Kia Sportage vs Suzuki Vitara
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.
Data checked: specs 30 Aug 2026, price 14 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$38,490RRP
- no option data for this car
$36,350est. RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Kia Sportage & Suzuki Vitara
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Price Breakdown
The Kia Sportage starts from $38,490 before on-road costs, while the Suzuki Vitara opens at $36,350 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only). Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $42,339 and $39,985 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Suzuki Vitara by roughly $3,280 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Kia Sportage
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006112 · published 9 Oct 2024The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), responsible for the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control System, can remain live even when the vehicle is switched off.Year range on the notice: 2009
- REC-006109 · published 9 Oct 2024The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), responsible for the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control System, can remain live even when the vehicle is switched off.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2014
- 10 more on the model page.
Suzuki Vitara
- REC-006212 · published 11 Dec 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the left rear brake pipe line may have been damaged during assembly.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005515 · published 5 Sep 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the valve between the engine and the vacuum assist brake booster may swell under certain conditions.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2022
- REC-005061 · published 17 Feb 2022Vehicles have been supplied with incorrect information in the owner’s manual in regards to the installation of ISOFIX child restraint system.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2022
- 1 more on the model page.
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 Suzuki Vitara gets a 9-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia Sportage stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Suzuki Vitara. The Suzuki Vitara counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia Sportage gets cloth upholstery while the Suzuki Vitara offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Kia Sportage uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Suzuki Vitara responds with a Petrol making 80.9kW and 235Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.2 seconds.
The Kia Sportage has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 80.9kW. 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, 500mm longer than the Suzuki Vitara at 4,185mm (2,500mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 362L in the Suzuki Vitara, giving the Kia Sportage a 181L advantage.
For towing, the Kia Sportage leads with a 1,650kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 450kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.2m 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 10.2m 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 $1,653/year for the Suzuki Vitara. That is a $656 annual difference in favour of the Suzuki Vitara.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Sportage) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Suzuki Vitara). The Kia Sportage has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Sportage if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Suzuki Vitara if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Kia Sportage: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 69, but the Suzuki Vitara is $2,140 cheaper
The Kia Sportage comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 69), taking 4 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Kia Sportage ahead by 27), fuel economy (Suzuki Vitara ahead by 21), reliability (Kia Sportage ahead by 16). The Suzuki Vitara will save you roughly $656 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 Suzuki Vitara?
The Suzuki Vitara is the cheapest at $36,350 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia Sportage by $2,140.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Suzuki Vitara uses the least fuel at 5.8L/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 Suzuki Vitara, 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 with the seats up.
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.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Sportage makes the most power at 115kW.
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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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