Kia Sportage vs Lexus NX

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

Both the Kia Sportage and Lexus NX hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2022. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Kia Sportage and 91% for the Lexus NX.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Lexus NX, against 5 on the Kia Sportage.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Kia Sportage and 8 in the Lexus NX.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Kia Sportage features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4-inch digital dash, while the Lexus NX gets a 9.8-inch display and 8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Lexus NX counters with head-up display, wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate, Mark Levinson audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Kia Sportage gets cloth upholstery while the Lexus NX offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Kia Sportage and 2-zone in the Lexus NX.

Drivetrain

The Kia Sportage uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.

The Lexus NX responds with a Hybrid making 179kW and 239Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.

The Lexus NX has the clear power advantage at 179kW vs 115kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Kia Sportage measures 4,685mm long on a 2,755mm wheelbase, 25mm longer than the Lexus NX at 4,660mm (2,690mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 520L in the Lexus NX, giving the Kia Sportage a 23L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1829L vs 1141L.

For towing, the Kia Sportage leads with a 1,650kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 150kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); both turn in a 11.4 m circle, kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Kia Sportage costs about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km) and fuel for the Lexus NX about $1,425 a year (5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $884 a year less for the Lexus NX.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Sportage) and 5 years / Unlimited (Lexus NX). Capped-price servicing: no data (Kia Sportage), 4 years (Lexus NX).

Where each one leads

The Kia Sportage: the lower starting price ($38,490 against $71,700), the bigger boot with the seats up (543L against 520L), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and the higher braked towing limit (1,650kg against 1,500kg).

The Lexus NX: more power (179kW against 115kW) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,425 a year against $2,309).

The Verdict

Lexus NX scores higher, 79 vs 76

The Lexus NX scores 79 to the Kia Sportage's 76 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 6 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Lexus NX ahead by 28 points), performance (Lexus NX ahead by 9 points), value (Kia Sportage ahead by 7 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Lexus NX costs about $884 less (5 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Warranty: 7 years on the Kia Sportage, 5 on the Lexus NX.

Common questions