Compare the2027 Kia Sportage Hybrid VS 2026 Nissan Rogue

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia Sportage Hybrid achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Nissan Rogue, which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

Both the Sportage Hybrid and Rogue have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage Hybrid S/EX/X-Line/SX-Prestige has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Rogue’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sportage Hybrid and the Rogue have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia Sportage Hybrid is safer than the Nissan Rogue:

	Sportage Hybrid	Rogue
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.5%	33%
Neck Stress	263 lbs.	403 lbs.
Neck Compression	14 lbs.	54 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	48/154 lbs.	70/234 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	307	319
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	30.9%	37%
Neck Stress	177 lbs.	193 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	292/203 lbs.	481/312 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Sportage Hybrid is safer than the Rogue:

	Sportage Hybrid	Rogue
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia Sportage Hybrid is safer than the Nissan Rogue:

	Sportage Hybrid	Rogue
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	70	95
Hip Force	247 lbs.	339 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	162
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Kia Sportage Hybrid has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Rogue is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

The Sportage Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Rogue’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Rogue. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Rogue ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

The Sportage Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 31 more horsepower (232 vs. 201) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 225) than the Rogue’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kia Sportage Hybrid is faster than the Nissan Rogue:

	Sportage Hybrid	Rogue
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	8.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.3 MPH	85 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage Hybrid gets better mileage than the Rogue:

			MPG
Sportage Hybrid
	FWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	40 city/42 hwy
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	35 city/36 hwy
Rogue
	FWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	29 city/36 hwy
	AWD	S/SV/Platinum 1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	28 city/35 hwy
		Rock Creek 1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	27 city/32 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Sportage Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Rogue doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Sportage Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Rogue. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Sportage Hybrid higher (6 out of 10) than the Nissan Rogue (5). This means the Sportage Hybrid produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Rogue every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Sportage Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Rogue:

	Sportage Hybrid	Rogue
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.7 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.5 inches

The Sportage Hybrid stops shorter than the Rogue:

	Sportage Hybrid	Rogue
70 to 0 MPH	176 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

The Sportage Hybrid has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Rogue’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage Hybrid’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the Rogue (108.5 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage Hybrid is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Rogue.

The Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Rogue Rock Creek pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Sportage Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rogue (8.3 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Sportage Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Sportage Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Rogue doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Sportage Hybrid has .7 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room and 2.8 inches more rear legroom than the Rogue.

The Sportage Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Rogue with its rear seat up (39.5 vs. 36.5 cubic feet).

The Sportage Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rogue’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Rogue doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Sportage Hybrid EX/X-Line/SX-Prestige’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Rogue’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Sportage Hybrid’s standard Smart Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Push-Button Start standard on the Rogue only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The Sportage Hybrid’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Rogue’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Rogue doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the Kia Sportage Hybrid and Nissan Rogue offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Sportage Hybrid offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Rogue’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Rogue doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Sportage Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Rogue SV/Rock Creek/Platinum.

The Sportage Hybrid (except LX/S/EX)’s optional Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Rogue doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Sportage Hybrid and the Nissan Rogue, based on reliability, safety and performance.