Kia Sportage vs Subaru XV
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
Subaru XV
Price TBC
SUV
Petrol
Horizontally-opposed Boxer 4-cylinder, petrol engine
115kW
7 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
310L
Subaru XV: we're still completing price, kerb weight and 0-100km/h.
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.
Track the Kia Sportage & Subaru XV
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
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
Both the Kia Sportage and Subaru XV hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 5 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Kia Sportage, against 0 on the Subaru XV.
Both include the essentials: a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Kia Sportage and 7 in the Subaru XV.
Feature Showdown
The Kia Sportage features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4-inch digital dash, while the Subaru XV gets a 6.5-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Kia Sportage uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Subaru XV responds with a Horizontally-opposed Boxer 4-cylinder, petrol engine making 115kW and 196Nm, paired to a lineartronic cvt driving all four wheels.
Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. 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, 220mm longer than the Subaru XV at 4,465mm (2,665mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 310L in the Subaru XV, giving the Kia Sportage a 233L advantage.
For towing, the Kia Sportage leads with a 1,650kg braked capacity vs 1,400kg. That 250kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m 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 10.8m 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 $1,995/year for the Subaru XV. That is a $314 annual difference in favour of the Subaru XV.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Sportage) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru XV). The Kia Sportage has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Sportage if: You need more boot space, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru XV if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Sportage takes 3 of 4 key spec categories. The Subaru XV will save you roughly $314 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Kia Sportage has a clear edge. The Kia Sportage adds peace of mind with a longer 7-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 Subaru XV?
The Kia Sportage is the cheapest at $38,490 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Subaru XV uses the least fuel at 7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Kia Sportage and Subaru XV all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Sportage has the largest boot at 543L.
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Sportage has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,650kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Sportage has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
