Kia Sportage vs. Chevrolet Equinox

Compare repair costs, reliability, and owner reviews

Kia Sportage

$462
Average Annual
Repair Cost

Chevrolet Equinox

$537
Average Annual
Repair Cost

Overall Reliability Rating

4
Excellent
The Kia Sportage Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 6th out of 26 for compact SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $462 which means it has excellent ownership costs. The severity and frequency of repairs are lower than other vehicles, so the Sportage is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road.
3
1
2
Above Average
The Chevrolet Equinox Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 23rd out of 26 for compact SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $537 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. While repairs tend to be more severe than average, these issues occur less often, so major repairs are infrequent for the Equinox.
Cost
Average annual repairs total
$462
inexpensive
expensive
$537
inexpensive
expensive
Frequency
Average annual repair shop visits
0.19
not often
very often
0.31
not often
very often
Severity
Percentage of annual repairs that are urgent
11%
not urgent
urgent
18%
not urgent
urgent

Overall Car Ratings & Details

5 (3)
4 (21)
3 (9)
2 (7)
1
(0)
“WE PURCHASED OUR KIA NEW AND HAVE LOVED IT EVER SINCE. IT RIDES GREAT,ENGINE VERY QUIET, GAS MILAGE REASONABLE. IT'S A GREAT CAR AND SOME OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS ARE PURCHASING ONE.”
“WE PURCHASED OUR KIA NEW AND HAVE LOVED IT EVER SINCE. IT RIDES GREAT,ENGINE VERY QUIET, GAS...”
5 (3)
4 (15)
3 (13)
2 (5)
1 (1)
“The key goes in and sometimes locks up. Had it to the shop and there is a special Chev lubricant you have to use to lubricate it. We also had to have the Trans Cooler replaced it started leaking.”
“The key goes in and sometimes locks up. Had it to the shop and there is a special Chev lubricant...”

Vehicle Comparison Rundown

The Kia Sportage and the Chevrolet Equinox are both in the compact two-row SUV category. Both the Sportage and the Equinox come with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.

In terms of engine power, the Kia Sportage and Chevrolet Equinox show some similarities, along with one major difference. In standard engines, the Sportage provides 181 horsepower, and the Equinox has 170 horsepower. For an engine upgrade, the Sportage has 240 horsepower, while the Equinox gives you 252 horsepower. These power ratings are pretty close — but the Equinox also offers a diesel engine option, which can be excellent for towing, as well as all-around fuel economy.

The Sportage has 60.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded down, and the Equinox has a total of 63.5 cubic feet behind the front row. Not much difference between them here.

If you’re deciding between these two, get a closer look at each. The Kia Sportage has the advantage of Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, but the Chevy Equinox offers the diesel engine option, something very rare in this class of vehicle.