Suzuki Jimny 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.
Price Breakdown
The Suzuki Jimny starts from $36,990 before on-road costs, while the Kia Sportage opens at $38,490. That makes the Suzuki Jimny the more affordable entry point by $1,500.
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 $40,689 and $42,339 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Kia Sportage by roughly $2,710 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Suzuki Jimny and Kia Sportage hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 73% for the Suzuki Jimny and 87% for the Kia Sportage.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Kia Sportage packs more ADAS features with 3 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 1 in the Suzuki Jimny.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Suzuki Jimny and 6 in the Kia Sportage.
Feature Showdown
The Suzuki Jimny features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Kia Sportage gets a 12.3-inch display and 4-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Suzuki Jimny uses a Petrol producing 75kW and 130Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12.4 seconds.
The Kia Sportage responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 192Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Kia Sportage has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 75kW. In the real-world sprint, the Kia Sportage is 3.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Suzuki Jimny measures 3,645mm long on a 2,250mm wheelbase, 1040mm shorter than the Kia Sportage at 4,685mm (2,755mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 377L in the Suzuki Jimny and 543L in the Kia Sportage, giving the Kia Sportage a 166L advantage. The Kia Sportage seats 5 vs 4.
For towing, the Kia Sportage leads with a 1,650kg braked capacity vs 1,300kg. That 350kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.0m to 11.4m
Based on 10.0m 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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Suzuki Jimny and $1,767/year for the Kia Sportage. That is a $542 annual difference in favour of the Kia Sportage.
Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Suzuki Jimny) vs $1,767 (Kia Sportage). The Kia Sportage saves you roughly $542 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km (Suzuki Jimny) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Sportage). The Kia Sportage has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Suzuki Jimny if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Kia Sportage if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Kia Sportage takes 6 of 7 key spec categories. The Kia Sportage will save you roughly $542 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, Suzuki Jimny and Kia Sportage?
The Suzuki Jimny is the cheapest at $36,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia Sportage by $1,500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Sportage uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Suzuki Jimny and Kia Sportage 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 / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia Sportage makes the most power at 115kW. The Kia Sportage is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
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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