Car Prices Blogs

There is no doubt that crossover SUVs are now more popular than large SUVs, compact sedans, or even minivans. And why not? Crossover SUVs were designed to combine the looks and passenger space of an SUV coupled with a smoother ride and better fuel efficiency.

In the land of the compact SUV, the 2012 Subaru Forester and the 2012 Kia Sportage are brilliant choices simply because they are stylish, agile and fun to drive–with a relatively low price tag. Here is a car price comparison between the 2012 Subaru Forester and the 2012 Kia Sportage.

2012 Subaru Forester

The 2012 Subaru Forester starts at $20, 595 and comes with a Boxer engine and Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system. These two components alone are worth every penny: the base 2.5-liter Boxer engine of the Forester produces 170 horsepower and 21/27 MPG. Want more power? Subaru will throw in a turbocharged version of the same engine that produces 224hp. The Boxer engine is mounted low to the ground, giving the car better balance and better cornering stability.

Safety

The 2012 Subaru Forester is an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It got the highest scores of ‘Good’ in front, side, and roof impact tests. The Forester also received 4 out of 5 stars from the NHTSA.

How does it drive?

The 2012 Subaru Forester drives like a sporty station wagon, but without the harsh and brittle ride. When pushed hard, it feels like a sporty compact sedan. The interior is also spacious enough for five adults, while cargo room is just right for the class.

2012 Kia Sportage

The 2012 Kia Sportage starts at $18,500. Can’t believe the price? Neither could we, especially if you consider the handsome and new age styling of this compact crossover SUV. Forget the old Kia Sportage that was last seen in 2010. The 2012 Kia Sportage could easily be mistaken for a European-made car.

The Sportage is powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 176 horsepower and an EPA average of 22/32 MPG. The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower is also an option. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual is standard for the price, while you can choose the option of a six-speed automatic.

Safety

The 2012 Kia Sportage is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick as it got the highest score of ‘Good’ in front, side, and roof impact tests.

How does it drive?

Despite the cheap cabin, the Kia Sportage is relatively fun to drive. If you prefer sporty suspension settings instead of a quiet and cushy ride then the Sportage is the right thing for you. Some people will find the ride a bit too stiff, and the cabin to be smaller than what other manufacturers are offering, but four adults will fit just right.

Conclusion

Choose the 2012 Subaru Forester if you want a spacious compact SUV with the ride quality of a refined European sedan. Choose the 2012 Kia Sportage if you want a clean and funky design along with the sporty attributes of a compact sedan.