Kia-Sportage-vs-Toyota-RAV4

Why is the Kia Sportage the most serious challenger to the 2024 Toyota RAV4? How do the hybrids and plug-in hybrids compare?

Get answers to your biggest questions in this compact SUV comparison.

2024 RAV4 Prices Vs Sportage Prices

There’s no denying that Kia makes its SUVs more affordable. The 2024 Toyota RAV4 price starts at $28,675 MSRP, and the Kia Sportage LX price starts at $27,190 MSRP. That’s a difference of more than $1,000.

RAV4 Hybrid prices start at $31,725. The Sportage Hybrid price starts at $28,590 MSRP. That’s a difference of about $3,000.

The 2024 RAV4 Prime price starts at $43,690. Coming in much cheaper, the 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid Plug In price starts at $39,590 MSRP. So at the outset, there’s a difference of about $4,000.

The extra cost for the RAV4 can be a deal breaker if you are seeking the most affordable vehicle as well as the greenest. Plus, each Sportage is a high quality product, as critics are quick to say. They point out that Kia tends to give more for your money in terms of packaging.

If modern living is important to you, you can definitely say the Sportage is the most advanced. It was fully redesigned in 2023. The last time the RAV4 was redesigned was in 2019 although technology is updated each year.

Size

Before the 2023 update, the Sportage was smaller than the RAV4. Now it is bigger in every way that counts. Best in class 2nd-row legroom gives the Sportage passenger a remarkable 3.5 inches more wiggle room than the RAV4.

Sportage headroom on both rows make it a better pick for taller owners. Furthermore, these Kias have a bigger cargo hold that can handle more of the family’s luggage for a long trip.



Performance

The 2024 RAV4 Prime has the edge in horsepower, but the Sportage Plug-in Prime takes the lead in torque. Combined fuel economy and electric range are good for both. Prime models can claim 42 miles of electric range while the Sportage PHEV claims a commute-worthy 34 miles.



A performance comparison definitely favors the Sportage Hybrid as you can see in this table. The costs and savings were determined by the U.S. fuel economy website.

All Wheel Drive vs Rear Wheel Drive

The Sportage Hybrid LX has fuel-sipping front wheel drive like the RAV4 and Sportage gas models. Otherwise the hybrid models of both brands have all-wheel drive.

In off-roading, Motor Trend took the Sportage PHEV through fine sand and reported they didn’t even need to select a special drive mode. The vehicle does have a Snow drive mode that assists with difficult traction situations by splitting torque evenly between the two axles. Plug in hybrid Sportage models benefit from a center locking differential that electronically holds that 50/50 split.

Distinctive Design

The clever new style of the Sportage Plug in Hybrid is more impressive, distinctive and smart. In fact, Motor Trend calls it radical styling in one review. In another Motor Trend review, they praise the smart “use of color and shape” as well as the “upmarket materials”. For instance, they like the unusual “cool” door handles surrounded by an elegant patterned trim.

Kelley Blue Book calls the RAV4 Prime “dated” and points to its “disappointingly thin” faux leather as one example.

An asymmetrical console and angular vents add style to the Sportage dash. Even more distinctive, a panoramic duo of screens stretch behind and adjacent to the steering wheel. To add to the organization, Kia integrates hooks, coat hangers, and USB ports into the headrests or seatbacks.

The Sportage Plug In Hybrid X-Line has high quality faux leather with a sporty tread pattern. Standard features include dual zone automatic climate controls and a driver’s power chair. The model’s sporty attitude kicks up a notch with patterned leather seats and a panoramic moonroof in the X-Line Prestige trim. Ventilated seats offer real comfort when it’s summer in Phoenix AZ.

A dual level cargo hold offers organizational flexibility, and a fold-and-dive rear seat increases the flat space quickly. Entry is easy with a smart liftgate that opens hands-free. In short, the design of the 2024 Kia Sportage Plug In Hybrid covers every angle, and it does it better than the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime.

Cutting-Edge Connectivity

In the Sportage Plug In Hybrid, two digital screens put information in easy reach and easy view. The panoramic feel created by the Kia design gives that futuristic touch you want in a Plug In Hybrid, and you won’t find anything quite like this system in the RAV4 Prime.

A touchpad beneath the touchscreen allows Kia drivers to toggle easily between basic functions such as the audio controls or air conditioning. The voice controls and other functions may be extended through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Likewise Kia makes it possible for you to utilize Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa as well as claim a WiFi hotspot. Get details on all Sportage trim levels and connectivity standards in this new Sportage review.

Smarter Navigation

Stop-and-go Smart Cruise Control (SCC) is standard on both brands. However, only the Kia Sportage offers to integrate SCC with navigation. This allows the system to act more like a human driver. It recognizes a sharp curve early, anticipates trouble and lowers the speed before going into the bend.

Furthermore, in its role as the driver’s travel aid, Kia navigation may be smarter than Toyota’s. It utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to learn from the driver. This allows it to anticipate regular routes and make better recommendations based on traffic data and other factors.

Semi-automated Features and Driving Assistance

Kia Drive Wise and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 provide a long list of driver aids. For every Sportage and RAV4, this includes systems to watch the sides, such as lane keeping assist. It also includes automatic emergency braking with its forward collision system with pedestrian detection..

Bringing more tools for the driver, the Kia Plug In Hybrid has 16 standard safety features, including junction collision avoidance assistance.

Another Kia feature is the blind spot view monitor. A live feed can appear in the rearview mirror giving Sportage Plug In Hybrid drivers a view of exactly what’s behind them. This is in addition to the blind spot monitor which is designed to help detect when it is unsafe to change lanes. It provides a visual/audible warning and may trigger an avoidance assist.

Brand exclusive Remote Parking Assist can direct your Sportage PHEV into or out of a parking space. Now that’s some fun autonomous driving action! Highway Driving Assist combines lane follow assist and smart cruise control for semi-autonomous driving in certain situations.

Long Term Ownership

US News and World Report names the Sportage as the 2024 Best Hybrid for the Money for the second year in a row. Plus the Sportage PHEV has been named the 2024 Best Plug in Hybrid for the Money.

The same magazine writes that the regular Sportage offers the most bang for the buck. 2024 Kia Sportage gas models were finalists for the Best Compact SUV for Families.



It’s well known that Kia offers the best automotive warranties in the business. You get up to five years of limited warranty coverage while the RAV4 coverages cuts off by three years. Plus your Sportage purchase earns you a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. That’s up to five years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota powertrain coverage.

Conclusion

Whether it’s the standard engine, the hybrid powertrain or the plug in hybrid, the 2024 Sportage poses a serious challenge to the 2024 RAV4. The lower starting costs are an important factor for all three Sportage powertrains, but the overall packaging is this Kia's true selling point.

Find your Sportage at your Earnhardt Kia dealer. You should definitely see this all new model in person and take it for a test drive.

REVIEWS

“Inside and out, the Kia Sportage makes a strong case for the most cutting-edge entry in the competitive compact SUV segment. ”

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“Compared with rivals such as the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V, the Sportage boasts an affordable starting price and a bevy of standard and optional features, which sweeten the deal. ”

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“Build quality is excellent, with a handsome interior design and nicer upholstery than you might expect from this class. ”

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