Verdict
At RM143,888, the CBU Hyundai Tucson costs RM14,249 more than the RM129,639 Malaysian-assembled Kia Sportage, despite matching its 1,999 cc petrol engine, 154 hp, 192 Nm, six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. For that money, Hyundai gives an eight-year/160,000-km warranty against Kia’s five-year/100,000-km cover, dual-zone climate control, auto wipers, navigation and six front and rear parking sensors. The Sportage counters with 587 litres of boot space, five litres more, and remote boot release. The Tucson is 90 kg lighter, but neither has lane-keeping assist.
Pick the Hyundai Tucson if you value the longer eight-year/160,000-km warranty, dual-zone air-con, navigation and more complete parking assistance.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you want to save RM14,249, prefer CKD assembly and need its marginally larger 587-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Tucson RM143,888; Kia Sportage RM129,639.
- Assembly: Hyundai Tucson Korea CBU; Kia Sportage Malaysia CKD.
- Length, height and weight: Hyundai Tucson 4,630 mm, 1,665 mm and 1,488 kg; Kia Sportage 4,660 mm, 1,660 mm and 1,578 kg.
- Boot space: Hyundai Tucson 582 litres; Kia Sportage 587 litres.
- Climate control: Hyundai Tucson dual-zone automatic; Kia Sportage single-zone automatic.
- Warranty and parking sensors: Hyundai Tucson eight years/160,000 km with six front and six rear sensors; Kia Sportage five years/100,000 km with no front…
Tucson
- Eight-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation and auto wipers.
- Six front and six rear parking sensors.
- RM14,249 more expensive.
- 582-litre boot is 5 litres smaller and lacks remote boot activation.
Sportage
- RM14,249 lower purchase price and Malaysian CKD assembly.
- 587-litre boot with remote-control activation.
- Tiptronic function on its six-speed automatic.
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty is shorter.
- Single-zone climate control; no navigation or auto wipers.
- No front parking sensors and only four rear sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM143,888 | RM129,639✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440 | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp | 154 hp |
| Torque | 192 Nm | 192 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Automatic | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 181 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 | 1,488 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 54 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 582 litres | 587 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable | 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 | 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | 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.
Used Tucson & Sportage for sale
Tucson vs Sportage FAQ
Is the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage better?
The Tucson is better equipped for long-term ownership, with an eight-year/160,000-km warranty, dual-zone air-con, navigation and more parking sensors. The Sportage is the better value choice if those extras are not essential.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Tucson costs RM14,249 more than the Kia Sportage. The gap buys longer warranty cover, dual-zone climate control, navigation, auto wipers and front parking sensors.
Which has the better warranty?
The Hyundai Tucson does. Its manufacturer warranty runs for eight years or 160,000 km, compared with five years or 100,000 km for the Kia Sportage.
