The Nissan X-trail Vs. The Kia Sportage

By Author: Andrew Rogers
Total Articles: 8
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The Nissan X-Trail price offers a fantastic value proposition for shrewd SUV bargain hunters. Here in Australia, the love affair with the SUV has cooled a little, but this is still a hotly contested segment that no car manufacturer can ignore. Enter the Kia Sportage; this 2019 model has garnered praise from some car industry insiders since its release. But, how does the Sportage stack up against the Nissan X-Trail? Let’s find out.

Why this Comparison?

Many SUV drivers may be wondering why this comparison in particular? After all, there are plenty of SUVs on the market right now that could be compared against one another. Well, this matchup is interesting because both the Nissan X-Trail and the Kia Sportage have models in the medium SUV segment that are very closely matched in features and pricing. Broadly speaking, the Sportage focuses on sporty appeal and an attractive design, whereas the X-Trail is a family focused SUV that’s all about practicality on a day to day basis.

Specifications

Both cars are well equipped for the money, and the flagship model prices are virtually identical. On the safety ...
... front, both have six airbags, a forward collision warning system, rear traffic alert, and autonomous emergency braking. For these reasons, both SUVs have a 5 star ANCAP safety rating, the Sportage from 2017 and the Nissan X-Trail from 2017.

The similarities continue into other areas, such as digital radio, leather heated front seats, push button start, rain sensing wipers, dusk sensing LED headlights, LED tail lights, climate control with rear vents, panoramic sunroof, tinted windows, electric tailgate, and 19” alloy wheels.

Unique to the Nissan X-Trail is a 360º camera system and heated rear seating. The Kia Sportage has n 8” touchscreen (7” on the X-Trail) and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support for your devices.

On the Road

Both of these SUVs are great to drive, the X-Trail Ti and Sportage GT-Line have AWD systems that operate in an “on demand” fashion. This means that they act as FWD cars until they receive torque information to the rear axle that a slippery surface is being negotiated. Then they quickly move into an AWD mode to get you the grip that you need automatically.

Final Thoughts

The Nissan X-Trail has been one of the most popular SUVs in the world at times for good reasons. It has acres of space on board, the engineering is top notch, and at this price point, it’s an absolute bargain. If you get the chance to get a good deal on financing or extras, it becomes a total no brainer if you want a practical family SUV. If you can do without the flagship toys, the ST and ST-L still have most of the core functionality that you want and need.

The Kia Sportage is a valiant effort to take the crown, but it’s just not there yet. The styling is great. The cabin space is adequate for most families, but it is a larger vehicle overall.

If you’re in the market for the latest Nissan X-Trail 2019 models, get in touch with us at Perth City Nissan, and we will arrange a no obligation test drive for you.