Compare the2026 Jeep WranglerVS 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV

Both the Wrangler and the Sportage PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Jeep Wrangler 4-door is safer than the Sportage PHEV:

The Wrangler’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sportage PHEV runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Wrangler’s warranty.

The Wrangler has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the Sportage PHEV’s independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don’t offer.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Wrangler second among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Sportage PHEV isn’t in the top three.

The Wrangler’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (270 vs. 261) and 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 271) than the Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Wrangler’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 24 more horsepower (285 vs. 261) than the Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Wrangler Moab 392’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 209 more horsepower (470 vs. 261) and 199 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 271) than the Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Wrangler Moab 392 6.4 V8 is faster than the Kia Sportage PHEV (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Wrangler 392’s fuel efficiency. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Wrangler and Sportage PHEV have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Wrangler has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Wrangler 2-door’s standard fuel tank has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sportage PHEV (17.5 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Wrangler 4-door’s standard fuel tank has 7.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sportage PHEV (21.5 vs. 13.7 gallons).

The Wrangler offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

An eight-speed automatic is available on the Jeep Wrangler, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sportage PHEV.

The Wrangler 392’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Wrangler Moab 392’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sportage PHEV are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Wrangler has larger standard tires than the Sportage PHEV (245/75R17 vs. 235/55R19). The Wrangler 4-door Moab 392/Xteme 35’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sportage PHEV (315/70R17 vs. 235/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Wrangler 4Xe has standard 20-inch wheels. The Sportage PHEV’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Wrangler has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Wrangler has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Sportage PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Wrangler Rubicon has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Wrangler 4-door’s wheelbase is 9.9 inches longer than on the Sportage PHEV (118.4 inches vs. 108.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Wrangler is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Sportage PHEV.

For better maneuverability, the Wrangler 2-door’s turning circle is 5.9 feet tighter than the Sportage PHEV’s (32.7 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Wrangler 2-door has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sportage PHEV (9.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Wrangler to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Wrangler Rubicon 4-door Xtreme 35’s minimum ground clearance is 4.6 inches higher than on the Sportage PHEV (12.9 vs. 8.3 inches).

The Jeep Wrangler may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Kia Sportage PHEV.

The Wrangler 4-door has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Sportage PHEV with its rear seat folded (72.4 vs. 65.5 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox and standard locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Wrangler. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Wrangler’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the left swing out door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Sportage PHEV’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sportage PHEV is limited to 2000 pounds. The Wrangler 4-door offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Wrangler can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Wrangler can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Sportage PHEV can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Wrangler has a higher standard payload capacity than the Sportage PHEV (1218 vs. 1164 lbs.).

The Wrangler has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Sportage PHEV (1327 vs. 1164 lbs.).

The engine in the Wrangler is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Sportage PHEV. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Wrangler’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Sportage PHEV does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Wrangler’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Sportage PHEV’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Wrangler Rubicon/Willys/Sahara/High Altitude/Rubicon has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Jeep Wrangler JL comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Kia Sportage PHEV isn’t available as a soft top.

Motor Trend selected the Wrangler as their 2019 Sport Utility of the Year. The Sportage PHEV has never been chosen.