and lighter than its competitor. Still, those figures are deceiving because they include only city driving calculations—the EPA measures highway mileage separately for each vehicle (the Subaru gets 26 mpg on highways while its rival gets 24).
The Bottom Line
So, as you can see, the Subaru Forester offers more for your money. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a new car that can easily handle everything from rugged terrain to snowstorms.
Ready to Schedule a 2022 Subaru Forester Test Drive Today?
At Competition Subaru, we offer a wide variety of Subaru models for you to choose from, including the 2022 Subaru Forester and we are more than happy to arrange for a test drive so that you can experience the stellar features of this vehicle. Call us today to make an appointment or simply pay us a visit at our showroom today!