Compare the2026 Kia Sportage PHEVVS 2026 Mazda CX-30

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 Mazda CX-30, which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Sportage PHEV’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-30 doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Sportage PHEV has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-30 Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium offers Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing.

Both the Sportage PHEV and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 Kia Sportage PHEV weighs 688 to 912 pounds more than the Mazda CX-30. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 CX-30’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 Mazda covers the CX-30. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-30 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 46 percent more Kia dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sportage PHEV’s warranty.

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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 4 places higher in reliability than Mazda.

The Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 75 more horsepower (261 vs. 186) and 85 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 11 more horsepower (261 vs. 250) than the CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kia Sportage PHEV is faster than the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl.:

	Sportage PHEV	CX-30
Zero to 30 MPH	2.7 sec	3.2 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	8.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.7 sec	5.2 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	88 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the CX-30:

			MPGe
Sportage PHEV
	AWD	Electric Motor	87 city/78 hwy
CX-30
			MPG
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the CX-30:

			MPG
Sportage PHEV
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	35 city/36 hwy
CX-30
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/31 hwy

The Sportage PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 34 miles. The CX-30 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 CX-30 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Sportage PHEV’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The CX-30 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Sportage PHEV uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-30 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Sportage PHEV has a gallon more fuel capacity than the CX-30 (13.7 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Sportage PHEV higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-30 (4 to 6). This means the Sportage PHEV produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-30 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Sportage PHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-30:

	Sportage PHEV	CX-30
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	10.4 inches

The Sportage PHEV stops much shorter than the CX-30:

	Sportage PHEV	CX-30
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	146 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

For better traction, the Sportage PHEV has larger tires than the CX-30 (235/55R19 vs. 215/65R16).

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 CX-30 2.5 S’ standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sportage PHEV has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The CX-30’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Kia Sportage PHEV has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-30 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Sportage PHEV has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Sportage PHEV has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Sportage PHEV flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage PHEV’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the CX-30 (108.5 inches vs. 104.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage PHEV is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the CX-30.

The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige handles at .84 G’s, while the CX-30 pulls only .83 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 CX-30 (8.3 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Sportage PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Sportage PHEV uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-30 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Sportage PHEV has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom, .2 inches more rear hip room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage PHEV’s rear seats recline. The CX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (34.5 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (65.5 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sportage PHEV’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Sportage PHEV has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The CX-30 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage PHEV 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 CX-30 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sportage PHEV’s standard Smart Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-30 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Sportage PHEV’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium.

Both the Kia Sportage PHEV and Mazda CX-30 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 CX-30’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 are only available on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium. 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 CX-30.

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 CX-30 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 CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Aire/Premium.

Compared to traditional radio, the Kia Sportage PHEV’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus.

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 center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CX-30.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Sportage PHEV and the Mazda CX-30, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Sportage outsold the Mazda CX-30 by over three to one during 2025.