2024 Kia Sportage vs. 2024 Hyundai Tucson: A Practical Compact SUV Comparison

At this point, it’s common knowledge outside the industry that Kia and Hyundai are two sides of the same coin—they both have the same Korean-based parent company, and they both have a lot of the same impressive characteristics. But are they carbon copies, or is one just a bit better than the other?

We’d argue the latter.

Despite their shared DNA, they have some notable differences. Let’s settle the score on this sibling rivalry and see why the Sportage may be the best compact SUV for families in Destin.

An Abundance of Choice

First, let’s look at the available trim selections and price points. Both SUVs have hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure gas-powered versions, and we’ve included all options on our list.

For those of you not keeping score at home, that’s 12 total for the Sportage and 10 for the Tucson.

This may seem like a minor difference, but the extra trims mean that the gas-powered Sportage has more mid-range options for buyers looking to save some cash, making it far more wallet-friendly overall. The Sportage Hybrid also starts at nearly four grand cheaper than the least expensive Tucson Hybrid.

Improved Driving Manner

The meat and potatoes of both crossovers are remarkably similar, if not identical. The gasoline versions employ a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and both make the exact same horsepower and torque. They’re also both married to an eight-speed transmission.

We start to see a bit of departure with the available drivetrains, though. All Tucsons come standard with front-wheel drive, even the “off-road” focused XRT, and AWD is an additional upcharge. On the other hand, multiple Sportage trims come standard with Active All-Wheel Drive with a center locking differential. While neither of these plucky SUVs is going to get you too deep into the backcountry, the Sportage has a bit more dirt road street cred.

Critics have noted that the Sportage drives better on the pavement, too. Last year, the experts at MotorTrend did an SUV comparison of the 2023 models, which are functionally the same in terms of road dynamics. They found that the Sportage had a slightly smoother ride, while they found the Tucson to be “unrefined” in contrast.

Premium Interior

The Sportage and Tucson both saw recent redesigns, ensuring the more up-to-date tech and comfort amenities. The Sportage has a bit of an edge though, having just entered its current generation last year (the Tucson was redesigned in 2022).

Overall, the Sportage’s interior feels more modern and user-friendly compared to the Tucson. The seats have more adjustable settings, and more trims include built-in heating and ventilation. Most Sportage trims also have a panoramic sunroof as standard equipment. The Tucson gets points for feeling uncluttered and organized, but its vertically oriented center display screen lacks physical knobs and buttons, making it a bit of a hassle to use while driving.

Speaking of infotainment options, the Sportage has an 8.0-inch touch screen in the base-level LX trim, whereas all others get the upgraded 12.3-inch full color screen, and it’s paired with either a 12.2-inch or 12.3-inch digital instrument display, which creates a seamless control panel to interface with vehicle diagnostics and connectivity features.

The Tucson’s screens, which consist of a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and either an 8.0-inch or a 10.25-inch center screen, are smaller and feel less cohesive.

When reviewing both in their own comparison, U.S. News said, “The more modern design of the Sportage makes it the winner, with the Tucson coming up just a little short.”

2024 Kia Sportage: The Clear Choice for Car Shoppers Near Navarre, FL

In many ways, the Hyundai Tucson is indeed the other side of the same Sportage coin. It has many of the same impressive perks, including fuel efficient hybrid options, class-leading interior space, solid dependability, and an incomparable warranty. But, at the end of the day, the Kia Sportage offers far more value for the price tag.

Step One Kia Fort Walton Beach has a wide selection of new and used models, and with many ongoing vehicle specials and financing offers available, you can shop with confidence knowing you’re getting the best deals on the Gulf Coast. Contact us online or give us a call at (850) 396-2031 to ask about our credit assistance program.