Verdict
The Hyundai Tucson brings the stronger petrol package: 178 hp and 264 Nm from 1,500 rpm against the Kia Sportage’s 154 hp and 192 Nm at 4,500 rpm. That is a meaningful advantage when joining Malaysian expressways or carrying five people. It also gets 18-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot information and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty. The Sportage counters with a 587-litre boot, 5 litres more than the Tucson, and costs far less to tax annually at RM440 versus RM120 for the Hyundai. Its lower purchase price changes the decision more than that tax bill does.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you want 264 Nm from 1,500 rpm, adaptive cruise control and the longer eight-year/160,000-km warranty.
Pick the Kia Sportage if saving RM31,000 matters more than the Tucson’s turbo performance and extra driver-assistance equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Tucson RM159,800; Kia Sportage RM128,800.
- Power and torque: Hyundai Tucson 178 hp and 264 Nm; Kia Sportage 154 hp and 192 Nm.
- Engine and transmission: Hyundai Tucson 1,598 cc turbo with seven-speed wet dual-clutch; Kia Sportage 1,999 cc naturally aspirated with six-speed automatic.
- Road tax: Hyundai Tucson RM120 per year; Kia Sportage RM440 per year.
- Boot space: Hyundai Tucson 582 litres; Kia Sportage 587 litres.
- Warranty: Hyundai Tucson eight years/160,000 km; Kia Sportage five years/100,000 km.
Tucson
- 178 hp and 264 Nm turbo petrol engine
- Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot information and collision warning
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty
- Costs RM31,000 more
- 582-litre boot is 5 litres smaller
- RM120 annual road tax is stated against RM440 for the Sportage
Sportage
- RM128,800 purchase price
- 587-litre boot
- Conventional six-speed automatic with Tiptronic
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the Tucson’s 178 hp and 264 Nm
- No blind-spot information or collision warning
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty is shorter
What the Tucson has over the Sportage
What the Sportage has over the Tucson
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM159,800 | RM128,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM440 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,630/mo | RM1,315/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,434 | RM3,662✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,598 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 178 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 154 hp at 6,200 rpm |
| Torque | 264 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 192 Nm at 4,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 75.6 mm × 89 mm | 81 mm × 97 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 201 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,665 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,521 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 54 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 582 litres | 587 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 16 inch | 18 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 12 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear 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 for 2nd Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Available for all seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.3" Curved Widescreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | 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 | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 160,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 8 years✓ | 5 years |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used Tucson & Sportage for sale
Our reviews & guides
Hyundai Tucson
Tucson vs Sportage FAQ
Is the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage better?
The Hyundai Tucson is the better-equipped and more powerful choice, with 178 hp, 264 Nm, adaptive cruise control and an eight-year/160,000-km warranty. The Kia Sportage is the rational choice if its RM31,000 saving is decisive.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Tucson costs RM159,800 and the Kia Sportage costs RM128,800, so the gap is RM31,000.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Kia Sportage has the larger boot at 587 litres, just 5 litres ahead of the Hyundai Tucson’s 582 litres. Both are five-seat C-segment SUVs with 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
