Kia Sportage vs Mazda CX-60

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

Both the Kia Sportage and Mazda CX-60 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2022. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Kia Sportage and 91% for the Mazda CX-60.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Mazda CX-60, 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 7 in the Mazda CX-60.

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-60 gets a 10.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Mazda CX-60 counters with 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-60 responds with a Petrol making 138kW and 250Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds.

The Mazda CX-60 has the clear power advantage at 138kW 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, 55mm shorter than the Mazda CX-60 at 4,740mm (2,870mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-60 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 570L in the Mazda CX-60, giving the Mazda CX-60 a 27L advantage.

For towing, the Mazda CX-60 leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,650kg. 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); the Mazda CX-60's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 10.8 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-60 about $2,138 a year (7.5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $171 a year less for the Mazda CX-60.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Sportage) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mazda CX-60).

Where each one leads

The Kia Sportage: the lower starting price ($38,490 against $45,640) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).

The Mazda CX-60: more power (138kW against 115kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (570L against 543L), the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 1,650kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,138 a year against $2,309).

The Verdict

Kia Sportage scores higher, 76 vs 75

The Kia Sportage scores 76 to the Mazda CX-60's 75 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: technology (Kia Sportage ahead by 13 points), performance (Mazda CX-60 ahead by 10 points), fuel economy (Mazda CX-60 ahead by 5 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mazda CX-60 costs about $171 less (7.5 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Warranty: 7 years on the Kia Sportage, 5 on the Mazda CX-60.

Common questions