With over a dozen compact SUVs to select from, there’s sure to be a mannequin that matches your wants and way of life. Two of probably the most alluring are the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2025 Kia Sportage. Each have a number of the freshest designs and know-how of their class, plus a protracted historical past within the market.
Which of those may be best for you? Right here’s how the Subaru Forester and Kia Sportage evaluate.
2025 Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester has lengthy been the go-to compact SUV for adventure-loving people and households. It’s received the traits Subaru loyalists love — customary all-wheel drive, ample floor clearance, and prime security marks — together with rugged enchantment and many cargo room for all of the gear. The Forester is all new for 2025 and brings all these items together with the newest tech and security options. For this all-new technology, Subaru can also be introducing the first-ever Forester Hybrid for these looking for improved gasoline financial system.
Subaru Forester Highlights
Commonplace all-wheel drive: Having energy go to all 4 wheels as a substitute of simply the entrance, like most SUVs, means enhanced traction. This additional traction and functionality aren’t simply helpful for off-roading. Should you commonly cope with snow or slick roads, all-wheel drive grants higher dealing with and assurance. The Sportage presents all-wheel drive, however it prices additional.
EyeSight security suite: This customary security and driver help suite contains options like automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise management with lane centering, and a rear-seat reminder.
Adventurous angle: A Subaru Forester is greater than your unusual, commuter-minded SUV. The Subaru model and journey are intertwined. These automobiles are perfect for drivers looking for an escape into the wild, and the Forester is thought and beloved for enabling that. That is very true when you go for the Subaru Forester Wilderness mannequin with its additional floor clearance and off-road {hardware}.
Examine this week’s Truthful Buy Value or see the Forester mannequin stock close to you.
2025 Kia Sportage
The 2025 Kia Sportage lineup itself is surprisingly huge. The model’s compact SUV and best-selling mannequin is out there in seven trims, from the bottom LX to the top-line X-Professional Status. Powering them is a 187-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. In contrast to a number of opponents, together with the Subaru Forester, the Kia makes use of a conventional 8-speed automated transmission as a substitute of a constantly variable transmission (CVT), which some drivers discover can drone. Entrance-wheel drive (FWD) is customary, whereas all-wheel drive (AWD) is optionally available or customary on the upmarket X-Professional trims. The Sportage can also be out there as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, which we assessment individually.
Kia Sportage Highlights
Twin-screen shows: All Kia Sportage trims besides the bottom LX come customary with a outstanding 12.3-inch middle touchscreen with navigation (the LX has an 8-inch display screen), and all include both a 12.2-inch or 12.3-inch instrument show. Along with offering quite a lot of useful info, these screens look nice.
X-Professional trims: These extra rugged and adventurous trims most straight compete with the Subaru Forester. Within the X-Professional configuration, you get off-road options equivalent to additional floor clearance, all-terrain tires, and off-road settings for the all-wheel-drive system.
Wonderful guarantee protection: Kia has warranties that its rivals simply can’t match. They embody a 5-year/60,000-mile customary guarantee, plus powertrain protection for 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Examine this week’s Truthful Buy Value or see the Sportage mannequin stock close to you.
Similarities
The Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester have almost the identical horsepower, max cargo room, and energetic security options. They each enchantment to patrons looking for a compact SUV with a character.
New 2025 Subaru Forester Costs
|
Retail Value
|
Truthful Buy Value (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$31,415
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$34,805
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$37,525
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$37,705
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$39,115
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$43,015
|
TBD
|
New 2025 Kia Sportage Costs
|
Retail Value
|
Truthful Buy Value (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$28,785
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$30,885
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$33,685
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$34,385
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$36,385
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$37,885
|
TBD
|
|||
|
$39,685
|
TBD
|
The Kelley Blue E book Truthful Buy Value for any particular person used car can fluctuate enormously based on mileage, situation, location, and different elements.
The costs right here mirror what patrons are at present paying for New 2025 Subaru Forester automobiles and New 2025 Kia Sportage automobiles in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s urged retail value (MSRP) quoted contains the vacation spot price, however doesn’t embody tax, license, doc charges, and choices.
| 2025 Subaru Forester | 2025 Kia Sportage | |
| Well-liked Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capability | N/A | 2,500 kilos |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 3,700 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Computerized, CVT w/Lineartronic | automated, 8-speed |
| Gas Economic system | 26 metropolis/33 freeway/29 mixed mpg | 25 metropolis/32 freeway/28 mixed mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Primary Guarantee | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Total Security | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capability | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 inches | 108.5 inches |
| Total Size | 183.3 inches | 183.5 inches |
| Width | 81.2 inches | 73.4 inches |
| Top | 68.1 inches | 65.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.4 toes | 19.3 toes |
| Headroom, Entrance | 41.2 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.6 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Legroom, Entrance | 43.3 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.4 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Entrance | 57.7 inches | 57.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 56.7 inches | 55.6 inches |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | N/A | 74.1 toes |
Specification desk displays the standard configuration of automobiles proven.
Conclusion
The Kia Sportage attracts with a barely decrease beginning value, longer warranties, spectacular know-how, and glossy design. There are additionally ample trim ranges to select from. The Subaru Forester, in the meantime, is extra adventurous and comes customary with all-wheel drive, a rugged angle, and its personal spectacular know-how and trim lineup. That is one other occasion when two rivals are fairly completely different however equally fascinating. We suggest assessing your wants and way of life, then test-driving each to see which connects with you.
