Compare the2026 Kia Sportage PHEVVS 2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid

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 - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has not been tested.

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

Both the Sportage PHEV and the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid 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 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 Plug-In Hybrid has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS 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 Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’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 Nissan covers the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid. 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 Plug-In Hybrid 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 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

The Sportage PHEV’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 13 more horsepower (261 vs. 248) than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity (87 city/78 hwy vs. 67 city/61 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage PHEV running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (35 city/36 hwy vs. 25 city/27 hwy).

The Sportage PHEV has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

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

For greater off-road capability the Sportage PHEV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid (8.3 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Sportage PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Kia Sportage PHEV may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Sportage PHEV has standard flush composite headlights. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Sportage PHEV has .8 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear hip room than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid.

The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (34.5 vs. 12.8 cubic feet). The Sportage PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat folded (65.5 vs. 30.8 cubic feet).

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

The Sportage PHEV has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the Sportage PHEV and the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sportage PHEV is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Sportage PHEV’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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