2026 head-to-head · Small SUV
2026 Kia Sportage vs Subaru Outback
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2026 Kia Sportage is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,661 a year to fuel (28 MPG), versus $1,722 for the 2026 Subaru Outback (27 MPG). That's roughly $62 a year, or about $308 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Kia Sportage
- Subaru Outback
Side by side
| Kia Sportage | Subaru Outback | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,661 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,722 |
| 28 MPG | Combined efficiency | 27 MPG |
| 25 MPG | City | 25 MPG |
| 33 MPG | Highway | 31 MPG |
| 317 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 330 g/mi |
| 5/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 5/10 |
| 5/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 5/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Gas |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Engine / motor | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| 8-speed automatic | Transmission | CVT |
| FWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Kia Sportage vs Subaru Outback across model years
- Kia Sportage
- Subaru Outback
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 114 2026 small SUVs, the Kia Sportage ranks 61st and the Subaru Outback 66th for lowest fuel cost.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Kia Sportage or the 2026 Subaru Outback?
Measured by cost to drive, the Kia Sportage. The Kia Sportage is rated 28 MPG combined and the Subaru Outback 27 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Kia Sportage vs. the Subaru Outback per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,661 for the Kia Sportage and $1,722 for the Subaru Outback.
Kia Sportage vs Subaru Outback in other years
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