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2026 Kia Sportage vs 2025 Kia Sorento in Chatham, ON

A silver 2026 Kia Sportage parked on off-road terrain. 2026 Kia Sportage vs 2025 Kia Sorento at Lally Kia in Chatham, ON

New Kia SUV Comparison at Lally Kia

The 2-Row 2026 Kia Sportage cuts an assertive figure on the roads around Chatham, ON and boasts cargo capacity up to 2,098 L that rivals the 2025 Kia Sorento’s 2,139 L behind the first row. Though the 2025 Kia Sorento has the advantage of slightly more passenger comfort and cargo space, as well as a slightly higher 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque to the 2026 Kia Sportage’s 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, the 2026 Kia Sportage shows off a decidedly stronger 2,500 lbs of towing muscle and a more responsible combined fuel economy of 8.3 L per 100 km (9.3 L per 100 km in the city and 7.0 L per 100 km on the highway) to the 2025 Sportage’s 2,000 lb pulling power and 9.4 L per 100 km fuel economy (10.2 L per 100 km in the city and 8.5 L per 100 km on the highway).

Keep reading as our experts at Lally Kia walk you through the all-important specs for the 2026 Kia Sportage and 2025 Kia Sorento, and help you determine which belongs in your driveway! Want some hands-on experience? Book a test drive in Chatham, ON today!

Learn more about the 2025 Kia Sorento and the 2026 Kia Sportage at Kia.ca.

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The 2026 Kia Sportage Excels in Towing & Fuel Economy

In terms of power, the 2025 Kia Sorento and 2026 Kia Sportage are well-matched with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque on the Sportage, and a slightly higher 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque on the Sorento. Where the 2026 Sportage truly pulls ahead is its 2,500 lb towing capacity–a respectable 500 lbs more than the 2025 Sorento’s 2,000 lb limit–and more modest fuel economy of an estimated 8.3 L per 100 km (9.3 L per 100 km in the city and 7.0 L per 100 km on the highway).

2026 Kia Sportage vs. 2025 Kia Sorento Engine Specifications & Performance
Engine 2.5 L Theta III 4-Cylinder 2.5 L 4 Cylinder GDI
Model 2026 Kia Sportage 2025 Kia Sorento
Horsepower 187 191
Torque (lb.-ft) 178 181
Estimated Fuel Economy (L/100 km)

City: 9.3

Highway: 7.0

Combined: 8.3

City: 10.2

Highway: 8.5

Combined: 9.4

Towing Capacity (lbs) 2,500 2,000
Transmission 8-Speed Automatic Transmission 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
A 2026 Kia Sportage drives on a highway. 2026 Kia Sportage vs 2025 Kia Sorento at Lally Kia in Chatham, ON
A 2025 Kia Sorento drives through a forest. 2026 Kia Sportage vs 2025 Kia Sorento at Lally Kia in Chatham, ON

2026 Kia Sportage: the 2-Row SUV with 3-Row Comfort

The 3-row 2025 Kia Sorento shows off its impressive stature with up to 1,024 mm head room, 1,500 mm shoulder room, 1,411 mm hip room, and 1,052 mm leg room, with a 2,139 L maximum cargo capacity behind the back row. Though the 2-row 2026 Kia Sportage isn’t far behind with personal passenger space ranging up to 1,006 mm head room, 1,461 mm shoulder room, 1,392 mm hip room, and 1,052 mm leg room to stretch out in, and a very generous cargo volume up to 2,098 L behind the first row.

2026 Kia Sportage Interior Dimensions

2026 Kia Sportage Passenger & Cargo Dimensions
Dimensions Front Row Second Row
Head Room 1,006 mm 1,000 mm
Shoulder Room 1,461 mm 1,412 mm
Hip Room 1,392 mm 1,357 mm
Leg Room  1,052 mm 1,050 mm
Cargo Volume

Floor High: 1,962 L

Floor Low: 2,098 L

Floor High: 1,036 L

Floor Low: 1,121 L

The trunk of a 2026 Kia Sportage filled with bags and gear. 2026 Kia Sportage vs 2025 Kia Sorento at Lally Kia in Chatham, ON
The black back seats in a 2026 Kia Sportage. 2026 Kia Sportage vs 2025 Kia Sorento at Lally Kia in Chatham, ON

2025 Kia Sorento Interior Dimensions

2025 Kia Sorento Passenger & Cargo Dimensions
Dimensions Front Row Second Row Third Row
Head Room 1,024 mm 994 mm 935 mm
Shoulder Room 1,500 mm 1,475 mm 1,345 mm
Hip Room 1,411 mm 1,399 mm 1,080 mm
Leg Room 1,052 mm 1,060 mm 752 mm
Cargo Volume 2,139 L 1,090 - 1,274 L 357 L
The trunk of a 2025 Kia Sorento filled with bags and gear. 2026 Kia Sportage vs 2025 Kia Sorento at Lally Kia in Chatham, ON
The supportive seats of a 2025 Kia Sorento. 2026 Kia Sportage vs 2025 Kia Sorento at Lally Kia in Chatham, ON

Verdict: the 2026 Kia Sportage Prioritizes Comfort, Strength, and Maneuverability

Here’s the TL;DR: The 2-row 2026 Kia Sportage effortlessly keeps up with the 3-row 2025 Kia Sorento’s cargo and passenger comfort offerings despite its shorter stature, and outpaces the 2025 Kia Sorento by 500 lbs of towing power. The result is an easy-to-handle, roomy SUV that provides plenty of pulling power and lots of room for your luggage and passengers, all while taking it easy on your fuel tank.