Kia Sportage SLi Evaluation: Detailed Examination of the Fifth Mid-Size SUV
The Kia Sportage, a popular choice among SUV buyers, has been making waves in the automotive industry. With its latest offering, the 2026 Kia Sportage, the vehicle continues to impress, offering a tech-heavy, driver-focused interior that sets it apart from its competitors, including the Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5.
The Kia Sportage boasts a high-quality cabin, with soft-touch plastics, piano black trim, and in higher trims, stitched or genuine leather with contrast piping. This premium feel is further enhanced by ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and driver memory settings available on top trims. Rear-seat comfort is also prioritised, with excellent legroom, a flat floor for middle passenger comfort, air vents, USB-C ports, and optional heated rear seats.
In comparison, the Mazda CX-5 offers a modern and uncluttered interior design with a large 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ambient lighting with 7 colour options, and an available panoramic sunroof. While the CX-5 provides more rear leg- and headroom compared to its predecessor and improved cargo space, it generally leans towards a minimalist approach, with less mention of leather quality or extensive tech and comfort features in lower trims compared to the Sportage.
When compared to the Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Sportage’s interior appears more upscale and better equipped, particularly at higher trim levels, due to its premium materials and advanced technology features.
Here's a summary of the key features of each vehicle:
| Feature | Kia Sportage | Mazda CX-5 | Hyundai Tucson | |-----------------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Interior Quality | Soft-touch plastics, leather options, piano black trim, upscale textures | Clean design, ambient lighting, large touchscreen | Good, but less premium in base trims | | Infotainment | Dual 12.3-inch curved displays, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | 15.6-inch touchscreen, Google built-in | Good, but smaller screens generally | | Comfort Features | Ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, driver memory settings | Panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting | Available, but fewer premium options | | Rear Space & Amenities | Excellent legroom, flat floor, USB-C ports, heating available | Increased leg/head room, improved cargo | Competitive but slightly behind Sportage | | Overall Equipment & Feel | More tech, premium materials, family friendly | Modern and minimalist, less tech-heavy | Balanced but less premium than Sportage |
The Kia Sportage SLi, currently on sale for $34,690, is equipped with two 12-volt outlets, a sat-nav map, dual-zone climate control, and an electric driver's seat. The vehicle's dynamics also impress, with taut handling and crisper steering feedback than the Tucson's. The 2018 Kia Sportage SLi's engine is a 1999cc 4cyl, sohc, 16v with a max power of 114kW @ 6200rpm and max torque of 192Nm @ 4000rpm. The vehicle accelerates from 0-100km in 10.4 seconds and has a fuel economy of 11.2L/100km.
In summary, the Kia Sportage offers a generally higher-grade interior and more extensive equipment compared to the Mazda CX-5 and the Hyundai Tucson, especially at higher trim levels. Its tech-heavy, driver-focused interior, combined with its dynamic performance, makes it a strong contender in the SUV market.
- The Kia Sportage's fuel economy is impressive, offering a figure of 11.2L/100km, making it an attractive choice for those considering factors of both transportation and finance.
- In the competitive automotive industry, the Kia Sportage's interior quality is distinguished by its soft-touch plastics, leather options, piano black trim, and a high emphasis on passenger comfort, setting itself apart from rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson.
- The 2026 Kia Sportage's contemporary lifestyle appeal stems not only from its tech-heavy, driver-focused interior but also from its finance-friendly fuel economy, positioning it as a strong competitor in the transportation sector.
