VS
At a Glance
Power
130kW@4000
225 kW
Torque
392Nm@1800
—
Fuel
7.5
1.3-1.6 when hybrid battery charged / 5.
Towing
1600
—
0-100 km/h
9.9
5.8 s
Engine
1995
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 130kW@4000 while the Toyota RAV4 produces 225 kW. On fuel, the Sportage returns 7.5 while the RAV4 uses 1.3-1.6 when hybrid battery charged / 5.3-5.8 when discharged l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R389 995 for the Sportage and R1 043 900 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
130kW@4000
225 kW
Torque
392Nm@1800
—
0-100 kph
9.9
5.8 s
Top Speed
195
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1995
2487 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
DIESEL
petrol-electric hybrid
Transmission
AUTOMATIC
automatic
Number of Gears
6
—
Drive Wheels
ALL
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.5
1.3-1.6 when hybrid battery charged / 5.
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
58
55 litre + 25.4 kWh l
CO2 Emissions
198
30-36 when hybrid battery charged g/km
Dimensions
Length
4445
4645 mm
Width
1855
1880 mm
Height
1635
—
Wheelbase
2640
2690 mm
Ground Clearance
172
—
Kerb Weight
1609
2060 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1600
—
Load Capacity
1887
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
ESC
✓ 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
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✗
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✗
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✗
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✗
✓ Standard
Electric Seat Adjustment
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
60
3 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
Warranty Distance
100000
100000 vehicle / 160000 hybrid battery K
Service Plan
S
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
6 services
Service Plan Distance
—
90000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
RAV4
Fuel Economy
RAV4
Value
Sportage
Practicality
Sportage
Pros & Cons
KIA Sportage
Lower starting price (R389 995)
Higher fuel consumption (7.5)
No factory service plan
Toyota RAV4
Better fuel economy (1.3-1.6 when hybrid battery charged / 5.3-5.8 when discharged l/100km)
Factory service plan included
Quicker 0-100 km/h (5.8 ss)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Sportage or RAV4?
The Sportage uses 7.5 and the RAV4 uses 1.3-1.6 when hybrid battery charged / 5.3-5.8 when discharged 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 130kW@4000 and 392Nm@1800 of torque while the RAV4 delivers 225 kW. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Sportage and RAV4?
The Sportage starts from R389 995 and the RAV4 from R1 043 900. The Sportage is cheaper by R653 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 1600 and the RAV4 can tow not specified. 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.