Verdict
The Kia Sportage costs RM6,391 more, but Malaysian families get 587 litres of boot space against the Mazda CX-30’s 430 litres, plus a 2,755-mm wheelbase and rear air-con vents. The Mazda counters with 162 hp and 213 Nm, beating the Kia’s 154 hp and 192 Nm, while using a lighter 1,441-kg body. Its 6.4 L/100 km rated economy is useful too. Choose the Kia for cabin and cargo priorities; take the Mazda for stronger output and more safety kit.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you need the 587-litre boot, 2,755-mm wheelbase and rear air-con vents for family use.
Pick the Mazda CX-30 if you want 162 hp, 213 Nm, seven airbags and a lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Sportage RM128,800; Mazda CX-30 RM122,409.
- Output: Kia Sportage 154 hp and 192 Nm; Mazda CX-30 162 hp and 213 Nm.
- Boot space: Kia Sportage 587 litres; Mazda CX-30 430 litres.
- Wheelbase: Kia Sportage 2,755 mm; Mazda CX-30 2,655 mm.
- Kerb weight: Kia Sportage 1,578 kg; Mazda CX-30 1,441 kg.
- Airbags: Kia Sportage 6; Mazda CX-30 7.
Sportage
- 587-litre boot versus 430 litres
- 2,755-mm wheelbase and rear air-con vents
- 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless charger and four USB ports
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the Mazda’s 162 hp and 213 Nm
- Six airbags versus the Mazda’s seven
- 1,578 kg versus 1,441 kg
CX-30
- 162 hp and 213 Nm from the 2.0-litre petrol engine
- Seven airbags, head-up display and auto wipers
- 6.4 L/100 km rated economy and five-year/100,000-km free service
- 430-litre boot versus the Sportage’s 587 litres
- No rear air-con vents
- Torsion-beam rear suspension versus the Sportage’s multi-link layout
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM128,800 | RM122,409✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440 | RM439✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp at 6,200 rpm | 162 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 192 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 213 Nm at 4,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 97 mm | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Automatic | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 6.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 196 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,395 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,578 kg | 1,441 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 587 litres✓ | 430 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 215/65R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 215/65R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Available for all seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Emergency Stop Signal |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 7" TFT LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service |
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 Sportage & CX-30 for sale
Sportage vs CX-30 FAQ
Is the Kia Sportage or Mazda CX-30 better?
The Sportage is better for carrying people and luggage, with its 587-litre boot, longer 2,755-mm wheelbase and rear air-con vents. The CX-30 is better for output and safety, with 162 hp, 213 Nm and seven airbags.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sportage costs RM6,391 more than the Mazda CX-30. That gap brings a 157-litre larger boot, a 100-mm longer wheelbase, rear air-con vents and a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Kia Sportage has the bigger boot at 587 litres, compared with 430 litres in the Mazda CX-30. The Kia’s cargo advantage is 157 litres.
