Compare the2026 Kia SportageVS 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

Both the Sportage and Outlander offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning also has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sportage and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Sportage is much safer than the Outlander:

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia Sportage is safer than the Outlander:

The Kia Sportage has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Outlander is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

There are almost 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sportage’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Sportage has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Outlander’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

The Sportage’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (187 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Outlander FWD (25 city/33 hwy vs. 24 city/31 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Sportage’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Sportage offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Sportage has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the Outlander (108.5 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

The Kia Sportage may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 300 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Sportage has .8 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear hip room than the Outlander.

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Outlander with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 10.9 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Outlander with its rear seat folded (74.1 vs. 64.3 cubic feet).

The Sportage’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (2500 vs. 2000 pounds).

The power windows standard on both the Sportage and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sportage is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Sportage’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Sportage’s standard Smart Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage X-Pro to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Outlander doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Kia Sportage retains 52.85% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 48.85% resale value of the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander after five years, which can save the Kia’s owner up to $1636.08698 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Sportage and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost three to one during 2024.