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Ford Kuga vs Kia Sportage vs Nissan Qashqai

24 Aug 2016|71,254 views

The Kia Sportage's latest update comprises a new, sophisticated design, advanced technologies and an enticing price tag, which should scare rivals like the Ford Kuga and the Nissan Qashqai.

The updated Kia Sportage returns to revive the segment

The old 1.6-litre Kuga has met the Sportage before, in a twin test we conducted two years ago and emerged victorious. Can the Ford defend its crown? Or is the ever-popular Qashqai and upgraded Sportage going to take the win this time? Let's find out.

Exterior

When it comes to buying an SUV, design and space are of utmost importance; performance is secondary. In this department, the Sportage's contemporary demeanour comes to shine.

Designed under the direction of Peter Schreyer, the Sportage is arguably the most uniquely fashioned car of the bunch.

While the car's form may divide opinions, there is no doubt that its 'tiger-nosed' front fascia and European design influence has the road presence and panache, which the Kuga and Qashqai lack, to draw stares.

That's not to say that the Kuga and Qashqai aren't nice on the eyes, because the Ford comes a close second in terms of visuals but unfortunately for the Qashqai, being the oldest car in this group test means its design is a tad dated today.

The Kuga's (left) 18-inchers look like they're ready to take on beaten tracks while the Sportage's (centre) 18-inch and Qashqai's (right) 19-inch ones sit nicer against a city backdrop

Controls in the Sportage are centralised in a wide, driver-oriented dash

In terms of refinement, however, the Kuga takes the cake. Cabin finish in the Kuga is solid, whereas there is more use of cheaper plastics in the Sportage and the Qashqai.

You also get some mood-lifting amenites in the Kuga and Qashqai, such as ambient lighting; blue in the Kuga and orange in the Qashqai, as well as a sunroof, which is always a nice touch for families.

The only car, which has a driver's electric seat is the Qashqai but it's also the only car that didn't have rear air-conditioning. In our climate, we'd prioritise having air-conditioning instead.

When it comes to occupant space, the Kuga recoups lost points. Compared to the other two, the Kuga's wheelbase was the longest, translating into more legroom for rear passengers. It's also the tallest car, and you get tons of headroom all around.

The Kuga's cabin is slightly roomier and airier than the other two

For families, which require tons of trunk space, the Sportage's 503-litre one trumps the Kuga's 406 litres and the Qashqai's 430 litres.

180bhp and 240Nm of torque from the Kuga (left), 153bhp and 192Nm from the Sportage (centre) and 142bhp and 200Nm from the Qashqai (right)

The Sportage and Qashqai are clearly not created with drivers in mind because their steerings are numb compared to the Kuga's quick and responsive one.

At the same time, the Kuga's compliant suspension setup is also the best. Whether you're pushing hard through a corner or just cruising along the highway, you feel confident and comfortable behind the wheel of the Kuga.

Again, it isn't that the Sportage and Qashqai are any less comfortable to drive because they, too, soak up bumps and humps generously but they just aren't as tight a package as the Kuga.

Unlike the six-cog autos used by the Kuga and Sportage, the Qashqai uses an Xtronic CVT

Conclusion

As we mentioned at the start of the article, style and space are priority for most families; price too, of course.

Even though the Kuga is the best performer with the most occupant space, its $142,888 (as of 18^th August 2016) price tag and messy dash layout may put customers off.

The Qashqai is the most affordable car in this test, costing $122,300 (as of 19^th August 2016) but it does come across as the least premium car of the lot.

For a balance of modern styling inside and out, occupant comfort and a generous boot, the $127,999 (as of 8^th August 2016) Sportage seems to make the most sense and it certainly gets our vote.

For the past couple of months, the once fast-growing, mid-sized Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment has now toned down quite a fair bit, while sedans like the recently launched Honda Civic and the updated Kia Cerato Forte K3 are enjoying a larger slice of the pie.

However, for those who are unaware, the K3 isn't Kia's only new toy. The Korean manufacturer lately has also released its new Sportage, boasting a new, sophisticated design and advanced technologies.

It is customary for us at sgCarMart to put this 'new' kid on the block to the test and alongside the Sportage this month are the turbocharged Ford Kuga 1.5 Titanium and the Nissan Qashqai 2.0 Premium.

The old 1.6-litre Kuga has met the Sportage before, in a twin test we conducted two years ago and emerged victorious. Can the Ford defend its crown? Or is the ever-popular Qashqai and upgraded Sportage going to take the win this time? Let's find out.Exterior

When it comes to buying an SUV, design and space are of utmost importance; performance is secondary. In this department, the Sportage's contemporary demeanour comes to shine.

Designed under the direction of Peter Schreyer, the Sportage is arguably the most uniquely fashioned car of the bunch.

Interior

Peter Schreyer's design genius is echoed in the clean and modern cabin of the Sportage. Compared to the Kuga and the Qashqai, the Sportage's cabin is the simplest - controls are positioned intuitively and there is a uniformity throughout.

The Korean SUV also had the most modern and easiest to operate infotainment system; the Kuga's is dated, while the Qashqai's is a bit tacky.

In terms of refinement, however, the Kuga takes the cake. Cabin finish in the Kuga is solid, whereas there is more use of cheaper plastics in the Sportage and the Qashqai.

You also get some mood-lifting amenites in the Kuga and Qashqai, such as ambient lighting; blue in the Kuga and orange in the Qashqai, as well as a sunroof, which is always a nice touch for families.

The Drive

For drivers who aren't fussy about performance and prefer practicality over anything else, the Sportage and the Qashqai will do just fine. But if you do want more engagement while driving the family around, you could consider the Kuga.

With 180bhp and 240Nm of torque, the Kuga is the fastest and most powerful of the lot, completing the century spint in 9.7 seconds. In second place is the Qashqai, taking 10.1 seconds and the Sportage, taking 11.1 seconds.

Because of this, the Kuga also feels lighter on its feet, thanks to Ford's turbocharging technology. Driven hard, the Kuga is eager to rev whereas the other two churn out more sound than action when you put your foot down.

The Sportage and Qashqai are clearly not created with drivers in mind because their steerings are numb compared to the Kuga's quick and responsive one.

At the same time, the Kuga's compliant suspension setup is also the best. Whether you're pushing hard through a corner or just cruising along the highway, you feel confident and comfortable behind the wheel of the Kuga.

Again, it isn't that the Sportage and Qashqai are any less comfortable to drive because they, too, soak up bumps and humps generously but they just aren't as tight a package as the Kuga.

Conclusion

As we mentioned at the start of the article, style and space are priority for most families; price too, of course.

Even though the Kuga is the best performer with the most occupant space, its $142,888 (as of 18^th August 2016) price tag and messy dash layout may put customers off.

The Qashqai is the most affordable car in this test, costing $122,300 (as of 19^th August 2016) but it does come across as the least premium car of the lot.

For a balance of modern styling inside and out, occupant comfort and a generous boot, the $127,999 (as of 8^th August 2016) Sportage seems to make the most sense and it certainly gets our vote.