Verdict
The Kia Sportage costs RM128,800, RM5,000 below the Toyota Corolla Cross at RM133,800, and has a materially larger body: 4,660 mm long with a 2,755 mm wheelbase and a 587-litre boot, against 4,460 mm, 2,640 mm and 440 litres. Its 2.0-litre also produces 154 hp and 192 Nm, ahead of 138 hp and 172 Nm. The Corolla Cross counters with seven airbags, autonomous braking, steering-correction lane assist and adaptive cruise control. For family luggage and outright space, the Sportage is the stronger buy, but the Toyota’s active-safety advantage is significant.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you want the lower entry price, a 587-litre boot and stronger 154 hp/192 Nm outputs.
Pick the Toyota Corolla Cross if autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera matter more than space.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Sportage RM128,800; Toyota Corolla Cross RM133,800.
- Engine output: Kia Sportage 154 hp and 192 Nm; Toyota Corolla Cross 138 hp and 172 Nm.
- Boot space: Kia Sportage 587 litres; Toyota Corolla Cross 440 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: Kia Sportage 4,660 mm and 2,755 mm; Toyota Corolla Cross 4,460 mm and 2,640 mm.
- Safety: Kia Sportage has 6 airbags and no autonomous braking; Toyota Corolla Cross has 7 airbags with autonomous braking.
- Warranty mileage: Kia Sportage 5 years/100,000 km; Toyota Corolla Cross 5 years/unlimited mileage.
Sportage
- RM5,000 lower purchase price.
- 587-litre boot, 147 litres larger.
- 154 hp and 192 Nm from the 2.0-litre engine.
- Six airbags versus the Corolla Cross's seven.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information or lane-keeping assist.
- 100,000 km warranty limit versus unlimited mileage.
Corolla Cross
- Seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag.
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot information and steering-correction lane assist.
- Adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree reverse camera.
- RM5,000 more expensive.
- 440-litre boot is 147 litres smaller.
- Less power and torque: 138 hp/172 Nm versus 154 hp/192 Nm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM128,800✓ | RM133,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440 | RM359✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing (Dual VVT-i) |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp at 6,200 rpm✓ | 138 hp at 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 192 Nm at 4,500 rpm✓ | 172 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 97 mm | 80.5 mm × 88.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | — | 185 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,825 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Weight | 1,578 kg | 1,405 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 47 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 587 litres✓ | 440 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 225/50R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 225/50R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Toyo Proxes CR1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" 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) | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| 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 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Available for all seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| 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 | 10.1" Capacitive Touchscreen Display, 6 Speakers, Wireless Carplay and Wired Android Auto, USB and Bluetooth |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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.
Used Sportage & Corolla Cross for sale
Sportage vs Corolla Cross FAQ
Is the Kia Sportage or Toyota Corolla Cross better?
The Kia Sportage is better for space, boot capacity and engine output, while the Toyota Corolla Cross is better equipped for active safety. Choose the Sportage for a larger family load area; choose the Corolla Cross if autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Corolla Cross costs RM5,000 more than the Kia Sportage.
Which has more luggage space?
The Kia Sportage has the larger boot at 587 litres, compared with 440 litres in the Toyota Corolla Cross. That is a 147-litre advantage for the Kia.
