2024 Kia Sportage hybrid v diesel Comparison | Which version of Australia’s best medium SUV is best?

Fast Forward
00:00 Intro
01:21 Pricing and specs
03:20 Interior review
05:08 Infotainment & safety
05:59 Passenger space
06:33 Luggage space
07:26 Diesel road test
09:25 Hybrid road test
12:27 Verdict

The Kia Sportage has deservedly been named carsales’ Best Mid-Size SUV for 2024 and one of the key reasons for that honour is its excellent turbo-diesel engine option.

Diesel might not be fashionable, but when done well it’s a powerful and economical argument that’s hard to resist.

However, times are changing and Kia has recognised that with the introduction of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid-rivalling petrol-electric Sportage Hybrid, which is more powerful than the diesel and claimed to be more frugal as well.

So it makes sense to compare these two very different takes on one of Australia’s most popular SUVs, to see which comes out on top.

To equalise things as much as possible we’ve grabbed the premium variants of this five-seat family favourite – the Kia Sportage GT-Line Diesel AWD and the GT-Line Hybrid FWD.

There are still differences of course – in price, specifications and, importantly as it turns out, the way they drive.

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[renniemilici]

We have had our gt line diesel for 2 years now and have nothing but praise for it. Very comfortable on long trips. Handling, economy and power are all top rate. We are always amazed how much camping gear we can fit in this thing.

[behindthebuild]

Wonder why anyone hasn’t done a diesel hybrid best of both worlds

[AndrewChristophersen]

Thanks for an interesting review- I drove the hybrid Sportage and agree entirely with your comments about the limitations of front wheel drive with this power plant - it was easy to overcome the available grip -especially in the wet .

[acde]

This Korean auto group doesn't have an internally efficient petrol engine, so its hybrid system relies on the battery-electric part to save fuel. In other words, the HEV Hyundai or Kia will use as much fuel as the regular petrol model if the battery is drought or malfunctioned. It is evident to analyse by looking at the fuel consumption comparison when both vehicles were set in Sport mode, where the combustion engine was forced to engage.

[gordonclark]

My preference would be for the diesel model although I find $60K on road is just too expensive. I am currently searching for a medium sized SUV with a torque convertor gear box so this review is timely.

[kentaylor]

This is Australia. If you live in the inner city and never leave the suburbs then sure you will be fine but not putting a full size spare on a vehicle just seems stupid if you drive proper Australian conditions.

Good luck driving around on that 80kmh space saver. Surely its a death waiting to happen.

[seandb]

Bought the top spec Tucson Highlander diesel awd brand new a few months ago. I’d waited til I’d heard the specs of both the hybrid facelift Tucson and Sportage before making the decision. Although the hybrid makes an extra 35kw, it’s down 66nm on torque which I think is more usable in a medium suv.
Also the hybrids a 6spd whereas the diesel had the better 8spd torque converter auto?
Yeah the hybrids fuel economy is a bit better but where I am in Sydney diesel can be 20-30¢ cheaper per litre.
I think if you can get a diesel Tucson runout deal or Sportage Diesel that’d be the best buy, I got a demonstrator with 40km on it for $53k drive away with a runout deal and free on road costs.
Also disappointing you can’t get the hybrid sportage in awd like you can the hybrid Tucson.

[JeremyGeduldt]

The 5th generation Kia Sportage arrived in South Africa October 2022 now August 2024 Renault Captur Hybrid & Renault Arkana should arrive .

[zapher]

Why do all the reviews say they would rather the full size spare over a space saver? I’ve driven 30, 000ks a year for the past 27 years and had 2 flat tyres. One in a car with a full sized spare (but not matching mag to the rest of the car) and just the other day with a space saver. With the full sized spare I still replaced it straight away as it didn’t match the other wheels and the space saver got me and the family home safely (about 5 mins later home as we only did 80ish) then replaced it when we could.
But I use the boot every day and having extra space is always so handy. I use the space more often than the spare.
A mate once drove his car about 10, 000ks on the space saver so the reason of “what if you’re isolated and get a flat” doesn’t cut it. Just drive somewhere to get a new tyre when you can. My car the other day drove almost identically with the litre bike tyre at normal speeds.

[karkybibek]

I have kia, it may be cheap to buy compared to german, but running cost is way too high, service cost is either $400 or $600. Brake pad costs $620 x2. Trust me dont go for this. I got it expecting its cheap to run during this expensive days but I regret. Dont believe in these fake report.

[bertskidmore]

Not to encourage, it's to eventually force EV on us all