This time we selected two of the most popular Korean’s on the SUV market: Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson. These two cars are built on the same platform but are they also similar in other technical details? Let’s find out.

Video comparison: Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson

Basic info

Kia Sportage

Manufacturer: Kia
Production: 1993 – 2004 (first generation), 2004 – 2010 (second generation), 2010 – 2015 (third generation), 2015 – present (fourth generation)
Class: Compact SUV / crossover
Assembly: Gwangju (South Korea), Žilina (Slovakia), Gurun (Malaysia), Batna (Algeria)

Hyundai Tucson

Manufacturer: Hyundai
Production: 2004 – 2009 (first generation), 2009 – 2015 (second generation). 2015 – present (third generation)
Class: Compact SUV / crossover
Assembly: Ulsan (South Korea), Nošovice (Czech Republic), Tiaret (Algeria), Anápolis (Brazil), Chennai (India)

Exterior dimensions: Sportage vs Tucson

Since Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are both built on the same platform, we can not expect any major differences in terms of exterior dimensions. The wheelbase is the same and the differences in length, width, and height are measured in millimeters. Maybe the only little advantage of Sportage over Tucson is almost one centimeter higher ground clearance. Not much but who knows when this could come in handy.

Interior dimensions: Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson

Again, the same exterior results in almost identical interior dimensions. With a high degree of certainty, we can say that none of these two cars offers any dimensional advantage over the other.

Luggage compartment: Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson

Do not choose Hyundai Tucson only because it has a bigger luggage compartment than Kia Sportage. Well, to be completely honest, Tucson has more cargo volume than Sportage. But then again, who will notice such a small difference in practice? With rear seats folded, both cars offer a big hole in the back and those 10 or 11 liters mean no difference whatsoever.

Engines: Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson

In most markets, Sportage and Tucson offer the same engines. The diesel options are the same. The most important difference is a 2-liter turbocharged petrol engine in Kia Sportage, available in the North American and some other markets. This engine offers a max. power of around 240 HP, which is about 55 HP more than Hyundai Tucson’s most powerful engine.

Performance: Sportage vs Tucson

The performance is on the side of the Kia Sportage. The result in the fastest and quickest version of each model is expected because of the more powerful top of the range Kia Sportage version. Kia beats Hyundai in top speed (217 km/h vs 205 km/h) and 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration (7.5 sec vs 9.2 sec).

More surprising is the acceleration figure for the weakest version. In both cases, the slowest version is equipped with a 1.7-liter CRDi diesel engine. Kia Sportage accelerates more than 2 seconds quicker from standstill to 100 kilometers per hour. We can not figure out why. The weight could be the reason, but they weight almost the same. Gear ratios, different transmission? Who knows.

Price: Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson is a bit cheaper in the United States and quite a lot cheaper in France. Kia Sportage is more affordable in UK and Germany. Except in France and maybe Germany, the price difference between Tucson and Sportage is small and not a decisive factor.

Final comparison

Looking strictly on the dimensions (exterior, interior, and luggage volume), these two Korean SUV’s are almost identical. But their design shows us two different characters. Kia Sportage is much more playful and prominent, while the Hyundai Tucson looks more polite and serious. Most of the engines are the same and the price is almost the same. So if you can match your character with the design character of one of these two, you have your winner.

True, the engine range of Kia Sportage reaches higher. But then not only the maximum power goes up, but also the price. And at those numbers there are many, many other competitors to consider.

Image credit: Kia, Hyundai, World Auto Evolution Youtube Channel