Kia Sportage vs Nissan Pathfinder
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.
Kia Sportage
From $38,490
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
115kW
8.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
543L
Nissan Pathfinder
Price TBC
SUV
Petrol
3.5L DOHC 24-valve V6 petrol (VQ35DD)
202kW
10.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
453L
Nissan Pathfinder: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 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.
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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 Nissan Pathfinder gets a 8-inch display.
The Kia Sportage stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Nissan Pathfinder. The Nissan Pathfinder counters with panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bose audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia Sportage gets cloth upholstery while the Nissan Pathfinder offers leather accented. Climate control is 1-zone in the Kia Sportage and 3-zone in the Nissan Pathfinder.
Drivetrain
The Kia Sportage uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Nissan Pathfinder responds with a 3.5L DOHC 24-valve V6 petrol (VQ35DD) making 202kW and 340Nm, paired to a xtronic cvt driving all four wheels.
The Nissan Pathfinder has the clear power advantage at 202kW 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, 357mm shorter than the Nissan Pathfinder at 5,042mm (2,900mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan Pathfinder generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 453L in the Nissan Pathfinder, giving the Kia Sportage a 90L advantage. The Nissan Pathfinder seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Nissan Pathfinder leads with a 2,700kg braked capacity vs 1,650kg. That 1,050kg 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 $2,879/year for the Nissan Pathfinder. That is a $570 annual difference in favour of the Kia Sportage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Sportage if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Nissan Pathfinder if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Kia Sportage and Nissan Pathfinder trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Kia Sportage will save you roughly $570 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Sportage has a clear edge. 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 Nissan Pathfinder?
The Kia Sportage is the cheapest at $38,490 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Sportage uses the least fuel at 8.1L/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 Nissan Pathfinder, 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 Nissan Pathfinder has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,700kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Nissan Pathfinder makes the most power at 202kW.
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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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