Kia Sportage vs Mahindra Scorpio N
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.
Data checked: specs 16 Oct 2026, price 15 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Mahindra Scorpio N: we're still completing 0-100km/h, warranty and turning circle.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$38,490RRP
- no option data for this car
$40,000est. RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Kia Sportage & Mahindra Scorpio N
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Price Breakdown
The Kia Sportage starts from $38,490 before on-road costs, while the Mahindra Scorpio N opens at $40,000 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only). Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
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 $42,339 and $44,000 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mahindra Scorpio N by roughly $1,285 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Mahindra Scorpio N. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Kia Sportage
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006112 · published 9 Oct 2024The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), responsible for the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control System, can remain live even when the vehicle is switched off.Year range on the notice: 2009
- REC-006109 · published 9 Oct 2024The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), responsible for the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control System, can remain live even when the vehicle is switched off.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2014
- 10 more on the model page.
Mahindra Scorpio N
None open 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 Mahindra Scorpio N gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Kia Sportage gets cloth upholstery while the Mahindra Scorpio N offers leatherette. Climate control is 1-zone in the Kia Sportage and 2-zone in the Mahindra Scorpio N.
Drivetrain
The Kia Sportage uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Mahindra Scorpio N responds with a Diesel making 129kW and 400Nm, paired to a 6-speed automatic driving all four wheels.
The Mahindra Scorpio N has the clear power advantage at 129kW 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, 23mm longer than the Mahindra Scorpio N at 4,662mm (2,750mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Mahindra Scorpio N leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,650kg. That 850kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m diameter
Average
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.0 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Kia Sportage and $2,052/year for the Mahindra Scorpio N. That is a $257 annual difference in favour of the Mahindra Scorpio N.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Sportage if: You or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mahindra Scorpio N if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Mahindra's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Kia Sportage: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 57
The Kia Sportage comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 57), taking 1 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Kia Sportage ahead by 46), reliability (Kia Sportage ahead by 29), value (Kia Sportage ahead by 20). The Mahindra Scorpio N will save you roughly $257 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia Sportage and Mahindra Scorpio N?
The Kia Sportage is the cheapest at $38,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mahindra Scorpio N by $1,510.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mahindra Scorpio N uses the least fuel at 7.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Kia Sportage has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which can tow the most?
The Mahindra Scorpio N has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mahindra Scorpio N makes the most power at 129kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 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.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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