When looking to lease a family SUV, a vehicle that’s big enough to accommodate the full family yet still easy to manoeuvre around city centre streets is the most popular requirement by most mid range SUV drivers. Other essential important factors of a good SUV in this class are reasonable running costs, exceptional driving comfort, and a desirable driving experience.
Hyundai and Kia have built two mid-range SUVs that are have become true favourites in the mid range SUV market. The Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson both equally do not fail deliver in these areas and they’re both the two dominating vehicle choices in the family SUV market in the UK. The Sportage and Tucson both featured in the top 10 best selling cars in the UK for 2022, at numbers 6 and 7 and this based on all car body types and not just SUV. This demonstrates how the Tucson and Sportage really are two of the UKs favourites cars of choice.
Before you lease a Sportage or Tucson, we’ve put the cars completely head-to-head to compare both cars covering body colour and styling, interior design, infotainment systems, space, engines, performance, safety, pricing and running costs.
Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson – Key Pointers Comparison
Kia Sportage
Hyundai Tucson
Purchase price
£28,360 - £45,600
£30,500 - £43,630
Interior design
Innovative Technology with a well presented dash
Luxurious, sharp design and comfortable
Boot space
591 litres
620 litres
Infotainment touchscreen size
8” – 12.3”
10.25”
Factory warranty
7 years
5 years
Body colour and styling
Both these vehicles were once regarded as not great looking cars in previous model design features. However, we can now confirm that this historical reputation has been completely discarded with the arrival and introduction of the brand new Tucson and Sportage models.
The new Tucson has a dramatic exterior design with front lights being the key new major design focus. With an intricate shape the lights account for most of the radiator grill and give the car an uplifted presence. The pressed creases on the sides of the bodywork add to the elegant design that makes a strong statement overall. This is a favourite part of the Tucson but isn’t everybody’s choice of design. Let’s compare the Sportage.
The new Sportage exterior is equally eye catching, with a radiator grill that’s larger than traditional vehicles and arrow-shaped lights that are located at the halfway point on the bonnet. The Sportage delivers a sense of new character within the design.
Both SUVs have an all-new range of available body colours.
The range of colours for the Hyundai Tucson includes the standard colour Engine Solid Red with is a free of charge option with the following metallic colours that can be added an extra cost:
Silky Bronze Metallic
Shimmering Silver Metallic
Sunset Red Pearl
Dark Teal Metallic
Serenity White
Atlas White Solid
Dark Knight Grey Pearl
Amazon Grey Metallic
The range of colours for the Kia Sportage include the standard Infra Red and the following metallic colours that attract an extra cost:
Fusion white premium
Dark Penta Metal Premium
Blue Flame Premium
Lunar Silver Premium
Phantom Black Premium
Experience Green Premium
Fusion white with black roof premium
Lunar silver with black roof
Experience green with black roof
Interior design and infotainment system
The interior design of both the Tucson and Sportage are both contemporary. On top of this, both cars have lifted their game in the tech department which is a massive improvement on previous generations for both Kia and Hyundai.
The Tucson interior has a clean and solid feel with premium finish where as the The Sportage has a more technology focused interior with a large wraparound dash.
A comparison of the infotainment systems in both vehicles shows that there’s little to choose between them. The Kia Sportage features an 8” touchscreen with the standard trim and a larger 12.3” touchscreen in higher spec models. Infotainment features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a navigation system, and DAB radio. The Hyundai Tucson features a 10.25” touchscreen which appears larger. You also benefit from features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. Plus, there’s a beep when you use the capacitive buttons that makes up for the frustrating lack of tactile feedback.
Space
Both SUVs are ideal as a family vehicle and have enough space to fit up to five adults. There’s also enough space in the boots of both the Tucson and the Sportage for shopping bags, holiday luggage, and pushchairs.
The table below shows the relative space in both vehicles with the Tucson coming out on top marginally. It’s worth noting that higher spec models of both SUVs come with a moonroof that slightly reduces rear headroom.
