VS
At a Glance
Power
100 kW
127 kW
Torque
320 Nm
203 Nm
Fuel
5.0 l/100km
6.3 l/100km
Towing
1650 Kg
1000 Kg
0-100 km/h
11.4 s
—
Engine
1598 cc
1987 cc
Choosing between the Kia Sportage and the Toyota RAV4 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Sportage delivers 100 kW while the Toyota RAV4 produces 127 kW. On fuel, the Sportage returns 5.0 l/100km while the RAV4 uses 6.3 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R790 995 for the Sportage and R799 900 for the RAV4. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
100 kW
127 kW
Torque
320 Nm
203 Nm
0-100 kph
11.4 s
—
Top Speed
180 Km/h
190 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1598 cc
1987 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
7
—
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.0 l/100km
6.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
54 l
55 l
CO2 Emissions
129 g/km
143 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4515 mm
4600 mm
Width
1865 mm
1855 mm
Height
1650 mm
1695 mm
Wheelbase
2680 mm
2690 mm
Ground Clearance
170 mm
201 mm
Kerb Weight
1493 Kg
1615 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
571-1760 l
688 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1650 Kg
1000 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
—
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
3
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
100000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
6
6 services
Service Plan Distance
90000
90000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Sportage
3 / 4 categories
Performance
RAV4
Fuel Economy
Sportage
Value
Sportage
Practicality
Sportage
Pros & Cons
Kia Sportage
Better fuel economy (5.0 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R790 995)
Higher towing capacity (1650 Kg)
Less power than rival (100 kW vs 127 kW)
Toyota RAV4
More powerful engine (127 kW)
Higher fuel consumption (6.3 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Sportage or RAV4?
The Sportage uses 5.0 l/100km and the RAV4 uses 6.3 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Sportage is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Sportage or RAV4?
The Sportage produces 100 kW and 320 Nm of torque while the RAV4 delivers 127 kW and 203 Nm of torque. The RAV4 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Sportage and RAV4?
The Sportage starts from R790 995 and the RAV4 from R799 900. The Sportage is cheaper by R8 905 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Sportage or RAV4?
The Sportage has a braked towing capacity of 1650 Kg and the RAV4 can tow 1000 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Sportage or the RAV4?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.