Kia Sportage vs Nissan ARIYA

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

Both the Kia Sportage and Nissan ARIYA hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2022. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Kia Sportage and 86% for the Nissan ARIYA.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Nissan ARIYA, 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 Nissan ARIYA.

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.

Charging times

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.

Feature Showdown

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

The Nissan ARIYA counters with head-up display, wireless charging, heated front seats and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Kia Sportage gets cloth upholstery while the Nissan ARIYA offers nappa leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Kia Sportage and 2-zone in the Nissan ARIYA.

Drivetrain

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

The Nissan ARIYA responds with a Electric making 160kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.

The Nissan ARIYA has the clear power advantage at 160kW 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, 90mm longer than the Nissan ARIYA at 4,595mm (2,775mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan ARIYA generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 466L in the Nissan ARIYA, giving the Kia Sportage a 77L advantage.

For towing, the Kia Sportage leads with a 1,650kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 900kg 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 Kia Sportage's turning circle is 0.1 m tighter, 11.4 m against 11.5 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 electricity for the Nissan ARIYA about $888 a year (18.5 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

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

Where each one leads

The Kia Sportage: the lower starting price ($38,490 against $55,840), the bigger boot with the seats up (543L against 466L), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and the higher braked towing limit (1,650kg against 750kg).

The Nissan ARIYA: more power (160kW against 115kW).

The Verdict

Kia Sportage scores higher, 76 vs 73

The Kia Sportage scores 76 to the Nissan ARIYA's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: practicality (Kia Sportage ahead by 10 points), reliability (Kia Sportage ahead by 9 points), performance (Nissan ARIYA ahead by 7 points). Boot space with the seats up: 543L in the Kia Sportage, 466L in the Nissan ARIYA. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia Sportage, 5 on the Nissan ARIYA.

Common questions