The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Sportage doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Highlander Limited offers optional Pre-Collision System, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn't react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Sportage doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Highlander Limited's optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Sportage doesn't offer a lane departure warning system.

The Highlander Limited/Platinum's blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert driver to objects in the vehicle's blind spots where the side view mirrors don't reveal them. The Sportage doesn't offer a system to reveal objects in the driver's blind spots.

To help make backing safer, the Highlander Limited/Platinum's cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Sportage doesn't offer a cross-path warning system.

The Highlander Limited offers optional Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it's stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Sportage doesn't offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you're involved in an accident and you're incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Highlander and the Sportage have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available rear parking sensors.

The Toyota Highlander weighs 549 to 1228 pounds more than the Kia Sportage. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Kia Sportage:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Sportage:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Kia Sportage:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal impact, side impact, rear impact, roof-crush crash tests, an “Acceptable” rating in the newer small overlap frontal crash test, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2015, a rating granted to only 68 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sportage is not even a standard “Top Pick” for 2015.

The Highlander's 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sportage runs out after 100,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the Sportage.

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander's warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 20th.

The Highlander LE's standard 2.7 DOHC 4 cyl. produces 3 more horsepower (185 vs. 182) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 177) than the Sportage LX/EX's standard 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. The Highlander's optional 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 10 more horsepower (270 vs. 260) than the Sportage SX's standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Highlander V6 is faster than the Sportage SX 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.:

The Highlander has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sportage (19.2 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Highlander's brake rotors are larger than those on the Sportage:

The Highlander stops shorter than the Sportage:

For better traction, the Highlander has larger tires than the Sportage (245/60R18 vs. 225/60R17). The Highlander's tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sportage (245/60R18 vs. 235/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sportage LX. The Highlander Limited's 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Sportage EX/SX.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander's wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Sportage (109.8 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Sportage.

The Highlander XLE AWD handles at .81 G's, while the Sportage SX pulls only .73 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Highlander XLE AWD executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Sportage EX (27.8 seconds @ .62 average G's vs. 28.7 seconds @ .56 average G's).

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sportage (8 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Sportage can only carry 5.

The Highlander has 44.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Sportage (144.9 vs. 100).

The Highlander has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front legroom, 3.5 inches more front hip room, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom, 8 inches more rear hip room and 4.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sportage.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the Sportage.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Highlander. The Sportage doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Sportage's rear cargo window doesn't open.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults or children, the Highlander offers an optional power cargo door, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Sportage doesn't offer a power cargo door.

Maximum trailer towing in the Kia Sportage is limited to 2000 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Highlander to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Kia doesn't offer a maintenance reminder on the Sportage.

When different drivers share the Highlander Limited/Platinum, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver's seat position and outside mirror angle. The Sportage doesn't offer a memory system.

The Highlander's standard front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sportage's standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver's window opens automatically. The Highlander Limited/Platinum's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches. With the Sportage EX/SX's power windows, only the driver's window opens or closes automatically.

Consumer Reports rated the Highlander's headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Sportage's headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The Highlander has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Sportage only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Highlander Limited detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Sportage doesn't offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Highlander's standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Sportage and aren't offered on the Sportage LX.

Both the Highlander and the Sportage offer available heated front seats. The Highlander Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren't available in the Sportage.

On extremely cold Winter days, the Highlander Platinum's standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Sportage doesn't offer a heated steering wheel.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Highlander Limited offers an optional Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Sportage doesn't offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Sportage doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Highlander owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Highlander will cost $385 less than the Sportage over a five-year period.

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Intellichoice estimates that the Highlander will retain 58.27% to 61.09% of its original price after five years, while the Sportage only retains 48.24% to 49.82%.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander second among midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The Sportage isn't in the top three in its category.

Strategic Vision rates overall owner satisfaction with vehicle quality. With a Total Quality Index of 860, Strategic Vision rated the Toyota Highlander 5 points higher than the Kia Sportage for 2015.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Kia Sportage by over 13 to one during 2015.