2026 Honda CR-V vs New Kia Sportage in Covington, LA

Canyon River Blue Metallic 2026 Honda CR-V for sale in Covington, LA

Looking for a new SUV in Covington, Louisiana? There’s a chance the 2026 Honda CR-V and the 2026 Kia Sportage have found their way onto your list. 

At Honda of Covington, we want to help shoppers make informed purchasing decisions. So, we’re comparing these two new vehicles to find the best 2026 SUV for your needs. 

Our Northshore Honda dealership has an excellent selection of new Honda models, just like the 2026 CR-V. We invite shoppers near Mandeville, New Orleans, Slidell, and Hammond to explore our fantastic showroom in Covington, Louisiana.

Without further introduction, let’s compare the 2026 Honda CR-V and the Kia Sportage!

Explore the 2026 Honda CR-V and the Kia Sportage in Covington, LA

Before diving into this longstanding rivalry, we’ll answer a few frequently asked questions about the two new 2026 SUVs. Understanding each vehicle’s features and capabilities will help you choose the best new SUV for your Covington trips. Our Northshore Honda dealership will look at everything from fuel efficiency to cargo capacity to help make your purchasing decisions easier!

 

Does the 2026 Honda CR-V have better fuel economy than the 2026 Kia Sportage?

Yes! The 2026 Honda CR-V surpasses the KIA Sportage in gas mileage with both its gas and hybrid trims.

  • 2026 Honda CR-V Fuel Efficiency:
    • Gas trims:
      • 2WD: 28 city / 33 highway / 30 combined
      • AWD: 27 city / 31 highway / 29 combined
    • Hybrid trims:
      • 2WD: 43 city / 36 highway / 40 combined
      • AWD: 40 city / 34 highway / 37 combined

 

  • 2026 KIA Sportage Fuel Efficiency:
    • Gas trims:
      • 2WD: 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined
      • AWD: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined

 

Is the 2026 Honda CR-V safer than the 2026 Kia Sportage?

Both SUVs offer reliable safety features that are great for families. However, the 2026 CR-V is backed by Honda’s renowned safety standards, earning a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for its excellent design and ingenious Honda Sensing® safety suite. 

 

Which is more affordable, the 2026 Kia Sportage or the 2026 Honda CR-V?

While the 2026 Kia Sportage starts at a lower MSRP, the new Honda CR-V delivers more for your investment. It offers standard features like a 190-hp turbocharged engine, wireless phone charging, and better fuel efficiency for long-term savings.

 

Which SUV offers more hybrid options: the 2026 Honda CR-V or the 2026 Kia Sportage?

The new Honda CR-V leads in hybrid versatility, offering four different trims, while the Kia Sportage has none.

  • 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid Trims:
    • Sport Hybrid
    • TrailSport Hybrid
    • Sport-L Hybrid
    • Sport Touring Hybrid

 

Which offers better off-road capability: the 2026 Honda CR-V or the Kia Sportage?

The 2026 Honda CR-V offers superior off-road versatility, especially with its TrailSport Hybrid trim, which comes with 18-inch off-road tires, multiple drive modes, and Real Time AWD™.

 

Does the 2026 Honda CR-V get more horsepower than the Kia Sportage? 

Yes! The new Honda CR-V outpaces the Kia Sportage, delivering up to 204 total horsepower, while the Sportage maxes out at 187. 

 

  • 2026 Honda CR-V Performance:
    • Gas trims: 190-hp with 179 lb-ft of torque
    • Hybrid trims: 204-hp with 247 lb-ft of torque

 

  • 2026 KIA Sportage Performance:
    • Gas trims: 187-hp with 178 lb-ft of torque

 

Does the 2026 Honda CR-V have more cargo space than the KIA Sportage?

While both SUVs offer similar cargo space with the rear seats up, the Honda CR-V provides more room when the seats are folded.

  • 2026 Honda CR-V Cargo Volume:
    • Rear seats up: 39.3 cu ft
    • Rear seats folded: 76.5 cu ft

 

  • 2026 KIA Sportage Cargo Volume:
    • Rear seats up: 39.6 cu ft
    • Rear seats folded: 74.1 cu ft

 

Which is a better family SUV, the 2026 Honda CR-V or the 2026 Kia Sportage?

While the 2026 KIA Sportage is a capable family SUV, the 2026 Honda CR-V goes above and beyond with high safety ratings, superior gas mileage, and premium spaciousness.

 

Platinum White Pearl 2026 Honda CR-V for sale near Mandeville, LA

Get Up and Go — 2026 Honda CR-V Available Near Mandeville, LA

The 2026 Honda CR-V leads the pack in engine capabilities. All gas-powered 2026 CR-V trims come standard with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, delivering a lively 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. Its new hybrid trims offer an efficient boost, with 204 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. 

Additionally, with available Real Time AWD™, drivers have even more control of their new SUV. In contrast, the new Kia Sportage lags behind, delivering only 187 hp with 178 lb-ft of torque. 

Let’s open the hood of these new SUVs to see which vehicle performs better for drivers near Mandeville, Louisiana!

