Kia Sportage vs. Toyota RAV4: which is better?
A comparison between the Toyota RAV4 vs. Kia Sportage as these family SUVs go head-to-head
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The Kia Sportage vs. Toyota RAV4 is a debate that many families face when it comes to upgrading their cars.
Being two of the best SUVs on the market, choosing between them can be hard, especially since they tick a lot of the same boxes.
Find out about both the Sportage and the RAV4 to help you decide which one is right for you below.
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Kia Sportage vs. Toyota RAV4
Our guide will answer:
Which has better styling?
Which SUV is better to drive?
Which has better technology?
Which is more reliable?
What are the dimensions of each?
Kia Sportage vs. Toyota RAV4: styling
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From the exterior, these rivals look drastically different.
Take the Kia Sportage, for example, which has a very angular and sharp design complemented by its signature curved LED strip.
It also has a high window line that separates the body from the roof to give it a sportier look than you’d expect from an SUV.
Then you look at the RAV4, which has had somewhat of a glow-up in the last few years. It now has a more pronounced ‘face’ with a larger grille – partly for style and partly for aesthetics.
And the Toyota is definitely the more rugged looking of the two.
Kia Sportage vs. Toyota RAV4: what are they like to drive?
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Get behind the wheel of both cars and there’s very little to complain about. They both have pleasant, soft rides, plush seats, and a high-up driving position. Everything you’d want in a family SUV.
The Kia Sportage has a wide range of engines to choose from, including a mild hybrid petrol, a self-charging hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid – giving you plenty of choice. Search for a used one and you may even find a frugal diesel too.
All of these options are really efficient – between 40mpg and 80mpg – so you can save a few quid at the petrol station with a Sportage.
Like its rival, the Toyota RAV4 is also a hybrid, available in self-charging and plug-in hybrid flavours. Both engines are mated to a reliable CVT gearbox, which helps it achieve up to 50mpg – a very impressive figure for such a big car.
Kia Sportage vs. Toyota RAV4: interior and technology
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While they may drive pretty similarly, these two cars are drastically different inside.
The Sportage gets a large 12.3-inch infotainment screen that runs from the centre of the dash to the 12.3-inch digital driver’s display in the top-spec ‘3’ trim. This creates a cosy-feeling cabin that’s full of tech.
You also get ergonomic switches and knobs to control the driving functions and plush seats front and back to keep the kids comfy.
Things are less high-tech in the Toyota. Instead of a swish extended display, it gets a (slightly uglier) bolt-on eight-inch screen, which may look like an afterthought, but works rather well and fits the rugged persona of the RAV4.
Both cars run Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is always ideal, but the built-in systems are really easy to use as they are.
Kia Sportage vs. Toyota RAV4: safety and reliability
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Being family cars, nothing matters more than how safe they are. This is why both Kia and Toyota have paid particular attention to adding as many safety features as necessary.
Both cars can have adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, rear-view camera, parking sensors, and keyless entry, among other things.
This makes them really easy to live with and puts you and your family at ease out on the road.
Following their most recent Euro NCAP safety tests, both cars scored a full five stars, which proves just how solidly built they are.
Kia Sportage vs. Toyota RAV4: boot space and practicality
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SUVs are big on practicality and these two are no different.
The Sportage has a 591-litre boot which grows to 1,780 litres when the rear seats are folded flat. Whereas the RAV4 has a 580-litre boot, expanding to 1,690 litres.
The Kia is the winner here, but both offer giant boots, and this extends to the space for both front and rear passengers.
With sizeable door pockets, gloveboxes, and other clever storage solutions, as well as the all-important ISOFIX points, these really are made for family life.
Kia Sportage vs. Toyota RAV4: size and dimensions
2022 Kia Sportage
Length: 4,515mm
Width: 1,865mm
Height: 1,645mm
Boot space: 591 litres (1,780 litres with the rear seats folded)
2020 Toyota RAV4
Length: 4600mm
Width: 1855mm
Height: 1685mm
Boot space: 580 litres (1,690 litres with the rear seats folded)
Verdict: Kia Sportage vs. Toyota RAV4: which should you buy?
Choosing your next family car can be really confusing. There are so many options to consider, and most of the time, they’re about as capable as each other.
But let us help you out with these two SUVs to guide you in the right direction.
You should buy a used Kia Sportage if...
Boot space is important to you
You want a tech-savvy interior
Kia’s extended warranty appeals to you
You should buy a used Toyota RAV4 if...
You trust the Toyota brand
Ultimate dependability is on your mind
You don't need the fanciest interior
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