Kia Sportage vs Toyota RAV4: hybrid SUVs compared
Updated Report an error By Sarah Whitmore
Kia · 2021–present
Sportage NQ5
- Power
- 169 kW230 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 8.0 s
- Top speed
- 193 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,649 kg
Toyota · 2018–2025
RAV4 XA50
- Power
- 160 kW218 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 8.4 s
- Top speed
- 180 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,615 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: Sportage NQ5 1 RAV4 XA50 3
- Family Too close to call Boot: 587 l vs 580 l
- City RAV4 XA50 Consumption: 4.5 l/100 km vs 5.9 l/100 km
- Long trips RAV4 XA50 Range: 1,222 km vs 915 km (estimated)
- Performance Sportage NQ5 Power per tonne: 103 kW/t vs 99 kW/t; 0–100 km/h: 8.0 s vs 8.4 s
- Running costs RAV4 XA50 Fuel per year: €1,180 vs €1,550 (estimated)
Verdict Opinion
The RAV4 is the safer bet for buyers who want a hybrid and nothing else. It has the bigger boot, a long record as a hybrid, and its plug-in versions carry far larger batteries than the Kia's, which matters for daily electric driving.
The Sportage is the more flexible package. Its full hybrid is stronger than the current RAV4 hybrid, and it can still be ordered as a mild hybrid or a diesel. Kia's European sales show how quickly it has become a default choice in the class.
— Sarah Whitmore
The Sportage and the RAV4 are two of the most popular family SUVs in Europe, and both are now sold mainly as hybrids. The fifth-generation Sportage (NQ5) was unveiled on 8 June 2021 and is built for Europe in Žilina, Slovakia. Kia sold 221,917 of them in Europe in 2024, and the Sportage has been the brand's best-selling model worldwide since 2016. The RAV4 claims an even bigger record: with more than 15 million sold by 2025 it is the best-selling SUV of all time. Its fifth generation (XA50) was revealed in New York in March 2018, and the sixth (XA60) followed on 20–21 May 2025.
In short: the RAV4 has the larger boot, the bigger plug-in battery and the more established hybrid system; the Sportage offers more engine choice, including a diesel, and the stronger full hybrid. More detail is on our Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 pages.
Kia Sportage vs Toyota RAV4: how they differ
Full hybrids: turbo against big four-cylinder
Kia pairs a 1.6-litre T-GDi turbo engine with an electric motor for 169 kW (230 PS). The XA50 RAV4 Hybrid uses a 2.5-litre engine with Toyota's power-split system: 160 kW (218 PS) with front-wheel drive and 163 kW in the AWD-i version, where a second motor drives the rear axle. Our catalogue lists the front-drive RAV4 at 8.4 seconds to 100 km/h. The new XA60 changed the numbers: in Europe its hybrid is rated at 135 kW with front-wheel drive and 140 kW with all-wheel drive, so the current Sportage hybrid is the more powerful car on paper.
Plug-in hybrids
Kia's plug-in Sportage combines 195 kW (265 PS) with a battery of 13.8 kWh. The XA50 RAV4 plug-in had 225 kW, an 18.1 kWh battery, 75 km of claimed electric range and 6.2 seconds to 100 km/h. The XA60 raises the battery to 22.7 kWh and the European WLTP electric range to 100 km, with 197 kW for the front-wheel-drive version and 224 kW with all-wheel drive. For drivers who can charge at home, the current Toyota carries 8.9 kWh more battery than the Kia.
Petrol, diesel or hybrid only
The Sportage keeps a broad engine list in Europe: 1.6 T-GDi mild hybrids with 110 or 132 kW and a 1.6 CRDi diesel with 84 or 100 kW. The sixth-generation RAV4 is sold only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
Size and boot
Kia builds a shorter Sportage for Europe: it is 135 mm shorter than the 4,660 mm global model and has a 75 mm shorter wheelbase than its 2,755 mm. The XA50 RAV4 Hybrid sold in Europe from 2019 measures 4,600 mm, with a 2,690 mm wheelbase. Our catalogue lists 580 litres of boot space for the RAV4 Hybrid and 503 litres for the Sportage.
Updates and gearboxes
Kia announced the facelifted Sportage on 5 November 2024 for the 2026 model year, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and an eight-speed automatic in place of the seven-speed dual-clutch on the 1.6 T-GDi. The RAV4 hybrids are listed in our catalogue with a continuously variable transmission.
