Compact SUVs hit the sweet spot for many of today’s car buyers, and it’s easy to see why. They bring ample practicality, pleasant driving manners, the latest tech and safety features, and available all-wheel drive (AWD) — all at a price that won’t make you rethink the kids’ college funds. Two popular contenders in this contentious segment are the 2025 Kia Sportage and Chevrolet Equinox.
The Sportage was fully revamped just two years ago, and the Equinox is all new this year, which means they are among the freshest in the segment. Here’s how they compare against each other.
2025 Kia Sportage
It’s safe to say there is a Kia Sportage for every type of buyer, thanks to its wide range of choices. The 2025 Kia Sportage is available in seven trims, from the base LX to the top-line X-Pro Prestige. Powering them is a 187-horsepower 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The rugged and upmarket X-Pro trims come with all-wheel drive standard. The Sportage is also available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, which we review separately.
Kia Sportage Highlights
Dual-screen displays: All Kia Sportage trims except the base LX come with a large 12.3-inch center touchscreen with navigation (the LX has an 8-inch screen), and all models include either a 12.2-inch or 12.3-inch instrument display. In addition to providing all the information you need at a glance, these screens look great.
X-Pro trims: The Sportage reflects the trend toward more off-road-oriented SUVs. In the X-Pro configuration, you get off-road features such as extra ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and off-road settings for the all-wheel-drive system.
Excellent warranty: All Sportage models come with an unbeatable warranty. This entails a 5-year/60,000-mile standard warranty, plus powertrain coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Chevrolet Equinox can’t touch that.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Sportage models for sale near you.
2025 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox enters an all-new generation this year, and its redesign gives this popular compact SUV a bolder, more rugged design compared to the outgoing generation. This all-new Equinox also boasts a tech-rich cabin and plenty of space for passengers and their cargo. All Equinox models are powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making 175 hp.
Chevrolet Equinox Highlights
Dual digital displays: The all-new 2025 Equinox makes a great impression when you step inside, thanks to an 11-inch digital driver display and 11.3-inch touchscreen. They are standard in every grade of Equinox and give it a modern, tech-rich feel.
Heated front seats, heated steering wheel: You’ll appreciate these warm features every cold morning. Even better, these come standard in the 2025 Equinox.
All-wheel drive: Choosing this option not only gives you more all-weather assurance; it also means you get the Equinox with more torque and an 8-speed automatic transmission vs. the continuously variable transmission, front-wheel-drive model.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Equinox models for sale near you.
Similarities
Both compact SUVs bring the latest tech and safety features, offer all-wheel drive, and are powered by 4-cylinder engines.
Pricing
New 2025 Kia Sportage Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (43085)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$28,785 |
$27,734 |
|||
$30,885 |
$29,816 |
|||
$33,685 |
$32,721 |
|||
$34,385 |
$33,442 |
|||
$36,385 |
$35,129 |
|||
$37,885 |
$36,725 |
|||
$39,685 |
$38,232 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia Sportage vehicles and New 2025 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Kia Sportage | 2025 Chevrolet Equinox | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 175 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,000 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 25 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg | 26 city/28 highway/27 combined mpg |
| Also Available | Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, AWD | AWD; 8-speed automatic |
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches | 107.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.5 inches | 183.2 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 74.9 inches |
| Height | 65.4 inches | 65.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.6 feet | 37.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.6 inches | 40.0 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.4 inches | 39.2 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 41.3 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.5 inches | 57.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.6 inches | 55.8 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 39.6/74.1 cubic feet | 29.8/63.5 cubic feet |
Conclusion
With its redesign for 2025, the Chevrolet Equinox brings bold new looks, enhanced technology, and some impressive standard amenities. That said, it’s more expensive than the Sportage, only available in three trims, and with just one powertrain. The Sportage has broader appeal thanks to a vast array of trims and features, not to mention available hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Add to that Kia’s far more generous warranty and larger cargo space, and we give the edge to the Sportage in this contest. We suggest test-driving both and experiencing the differences for yourself.
