Verdict
The Kia Sportage costs RM129,639, RM7,230 more than the Mazda CX-30 at RM122,409, but it is the more family-focused choice: its 2,755 mm wheelbase, 587-litre boot and rear air-con vents matter on school-run and balik kampung duty. The Mazda counters with 162 hp and 213 Nm against the Kia’s 154 hp and 192 Nm, while using a claimed 6.4 L/100 km. It is also 265 mm shorter and 137 kg lighter, so it should be easier to place in tight Malaysian car parks. Both get six-speed automatics, front-wheel drive and five-year/100,000 km warranties.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you need the 587-litre boot, 2,755 mm wheelbase and rear air-con vents for regular family use.
Pick the Mazda CX-30 if you want 162 hp, 213 Nm, a claimed 6.4 L/100 km and a smaller 4,395 mm footprint.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Sportage RM129,639; Mazda CX-30 RM122,409.
- Output: Kia Sportage 154 hp and 192 Nm; Mazda CX-30 162 hp and 213 Nm.
- Length and wheelbase: Kia Sportage 4,660 mm and 2,755 mm; Mazda CX-30 4,395 mm and 2,655 mm.
- Boot space: Kia Sportage 587 litres; Mazda CX-30 430 litres.
- Rear suspension: Kia Sportage multi-link; Mazda CX-30 torsion beam.
- Wheels: Kia Sportage 17-inch alloys with 235/65R17 tyres; Mazda CX-30 16-inch alloys with 215/65R16 tyres.
Sportage
- 587-litre boot, 157 litres larger than the Mazda’s.
- Rear air-con vents and four rear USB ports.
- Multi-link rear suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels.
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the Mazda’s 162 hp and 213 Nm.
- No sunroof or head-up display, both fitted to the Mazda.
- At 1,578 kg, it is 137 kg heavier than the Mazda.
CX-30
- 162 hp and 213 Nm from its 1,998 cc petrol engine.
- Claimed fuel use of 6.4 L/100 km.
- Gets a head-up display, front sunroof and driver’s knee airbag.
- 430-litre boot is 157 litres smaller than the Kia’s.
- No rear air-con vents, versus the Kia’s rear vents.
- Torsion-beam rear suspension versus the Kia’s multi-link setup.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM129,639 | 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 | 162 hp✓ |
| Torque | 192 Nm | 213 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 83.5 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 a 587-litre boot, longer 2,755 mm wheelbase and rear air-con vents. The CX-30 is better for lower entry cost, stronger 162 hp/213 Nm output and its claimed 6.4 L/100 km consumption.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sportage costs RM7,230 more than the Mazda CX-30. That gap brings a 157-litre larger boot, rear air-con vents, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and multi-link rear suspension.
Which is easier to use in tight city parking?
The Mazda CX-30 is easier to fit into tighter spaces. At 4,395 mm long and 1,795 mm wide, it is 265 mm shorter and 70 mm narrower than the 4,660 mm-long, 1,865 mm-wide Kia Sportage.
