Hyundai has finally launched the new Tucson N Line in South Africa, thereby completing the range with the addition of its flagship model.
The Tucson family now comprises five models and has two powertrains at its disposal, one using petrol while the other consumes diesel.
In a similar vein, Kia recently updated its well-regarded Sportage line-up with a new diesel drivetrain, meaning it also has access to two different power sources now.
If you’re in the market for a South Korean SUV with good performance, looks, and features, it’s helpful to understand the differences between these competing models to see which model and engine combo is right for you.
Performance
Both automakers use engines of the same size for their petrol and diesel variants, with Hyundai utilizing a 2.0-litre setup while Kia favours a smaller 1.6-litre configuration.
One important distinction to make is that the petrol Tucson is naturally aspirated, while the diesel units are turbocharged, and all versions of the Sportage are equipped with a turbo.
Another key difference between the various cars is that the Tucson N Line is the only model to be offered with all-wheel drive, as all the other units from both manufacturers are front-wheel drive.
Hyundai has also equipped its petrol SUVs with a six-speed automatic gearbox, while the diesel features an eight-speed transmission. In contrast, every iteration of the Kia comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
This is how the automakers’ petrol powerplants compare:
| Performance | Hyundai Tucson 2.0 | Kia Sportage 1.6T-GDi |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 115kW | 132kW |
| Torque | 192Nm | 265Nm |
| Fuel consumption | 8.9l/100km | 6.5l/100km |
| Acceleration | 11.4 seconds | 8.8 seconds |
| Top speed | 181km/h | 201km/h |
It’s a clear win for the Sportage in all aspects here, as it manages to have more power and greater performance while also boasting a lower fuel consumption, illustrating the benefits of a smaller turbocharged engine over a larger naturally-aspirated one.
This is how the two diesel engines perform:
| Performance | Hyundai Tucson 2.0D | Kia Sportage 1.6CRDi |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 137kW | 100kW |
| Torque | 416Nm | 320Nm |
| Fuel consumption | 7.4l/100km | 4.9l/100km |
| Acceleration | 9.4 seconds | 11.4 seconds |
| Top speed | 201km/h | 180km/h |
Here, we see a win for the Hyundai in most aspects, with by far the largest power output of the four drivetrains on offer. It’s also noticeably faster than the Kia diesel but still comes second to the Sportage petrol.
On the other hand, the Tucson diesel still can’t match its rival’s fuel usage, which is arguably one of the biggest selling points of a diesel vehicle.
Pricing
The South African pricing for the Hyundai Tucson is as follows:
- Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Premium – R572,900
- Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Executive – R626,900
- Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Elite – R697,900
- Hyundai Tucson R2.0D Elite – R764,900
- Hyundai Tucson R2.0 N Line – R799,900
Each purchase comes with a 5-year/150,000km warranty with an additional 2-year/50,000km powertrain warranty, a 7-year/150,000km roadside assistance plan, and a 6-year/90,000km service plan.
The local pricing for the Kia Sportage is as follows:
- Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi LX – R573,995
- Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi LX – R597,995
- Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi EX – R627,995
- Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi EX – R651,995
- Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi GT-Line – R683,995
- Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi GT-Line Plus – R711,995
- Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi GT-Line Plus – R735,995
- Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi GT-Line S – R768,995
Each model is sold with a 5-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, a 6-year/90,000km service plan, and 5-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance.
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage
Keyword: Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage – Diesel vs petrol performance shootout