Kia Sportage vs. Hyundai Tucson – Which One Should You Get?

Kia Sportage vs. Hyundai Tucson – it’s the battle of excellent family SUVs, both of which offer low running costs, decent handling, and lots of practical, comfortable space. With so many qualities perfect for a family four-wheeler, let’s see which one comes on top when we compare these aspects.

With such different and striking designs, you’d never guess that the Sportage and the Tucson have so much in common underneath. But they do, so they are very comparable, and the differences are minimal. The Hyundai might have a slightly better performance, but the Kia comes with some additional infotainment and safety features. And with the design being a matter of taste, it all comes down to what you’re looking for specifically in your next road companion. 

Sportage and Tucson Are Some of the Best Family SUVs on the Market Right Now

Both the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson go way back – well, the Sportage is a bit older, with the first generation hitting the streets as early as 1995. Throughout the years, the evolution of these vehicles has brought us great lines of family SUVs, and the new 2023 5th Gen Kia Sportage and the 2022 4th Gen Hyundai Tucson are definitely impressive. 

These Models Are Very Comparable

These five-door, five-seat medium SUVs are very comparable, and that’s because they are essentially part of the same company. Both are based in South Korea, with Hyundai actually owning 33.8% of Kia Motors. So, they’re similar when it comes to pricing and performance, and chances are that you’ve stumbled across them if you’re looking for a family vehicle. 

Kia Sportage vs. Hyundai Tucson – A Brief Overview of Main Specifications

No matter if you’re thinking about getting a brand-new car, a used vehicle, or even one with a salvage title, researching the specifications is unavoidable when it comes to buying. That’s why I’ve compiled an overview of the main specifications of these models:

Specification	Kia Sportage GT-Line	Hyundai Tucson N-Line
Engine	1.6L turbocharged petrol	1.6L turbocharged petrol
Torque	265Nm at 1500-4500rpm	265Nm at 1500-4500rpm
Miles Per Gallon	23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway	26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway
Length	183.5 inches	182.7 inches
Width	73.4 inches	73.4 inches
Height	66.1 inches	65.6 inches
Wheelbase	108.5 inches	108.5 inches

Both Models Come With a Fresh New Exterior Look

Both the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage come with a modern, fresh design on the outside. While researching other aspects of these vehicles, you will quickly realize that the exterior designs might be different, but they hide similar platforms, engines, and other equipment underneath. 

Tucson’s most striking exterior feature is definitely the multi-layered, intricate front lights that take up a lot of space on the radiator grille, and the pressed creases on the sides add to this slick modern look. The Kia Sportage also has a striking design on the radiator grille, with arrow-shaped lights that curve halfway up the bonnet. 

At the End of the Day, It’s a Matter of Taste

So, there’s no clear winner here, and at the end of the day, what you find visually appealing is a matter of taste. Just keep in mind that while the Hyundai has more color options, many of them are actually variations on a hue. Kia Sportage might have fewer paint options, but the colors are very different from one another, and you will easily find the one you like the most. 

Interior and Infotainment Technology

As I’ve mentioned just now, these models might have a unique look on the outside, but when it comes to interior and performance features, they are very comparable. Both are stacked with all sorts of features that provide an excellent cabin experience, and while it seems like the Kia takes the upper hand here, the competition is very stiff and comes down to what you’re looking for when it comes to the car’s cabin.

You’ll Get Plenty of Cargo Space Either Way

Both of these medium SUVs are designed in order to maximize agility and handling without compromising on spaciousness and comfort. They are built on the same skeleton as each other, and both are very practical and perfect as a family city car. 

Hyundai might have managed to squeeze a little more boot space, but both models have really impressive sizes – the Tucson has a cargo capacity of 620 liters, while the Sportage has 591 liters. Rear-seat space in both cars is also excellent, with the three-way possibility of splitting the rear backrests in a 40/20/40 combination. So, you can say that the Hyundai takes this round because of the slightly bigger size, but when you factor in the infotainment system, the results are not that clear. 

