# Subaru Outback (2026) vs Kia Sportage (2026): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Subaru Outback (2026) (Subaru) and Kia Sportage (2026) (Kia) among cars. Kia Sportage (2026) is the cheaper of the two at $28790.

## Side by side

| Spec | Subaru Outback (2026) | Kia Sportage (2026) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $34995 | $28790 |
| Brand | Subaru | Kia |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |
| Body style | midsize wagon/crossover | compact SUV |
| Mpg combined | 27 | 28 |
| Horsepower | 180 | 187 |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Cargo cuft | — | — |
| Powertrain | 2.5L flat-4 (Boxer) naturally aspirated, CVT AV-S8 | 2.5L inline-4 naturally aspirated, 8-speed automatic |

## Key differences

- Body style: Subaru Outback (2026) midsize wagon/crossover vs Kia Sportage (2026) compact SUV
- Mpg combined: Subaru Outback (2026) 27 vs Kia Sportage (2026) 28
- Horsepower: Subaru Outback (2026) 180 vs Kia Sportage (2026) 187
- Drivetrain: Subaru Outback (2026) AWD vs Kia Sportage (2026) FWD
- Powertrain: Subaru Outback (2026) 2.5L flat-4 (Boxer) naturally aspirated, CVT AV-S8 vs Kia Sportage (2026) 2.5L inline-4 naturally aspirated, 8-speed automatic

## What reviewers say

**Subaru Outback (2026)** — Only Car and Driver's live page survived skeptic verification with full instrumented data for the redesigned 2026 Outback; all quotes and measured values were confirmed against the fetched text. C/D rates it 8.5/10: roomy and comfortable with decent light-duty off-road ability, but numb handling and a sluggish base engine hold it back. (1 sourced review.)

**Kia Sportage (2026)** — Both whitelisted hands-on reviews survived verification. Car and Driver (instrumented) and MotorTrend (hybrid first drive) rate the refreshed 2026 Sportage a comfortable, well-equipped value whose weak 2.5-liter non-hybrid gas engine is its main flaw; the hybrid supplies the missing pep. Car and Driver measured 9.1-sec 0-60 for the gas engine versus 7.4 for the hybrid, plus 31 mpg observed highway. Non-whitelisted outlets were excluded. (2 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- Subaru Outback (2026): https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=49531 (fueleconomy.gov, verified 2026-06-15)
- Kia Sportage (2026): https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=49455 (fueleconomy.gov, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/cars/subaru-outback-2026-vs-kia-sportage-2026/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Subaru Outback (2026) ($34995) vs Kia Sportage (2026) ($28790) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/cars/subaru-outback-2026-vs-kia-sportage-2026/
License: CC BY 4.0.