Kia Sportage vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
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.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Kia Sportage features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4-inch digital dash, while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Kia Sportage gets cloth upholstery while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport offers leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Kia Sportage and 2-zone in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
Drivetrain
The Kia Sportage uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport responds with a Diesel making 133kW and 430Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.5 seconds.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the clear power advantage at 133kW 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, 155mm shorter than the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport at 4,840mm (2,800mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 131L in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, giving the Kia Sportage a 412L advantage. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport leads with a 3,100kg braked capacity vs 1,650kg. That 1,450kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 11.4m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Kia Sportage and $2,280/year for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. That is a $29 annual difference in favour of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Sportage) vs 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Pajero Sport). The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Sportage if: You need more boot space, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport takes 4 of 5 key spec categories. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport will save you roughly $29 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Sportage has a clear edge. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. 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 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport?
The Kia Sportage is the cheapest at $38,490 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport uses the least fuel at 8L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia Sportage holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Sportage has the largest boot at 543L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,100kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the longest warranty at 10 years / 200k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport makes the most power at 133kW.
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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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