When it comes to buying your next car, you’re probably hoping to save rather than spend. And that’s not such a bad idea! After all, no one really wants to spend all of their money on a new car. That’s why, if you’re struggling to choose between the 2021 Kia Sportage and the 2021 Ford Escape, we recommend putting the Sportage at the top of your list. Of course, the 2021 Kia Sportage has more to offer than a modest price tag.

When it comes to pricing, the 2021 Kia Sportage is the cheaper option

Not everyone is out to make their wallet cry when buying a new SUV. In fact, the odds are that most people would prefer to save rather than spend on their next vehicle purchase. Fortunately, when it comes to the 2021 Kia Sportage, its price tag isn’t all that bad. Opt for the base model Kia Sportage, and you can expect to spend approximately about $23,990. 

And if the base model Kia Sportage doesn’t quite do it for you? Consider treating yourself to the Kia Sportage S, which starts at $26,490 and is available with features like voice-activated navigation. For even more interior amenities, a premium sound system included, consider treating yourself to the Sportage EX, which starts at $27,290, or the Sportage SX Turbo, which has a starting price of $33,650.

The Ford Escape, on the other hand, is a tad more expensive than its Kia rival. While official pricing for the 2021 model year has yet to be finalized, the 2020 Ford Escape boasts a base price of $24,885. While that’s not significantly higher than the 2021 Kia Sportage, it could be a dealbreaker for many. Further, consider that a top-of-the-line Escape will run you about $36,435, and the Kia Sportage makes for the more wallet-friendly option.

It comes with better warranty coverage than the Ford Escape too

Pricing isn’t all that you should take into consideration when shopping for your next vehicle. It’s also important to consider a vehicle’s warranty coverage. Fortunately, Kia knows just how to please when it comes to warranties. Every new Kia is covered by a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty, and a 5-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty. All new models, the 2021 Kia Sportage included, also come with a 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan.

As for the 2021 Ford Escape? It comes standard with a 3-year/ 36,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty on its safety restraint systems, and a 5-year/60,000-mile corrosion warranty.  Much like the 2021 Kia Sportage, the 2021 Ford Escape also comes standard with five years of roadside assistance that’s good for 60,000 miles.

What else the 2021 Kia Sportage has going for it

The 2021 Kia Sportage has more to offer than a cheap price and extensive warranty coverage. Kelley Blue Book reports that the Kia Sportage offers a generous amount of standard features too. Those features include Normal, Sport and Eco driving modes, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free compatibility, and a 6-speaker audio system. The 2021 Kia Sportage is also standard with quite a few driver-assist features, including forward-collision mitigation with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams.

Now, it is worth noting that the 2021 Ford Escape does offer plenty of the same standard and available features. However, those features are going to cost you. We’ve already established that the base Ford Escape costs a tad bit more than the base Kia Sportage. The more features you add to it, the more expensive it will continue to get too.

But is the 2021 Kia Sportage the right choice for you?

A low price tag isn’t the only reason to choose the 2021 Kia Sportage over its Ford competition. Neither is its comprehensive warranty coverage. So, before deciding whether or not the 2021 Kia Sportage is the right choice for your daily driving needs, we recommend getting behind the wheel for a test drive.