Verdict
Just RM1,100 separates them, so this is not a price-led choice. The MG HS brings 160 hp and 250 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo, against the Kia Sportage’s 154 hp and 192 Nm 2.0-litre, while its RM120 annual road tax is RM320 lower. But the Sportage is 86 mm longer, rides on a 35 mm longer wheelbase and carries 587 litres behind the rear seats, a useful 124 litres more than the HS. Pick driving shove and kit in the MG; pick rear-load practicality in the Kia.
Pick the Kia Sportage if a 587-litre boot, 2,755 mm wheelbase and wireless phone charging matter more than turbo torque.
Pick the MG HS if you want 250 Nm, a panoramic glass roof, powered driver’s seat and lower RM120 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Sportage RM128,800; MG HS RM129,900.
- Output: Kia Sportage 154 hp and 192 Nm; MG HS 160 hp and 250 Nm.
- Road tax: Kia Sportage RM440 per year; MG HS RM120 per year.
- Boot space: Kia Sportage 587 litres; MG HS 463 litres.
- Wheelbase: Kia Sportage 2,755 mm; MG HS 2,720 mm.
- Warranty: Kia Sportage 5 years/100,000 km; MG HS 5 years/unlimited mileage, plus 7 years/unlimited mileage powertrain coverage.
Sportage
- 587-litre boot is 124 litres larger
- 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless charger
- CKD Malaysian assembly
- 192 Nm trails the MG HS’s 250 Nm
- RM440 annual road tax versus RM120
- No panoramic glass roof or powered driver’s seat
HS
- 160 hp and 250 Nm turbo engine
- Panoramic glass roof and powered driver’s seat
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty with seven-year powertrain cover
- 463-litre boot is 124 litres smaller
- 2,720 mm wheelbase is 35 mm shorter
- CBU Thailand assembly
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM128,800✓ | RM129,900 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,490 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp at 6,200 rpm | 160 hp at 5,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 192 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 250 Nm at 4,400 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 81 mm × 97 mm | 74 mm × 86.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 11.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Automatic | 7-speed, Twin-clutch Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,574 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,876 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,664 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | 2,720 mm |
| Weight | 1,578 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 587 litres✓ | 463 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Maxxis Bravo HPM5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| 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) | 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Available for all seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 7 Years/Unlimited Mileage Warranty on Powertrain |
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 & HS for sale
Sportage vs HS FAQ
Is the Kia Sportage or MG HS better?
The Kia Sportage is better for carrying luggage, with 587 litres of boot space versus 463 litres. The MG HS is the stronger and better-equipped choice, producing 160 hp and 250 Nm while adding a panoramic glass roof and powered driver’s seat.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sportage costs RM128,800 and the MG HS costs RM129,900, so the MG is RM1,100 more expensive.
Which has the better warranty?
The MG HS has the broader mileage cover: five years with unlimited mileage, plus a seven-year unlimited-mileage powertrain warranty. The Kia Sportage warranty runs for five years or 100,000 km.
