Kia Sportage vs Mazda CX-30

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Mazda CX-30 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

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 Mazda CX-30 gets a 8.8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Kia Sportage stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto — features our data doesn't list for the Mazda CX-30. The Mazda CX-30 counters with Apple CarPlay and head-up display. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

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

The Mazda CX-30 responds with a Petrol making 114kW and 200Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.

The Kia Sportage has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 114kW. 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, 290mm longer than the Mazda CX-30 at 4,395mm (2,655mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 317L in the Mazda CX-30, giving the Kia Sportage a 226L advantage.

For towing, the Kia Sportage leads with a 1,650kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 450kg 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); the Mazda CX-30's turning circle is 0.8 m tighter, 10.6 m against 11.4 m 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 Mazda CX-30 about $1,796 a year (6.3 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $513 a year less for the Mazda CX-30.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Sportage) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mazda CX-30).

Where each one leads

The Kia Sportage: more power (115kW against 114kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (543L against 317L), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and the higher braked towing limit (1,650kg against 1,200kg).

The Mazda CX-30: the lower starting price ($34,760 against $38,490) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,796 a year against $2,309).

The Verdict

Kia Sportage scores higher, 76 vs 66

The Kia Sportage scores 76 to the Mazda CX-30's 66 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 6 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: technology (Kia Sportage ahead by 40 points), safety (Kia Sportage ahead by 31 points), fuel economy (Mazda CX-30 ahead by 16 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mazda CX-30 costs about $513 less (6.3 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 543L in the Kia Sportage, 317L in the Mazda CX-30. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia Sportage, 5 on the Mazda CX-30.

Common questions