The Vitara is Suzuki’s all-time most hyped SUV in the Middle East. Although not very popular, it’s a car that can get your job done. In contrast, we’ve got the Kia Sportage, which uses an almost opposite approach to the Vitara. Focused on stylings, bold looks, and technological features, it’s a car that will stand out if you park it outside the shopping mall.
Let’s compare both and see which makes more sense to who?
Suzuki Vitara 2024
If you’re looking for a crossover for your mid-size family that is not heavy on your pocket, Vitara might be the one you are looking for. Looks-wise, it might not be the best car in the market, but it’s good, practical, and carries a lot of passengers with good boot space.
Styling-wise, it’s wide and doesn’t look like a pumped-up sedan like the Honda HR-V and Corolla Cross. The front is elegant, and it does look like a crossover. The back is fine, not too cool, and not too boring.
The interior is also decent, not controversial from our side. The driver seat has got height adjustment and view from the windows is also clear with minimal bling spots.
Kia Sportage 2024
The Kia Sportage is a practical crossover, no doubt, but its super cool styling and high-tech goodies outshine its competitors. Although the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai also give it tough competition, we’ll compare the Sportage with all those cars on any other day.
Cyberpunk aesthetics also inspired the front side, which uses dope X-style DRLs with a tiger-style grille. The backlights are the same typical tube light style that you will see in almost every modern EV nowadays.
Sit inside, and you’ll be confused if you’re sitting in a modern EV. Because it’s 4K IPS, you get a nice twin-screen setup, one for an instrumental cluster and the other for watching Netflix. All controls are touch sensitive, e.g., AC, volume, and any other important controls that we don’t like personally. Our editors prefer mechanical controls.
Performance and Drive Quality
The currently available Suzuki Vitara model is a 1.4-liter petrol with mild-hybrid technology. Unlike the Prius, it doesn’t drive on electricity; it just shuts its engine down at a red light and shifts all the AC and electronic functions to a mild-hybrid battery.
On city roads, Vitara is surprisingly stable, with the least body roll and good road grip. Neither engine option is powerful, just enough for city roads. It is not good for motorways and might feel underpowered, especially due to its heightened stance.
On the Sportage side, the hybrid powertrain is good. It can reach 40 mph before the engine kicks in. The suspensions are good but not so comfortable. You will feel every pothole, which is more than other cars in the same budget offer.
Due to the 2.0-liter engine, motorway cruising is also fine. You can overtake trucks and other heavy vehicles without any fear. The body roll is also fine, not too much. However, because of the SUV body, there is a body roll; you can’t compare it with a sedan body roll.
Interior
The Vitara’s interior is good, but not as good as those of other alternatives in the same price range. There are plastics, and the dashboard creates a wobbling sound when you tap on it. The seats are comfy, and the center console is also good enough; the piano is black but very scratchy.
The Sportage’s interior is the complete opposite. The dashboard is fancy, and there are two nice screens, one for the instrumental cluster and one for the infotainment, which is a 4K IPS display.
The seats are super comfy, with fabric in the middle and leather from the sides.
Here’s 1-1 comparison:
Performance
Here’s the performance comparison:
| Category | Suzuki Vitara | Kia Sportage |
| Performance | ||
| Engine | 1.5L DUALJET petrol engine with strong hybrid system | 2.5L GDI engine |
| Power Output | 115 hp | 187 hp |
| Transmission | Auto Gear Shift (AGS) | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | ALLGRIP SELECT 4WD system | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or All-Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| Fuel Efficiency | Enhanced by hybrid technology | Standard petrol efficiency |
Interior
Here’s the interior comparison of both cars:
Exterior
Here’s the exterior comparison of both cars:
Safety Specs
Here’s the safety specs of both cars:
| Category | Suzuki Vitara | Kia Sportage |
| Airbags | Front, side, and curtain airbags | Front, side, and curtain airbags |
| Driver Assistance | Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning | Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist |
| Parking Assistance | Rear parking sensors | Rearview camera, available Surround View Monitor |
| Safety Ratings | Not specified | 5-star NHTSA rating |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Suzuki Vitara 2024 is a budget-friendly, practical SUV ideal for families, offering decent styling, good passenger capacity, and city-driving stability. However, it lacks power for motorway driving and has a lower-quality interior compared to alternatives.
On the other hand, the Kia Sportage 2024 stands out with its bold design, high-tech features, and better performance, especially with its hybrid powertrain. Its interior is modern and luxurious, but the stiff suspension makes for a less comfortable ride. Overall, the Vitara suits those seeking affordability, while the Sportage caters to those prioritizing style and tech.
Let us know what you think about these two cars and keep following Arabwheels blog for more future comparisons.