Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max vs Kia Sportage
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max starts from $38,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia Sportage opens at $38,490. That makes the Kia Sportage the more affordable entry point by $500.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $42,889 and $42,339 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Kia Sportage by roughly $2,710 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max and Kia Sportage hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 82% for the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max and 87% for the Kia Sportage.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 3 in the Kia Sportage.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 10 in the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max and 6 in the Kia Sportage.
Feature Showdown
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the Kia Sportage gets a 12.3-inch display and 4-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, power tailgate and Sony audio that you will not find on the Kia Sportage. The Kia Sportage counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max lines up producing 180kW and 375Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Kia Sportage responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 192Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max has the clear power advantage at 180kW vs 115kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max measures 4,720mm long on a 2,710mm wheelbase, 35mm longer than the Kia Sportage at 4,685mm (2,755mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 550L in the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max and 543L in the Kia Sportage, giving the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max a 7L advantage. The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,650kg. That 350kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max and $1,767/year for the Kia Sportage. That is a $542 annual difference in favour of the Kia Sportage.
Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max) vs $1,767 (Kia Sportage). The Kia Sportage saves you roughly $542 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 7 years (Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max) vs 7 years (Kia Sportage). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Sportage if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Kia Sportage will save you roughly $542 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (18 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 18 April 2026
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