Which compact crossover belongs in your driveway, the used Toyota RAV4 or the used Kia Sportage? Our buying guide helps you make the best choice for your daily drive!
Key Takeaways
- When it comes to interior comfort, it’s a draw!
- For more in cutting-edge technology, choose the used RAV4.
- The RAV4 offers both more power, but the Sportage is a better around town choice.
- Generally, the used Kia Sportage comes at a lower price than the used Toyota RAV4.
Modern Comfort: It’s a Tie!
Both the used Toyota RAV4 and used Kia Sportage have the goods when it comes to cruising comfort. Each offers cushy, supportive seating, along with a quiet ride, making both compact crossovers an excellent choice for commuting and family hauling. Both models also offer a variety of trims, allowing you to decide how much money you want to spend on upgrades like a sunroof or leather-wrapped steering wheel!
Technology: It’s (almost) a Tie!
The smartphone-addicted will naturally gravitate toward the used Toyota RAV4 — especially the later model years. From 2023 on, these compact crossovers came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Even though the new 2025 Sportage hasn’t added the wireless versions of this smartphone technology, it does offer some great technology features. The Sportage also offers adaptive cruise control on the more upscale trim models.
Peppy Performance: Used Toyota RAV4
With more power and your choice of fun-loving, trail-friendly trim models, the used Toyota RAV4 has the edge for performance. Recent model years supply 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, compliments of a peppy four-cylinder engine. All-wheel drive is widely available for this crossover, boosting the odds that you’ll find this trail-friendly gear on the used market.
The used Kia Sportage isn’t quite as powerful. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine offers 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Like the RAV4, though, most Sportage trim models are available with all-wheel drive. There’s even an adventure-ready trim model, the X-Pro, which includes upgrades, like all-terrain tires, to help you hit the trail in style.
Lowest Price: Used Kia Sportage
Shopping for the absolute lowest price? The used Kia Sportage is a budget-friendly choice. According to Kelly Blue Book, the fair market range for an entry-level 2023 Kia Sportage LX (with average mileage) is between $22,151 and $24,498. Compare that to the estimated fair market range for a used 2023 Toyota RAV4 LE, which is between $25,743 and $28,384. You can save money on either used crossover if you select an earlier model year. For example, the KBB fair market estimate for a 2018 Kia Sportage LX is between $10,010 and $11,563.Meanwhile, fair market range for the average 2018 Toyota RAV4 is between $15,048 and $16,959.
The Best Used Option
Although the used Toyota RAV4 has modern smartphone integration, you can typically enjoy the lowest price on a used Kia Sportage, The Sportage offers a comfortable ride with some modern tech features and a great around town performance. For those who are savvy, budget conscious drivers the Kia Sportage is the best choice.