Compact crossover SUVs tend to run the gamut from sporty and dedicated off-roaders to practical urban runabouts that are fun to drive and great for hauling around friends and cargo. Members of the latter category, the 2020 Kia Sportage and Nissan Rogue Sport each has something to offer.
2020 Kia Sportage
2020 Kia Sportage Starting Price: $25,035
Above Average: Lots of high-tech features; supportive and comfortable seats; optional turbocharged engine.
Below Average: Not a good choice for off-roading; more cargo space in some competitors; fuel economy isn’t great, particularly with turbo.
Kia Consensus: The 2020 Kia Sportage is a capable and respectably priced compact crossover SUV with a choice of engines, lots of storage spaces, and some good tech features.
See: Which is better, a Corolla or a Civic? We compare the 2020 models
2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
2020 Nissan Rogue Sport Starting Price: $24,335
Above Average: Suite of safety features suite comes standard on all trim levels.
Below Average: Not good for off-roading; not particularly quick; only one engine/transmission choice.
Consensus: Slotting in between its big brother the Rogue and the smaller Nissan NSANY, +0.28% Kicks, the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is a capable subcompact crossover that offers a suite of safety features and three well-equipped trim levels.
Kia Sportage vs. Nissan Rogue Sport: Fun times in the city
Kia Sportage
The 2020 Kia Sportage is a reasonably priced compact crossover SUV with updated looks and a choice of engines and high-tech features. It’s comfortable for four and offers lots of usable luggage space. For this model year, the styling is updated and there are more driver-assist features and a standard 8-inch touch screen. Both a normally aspirated 2.4-liter and a turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines power Sportage, the latter with a robust 240 horsepower. While the Sportage comes standard with front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive is available across all trims, although it’s more for driving in inclement weather as this Kia is not a good choice for regular off-roading. The ride is comfortable and compliant, and the turbocharged engine offers spirited acceleration.
Read: 8 great 3-row SUVs priced under $40k
Nissan Rogue Sport
The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is a smaller and sportier version of its Rogue big brother. It offers plenty of usable cargo space and a size that makes it a breeze to maneuver and park in urban settings. Like the Sportage, the Rogue comes with front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel driver across all trim levels, but it’s not a dedicated off-roader by any means. The Nissan is also offered with only one engine option that employs a CVT. The drivetrain puts out only 141 horsepower. Every Rogue Sport comes standard with Nissan’s suite of safety features known as Safety Shield 360. Upper trim levels feature ProPILOT Assist, Nissan’s semiautonomous system for highway driving. All models also include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and a 7.0-inch touch screen.
Also on MarketWatch: 8 affordable new cars that get at least 40 mpg
Similarities
Cargo capacity; neither is the best choice for off-roading; fuel mileage; both offer all-wheel drive on every trim.
2020 Kia Sportage Advantages
With its choice of engines, usable space, and Kia’s outstanding warranty, the 2020 Kia Sportage is a great value choice.
2020 Nissan Rogue Sport Advantages
The five-passenger Nissan Rogue Sport is a great little city crossover that offers all-weather confidence and many standard safety and driver-assist features.
Final recommendation
Its engine isn’t as powerful as we’d like, but from its five-passenger capacity and suite of safety features to its 28 mpg combined, the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is a smart, practical choice. If you’re looking for more power, the Kia Sportage deserves a look.
This story originally ran on KBB.com.
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