2020 Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage

Standard Engine Specs for the 2020 CR-V and Sportage

We'll start off our comparison by lifting up the hood of the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. What we see right away is that the Honda delivers more power overall with its standard engine. You can see that in the table here:

Not only does the Honda CR-V generate more horsepower with its standard engine than the Kia Sportage does, it also gives you that extra turbocharged kick. This may make your drive feel more energetic in the CR-V than in the Sportage when equipped with the standard powertrain.

Otherwise, both SUVs come well-equipped for slick winter roadways and sandy summertime beaches thanks to their available all-wheel drive (AWD) system. These drivetrains improve traction control by actively adjusting torque distribution based on your driving conditions.

Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage MPG

We know that the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage are popular among drivers with long work commutes as well as those who like to take family road trips. So, it's important for them to have fuel economy ratings that'll help decrease how often you stop to fill up.

While both SUVs have a standard front-wheel drivetrain (FWD) that may interest the more fuel conscious, the Honda offers a higher EPA-estimated fuel economy overall than the Kia regardless of drivetrain:

Why would the CR-V have a higher fuel economy than the Sportage, despite having a more powerful engine? It's likely because of the transmission.

The Kia comes standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission. On the other hand, the Honda comes standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). CVTs tend to improve fuel economy by doing away with the regular gears of a typical automatic. Instead, it allows for nearly infinite, optimized shifts between the upper and lower limits.

Interior Dimensions and Cargo Volume

Let's finish this Honda CR-V vs. Kia Sportage comparison with a tour of the interior. When you take the wheel of either SUV, you'll see that there's plenty of space for you and all your passengers. Check out the interior dimensions in the table below:

You've probably noticed that, while they have similar headroom measurements and an identical seating capacity, the Honda CR-V has a much higher cargo capacity than the Kia Sportage. When you fold down the second-row seats of the Sportage, you'll be able to load in up to 60.1 cubic feet of cargo. Compare this to 75.8 cubic feet of cargo volume in the Honda CR-V.

Unfortunately, this means that drivers in the Kia SUV will probably have to leave a few things behind or make an extra trip compared to those in the Honda.

¹28 city/34 highway/30 combined mpg rating for 2WD trims. 27 city/32 highway/29 combined mpg rating for AWD trims. Based on 2020 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.