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage
Wheelbase
108.5”
108.5”
Front legroom
41.4”
41.4”
Rear legroom
41.3”
41.3”
Front headroom
38.1”- 40.1”
37.6”- 39.6”
Rear headroom
39”- 39.5”
38.9” – 39.4”
Boot space
620 litres
591 litres
Engines and performance
As you might expect from two vehicles that fall under the umbrella of Hyundai Motor Group, the engine lineup is the same. Here are the highlights:
Entry level vehicles comes with a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with either 150 or 180hp.
Vehicles are available with or without mild-hybrid assistance which helps with fuel economy.
The full-hybrid model of both vehicles has a larger battery pack and an electric motor.
Top of the range models for both SUVs feature plug-in hybrid engines.
Safety
The safety features of both SUVs are well above standard, even at the entry level. They include:
Automated emergency braking
Lane assist
Automatic headlights
Upgrade to the next level and you get:
Blind spot monitoring
Safe exit assist
Rear cross-traffic alert
The top trims for both vehicles include a full compliment of safety measures such as:
Front parking sensors
Highway Driving Assist
Blind-spot view monitor
Pricing and running costs
Finances play an important role in any vehicle lease decision. You can see the purchase price and fuel economy information detailed for each vehicle in the tables below. There isn’t a lot to choose between the Tucson and Sportage although the Sportage is available at a slightly lower purchase price for the entry level trim. If you pick up a leasing special offer deal on one of these models, you’ll benefit from low monthly payments.
Purchase price
Hyundai Tucson
£30,500.00 - £43,630
Kia Sportage
£28,360 - £45,600
Fuel economy is similar in both the Tucson and the Sportage. The main point to focus on is the that the more electrical assistance the trim has, the better the fuel economy is. Plug-in hybrid models are the lowest price to run but come with a higher purchase price. Anybody leasing an SUV for business also needs to consider the BIK tax advantages that come with the low CO2 emissions of plug-in hybrids.
Fuel economy
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage
Petrol engine
39.8 - 44.1 mpg
40.4 - 44.1 mpg
Hybrid petrol engine
48.7 - 50.4 mpg
44.1 - 50.4 mpg
Plug-in petrol engine
201.8 mpg*
252 mpg*
Diesel engine
n/a
51.4 - 54.3 mpg
*Based on a “weighted” mpg. Actual figures depend on miles driven in electric mode and may differ greatly.
Maintenance and servicing
With the new Hyundai Tucson, you get a five-year manufacturer’s warranty. You can also choose a fixed price servicing option of either Core Service from £129 or Major Service from £219. There’s also an option to add an MOT for £40. With a leasing package, your able to select a maintenance package and get your complete servicing package included within the lease.
With the new Kia Sportage, you get a seven-year/100,000 mile manufacturer’s warranty. You can also choose from a Kia Service plan or leasing maintenance package.
For example:
A Kia Sportage 1.6T -GDi HEV that’s more than 12 months old has the following service plan options:
Service plan 2-3 to cover servicing at 20,000 Miles or 24 Months and 30,000 Miles or 36 Months at a cost of £489 with an option to add five MOTs for £35 each.
Service plan 3-4 to cover servicing at 30,000 Miles or 36 Months and 40,000 Miles or 48 Months at a cost of £709.00 with an option to add five MOTs for £35 each.
A leasing maintenance package delivers complete servicing included within the lease.
The verdict
Both the Tucson and the Sportage are a fantastic choice of family SUV. Externally, the Tucson has a dramatic design that divides the audience whereas the Sportage catches the eye with a sportier elegant vibe. Inside, at entry level, the Tucson has the edge with a larger infotainment touchscreen, although there’s nothing to choose between the two as you move up the range. Likewise, in terms of engines, performance, and running costs, the Tucson and Sportage are on a par with each other. Although, the Sportage is available at a lower purchase cost. The Tucson has a touch more space than the Sportage but not to a level that’s going to dictate a purchasing or leasing decision.
In all honesty, these are both great value for money vehicles with plush interiors and high spec tech options. Overall, for most people, the choice comes down to a personal decision between the solid drama of the Tucson design and the sporty tech centred Sportage design.
Once you’ve decided which SUV is best for you, view our current special offers on the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage compare leasing deals. Need more information or have questions to ask about leasing either of these SUVs? Just get in touch and we’ll be happy to help and provide you with all information.