The Toyota Corolla Cross combines the styling of the highly successful Corolla compact car with the utility of a crossover SUV. Find out how it measures up against the redesigned Kia Sportage in this 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross vs. 2023 Kia Sportage comparison. 

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross vs. 2023 Kia Sportage: What are the differences?

In this 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross vs. 2023 Kia Sportage crossover SUV comparison, we evaluated several areas. This includes performance, gas mileage, towing, off-road capabilities, safety, passenger and cargo space, warranty coverage, reliability, and price.

Corolla Cross vs. Sportage: Performance

For performance, the 2023 Kia Sportage outmuscles the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross with its more powerful engine options. Engines offered for the Sportage include a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (187 horsepower), a hybrid (226 horsepower), and a plug-in hybrid (261 horsepower). In comparison, the Corolla Cross has two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (169 horsepower) and a hybrid (194 horsepower). 

While the Sportage offers more powerful engine options, the Corolla Cross is more maneuverable. This is due to its smaller size, lower weight, and tighter turning circle.

Sportage vs. Corolla Cross: Gas mileage

On the efficiency front, the fully gas-powered Corolla Cross gets an estimated fuel economy of up to 32 combined mpg, and the Corolla Cross Hybrid gets a gas mileage of up to 37 combined mpg.

In comparison, the fully gas-powered Sportage has an estimated fuel economy of up to 28 combined mpg, while the Sportage Hybrid has a gas mileage of up to 43 combined mpg. Also, the Sportage Plug-In Hybrid has a fuel efficiency of 84 MPGe when in electric-only mode and 35 combined mpg in hybrid mode.

Sportage vs. Corolla Cross: Towing

The 2023 Sportage can tow more than the 2023 Corolla Cross. It has a maximum towing capacity of 2,500 pounds, compared to 1,500 pounds for the Corolla Cross.

Sportage vs. Corolla Cross: Off-road capabilities

While both crossover SUVs offer an all-wheel drive system for extra traction, the Sportage is better for off-road use. For one, it has slightly higher ground clearance than the Corolla Cross (up to 8.3 vs. 8.1 inches). Also, unlike the Corolla Cross, the Sportage has off-road-focused models with the X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige trims.

Sportage vs. Corolla Cross: Safety

For safety, the Corolla Cross has the edge. It earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, which is the highest possible IIHS rating. In comparison, the Sportage received the second-tier IIHS Top Safety Pick award.

Sportage vs. Corolla Cross: Passenger and cargo space

The 2023 Sportage is bigger than the 2023 Corolla Cross, resulting in more interior space. It has a total passenger volume of 108 cu-ft and a maximum cargo capacity of 74.1 cu-ft. In comparison, the Corolla Cross has a total passenger volume of 95 cu-ft and a maximum cargo capacity of 66.8 cu-ft.

Sportage vs. Corolla Cross: Warranty coverage and reliability

The Sportage has more generous warranty coverage than the Corolla Cross. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, compared to a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty for the Corolla Cross. However, unlike the Sportage, the Corolla Cross offers a free maintenance plan, with two years or 25,000 miles of coverage. 

For reliability, the Sportage has the advantage. It earned a J.D. Power reliability rating of 88/100, compared to 82/100 for the Corolla Cross.

Sportage vs. Corolla Cross: Price

Which crossover SUV costs more: the 2023 Sportage or the 2023 Corolla Cross? The starting price of the 2023 Sportage ranges from $25,990 MSRP for the LX trim up to $42,990 MSRP for the Plug-In Hybrid X-Line Prestige trim.

For the 2023 Corolla Cross, the official price information is not yet available, but it will likely cost slightly more than the 2022 version. The starting price of the 2022 Corolla Cross ranges from $22,445 MSRP for the L trim up to $26,575 MSRP for the XLE trim.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross vs. 2023 Kia Sportage: Which crossover SUV is better?

In this 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross vs. 2023 Kia Sportage comparison, each crossover SUV has various advantages. For the 2023 Corolla Cross, advantages include maneuverability, gas-powered fuel economy, and safety. Conversely, advantages for the 2023 Sportage include its more powerful engine options, hybrid gas mileage, towing, off-road capabilities, interior space, warranty coverage, and reliability.