Verdict
At RM123,800, the GAC Emkoo is RM5,000 cheaper than the RM128,800 Kia Sportage, yet brings 175 hp and 270 Nm against 154 hp and 192 Nm. Its RM120 annual road tax is also RM320 lower. For the Malaysian buyer, that money buys a 638-litre boot, 19-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and active safety kit including autonomous braking. The Sportage counters with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine, a conventional six-speed automatic and a 5 mm longer wheelbase, but its equipment list is thinner in several key areas.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you want lower purchase and road-tax costs, stronger 175 hp/270 Nm outputs and the fuller safety and convenience kit.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you prefer its naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine, conventional six-speed automatic and slightly longer 2,755 mm wheelbase.
Key differences
- Price: GAC Emkoo RM123,800; Kia Sportage RM128,800.
- Road tax: GAC Emkoo RM120 per year; Kia Sportage RM440 per year.
- Power and torque: GAC Emkoo 175 hp/270 Nm; Kia Sportage 154 hp/192 Nm.
- Boot space: GAC Emkoo 638 litres; Kia Sportage 587 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: GAC Emkoo 19-inch wheels with 235/55R19 tyres; Kia Sportage 17-inch wheels with 235/65R17 tyres.
- Warranty mileage: GAC Emkoo 5 years/150,000 km plus 7 years/180,000 km powertrain; Kia Sportage 5 years/100,000 km.
Emkoo
- 175 hp and 270 Nm from the 1.5-litre turbo engine.
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, blind-spot information and lane-keeping steering correction.
- 638-litre boot, powered front seats, ventilated driver’s seat and panoramic glass roof.
- One rear USB port versus the Sportage’s two.
- No Tiptronic function listed; the Sportage has it.
Sportage
- Naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine with a conventional six-speed automatic.
- 2,755 mm wheelbase, 5 mm longer than the Emkoo’s.
- Two rear USB ports and Tiptronic control.
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the Emkoo’s 175 hp and 270 Nm.
- 587-litre boot is 51 litres smaller than the Emkoo’s.
- No blind-spot information system, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist listed.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM123,800✓ | RM128,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 175 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 154 hp at 6,200 rpm |
| Torque | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm✓ | 192 Nm at 4,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 81 mm × 97 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7DCT | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,901 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 638 litres✓ | 587 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Available for all seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilated Driver's Seat | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Manual Recline | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 7 Year, 180,000 km Powertrain Warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Emkoo & Sportage for sale
Emkoo vs Sportage FAQ
Is the GAC Emkoo or Kia Sportage better?
The GAC Emkoo is the stronger buy on specification: it costs RM5,000 less, has 21 hp and 78 Nm more, a 51-litre larger boot and substantially more driver-assistance equipment. Choose the Kia Sportage for its naturally aspirated engine and conventional automatic.
What is the price difference?
The GAC Emkoo costs RM123,800 and the Kia Sportage costs RM128,800, so the Sportage is RM5,000 more expensive. The Emkoo also has RM120 annual road tax versus RM440 for the Sportage.
Which has the better warranty coverage?
The GAC Emkoo has the stronger mileage cover: five years or 150,000 km, plus a seven-year or 180,000 km powertrain warranty. The Kia Sportage has a five-year or 100,000 km manufacturer warranty.
