Personality is the name of the game for a comparison between Kia and Subaru. Both competitors stand out from the mass of bland, sensible options that are as forgettable as they are “reliable.” In one corner, Subuaru, who have managed to become the unofficial mascot of the average “Burning Man” festival attendee – outdoorsy, vaguely spiritual and often criticized for lacking interior refinement.
We like to Friendly tease, but Subaru deserves recognition. With its innovative Symmetrical AWD platform, emphasis on cargo space and push for environmental sustainability, Subaru vehicles have become favorites for high-altitude, Earth-friendly automotive conquests. They know what they’re good at, and they do it with fervor.
In the other corner, Kia has made a name for itself by listening to drivers and infusing creativity and sophistication at accessible price points. Their newest models are stylish, full of cutting-edge technology and built to fill needs, rather than compete in automotive segments. Between the two, there’s a lot to love!
Model | Price | Base MPG | Notes |
2018 Kia Forte | $16,700* | 32 Combined | Fuel-efficient compact |
2018 Kia Optima | $22,500* | 31 Combined | Powerful and elegant midsize sedan |
2017 Kia Cadenza | $27,245* | 23 Combined | Flagship sedan. Luxurious refinements inside and out – power and tech |
2018 Kia Niro | $23,240* | 50 Combined | Hybrid compact crossover |
2018 Kia Soul | $16,100 | 28 Combined | Personality-full crossover with turbo power |
2018 Kia Sportage | $23,500* | 26 Combined | Small SUV with massive personality and features list |
2018 Kia Sorento | $25,800* | 26 Combined | Decadent third-row midsize SUV with tech features and active safety |
2018 Subaru Crosstrek | $21,795 | 25 Combined | Small crossover – Kia Soul, Kia Niro |
2018 Subaru Impreza | $18,495 | 32 Combined | Compact sedan – Kia Forte |
2018 Subaru Legacy | $22,195 | 29 Combined | Midsize sedan – Kia Optima |
2018 Subaru Outback | $25,895 | 22 Combined | Midsize wagon – Kia Sportage |
2018 Subaru Forester | $22,795 | 24 Combined | Small SUV – Kia Sportage |
In this showdown of midsize sedans, we compare the Euro-based style of the Kia Optima to the rugged minimalism of the 2018 Subaru Legacy. Which one comes out on top?
Performance is on trial when these two efficient compacts square up. Who will come out on top? Will it be the feature-packed Kia Forte, or the versatile Subaru Impreza?
In this matchup, we see the thrilling Stinger go up against Subaru's boy-racer legend WRX STI. It's a battle of who offers the most justfiable fun with some interesting twists.
Subaru's newest model, the Ascent, offers symmetrical AWD and Subaru styling in a third-row crossover. See how it compares to Kia's latest-and-greatest Sorento.
A lesser-known Kia Model competes against one of those blobs that eats the other ones under a microscope in zombie movies, when the Kia Niro plug-in hybrid contests the Subaru Crosstrek. Will efficiency, or poor eyesight rise victorious? Find out!
Small SUVs cover the landscape, is there really a difference between them? Find out, when we pit the redesigned Kia Sportage against the Subaru Forester. It’s Catalina vs Colorado in terms of style, but who performs better?
Two of the quirkiest competitors in the compact crossover class meet to decide who is the champion of offbeat design. The chunky Subaru Crosstrek battles it out with the “Threw away the car and kept the box” design of the Kia Soul.
Two popular family-movers compete against one another in this model comparison. On one hand, the low-profiled Outback wagon, on the other, the third-row Sorento. Is it really apples to oranges? Find out as we compare them to one another!