Mitsubishi Challenger vs Kia Sportage
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.
Mitsubishi Challenger
Price TBC
SUV
Diesel
Diesel Turbo
131kW
8.3 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Kia Sportage
From $38,490
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
115kW
8.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
543L
Mitsubishi Challenger: we're still completing price, 0-100km/h and warranty.
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 Mitsubishi Challenger & Kia Sportage
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
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Kia Sportage counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Mitsubishi Challenger uses a Diesel Turbo producing 131kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a 5-speed manual to a 4WD layout.
The Kia Sportage responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 192Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.
The Mitsubishi Challenger has the clear power advantage at 131kW vs 115kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mitsubishi Challenger measures 4,695mm long on a 2,800mm wheelbase, 10mm longer than the Kia Sportage at 4,685mm (2,755mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mitsubishi Challenger generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Mitsubishi Challenger leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,650kg. That 850kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 11.4m
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.4m 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 $2,366/year for the Mitsubishi Challenger and $2,309/year for the Kia Sportage. That is a $57 annual difference in favour of the Kia Sportage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mitsubishi Challenger if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Sportage if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mitsubishi Challenger takes 2 of 3 key spec categories. The Kia Sportage will save you roughly $57 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mitsubishi Challenger and Kia Sportage?
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 Mitsubishi Challenger, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Mitsubishi Challenger has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mitsubishi Challenger makes the most power at 131kW.
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!
