The new Kia Sportage GT-Line goes on sale in South Africa on 15 October, slotting in at the top of the range when it arrives – with a price of R649,995.
This price puts the Sportage GT-Line in the crosshairs of the popular VW Tiguan R-Line.
With a price difference of only R4,000, buyers with their eyes on these vehicles will have a tough choice to make.
Features
The Sportage GT-Line and Tiguan R-Line offer comprehensive equipment lists.
However, despite the GT-Line’s “newer” status, it’s still based on the same Sportage that’s been on sale for years – whereas the Tiguan recently underwent an inter-generational update to sharpen its looks and provide more features.
As such, this VW now comes with aggressive bumpers, automatic LED headlights with daytime running lights, dynamic cornering lights, 19-inch “Valencia” alloy wheels, and roof rails that can carry up to 75kg.
On the Kia’s side you will find body-coloured bumpers, automatic LED headlights with daytime running lights, GT Line-exclusive 19-inch alloys, chrome dual-exhaust outlets, and silver skid plates – as well as roof rails that carry up to 75kg.
Inside, the SUVs provide their passengers with a host of high-end features – while the finer details are what truly set them apart.
Standard equipment in both the Sportage GT-Line and Tiguan R-Line includes a leather steering wheel with shift paddles, electrically-adjustable front seats, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, and an electric tailgate.
Both offer an 8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, too, alongside a 4.2-inch multi-information driver’s display for the Kia and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster for the VW.
The Tiguan starts to pull ahead in the features category with its impressive driver’s display and extends this lead with three-zone climate control, R-Line-branded Vienna leather seats, a sliding rear bench, and a 30-colour ambient lighting system.
While the Sportage only offers dual-zone climate control and two-tone artificial leather seats, it does boast abilities that are not standard in the VW.
This includes keyless entry and start, a wireless charger, a rear-view camera, and a panoramic sunroof.
Seat heating for both rows of passengers is standard in the Kia, too, whereas only front seat heaters are included with the Tiguan.
In the safety department, you’ll be happy to learn that both the Sportage and Tiguan achieve a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and both incorporate an array of safety systems.
On the Sportage, ABS with downhill brake control, hill-start assist, all-round parking sensors, and six airbags are included as standard.
At the other end, the VW gets ABS with auto-hold, hill-hold assist, trailer stabilisation, driver rest assist, and all-round parking sensors.
Performance
The Kia Sportage GT-Line is fitted with the most powerful 1.6-litre engine in the line-up, pushing out 130kW and 265Nm from the turbo-petrol unit.
Drive in this model is handled by a seven-speed automatic transmission and an intelligent all-wheel-drive set-up.
This results in a 0-100km/h run of 9.1 seconds, a top speed of 210km/h, and a combined fuel consumption of 7.5l/100km.
Driving this VW Tiguan is a 1.4-litre, turbo-petrol motor that produces 110kW and 250Nm.
A six-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels only, allowing the Tiguan to reach 100km/h in 9.2 seconds.
Top speed for the VW then comes in at 200km/h, with combined fuel consumption pegged at 7.7l/100km.
City ride
While these models are technically classified as sports utility vehicles, their utilitarian side has made way for more sporty attributes in recent years.
This is clear to see from the relatively low ground clearances of 183mm for the Kia and 189mm for the Tiguan, limited approach and departure angles, and optional tow-hooks.
With the hooks fitted, though, both SUVs achieve a generous maximum towing capacity – 1,600kg for the Sportage and 1,800kg for the Tiguan.
Maximum luggage capacity for the Tiguan then comes in at 520 litres in five-seater mode and 1,655 litres with the rear seats flat.
The Sportage supports 466 litres of cargo in five-seater mode and up to 1,455 litres with only the front seats up.
Price
The Kia Sportage 1.6T GT-Line AWD has a South African price of R649,995.
Along with this you get a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, a 5-year/90,000km service plan, and 5-year/unlimited kilometre roadside assistance
The VW Tiguan 1.4TSI 110kW R-Line has a South African price of R654,200.
Each purchase includes a 3-year/120,000km warranty and a 5-year/90,000km service plan.
Kia Sportage GT-Line
VW Tiguan R-Line
Keyword: Kia Sportage GT-Line vs VW Tiguan R-Line – Sporty SUV comparison