VS
At a Glance
Power
100 kW
176 kW
Torque
320 Nm
221+e Nm
Fuel
5.0 l/100km
4.5 l/100km
Towing
1650 Kg
1000 Kg
0-100 km/h
11.4 s
—
Engine
1598 cc
2487 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 176 kW. On fuel, the Sportage returns 5.0 l/100km while the RAV4 uses 4.5 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R790 995 for the Sportage and R770 500 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
176 kW
Torque
320 Nm
221+e Nm
0-100 kph
11.4 s
—
Top Speed
180 Km/h
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1598 cc
2487 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
petrol-electric hybrid
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
7
—
Drive Wheels
front
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.0 l/100km
4.5 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
54 l
55 l
CO2 Emissions
129 g/km
102 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
1710 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
571-1760 l
705 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
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
—
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
3 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
100000 vehicle / 160000 hybrid battery K
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
Toyota RAV4
3 / 4 categories
Performance
RAV4
Fuel Economy
RAV4
Value
RAV4
Practicality
Sportage
Pros & Cons
Kia Sportage
Higher towing capacity (1650 Kg)
Higher fuel consumption (5.0 l/100km)
Less power than rival (100 kW vs 176 kW)
Higher starting price
Toyota RAV4
More powerful engine (176 kW)
Better fuel economy (4.5 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R770 500)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Sportage or RAV4?
The Sportage uses 5.0 l/100km and the RAV4 uses 4.5 l/100km on the combined cycle. The RAV4 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 176 kW and 221+e 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 R770 500. The RAV4 is cheaper by R20 495 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.