Small SUVs · Gasoline · model year 2026
Jeep Wrangler vs Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is rated 7 MPG higher than the Jeep Wrangler in model year 2026, 28 against 21 combined, which is 33% more distance from the same energy.
Side by side
| Measure | Jeep Wrangler | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Combined fuel economy (best version) | 21 MPG | 28 MPG |
| City | 20 MPG | 25 MPG |
| Highway | 23 MPG | 33 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,200 | $2,400 |
| Tailpipe CO2 | 416 g/mile | 317 g/mile |
| Lowest rated version | 14 MPG | 24 MPG |
| Rated versions | 6 | 3 |
| Rank in class (best combined rating) | 106th of 113 | 62nd of 113 |
| Class | Small SUVs | Small SUVs |
| Powertrain | Gasoline | Gasoline |
Better figure in bold; each model's most efficient version.
Fuel economy and cost
Fuel bills differ by $800 a year. The Kia Sportage comes to $2,400 and the Jeep Wrangler to $3,200, both at 15,000 miles a year.
Where each one ranks
Within their class the Jeep Wrangler is tied for 106th of 113 small SUVs, in the bottom quarter. The Kia Sportage is tied for 62nd of 113 small SUVs, in the lower half.
The Jeep Wrangler has 6 rated versions, from 14 to 21 MPG. The Kia Sportage has 3, from 24 to 28 MPG. For the most efficient versions, the Jeep Wrangler is rated 3 higher on the highway (23 against 20), while the Kia Sportage is rated 8 higher on the highway (33 against 25).
The two versions closest in rating are Wrangler 2dr 4WD: 2.0 L, 4 cyl, Automatic 8-spd, 4WD at 21 MPG and Sportage X-pro: 2.5 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (S8), AWD at 24, 3 MPG apart.
Ratings by model year
Both models are in the data for 8 model years, 2019 to 2026. The Jeep Wrangler has the higher best rating in 0 of them and the Kia Sportage in 8. The widest gap, 7 MPG, was in 2026, when the Kia Sportage led.
| Model year | Jeep Wrangler | Kia Sportage | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 | 28 | -7 |
| 2025 | 21 | 28 | -7 |
| 2024 | 21 | 28 | -7 |
| 2023 | 23 | 28 | -5 |
| 2022 | 23 | 26 | -3 |
| 2021 | 23 | 26 | -3 |
| 2020 | 23 | 26 | -3 |
| 2019 | 20 | 25 | -5 |