2026 Honda Passport Engine Specs

  • Gas Models (LX, EX, and EX-L)
    • Powertrain: 2.5-liter, in-line 4-cylinder with turbocharger
    • Horsepower: 190 hp 
    • Torque: 179 lb-ft 
    • Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
    • Valvetrain: 16-Valve DOHC VTEC® with Dual Variable Timing Control (VTC)
    • Compression Ratio: 10.6:1
    • Fuel Injection: Direct injection
    • Drive Modes: Normal / Econ / Snow
  • Hybrid Models (Sport, TrailSport, and Sport-L)
    • Powertrain: 2.5-liter, in-line 4-cylinder with hybrid motor 
    • Horsepower: 204 hp 
    • Torque: 247 lb-ft 
    • Transmission: Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT) with B-Range Shift and Deceleration Selectors
    • Valvetrain: 16-Valve DOHC VTEC® with Dual Variable Timing Control (VTC)
    • Compression Ratio: 13.9:1
    • Fuel Injection: Multi-stage, high-pressure direct injection
    • Drive Modes: Sport / Normal / Econ / Snow

2026 Kia Sportage Engine Specs

  • All Models (LX, EX, X-Line, SX, SX Prestige, and X-Pro Prestige)
    • Powertrain: 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder
    • Horsepower: 187 hp 
    • Torque: 178 lb-ft 
    • Transmission: 8-speed auto transmission
    • Valvetrain: Double overhead camshafts (DOHC), four valves per cylinder
    • Compression Ratio: 13.0:1
    • Fuel Injection: Direct injection (GDI) with multi-port injection (MPI)
    • Drive Modes: Normal / Smart / Sport

 

Solar Silver Metallic 2026 Honda CR-V for sale near New Orleans, LA

Fuel Efficiency Face-Off — 2026 Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage Near New Orleans, LA

The 2026 Honda CR-V provides superior value with excellent fuel economy across both its gas and hybrid trims. Its gas-powered trims deliver impressive efficiency, reaching 28 city / 33 highway / 30 combined MPG in its two-wheel drive models. The new Honda SUV further enhances savings with four distinct hybrid trims, delivering up to 43 city / 36 highway / 40 combined MPG. In contrast, the Kia Sportage offers no hybrid options, and its gas-powered models only offer 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG. If you’re looking to cut fuel costs on your New Orleans commutes, look no further than the 2026 Honda CR-V.

 

Did you know that regular oil changes and tire services boost fuel economy? Stop by the Honda of Covington service center to get your vehicle travel-ready!

 

Interior of new 2026 Honda CR-V in Covington, LA

Whole New Dimensions — 2026 Honda CR-V Available Near Slidell, LA

Whether planning an annual road trip or a weekly grocery run, you need an SUV with enough room to keep up.

The 2026 Honda CR-V has an ultra-spacious cabin, offering 39.3 cu ft of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.5 cu ft folded down. It also offers more than enough room for passengers, with an impressive 106 cu ft of passenger volume. Additionally, Honda’s new SUV offers a more comfortable ride than the Kia Sportage, with greater hip and shoulder room. 

Stretch out inside the 2026 Honda CR-V and the Kia Sportage to find the best new SUV for your trips near Slidell, Louisiana.

2026 Honda CR-V Interior Dimensions

  • Passenger Capacity: 5
  • Headroom (front/rear): 40.0 in / 38.2 in
  • Legroom (front/rear): 41.3 in / 41.0 in
  • Shoulder Room (front/rear): 57.9 in / 55.9 in
  • Hiproom (front/rear): 55.6 in / 52.6 in
  • Cargo Volume (rear seat up/down): 39.3 cu ft / 76.5 cu ft

2026 Kia Sportage Interior Dimensions

  • Passenger Capacity: 5
  • Headroom (front/rear): 39.6 in / 39.4 in
  • Legroom (front/rear): 41.4 in / 41.3 in
  • Shoulder Room (front/rear): 57.5 in / 55.6 in
  • Hiproom (front/rear): 54.8 in / 53.4 in
  • Cargo Volume (rear seat up/down): 39.6 cu ft / 74.1 cu ft

 

Make your car’s cabin feel like home with genuine Honda accessories available at our parts department!

 

Canyon River Blue Metallic 2026 Honda CR-V for sale in Covington, LA

Test Drive the New 2026 Honda CR-V in Covington, LA

The new 2026 Honda CR-V takes the victory with unstoppable performance, efficiency, and spaciousness!

Ready to experience the new Honda CR-V? Book a test drive by calling (985) 892-0001 or visiting us at 100 Holiday Square Boulevard, Covington, Louisiana 70433. At Honda of Covington, we offer an exceptional selection of new Honda models, like the 2026 CR-V. We also have reliable used vehicles from other automakers, including Toyota, Chevy, and Ford.

When you find the best new car for your needs, visit our finance center for expert trade-in assistance

At Honda of Covington, we’re proud to be your Covington Honda dealership near Mandeville, New Orleans, Slidell, and Hammond, Louisiana.

 

DISCLAIMERS:

MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $1,450 destination charge, and accessories. Dealer prices may vary. MSRP does not include $455 charge for premium colors.

190 hp @ 6000 rpm (SAE net)

179 lb-ft @ 1700-5000 rpm (SAE net)

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Wireless phone charger is compatible with Qi wireless charging standards. Check with your device’s manufacturer for wireless capability.

Walk Away Auto Lock® will only function when the key fob is moved eight feet from the vehicle after all doors have been closed.

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Total system horsepower (ISO net) as measured by the peak, concurrent output of the two electric motors and gasoline engine.

28 city/33 highway/30 combined mpg rating for 2WD LX, EX & EX-L trims. 27 city/31 highway/29 combined mpg rating for AWD LX, EX & EX-L trims. 43 city/36 highway/40 combined mpg rating for the 2WD Sport & Sport-L Hybrid trims. 40 city/34 highway/37 combined mpg rating for AWD Sport, Sport-L & Sport Touring Hybrid trims. 38 city/33 highway/35 combined mpg rating for TrailSport Hybrid AWD trim. Based on 2026 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery-pack age/condition (hybrid trims) and other factors.

Based on SAE J1100 cargo volume measurement standard plus, where applicable, floor space between seating rows and seats in their forward-most and upright position.

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