Toyota RAV4 vs Kia Sportage
Compact SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the RAV4's own years, its best bet is 2018; years to avoid: 2019–2020; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Sportage's own years, its best bet is 2022; years to avoid: 2012–2013, 2017; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Toyota RAV4
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2018
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2019–2020
- Be careful 2021
Kia Sportage
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2022
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2012–2013, 2017
- Be careful 2011
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy RAV4 year says nothing about whether it beats a Sportage. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Toyota RAV4 | Kia Sportage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | TOO NEWOnly 0.2 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and steering | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly speed control and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly air bags and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly fuel system and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.8× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.8× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 2026 Kia Sportage | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $31,900 to $48,500 base price by trim, 10 trims | $28,790 to $47,190 base price by trim, 13 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.5L 4-cyl, 184–186 hp 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 184–186 hp | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo hybrid 1.6L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 38–43 mpg | 24–42 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | 33.5–37.8 cu ft | 39.6 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 63.5–70.4 cu ft | — |
| Max towing | 1,750–3,500 lb | 2,500 lb |
| NHTSA crash rating | Not rated | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 1 · 35 | 1 · 37 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| RAV4 LE lowest price, $31,900 | RAV4 Prime GR SPORT highest price, $48,500 | Sportage LX lowest price, $28,790 | Sportage Plug-In Hybrid X-Line Prestige highest price, $47,190 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | — | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | Varies | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | — | — | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | No | Standard | — | Standard |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (RAV4, Sportage).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Toyota RAV4
26 manufacturer programs on file: 16 extended coverage, 10 repair programs.
- Extended coverage CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint. (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Repair Process: Customer Support Program ZKG ? (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the… (2010–2017 models)
Kia Sportage
36 manufacturer programs on file: 9 extended coverage, 27 repair programs.
- Extended coverage dealer parts and service manager memo: wty007 - 2011-2014 my sportage 2.0l turbo gdi & 2.4l gdi engine - effective immediately, kia motors america, inc. Has extended the warranty coverage of the kia new vehicle limited warranty for the… (WTY007DEALERPSM, 2011–2014 models)
- Extended coverage Request for reimbursement form: wty007 - 20112014 my sportage 2.0l turbo gdi & 2.4l gdi engine warranty extension program - if you have paid to have your engine repaired/replaced due to connecting rod failure, you may be eligible for… (WTY007FORM, 2011–2014 models)
- Extended coverage This warranty extension addresses issues with connecting rod wear which results in knocking noise from the engine. In order to maintain these standards, kia is extending the warranty coverage, to all owners, for the engines short block… (WTY007OWNER, 2011–2014 models)
- Extended coverage WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY047) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to… (WTY047, 2023–2025 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2010, 2014–2016, 2018, 2022–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2020: the Sportage is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.9× usual), while the RAV4 is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly engine and fuel system). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2019: the Sportage is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.6× usual), while the RAV4 is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly fuel system and engine). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2017: the RAV4 is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.5× usual), while the Sportage is rated avoid (serious complaints 2.8× usual, mostly engine and power train). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: RAV4 2019–2020; Sportage 2012–2013, 2017.
- Newest year rated a good buy: RAV4 2025; Sportage 2025.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Lower starting price in 2026: the Sportage, from $28,790 against $31,900. Prices are the maker's listed base prices, not what dealers charge.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: RAV4 at 43 mpg (Sportage: 42), for the most efficient version of each.
- Towing: up to 3,500 lb for the RAV4 in 2026, against 2,500 lb for the Sportage.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.