Kia Sportage vs Volkswagen Tayron

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Kia Sportage at 5 stars (2022) and the Volkswagen Tayron at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Kia Sportage and 87% for the Volkswagen Tayron, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Volkswagen Tayron, 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 9 in the Volkswagen Tayron.

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.

Feature Showdown

The Kia Sportage features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Tayron gets a 12.9-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Volkswagen Tayron counters with wireless charging, power tailgate and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

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

The Volkswagen Tayron responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels.

The Kia Sportage has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 110kW. 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, 107mm shorter than the Volkswagen Tayron at 4,792mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Tayron generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 345L in the Volkswagen Tayron, giving the Kia Sportage a 198L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1829L vs 1905L. The Volkswagen Tayron seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Volkswagen Tayron leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,650kg. That 150kg 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 0.7 m tighter, 11.4 m against 12.1 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 fuel for the Volkswagen Tayron about $2,166 a year (7.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $143 a year less for the Volkswagen Tayron.

Warranty: 7 years / unlimited km (Kia Sportage) and 5 years / unlimited km (Volkswagen Tayron).

Where each one leads

The Kia Sportage: the lower starting price ($38,490 against $48,290), more power (115kW against 110kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (543L against 345L) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).

The Volkswagen Tayron: the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 1,650kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,166 a year against $2,309).

The Verdict

Kia Sportage scores higher, 76 vs 73

The Kia Sportage scores 76 to the Volkswagen Tayron's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: technology (Kia Sportage ahead by 15 points), reliability (Kia Sportage ahead by 12 points), value (Kia Sportage ahead by 7 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Volkswagen Tayron costs about $143 less (7.6 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 543L in the Kia Sportage, 345L in the Volkswagen Tayron. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia Sportage, 5 on the Volkswagen Tayron.

Common questions