Hyundai Tucson vs Kia Sportage: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Kia Sportage is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,540 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Sportage Hybrid, 42 MPG combined), against $1,720 for the Hyundai Tucson (Tucson Hybrid Blue, 38 MPG combined). That is $180 a year, or $900 over five years.
Both come from the same maker or parent group. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Hyundai Tucson
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Tucson Hybrid Blue
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$11.47 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
5 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Kia Sportage
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Sportage Hybrid
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$10.27 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
6 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Hyundai Tucson$1,720 a year · $11.47 per 100 mi
- Kia Sportage$1,540 a year · $10.27 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$180
Kia Sportage costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$900
$180 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Hyundai Tucson | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Tucson Hybrid Blue | Sportage Hybrid |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 38 MPG | 42 MPG (better) |
| City rating | 38 MPG | 41 MPG (better) |
| Highway rating | 38 MPG | 44 MPG (better) |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,720/yr | $1,540/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $11.47 | $10.27 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,470–$2,470 | $1,430–$2,740 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 5 | 6 |
| EPA class | Small SUVs | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Hyundai Tucson | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 28 MPG · $2,360/yr Tucson | 28 MPG · $2,330/yr Sportage |
| Hybrid | 38 MPG · $1,720/yr Tucson Hybrid Blue | 42 MPG · $1,540/yr Sportage Hybrid |
| Plug-in hybrid | 35 MPG gas-only · $1,470/yr Tucson Plug-in Hybrid | 36 MPG gas-only · $1,430/yr Sportage Plug-in Hybrid |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Hyundai Tucson
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Kia Sportage
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,540 vs $1,720
- Higher combined rating: 42 MPG vs 38 MPG
- Higher city rating: 41 MPG vs 38 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 44 MPG vs 38 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,330 vs $2,360
- Lower annual cost for the best plug-in hybrid configuration: $1,430 vs $1,470
Year by year
| Model year | Hyundai Tucson | Kia Sportage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 26–38 MPG | $1,470–$2,470 | 24–42 MPG | $1,430–$2,740 |
| 2025 | 26–38 MPG | $1,470–$2,490 | 25–43 MPG | $1,380–$2,650 |
| 2024 | 25–38 MPG | $1,430–$2,570 | 25–43 MPG | $1,380–$2,660 |
| 2023 | 25–38 MPG | $1,430–$2,580 | 25–43 MPG | $1,380–$2,620 |
| 2022 | 26–38 MPG | $1,430–$2,550 | 21–26 MPG | $2,540–$3,060 |
| 2021 | 23–25 MPG | $2,630–$2,810 | 21–26 MPG | $2,530–$3,060 |
| 2020 | 23–25 MPG | $2,600–$2,810 | 21–26 MPG | $2,550–$3,060 |
| 2019 | 23–26 MPG | $2,520–$2,820 | 21–25 MPG | $2,570–$3,090 |
| 2018 | 22–27 MPG | $2,430–$2,910 | 21–26 MPG | $2,560–$3,090 |
| 2017 | 23–50 MPG | $2,300–$2,820 | 21–26 MPG | $2,560–$3,090 |
| 2016 | 23–50 MPG | $2,300–$2,820 | 21–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,060 |
| 2015 | 22–50 MPG | $2,610–$2,990 | 21–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,150 |
| 2014 | 22–25 MPG | $2,610–$2,970 | 21–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,150 |
| 2013 | 21–25 MPG | $2,600–$3,110 | 21–25 MPG | $2,600–$3,110 |
| 2012 | 21–25 MPG | $2,600–$3,110 | 21–25 MPG | $2,590–$3,110 |
| 2011 | 22–25 MPG | $2,570–$2,960 | 22–25 MPG | $2,640–$2,950 |
| 2010 | 24–26 MPG | $2,510–$2,720 | 20–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,270 |
| 2009 | 20–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,270 | 20–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,270 |
| 2008 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 |
| 2007 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 |
| 2006 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 |
| 2005 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 | 19–22 MPG | $2,970–$3,440 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Hyundai Tucson or the Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage is cheaper: about $1,540 a year against $1,720 for the Hyundai Tucson, a difference of $180 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Kia Sportage save over five years?
About $900 ($180 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Hyundai Tucson or the Kia Sportage?
The Kia Sportage is rated 42 MPG combined against 38 MPG for the Hyundai Tucson. City: 38 MPG vs 41 MPG. Highway: 38 MPG vs 44 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Hyundai Tucson: ratings, trims and every model year
- Kia Sportage: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Hyundai Tucson: all configurations
- 2026 Kia Sportage: all configurations
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