The Higher-Level Trim of Kia Sportage Comes With Great Infotainment Technology

The Kia comes with digital dashboard dials blended with the 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and this wraparound look is excellent and very user-friendly. But, this deal comes only with higher-level trims, and lesser models have a bit smaller screen. Here’s what you can look forward to when it comes to cabin technology:

• Eight-speaker stereo,
• Digital dashboard,
• Heated front seats,
• Reversing camera and around-view cameras,
• Dual-zone climate control,
• Wireless phone charging,
• Panoramic sunroof. 

The Hyundai Tucson Offers Basically the Same Features

So, the Kia might come out on top here because of the better overall look and the controls that are a bit easier to use. However, the Tucson is very similar, with many of the same functions, but a bit less quality and class when it comes to design. There’s also a digital dashboard setup and a main infotainment screen, but they are separated, and the widescreen is 10.25 inches for higher trims, so it’s a bit smaller. 

So, the Tucson can boast a digital dashboard, heated front seats, reverse camera, and many other features you can find in the Kia as well. Sure, there might be some differences, but they are so small that chances are you won’t even notice them if you have the opportunity to test out both cars. Both of the models have impressive cabin technology, so at the end of the day, it’s only a matter of personal taste.

The Safety Features Are Pretty Similar, but the Kia Offers Just a Little Bit More

Staying safe on the most famous routes in the US should be your top priority when getting behind the wheel, and keeping others safe is the number one driver’s responsibility. The advance in technology nowadays brings us great vehicle safety features, and the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are no exception. 

Both models tested out with a great score in crash tests, and you get a great array of safety features either way. There’s the usual – airbags package, anti-lock braking system, speed-limit recognition, auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and stability and traction control. And then there are some special safety features both of them have:

• Forward collision-avoidance assistance with vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist detection,
• Driver attention warning (the Kia also has lane departure and park assistance warning),
• Lane-keeping assistance, 
• High beam assistance, 
• Rear occupant alert. 

A Closer Look at the Performance Comparison Doesn’t Bring a Clear Winner

When you compare the performance levels of the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage, you will find that they are nearly identical. With the same 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission featured in various models in both ranges, it’s not the most refined performance out there, but it’s still pretty good. 

With both vehicles, you get 132kW at 5500rpm, with torque at 265Nm available between 1500 and 4500rpm. So, it’s obvious that with the identical engine and gearbox combination, you can expect the same kind of driving experience. Both of them are excellent SUVs, quiet at speed and smooth when handling.

Here’s a brief overview of their performance, as well as what you can expect from hybrid options performance-wise:

There’s a Minimal Difference in the Price Range

While the Kia Sportage GT-Line has a lower starting price of $49,370, you can get the Hyundai Tucson N-Line for not that much more, with a starting price of $51,000. So, when it comes to affordability, they’re pretty much the same, but when you count the maintenance and on-the-road costs, the Hyundai might just turn out to be the more cost-effective option of the two. 

Manufacturer’s Guarantees Are Comparably Impressive

So, the price ranges of these models are similar, and when it comes to insurance, they can also offer you some of the best deals in the industry. The Kia Sportage comes with a seven-year warranty and a 100,000-mile cap, and the Hyundai Tucson has a five-year one but with unlimited mileage. 

Hyundai is known for strong warranties that are basically unparalleled on the market, and that means you will get not only a reliable vehicle but a cost-effective one as well when it comes to maintenance and repair. But the Kia is not far behind – after all, this company is partially owned by Hyundai. 

There’s No Mistake With These Two Cars if You’re Looking for the Perfect Family SUV

So, you’ve probably gathered by now that both the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson are good options, and there is no clear winner between the two. The Kia might offer additional features, but the Sportage is also excellent in numerous aspects, especially when it comes to performance level. So, at the end of the day, it comes down to your personal taste – you won’t make a mistake in choosing either one of these impressive four-wheelers.