Kia Sportage vs Volvo EX30
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Level at 76: here's what splits them
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 24 Jun 2026, price 28 Oct 2026
Kia Sportage
14 of 27 standard · no option data · 13 no dataFrom
$38,490
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 115kW
- Economy
- 8.1 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 543L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Volvo EX30
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$49,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 200kW
- Energy use
- 16.6 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2024
- Boot (seats up)
- 318L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$38,490RRP
- no option data for this car
$49,990RRP
- 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.
Price and cost per week
Kia Sportage S FWD Petrol
$38,490
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 19 Aug 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $155 a week in repayments ($38,490 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Volvo EX30 Plus Single Motor
$49,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 28 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $208 a week in repayments ($49,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Kia Sportage starts $11,500 lower on RRP.
The Volvo EX30 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Kia Sportage does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$155/wk(≈$671/mo)
Estimate on the Kia Sportage at $38,490 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Volvo EX30Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the Kia Sportage at 5 stars (2022) and the Volvo EX30 at 5 stars (2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2024). 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 88% for the Volvo EX30, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 5 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.
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 6 in the Volvo EX30.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 5 of 10 key systems on the Kia Sportage and 5 on the Volvo EX30.
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.
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.
Volvo EX30
- REC-006745 · published 19 Oct 2026The front seat head restraints may not have been manufactured to specifications.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- REC-006633 · published 26 Jun 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, some of the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may overheat at high charge levels.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- REC-006551 · published 26 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may overheat at high charge levels.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- 2 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.
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.
How long to charge
49kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 153kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 153kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Kia Sportage features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4-inch digital dash, while the Volvo EX30 gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volvo EX30 counters with head-up display, wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia Sportage gets cloth upholstery while the Volvo EX30 offers nordico/microtech fabric.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Kia Sportage uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Volvo EX30 responds with a Electric making 200kW and 343Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.
The Volvo EX30 has the clear power advantage at 200kW 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, 452mm longer than the Volvo EX30 at 4,233mm (2,650mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 318L in the Volvo EX30, giving the Kia Sportage a 225L advantage.
For towing, the Kia Sportage leads with a 1,650kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 50kg 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 Volvo EX30's turning circle is 0.4 m tighter, 11.0 m against 11.4 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 Volvo EX30 about $797 a year (16.6 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Sportage) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volvo EX30).
Where each one leads
The Kia Sportage: the lower starting price ($38,490 against $49,990), the bigger boot with the seats up (543L against 318L), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and the higher braked towing limit (1,650kg against 1,600kg).
The Volvo EX30: more power (200kW against 115kW).
The Verdict
Level at 76: here's what splits them
The Kia Sportage and Volvo EX30 are level on the CarSorted Score at 76 each, so neither takes the overall call. What splits them: performance (Volvo EX30 ahead by 23 points), reliability (Kia Sportage ahead by 11 points). Boot space with the seats up: 543L in the Kia Sportage, 318L in the Volvo EX30. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia Sportage, 5 on the Volvo EX30.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$155/wk(≈$671/mo)
Estimate on the Kia Sportage at $38,490 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Volvo EX30Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia Sportage and Volvo EX30?
The Kia Sportage is the cheapest at $38,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volvo EX30 by $11,500.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia Sportage holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022) and Volvo EX30 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Kia Sportage has the largest boot at 543L with the seats up (1,829L with the seats folded).
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 km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volvo EX30 makes the most power at 200kW.
Track the Kia Sportage & Volvo EX30
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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