Verdict
At RM119,740, the iCaur 03 costs RM9,060 less than the RM128,800 Kia Sportage and cuts annual road tax from RM440 to RM140. Its 181 hp, 220 Nm rear-wheel-drive motor, 65.69 kWh battery and 426 km range make it the more richly equipped electric choice, adding adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and 10-year/200,000 km battery cover. The Sportage answers with a much larger 587-litre boot against 450 litres and a 2.0-litre petrol drivetrain. Charging access and luggage needs should decide this one.
Pick the iCaur 03 if home or workplace charging suits you and you want lower road tax, EV range and more driver-assistance kit.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you need its 587-litre boot, a space-saver spare tyre and the familiarity of petrol refuelling.
Key differences
- Annual road tax: iCaur 03 RM140; Kia Sportage RM440.
- Output: iCaur 03 motor makes 181 hp and 220 Nm; Sportage's 2.0L engine makes 154 hp and 192 Nm.
- Boot space: iCaur 03 450 litres; Kia Sportage 587 litres.
- Length: iCaur 03 4,406 mm; Kia Sportage 4,660 mm.
- Wheelbase: iCaur 03 2,715 mm; Kia Sportage 2,755 mm.
- Manufacturer warranty: iCaur 03 seven years/150,000 km; Kia Sportage five years/100,000 km.
03
- 426 km EV range from a 65.69 kWh battery
- Adaptive cruise, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance
- Powered ventilated front seats, panoramic sliding roof and 360-degree monitor
- 450-litre boot is 137 litres smaller than the Sportage's
- No spare tyre is listed; the Sportage gets a space saver
- At 1,775 kg, it is 197 kg heavier than the Sportage
Sportage
- 587-litre boot and a space-saver spare tyre
- 2.0-litre petrol engine with a six-speed automatic
- 197 kg lighter kerb weight than the iCaur 03
- Annual road tax is RM300 higher than the iCaur 03's
- No blind-spot information system, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- Manual front seats and no front parking sensors, versus powered ventilated seats and four front sensors in the iCaur 03
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM119,740✓ | RM128,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM140✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 154 hp at 6,200 rpm |
| Torque | — | 192 Nm at 4,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 81 mm × 97 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 181 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 220 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 65.69 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 426 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 80 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.2 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.5 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 150 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,406 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,910 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,715 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,715 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,775 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 450 litres | 587 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | GitiControl P10 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) | 6 (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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Available for all seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Ventilation | 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 |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Power battery 10-yr/200,000 km; drive unit and HV components 10-yr/200,000 km; one-to-one battery replacement below 60% health | — |
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 03 & Sportage for sale
03 vs Sportage FAQ
Is the iCaur 03 or Kia Sportage better?
The iCaur 03 is the better-equipped choice if charging is practical, with 426 km range, lower road tax and active safety assistance. Choose the Kia Sportage for its 587-litre boot, space-saver spare tyre and petrol power.
What is the price difference?
The iCaur 03 is RM9,060 cheaper than the Kia Sportage.
Which has more luggage space?
The Kia Sportage has more luggage space: 587 litres versus the iCaur 03's 450 litres, a 137-litre advantage.
