Kia Sportage vs Nissan Qashqai: specs side by side
Quick comparison from catalog data - no editorial review of this pair yet.
Kia · 2010–2015
Sportage SL
- Power
- 85 kW116 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 12.3 s
- Top speed
- 173 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,490 kg
Nissan · 2021–present
Qashqai III
- Power
- 103 kW140 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 10.2 s
- Top speed
- 196 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,405 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: Sportage SL 3 Qashqai III 1
- Family Too close to call Boot: 465 l vs 504 l
- City Sportage SL Consumption: 5.3 l/100 km vs 6.3 l/100 km
- Long trips Sportage SL Range: 1,094 km vs 873 km (estimated)
- Performance Qashqai III Power per tonne: 73 kW/t vs 57 kW/t; 0–100 km/h: 10.2 s vs 12.3 s
- Running costs Sportage SL Fuel per year: €1,310 vs €1,650 (estimated)
In plain words
Nissan Qashqai is quicker: 0–100 km/h in 10.2 s against 12.3 s for Kia Sportage. Kia Sportage is 15 mm longer than Nissan Qashqai (4,440 mm vs 4,425 mm). Nissan Qashqai is lighter by 85 kg (1,405 kg vs 1,490 kg). Nissan Qashqai has the bigger boot: 504 l against 465 l. At 15,000 km a year, fuel would cost about €1,310 (Kia Sportage), €1,650 (Nissan Qashqai) (estimated). Kia Sportage is the older design (from 1993); Nissan Qashqai arrived in 2006. On the catalog figures, the Kia Sportage is the pick for city, long trips and running costs; the Nissan Qashqai is the pick for performance.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | Sportage SL | Qashqai III |
|---|---|---|
| PI | C · 407 | C · 459 |
| Power | 33 | 40 |
| Grip | 32 | 34 |
| Handling | 55 | 57 |
| Top speed | 28 | 37 |
| Launch | 22 | 31 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time - the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 Qashqai IIIQashqai III · 1.3 DIG-T mild hybrid 140 · petrol · 103 kW (140 PS) 17.19 sat 127 km/h
- 2 Sportage SLSportage SL · 1.7 · diesel · 85 kW (116 PS) 18.10 sat 121 km/h · +0.91 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Sportage SL | Qashqai III | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,440 mm174.8 in | 4,425 mm174.2 in −15 mm −0.6 in −0.3% |
| Width | 1,855 mm73.0 in | 1,835 mm72.2 in −20 mm −0.8 in −1.1% |
| Height | 1,635 mm64.4 in | 1,625 mm64.0 in −10 mm −0.4 in −0.6% |
| Wheelbase | 2,640 mm103.9 in | 2,665 mm104.9 in +25 mm +1.0 in +0.9% |
| Kerb weight | 1,490 kg3,285 lb | 1,405 kg3,097 lb −85 kg −187 lb −5.7% |
| Boot | 465 l16.4 cu ft | 504 l17.8 cu ft +39 l +1.4 cu ft +8.4% |
| Fuel tank | 58 l15.3 gal US | 55 l14.5 gal US −3 l −0.8 gal US −5.2% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Tight | Yes |
Difference vs Sportage SL (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.
Full specifications
| Kia Sportage | Nissan Qashqai | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | Sportage SL · 1.7 · diesel · 85 kW (116 PS) | Qashqai III · 1.3 DIG-T mild hybrid 140 · petrol · 103 kW (140 PS) |
| Production years | 2010–2015 | 2021–present |
| Body | SUV, Convertible | SUV |
| Class | SUV / crossover | SUV / crossover |
| Country | South Korea | Japan |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 85 kW (116 PS) 114 hp | 103 kW (140 PS) 138 hp Better |
| Power, all versions | 61–195 kW (83–265 PS) 82–261 hp | 81–139 kW (110–189 PS) 109–186 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 260 Nm 192 lb-ft | No data |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 12.3 s | 10.2 s Better |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 173 km/h 107 mph | 196 km/h 122 mph Better |
| Power per tonne | 57 kW/t 69 hp/ton calculated | 73 kW/t 89 hp/ton calculated Better |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,700 cc 1.7 l | 4 cyl |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual | No data |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,440 mm 174.8 in | 4,425 mm 174.2 in |
| Width | 1,855 mm 73.0 in | 1,835 mm 72.2 in |
| Height | 1,635 mm 64.4 in | 1,625 mm 64.0 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,640 mm 103.9 in | 2,665 mm 104.9 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,490 kg 3,285 lb | 1,405 kg 3,097 lb Better |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 465 l 16.4 cu ft | 504 l 17.8 cu ft Better |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | 58 l 15.3 gal US Better | 55 l 14.5 gal US |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 5.3 l/100 km 44.4 mpg US Better | 6.3 l/100 km 37.3 mpg US |
| CO₂ | 139 g/km | 142 g/km |
| Fuel cost per year | €1,310/year estimated Better | €1,650/year estimated |
| Range on a full tank | 1,094 km 680 mi estimated Better | 873 km 542 mi estimated |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2010) Better | ★★★★☆ (2025) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (1): Class.
Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.65/l diesel, €1.75/l petrol.