Two of the most cross-shopped compact SUVs in Southwest Florida, compared trim for trim on the facts that matter most: price, powertrain, space, and warranty coverage. Hyundai of Fort Myers put this comparison together to help you decide faster.
View the Comparison ↓The 2026 Hyundai Tucson and 2026 Kia Sportage share a platform lineage and compete directly in the compact SUV class. Both are powered by the identical 187-horsepower 2.5-liter engine and 8-speed automatic, so the differences that matter most come down to cargo flexibility, warranty coverage, and price. Southwest Florida drivers considering either vehicle can use the table below to compare the two trim for trim.
Default matchup shown: 2026 Hyundai Tucson SEL and 2026 Kia Sportage EX. Use the trim selector further down the page to compare other trims. Figures reflect manufacturer-published specifications as of July 2026 and exclude destination charge, tax, title, and dealer fees.
| Feature | 2026 Hyundai Tucson SEL | 2026 Kia Sportage EX |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $30,800 | $31,935 |
| Engine | 2.5L inline-4 (GDI/MPI) | 2.5L inline-4 |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 187 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Drivetrain | FWD standard, HTRAC AWD optional | FWD standard, AWD optional |
| Combined MPG (FWD) | 28 MPG (25 city / 33 hwy) | 28 MPG (25 city / 33 hwy) |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Volume | 108.2 cu ft | ~108.0 cu ft |
| Maximum Cargo Volume | 80.3 cu ft (seats folded) | 74.1 cu ft (seats folded) |
| Infotainment Screen | 12.3-inch touchscreen | 12.3-inch touchscreen |
| Wireless Smartphone Integration | Standard | Standard |
| Basic Warranty | 5-yr / 60,000 mi | 5-yr / 60,000 mi |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10-yr / 100,000 mi | 10-yr / 100,000 mi |
| Complimentary Maintenance | Not Offered | Varies by Dealer |
Hyundai discontinued its complimentary maintenance program for model-year 2026 and later vehicles, effective March 27, 2025; earlier model years already sold or leased keep their coverage. Kia's first-service coverage is offered at the discretion of individual dealers rather than as a uniform national program — ask your Hyundai of Fort Myers advisor for current details.
Ratings and cost estimates are published on different schedules by different organizations. Figures below reflect the most recent published data as of July 2026.
| Category | 2026 Hyundai Tucson | 2026 Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| IIHS Safety Rating | Top Safety Pick+ (2026) | Top Safety Pick+ (2026, models built after May 2025) |
| J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score | 83 / 100 | 84 / 100 |
| RepairPal Brand Reliability Rating | 4.0 / 5.0 (Hyundai brand, ranked 4th of 32) | 4.0 / 5.0 (Kia brand, ranked 3rd of 32) |
| Estimated 5-Year Maintenance & Repair Cost | ~$2,130 (est., based on $426/yr average) | ~$2,310 (est., based on $462/yr average) |
Sources: iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks, jdpower.com vehicle ratings, repairpal.com reliability data. Five-year cost estimates are calculated from RepairPal's published average annual repair cost and are not manufacturer figures.
Hyundai backs the Tucson with a 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty, two years longer than the Sportage's 5-year/100,000-mile coverage, on top of matching 5-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain terms.
10 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warrantyEvery 2026 Tucson trim, from SE to Limited, comes standard with Hyundai SmartSense, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist with Smart Cruise Control. Keep your family safe.
Standard SmartSense suite on every trimWith the 60/40-split rear seats folded, the Tucson opens up to 80.3 cubic feet of cargo room about 6 cubic feet more than the Sportage's 74.1 cubic feet while matching it almost exactly on rear legroom. More hauling for less bulk.
80.3 cu ft maximum cargo volumeA closer look at the Tucson's exterior styling, cabin, cargo area, and technology.
Select a Tucson trim and a Sportage trim to compare.
Closest comparable trim for the selected Tucson, Sportage EX. Pairings are matched by starting MSRP and equipment level.
Both the 2026 Hyundai Tucson and 2026 Kia Sportage are strong compact SUV choices for Southwest Florida drivers, and they share the same 187-horsepower engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. Shoppers who want the most cargo room with the seats folded and Hyundai's longer anti-perforation warranty tend to lean toward the Tucson, while shoppers focused on the lowest starting price often lean toward the Sportage.
The Kia Sportage may appeal to shoppers who prioritize a lower starting MSRP ($28,790 vs. $29,450) and a marginally higher J.D. Power predicted reliability score (84 vs. 83, out of 100).
Value Your Trade →Salt air and humidity near the Gulf make rust protection worth a look. The Tucson is backed by a 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty, compared with the Sportage's 5-year/100,000-mile coverage — two extra years of protection with no mileage cap for Fort Myers driveways and coastal garages.
Both offer available HTRAC/AWD for wet-weather traction, but the Tucson holds more with the rear seats folded — 80.3 cu ft versus the Sportage's 74.1 cu ft — which adds up when you're loading water, supplies, or belongings ahead of a storm.
Both are covered by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and 5-year roadside assistance. The Tucson adds a longer 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty, compared with the Sportage's 5-year/100,000-mile rust coverage.
They're essentially tied — both are EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined in FWD trim, since they share the same 187-hp engine. If your daily loop between Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Naples calls for better mileage, ask about the Tucson Hybrid.
Yes. Schedule a Tucson test drive with Hyundai of Fort Myers using the button above, and we'll get you behind the wheel of the trim that fits your budget. For a side-by-side comparison, a local Kia dealer can arrange a Sportage test drive as well.
