Verdict
At RM128,800, the Kia Sportage costs RM5,800 more than the RM123,000 Toyota Hiace, but they serve fundamentally different jobs. The Sportage is the five-seat SUV choice, with a 587-litre boot, 154 hp petrol engine, six-speed automatic and six airbags. Its RM440 annual road tax is also RM395 lower. The Hiace counters with 260 Nm from 1,600 rpm, all-wheel drive and a 70-litre diesel tank, but it is a two-seat commercial vehicle with a five-speed manual, two airbags and no stability control. For private Malaysian use, the Kia is the clear fit.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you need five seats, a 587-litre boot, automatic driving and substantially stronger safety equipment.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if your priority is a two-seat commercial vehicle with 260 Nm of diesel torque and all-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Sportage RM128,800; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Power and torque: Kia Sportage 154 hp and 192 Nm; Toyota Hiace 101 hp and 260 Nm.
- Transmission: Kia Sportage six-speed automatic; Toyota Hiace five-speed manual.
- Seating and luggage: Kia Sportage five seats and 587-litre boot; Toyota Hiace two seats and no boot-space figure.
- Safety: Kia Sportage has six airbags and stability control; Toyota Hiace has two airbags and no stability control.
- Road tax: Kia Sportage RM440 per year; Toyota Hiace RM835 per year.
Sportage
- Five seats and a 587-litre boot.
- Six airbags, stability control, ISOFIX and a reverse camera.
- Six-speed automatic, 154 hp and 17-inch alloy wheels.
- 192 Nm is 68 Nm less than the Hiace's 260 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive rather than the Hiace's all-wheel drive.
- Costs RM5,800 more.
Hiace
- 260 Nm from 1,600 rpm.
- All-wheel drive and a 70-litre diesel fuel tank.
- RM5,800 lower purchase price and a full-size spare wheel.
- Only two seats, against the Sportage's five.
- Two airbags and no stability control, versus six airbags and stability control.
- Five-speed manual and halogen headlamps, where the Sportage has a six-speed automatic and LED projectors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM128,800 | RM123,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | C-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp at 6,200 rpm✓ | 101 hp at 3,600 rpm |
| Torque | 192 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 97 mm | 92 mm × 93.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 18.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Automatic | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,578 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 587 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual For Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Available for all seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| 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 | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 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 & Hiace for sale
Sportage vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Kia Sportage or Toyota Hiace better?
The Kia Sportage is better for private use: it has five seats, a 587-litre boot, automatic transmission, six airbags and stability control. Choose the Toyota Hiace only if its two-seat commercial layout, 260 Nm diesel torque and all-wheel drive suit the job.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sportage costs RM128,800 and the Toyota Hiace costs RM123,000, so the Sportage is RM5,800 more expensive. Its annual road tax is lower too, at RM440 versus RM835 for the Hiace.
Which is safer, the Kia Sportage or Toyota Hiace?
The Kia Sportage is safer on its listed equipment: six airbags, stability control, ISOFIX, rear parking sensors and a reverse camera. The Toyota Hiace has two airbags, no stability control, two rear parking sensors and no reverse camera.