Euro NCAP
The Sportage received five stars in 2022, with 87% for adult occupants, 86% for children, 66% for vulnerable road users and 72% for safety assist.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | Sportage NQ5 | RAV4 XA50 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | B · 506 | C · 494 |
| Power | 51 | 50 |
| Grip | 39 | 39 |
| Handling | 51 | 51 |
| Top speed | 36 | 31 |
| Launch | 42 | 40 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time — the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 Sportage NQ5Sportage NQ5 · 1.6 T-GDI hybrid · 169 kW (230 PS) 15.93 sat 140 km/h
- 2 RAV4 XA50RAV4 XA50 · 2.5 Hybrid 2WD · 160 kW (218 PS) 16.22 sat 135 km/h · +0.29 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Sportage NQ5 | RAV4 XA50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,515 mm177.8 in † | 4,600 mm181.1 in +85 mm +3.3 in +1.9% |
| Width | 1,865 mm73.4 in † | 1,855 mm73.0 in −10 mm −0.4 in −0.5% |
| Height | 1,650 mm65.0 in † | 1,685 mm66.3 in +35 mm +1.4 in +2.1% |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm105.5 in † | 2,690 mm105.9 in +10 mm +0.4 in +0.4% |
| Kerb weight | 1,649 kg3,635 lb | 1,615 kg3,560 lb −34 kg −75 lb −2.1% |
| Boot | 587 l20.7 cu ft | 580 l20.5 cu ft −7 l −0.2 cu ft −1.2% |
| Fuel tank | 54 l14.3 gal US | 55 l14.5 gal US +1 l +0.3 gal US +1.9% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Tight | Tight |
Difference vs Sportage NQ5 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Kia Sportage | Toyota RAV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | Sportage NQ5 · 1.6 T-GDI hybrid · 169 kW (230 PS) | RAV4 XA50 · 2.5 Hybrid 2WD · 160 kW (218 PS) |
| Production years | 2021–present | 2018–2025 |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Class | SUV / crossover | SUV / crossover |
| Country | South Korea | Japan |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 169 kW (230 PS) 227 hp Better | 160 kW (218 PS) 215 hp |
| Power, all versions | 61–195 kW (83–265 PS) 82–261 hp | 91–225 kW (124–306 PS) 122–302 hp |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 8.0 s Better | 8.4 s |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 193 km/h 120 mph Better | 180 km/h 112 mph |
| Power per tonne | 103 kW/t 125 hp/ton calculated Better | 99 kW/t 121 hp/ton calculated |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Engine | 1,600 cc · 4 cyl 1.6 l | 2,487 cc · 4 cyl 2.5 l |
| Gearbox | No data | CVT |
| Drive | No data | Front-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,515 mm 177.8 in † | 4,600 mm 181.1 in |
| Width | 1,865 mm 73.4 in † | 1,855 mm 73.0 in |
| Height | 1,650 mm 65.0 in † | 1,685 mm 66.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm 105.5 in † | 2,690 mm 105.9 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,649 kg 3,635 lb | 1,615 kg 3,560 lb Better |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 587 l 20.7 cu ft | 580 l 20.5 cu ft |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | 54 l 14.3 gal US | 55 l 14.5 gal US |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 5.9 l/100 km 39.9 mpg US | 4.5 l/100 km 52.3 mpg US Better |
| CO₂ | 135 g/km | 102 g/km Better |
| Fuel cost per year | €1,550/year estimated | €1,180/year estimated Better |
| Range on a full tank | 915 km 569 mi estimated | 1,222 km 759 mi estimated Better |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2022) | ★★★★★ (2019) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (3): Body, Class, Fuel.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol. † from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Kia Sportage is quicker: 0–100 km/h in 8.0 s against 8.4 s for Toyota RAV4. Toyota RAV4 is 85 mm longer than Kia Sportage (4,600 mm vs 4,515 mm). Toyota RAV4 is lighter by 34 kg (1,615 kg vs 1,649 kg). Kia Sportage has the bigger boot: 587 l against 580 l. At 15,000 km a year, fuel would cost about €1,550 (Kia Sportage), €1,180 (Toyota RAV4) (estimated). Kia Sportage is the older design (from 1993); Toyota RAV4 arrived in 1994. On the catalog figures, the Toyota RAV4 is the pick for city, long trips and running costs; the Kia Sportage is the pick for performance.
Which one to choose
Choose the Kia Sportage if you want the 169 kW hybrid, need a diesel for long distances, or prefer a slightly shorter car for city parking.
Choose the Toyota RAV4 if boot space comes first, if you plan to charge a plug-in hybrid and want up to 100 km of electric range, or if you value the sales record of the best-selling SUV ever.
Both cars meet other rivals on 1cars: Hyundai Tucson vs Kia Sportage and Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more powerful, the Sportage Hybrid or the RAV4 Hybrid?
The Sportage Hybrid has 169 kW (230 PS). The XA50 RAV4 Hybrid has 160 kW with front-wheel drive or 163 kW with AWD-i, and the new XA60 hybrid is rated at 135 or 140 kW in Europe.
Which plug-in hybrid has the longer electric range?
The RAV4. The sixth-generation RAV4 PHEV has a 22.7 kWh battery and 100 km of WLTP electric range in Europe; the Sportage PHEV has a 13.8 kWh battery.
Which has the bigger boot?
The RAV4: our catalogue lists 580 litres for the RAV4 Hybrid and 503 litres for the Sportage.
Is there a diesel Sportage or RAV4?
Kia still offers a 1.6 CRDi diesel with 84 or 100 kW in Europe. The current RAV4 is sold only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid.