Help Me Choose - Kia Sportage or Mitsubishi Outlander

Acopic on 14/09/2022 - 08:02
Last edited 14/09/2022 - 09:58 by 1 other user

Hi all.

Trying to make a decision and can't easily separate these two. Main reason for comparing these is safety features, size and cost.

Mostly comparing the Outlander LS AWD and the Sportage SX+ AWD.

Outlander seems to win with safety features, though how each describe their features is so opaque that I might be misreading their equivalence. Also has 10 year warranty, $2k cheaper servicing over 7 years. Don't really care about the 7 seat bit.

Sportage is a bit sleeker, but missing some safety features like second row curtain airbags. I also like Kia more as a brand having driven my last Sportage for 7 years.

Can anyone think of any compelling reason to go one over the other?

Automotive Car Kia Mitsubishi SUV

Comments

  • coffeeinmyveins on 14/09/2022 - 08:06
    +3

    Main reason for comparing these is safety features, size and cost.

    Sportage is a bit sleeker, but missing some safety features like second row curtain airbags

    Doesn't this settle it then? I'm not sure on the statistics but surely the safety of your family is improved greatly by having curtain airbags in the rear and every other point is relatively moot in comparison.

    • Vieira4 on 14/09/2022 - 09:32

      But the Sportage brochure says all models have curtain SRS airbags.

      • Acopic on 14/09/2022 - 10:37

        In the front, not second row for kids.

    • Acopic on 14/09/2022 - 10:43

      Yeah that's my feeling but it's so bloody hard. For example Kia has secondary collision brakes (applies brakes after an accident) where outlander doesn't. But the second row curtains is missing.

      • cruiserbruiser on 16/09/2022 - 13:49
        +1

        The Sportage definitely has curtain airbags for the second row. I don't know a car that has curtain airbags but do not extend to the second row. In saying that, the effectiveness of the curtain airbags differ between cars

  • kerfuffle on 14/09/2022 - 08:07
    +5

    Whichever one you can get your hands on sooner

    • Acopic on 14/09/2022 - 10:43
      +2

      Yeah that's a good point.

  • geekcohen on 14/09/2022 - 08:15
    +4

    If you want an Outlander, expect a 7-8 month wait (from what I got told). We considered one for my wife but it was ages to wait, so we got a Hyundai Tucson N-Line Elite which was available there and then.

    My understanding is Kia and Hyundai are sister brands, so maybe consider a Tucson as well?

    • Peace Maker on 14/09/2022 - 08:23
      +1

      That's right. The Tucson and Sportage share similar parts as well including drive train options.

    • Acopic on 14/09/2022 - 10:36

      Hmm yeah we are being told 3 months. Kia 6 months. Though I wonder if both aren't optimistic.

      • geekcohen on 14/09/2022 - 11:40

        Plenty of Tucsons around at dealers depending on what model you are after. The dealer I dealt with was good and had just been assigned 2 on a ship. Only had to wait 2 weeks. We bought one and the 2nd one was only in the yard for 1 week before it was also sold.

        Better than 7, 8 or 9 months for an Outlander.

        • Drakesy on 14/09/2022 - 13:48
          +2

          Pity about the 5yr warranty on a tucson vs 7yr on a sportage, you'd think given they both share the same platform it would be the same.

          • geekcohen on 14/09/2022 - 15:08

            @Drakesy: That is true, depends how long you plan to have the car. I plan to roll my cars over every 5 years.

  • cashless on 14/09/2022 - 08:33
    +9

    Camry

  • SF3 on 14/09/2022 - 08:43
    +6

    Help Me Choose

    A poll.

  • Ryanek on 14/09/2022 - 08:45
    +2

    Kia trumps the Outlander in nearly every aspect but those second row air bags. I guess it's up to you if this outweighs all the other benefits.

    Kia is nicer on the inside, outside and has a better infotainment. The diesel Sportage is also more efficient and can save you around $1000 per year vs the Outlander.

    It'll probably keep its value better too.

    • Sinnerator on 14/09/2022 - 08:58
      +10

      Do not buy a diesel for city driving, the DPF needs regular (weekly maybe fortnightly) long uninterrupted highway drives to do a regeneration burn. Otherwise, you will be up for big dollars fixing or replacing the DPF. This applies to all modern diesels.

      • Drakesy on 14/09/2022 - 10:27
        +1

        +1
        Bought a diesel Audi, DPF clogged up, developed a misfire then all injectors cooked themselves.

        The pre-2013 kias and hyundais were great because they were the last without DPFS and EGR valves.
        After that the diesels grenade themselves with frequent city driving.

      • Richmond Tigers on 14/09/2022 - 11:10

        Yep this every time. We got our fuel injectors replaced under warranty on a pajero sport and while in their, our mechanic also cleaned out the manifold, it was a frightful mess, then the DPF. While we got all that done on the cheap to buy us quite a few more km's, its not worth the hassle.

      • Acopic on 15/09/2022 - 08:53

        This is good info thanks. My instinct said not to get Diesel but I honestly wouldn't know why. On the surface it seems like a good choice.

    • cruiserbruiser on 16/09/2022 - 13:51

      The Sportage definitely has curtain airbags for the second row. I don't know a car that has curtain airbags but do not extend to the second row. In saying that, the effectiveness of the curtain airbags differ between cars

  • ESEMCE on 14/09/2022 - 08:53

    They're different categories of vehicle.
    Outlander's equivalent in the Kia range would be the Sorento. Sportage is a size down.
    So there's another tick in the safety category for the Outlander. Bigger cars are safer as you're more likely to be the bigger mass in a vehicle on vehicle crash.

    Doesn't sound like you "need" an SUV, so consider saving money and buying an equivalent sized hatch or sedan. Sportage is just a jacked up Cerato after all. They'll drive far nicer than a SUV and either cost less, or you can move up to the bigger category or to a higher spec..

    I haven't driven the new Outlander, but the old one was really basic, even in the mid-high end spec.
    It drove like a truck, had a heap of hard plastic everywhere and didn't have things that I consider essential in an Australian Car like rear air vents.
    Maybe the new one is different, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that it's a new outer skin on the same, tired old design.

    • Ryanek on 14/09/2022 - 09:03
      +4

      Doesn't sound like you "need" an SUV

      Yeah, the Skoda Superb for example is a very nice car and has more boot space than the Sportage!

      • vicerum on 14/09/2022 - 11:06

        Except, y'know, the whole price thing.

        Kia Sportage starts around 40,000, Skoda Superb is 58,000 minimum. That's a huge difference in budget.

        • Ryanek on 14/09/2022 - 11:33
          +3

          Ahh I was just making the point that fastback sedans more often than not actually have bigger boots than SUV's.

          Oh and the Sportage SX+ AWD diesel is around 52K.

      • Presence on 14/09/2022 - 12:04
        -1

        SUV boot heights are a lot more comfortable for lifting things in and out of. Something to consider if you're moving a pram multiple times every day.

        • ESEMCE on 14/09/2022 - 12:47
          +3

          A Station Wagon is easier again. you don't have to lift as high to get it back in.

          • Presence on 14/09/2022 - 15:20

            @ESEMCE: Depends if you're really short or not 😉

            I do love wagons, but the only ones for sale are either fancy Euro or just big hatches (Levorg).

            • Ryanek on 14/09/2022 - 17:50
              +1

              @Presence: If only I could afford the Arteon shooting break

    • kerfuffle on 14/09/2022 - 09:20
      +2

      Doesn't sound like you "need" an SUV

      BuT tHe HeIgHt

    • Acopic on 14/09/2022 - 10:34
      +1

      They are actually remarkably similar in size, if not appearance of size. The Kia boot space is larger volume. There is more height in outlander, but the Sorento is easily the biggest of the 3.

    • ylukman on 15/09/2022 - 08:58
      -1

      I have a 2021 Cerato Hatchback. There are 4 feedbacks:

      1. I wish the ground clearance is higher. Even though it's higher than VW Golf but would be better if it's higher.

      2. Can't lift up the front wiper without lifting the car's hood.

      3. The engine is too big. 1800cc should be enough rather than 2000cc.

      4. No roof rack mounting. Yes you can use a clamp one but it will make the door's frame rubber a bit bend after some time.

      Kia Stonic is another option but it's not as wide as Cerato and doesn't have glass holder for the back seat.

      Other than those, no complain.

  • ChrisLevo on 14/09/2022 - 08:53
    +2

    https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/safest-medium-suv-austral… says that the Sportage and Tucson are the safest medium SUVs in Oz.

    HTH

    • Acopic on 14/09/2022 - 10:38

      Interesting, thanks. Ancap certainly rates outlander as being safer over Sportage though.

  • 87percent on 14/09/2022 - 09:18
    +1

    i quite like the look of the new Outlander, can't comment on how it drives though..

  • Drakesy on 14/09/2022 - 10:25
    +1

    Sportage any day unless you need 7 seats then Outlander (it does look alright as well)

  • vicerum on 14/09/2022 - 11:04

    Recommend a Kia Sportage, most of the S and SX types can be had within 1-2 months. The higher SX+ and GT-Line trims have a 6 month wait.

    Also the Diesel ones have a longer wait than the 2.0L petrol versions.

    Edit: This is for VIC

  • MichaelV on 14/09/2022 - 12:18
    -4

    In 10 years time, the Outlander will still be driving fine. The Kia will either be needing a new motor, or will have burned down.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=kia+motor+failure

    • Euphemistic on 14/09/2022 - 12:24
      +2

      Kia has come a long way in the last 10 years. Likely current versions are going to be better in 10years than 10yo ones are now.

    • Drakesy on 14/09/2022 - 13:46

      Debatable, Kia Sportages from 2003 onwards are still trucking along nicely. Mine from 2007 was in perfect mechanical condition when i sold it (my current sportage has 280,000k's on it and zero leaks or issues.) Outlanders on the otherhand with their CVT slushboxes…

      • tonyjzx on 14/09/2022 - 15:01

        whether this is true or not they use a Nissan Jatco cvt now and the old T32 xtrail has been reliable.

        ALso I would not risk a Korean petrol car over 10yrs but then again, you keep it for 10yrs anyway?

        I woiuld rather sell a Outlander still under the 10 yr warranty.

        Also the currenbt Outlander is a Nissan Xtrail underneath.

        • ESEMCE on 14/09/2022 - 15:39

          Outlander becoming a reskinned Nissan kinda shoots MichaelV's point in the foot.
          This Outlander is not the Mitsu of old.
          Future reliability should be measured against similar Renault/Nissan product, not old Mitsu product.

          And MIchaelV's linked article is a US one related to US manufactured engines/cars. It doesn't apply to the Korean ones that we get.

          Reliability wise, I think both will be perfectly fine over 10 years and more.

          • tonyjzx on 14/09/2022 - 20:35

            @ESEMCE: the Outlander is using a friggin' old Nissan QR25DE motor but given direct injection.

            There's no reason to think that this Nissan platform wouldnt be faultless mechanically over 10yrs.

            the Kia has three engine options… toss the 2.0 in the bin… the turbo 1.6 and turbo diesel 2.2 would almost definitely be 'better' than the n/a QR25 Nissan.

            But it has more parts than an n/a and if you dont care about boosted engines then there's no reason to compromise with an n/a 2.0 - I'm unsure whether one can say this n/a 2.0 inherits the bad old Hyundai Kia engine issues. I would say no.

            I think the Outlander has 7 seat options, the Kia does not.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 14/09/2022 - 12:28
    +1

    Nothing against either of them - i'd probably say Mitsubishi is slightly 'ahead' of Kia as a brand at very least on-par

    i would probably go the Outlander as it has the safety features you are after

  • Euphemistic on 14/09/2022 - 14:03

    IMO there is little between them. Pick a reason and buy one for that. Do you want the extra airbags more than your penchant for Kia?

    Which one has he nicest colours? Which one is available when YOU want it.

    I prefer the look of the outlander, but I don’t really like either.

  • George Washington on 14/09/2022 - 15:38

    Don't get the Mitsubishi build quality is rubbish brother in law has one 2019 Triton. Alot of creaks and rattles.
    My workplace kia so comfy to drive

    • George Washington on 14/09/2022 - 15:39

      Kia has been innovative with their cars now. Mits not soo much

  • abear on 14/09/2022 - 15:53
    +1

    Just had a new Outlander base model as a hire car for 2 weeks in WA.
    Averaging 5.5 litres /100ks with 4 people and luggage. Plenty of power for overtaking.
    The CVT is so good that there is no whining and is stepped to simulate a conventional 8 speed Auto.
    A 10 year warranty makes it a great value option

  • Acopic on 14/09/2022 - 17:39

    On a scale of 0 to Tiananmen square, how mad would it be if I considered the haval h6?

    • tonyjzx on 14/09/2022 - 20:37
      +1

      There's lots of concerns over stuff like poor seating, strange implementation of cruise control and the dealers not knowing shit and poor parts supply that's not consumables.

      So while i like the idea of a turbo 2.0 i think its underbaked right now.

  • vince088 on 14/09/2022 - 21:25
    +1

    I wonder how correct is that link from "how safe is your car" about the side curtain airbags?

    Kia Brochure: https://www.kia.com/content/dam/kwcms/au/en/images/pdf/sport…
    Curtain SRS airbags - Yes

    ANCAP test datasheet: https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.ancap.com.au/app/public/assets/…
    Airbags - side, head protection (2nd row seats) - Yes

    2 yes to 1 no

    • kerfuffle on 15/09/2022 - 08:34

      Clearly has not seen a Kia Stinger.

    • Acopic on 15/09/2022 - 08:45
      +4

      Weird I know, but most people don't give a toss what people think of their cars.

    • Euphemistic on 15/09/2022 - 08:54
      +3

      Most of us would rather have a Korean car out of warranty than European car out of warranty.

  • milliondollarbike on 15/09/2022 - 07:23
    +1

    Why do you need an SUV?

    • Acopic on 15/09/2022 - 08:49

      There's always a different car that will be better suited to most tasks, but I think SUV is a good compromise. For me it's lugging kids around the city mostly, but occasional camp grounds and occasional towing.

  • CrazyBargainCatcher on 15/09/2022 - 07:28

    Atto 3 LR anyone?

    • Cliche Guevara on 15/09/2022 - 07:46

      No ANCAP yet, so their top priority for safety is missing. Plus waiting until at least Feb23 now.

  • whyareyouthisway on 15/09/2022 - 09:33
    +6

    I regularly drive both of these models at work. The Sportage is smoother and nicer to drive in my opinion and certainly a much nicer interior and exterior design and finish, personally not a fan of the rectangular screen on the dash, feels like it should curve with the gap in the steering wheel like all other cars but other than that I love it. Over time I’ve lost a bit of faith in Hyundai and knowing that Kia’s are related it puts me off a little. I have also seen the window seals turn to literal putty after a few years on the Ceratos, so not a lot of faith in their material choices. Mitsubishi on the other hand… I see why they offer the 10 year warranty… you will be using it. The head units in all the models seem to love to stop responding and be prepared to wait months just for the part to arrive. If it’s a car and you want a higher chance of what you paid for working as intended over time, I’d definitely recommend picking a Toyota. If you aren’t keeping the car very long, Kia, Mitsubishi and Hyundai are fine, but even if it’s just a short time, you’ll still be likely to have a better experience and less problems with a Toyota. Just my personal experience.
    If it absolutely has to be between the Sportage and the Outlander, I’m going with the Kia.

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