Compare the2026 Kia Sportage PHEVVS 2026 Ford Bronco Sport

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

Both the Sportage PHEV and the Bronco Sport 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, all-wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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 PHEV is much safer than the Bronco Sport:

	Sportage PHEV	Bronco Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
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	MARGINAL

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 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Kia Sportage PHEV is safer than the Bronco Sport:

	Sportage PHEV	Bronco Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	121	184
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	335 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	1.42 in
Pelvis	GOOD	POOR
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1383 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	116	142
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	178 lbs.
Neck Compression	-134 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.1 in	1.77 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	312 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1093 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Kia Sportage PHEV 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 Bronco Sport is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

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

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

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Sportage PHEV’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Bronco Sport’s camshafts. If the Bronco Sport’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 1 place higher in reliability than Ford.

The Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 81 more horsepower (261 vs. 180) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 200) than the Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder. The Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 11 more horsepower (261 vs. 250) than the Bronco Sport Badlands’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kia Sportage PHEV is faster than the Ford Bronco Sport turbo 3 cyl.:

	Sportage PHEV	Bronco Sport
Zero to 30 MPH	2.7 sec	3.3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	8.9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.7 sec	5.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	85 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the Bronco Sport:

			MPGe
Sportage PHEV
	AWD	Electric Motor	87 city/78 hwy
Bronco Sport
			MPG
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	25 city/30 hwy
		Sasquatch 1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	23 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Bronco Sport:

			MPG
Sportage PHEV
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	35 city/36 hwy
Bronco Sport
	AWD	1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	25 city/30 hwy
		Sasquatch 1.5 turbo 3-cyl.	23 city/26 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy

The Sportage PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 34 miles. The Bronco Sport can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Sportage PHEV uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Bronco Sport Badlands requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Sportage PHEV has a standard locking fuel door, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Bronco Sport. 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 PHEV higher (6 out of 10) than the Ford Bronco Sport (5 to 6). This means the Sportage PHEV produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Bronco Sport every 15,000 miles.

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

	Sportage PHEV	Bronco Sport
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	12.1 inches

The Sportage PHEV stops shorter than the Bronco Sport:

	Sportage PHEV	Bronco Sport
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver

For better traction, the Sportage PHEV has larger tires than the Bronco Sport (235/55R19 vs. 225/65R17).

The Sportage PHEV’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bronco Sport’s standard 65 series tires. The Sportage PHEV’s tires are lower profile than the Bronco Sport’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sportage PHEV has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Bronco Sport. The Bronco Sport’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage PHEV’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the Bronco Sport (108.5 inches vs. 105 inches).

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige handles at .84 G’s, while the Bronco Sport Outer Banks pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Sportage PHEV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Bronco Sport Base/Big Bend (8.3 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Sportage PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Sportage PHEV has standard flush composite headlights. The Bronco Sport has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Sportage PHEV has .2 inches more front shoulder room and 2.6 inches more rear legroom than the Bronco Sport.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage PHEV’s rear seats recline. The Bronco Sport’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Bronco Sport with its rear seat up (34.5 vs. 32.5 cubic feet). The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bronco Sport with its rear seat folded (65.5 vs. 65.2 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sportage PHEV’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Sportage PHEV’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

A Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the Sportage PHEV, using 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. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Bronco Sport.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Sportage PHEV’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Bronco Sport’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. The Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands’ rear windows don’t close automatically.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the Sportage PHEV’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Bronco Sport’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

When the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Bronco Sport’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Kia Sportage PHEV and Ford Bronco Sport offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Sportage PHEV 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 Bronco Sport’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Sportage PHEV has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bronco Sport. The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bronco Sport.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Sportage PHEV 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 Bronco Sport Outer Banks/Badlands.

Compared to the Ford Bronco Sport, the Kia Sportage PHEV eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Sportage PHEV has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige’s 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 Bronco Sport doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Sportage PHEV and the Ford Bronco Sport, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Ford Bronco Sport by 36% during 2025.