2023 Honda CR-v Hybrid vs. 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid: Which SUV Is for You?
Two of the highest-rated small SUVs are the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid and the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid. These two hybrid SUVs can give you more of what you desire.
As expected, the greatest advantage of these two hybrid SUVs is the increase in fuel efficiency compared to the gas-only versions. Hybrid models are more powerful and offer better fuel mileage. Also, the development of hybrid technology means the cabin areas of these two SUVs are the same as the gas-powered models, giving owners plenty of room to enjoy these compact SUVs.
Two well-loved compact crossovers
For generations, the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage have both been benchmark models in their brands. The Kia Sportage has truly evolved from the early days of this brand and it was one of the first models to arrive in the United States wearing the Kia badge. The Honda CR-V is one of the most well-loved and useful SUVs in the market. Both models enter a new generation for 2023 and bring hybrid powertrains for the first time. This makes the conversation about these two hybrid crossovers a bit more interesting.
Which hybrid SUV wins for fuel economy and power?
The FWD version of the Kia Sportage Hybrid returns 43 mpg combined, which is 44 city/42 hwy mpg. Turning to the FWD model of the Honda CR-V Hybrid, we see 40 mpg combined, which is 43 city/36 hwy mpg. Both hybrid SUVs offer AWD versions, and when this is part of the mix, the Sportage returns 38 mpg combined while the CR-V hits 37 mpg combined.
When it comes to power, both of these SUVs deliver the good. The CR-V Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine plus a hybrid system to offer 204 horsepower. Turn to the Sportage Hybrid, and you’ve got a smaller 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and hybrid system that offers 227 horsepower.
In the comparison of fuel economy and power, the Kia Sportage Hybrid bests the Honda CR-V Hybrid.
Which hybrid SUV has greater interior space and a better infotainment system?
The infotainment screen for the base model of the Sportage Hybrid is an 8-inch unit which increases to 12.3 inches at higher trim levels. This Kia SUV also has a nice digital instrument panel. Looking at the CR-V Hybrid, you’ll find a 7-inch touchscreen in the base model and a 9-inch screen for higher trims. The instrument panel doesn’t receive the full digital treatment in this Honda SUV.
The cargo room offered reaches 39 cubic feet of room behind the second row in both of these SUVs. This figure is nearly the most you’ll find in any SUV in this class.
Although we see a tie for the cargo room, the Kia Sportage Hybrid clearly has better infotainment and gauges than the Honda CR-V Hybrid.
Which hybrid SUV has more standard safety features?
You’ll find a nice list of safety features in both of these hybrid SUVs, but the Honda offers more of them as standard features. The CR-V Hybrid has standard adaptive cruise control, while this feature is only offered on the top trim level of the Sportage Hybrid. The Honda Sensing Suite of safety features is well-known as being comprehensive. Kia doesn’t have a safety package that’s nearly as complete.
It’s easy to see the Honda CR-V Hybrid leading the way over the Kia Sportage Hybrid in terms of safety features.
Which hybrid SUV has better comfort and driving manners?
The CR-V Hybrid delivers a more composed ride around turns and smoother acceleration. That said, the Sportage Hybrid brings a smoother and more accommodating ride and comfort. The cabin area of the Kia SUV is quieter and more composed. The Honda powertrain can get loud during acceleration, which can be distracting. In both SUVs, the front seats are comfortable and supportive.
The quieter cabin puts the Kia Sportage Hybrid ahead in comfort and driving manners category.
Which hybrid SUV has a better warranty?
Kia is well-known for offering the best warranty in the industry. This Kia SUV brings a four-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty which is supported by a ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Honda SUV includes a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
You can see that the Honda CR-V Hybrid is beaten in the warranty category by the longer Kia warranty coverage.
Which hybrid SUV offers the best pricing and value?
Honda deleted the base trim level across all vehicles for 2023. This results in the starting price of every Honda model being much higher than in 2022. The base model of the Honda CR-V Hybrid is now $34,245 compared to the starting price of the Kia Sportage Hybrid of $28,815.
Although the CR-V costs more, it does bring heated seats and some advanced driver aids that you don’t find in the base model of the Sportage. Even if you step up to the EX trim of the Sportage Hybrid, you’ll find a price that’s more affordable than the base version of the CR-V Hybrid.
Continue up the trim ladder, and you will find the top trim of the Sportage brings more features and costs less than the CR-V. The top trim of the Sportage Hybrid brings ventilated front seats and a surround-view camera system, both of which aren’t found in any version of the CR-V Hybrid.
When it comes to pricing and value, the Kia SUV once again bests the Honda SUV.
Which hybrid SUV makes the most sense?
It’s a simple tally, really. You can see there are numerous ways the Sportage Hybrid is a better choice than the CR-V Hybrid. The Sportage is more efficient, affordable and comfortable and offers better feature-packed trim levels. Standard safety features are about the only place you see the CR-V offering a better overall package.
It seems pretty easy to see that you should be driving the Kia Sportage Hybrid when you want a compact hybrid crossover SUV. Although 2023 is only the first year for this Kia hybrid SUV, it’s already hitting all the right notes to be a great choice.