Verdict
The RM159,800 Tiggo 8 costs RM30,161 more than the RM129,639 Sportage, but it is a different brief: a seven-seat D-segment SUV with an 18.3-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery, 90 km EV range and 201-hp motor. Its 193-litre boot is the compromise. The five-seat Sportage brings a much larger 587-litre boot, a 45 mm longer wheelbase and lower RM440 annual road tax versus RM120 for the Chery. For a Malaysian family needing seven seats and plug-in capability, the Tiggo 8 earns its stretch; for five occupants and luggage, the Kia is the cleaner choice.
Pick the Chery Tiggo 8 if you need seven seats, 90 km of EV range and the added driver-assistance kit.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you carry five people, need its 587-litre boot and want to spend RM30,161 less.
Key differences
- Price: Chery Tiggo 8 RM159,800; Kia Sportage RM129,639.
- Seating and boot space: Tiggo 8 has 7 seats and 193 litres; Sportage has 5 seats and 587 litres.
- Electrified hardware: Tiggo 8 has a 201-hp, 310-Nm motor and 18.3-kWh battery; Sportage has no motor or traction battery.
- EV range and charging: Tiggo 8 is rated for 90 km, AC charging at 6.6 kW and DC charging at 40 kW; Sportage has no EV range or charging provision.
- Annual road tax: Tiggo 8 RM120; Sportage RM440.
- Warranty: Tiggo 8 has 7 years/150,000 km plus 8 years/160,000 km for battery and drive unit; Sportage has 5 years/100,000 km.
Tiggo 8
- Seven seats with split-folding second and third rows.
- 90 km EV range, 6.6-kW AC and 40-kW DC charging, plus 3.3-kW V2L.
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM30,161 more.
- 193-litre boot is 394 litres smaller than the Sportage's.
- At 1,916 kg, it is 338 kg heavier than the Sportage.
Sportage
- RM30,161 lower purchase price and RM320 lower annual road tax.
- 587-litre boot and a 2,755-mm wheelbase.
- Lighter 1,578-kg kerb weight and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Only five seats versus the Tiggo 8's seven.
- No plug-in-hybrid motor, battery, EV range, charging or V2L.
- Lacks the Tiggo 8's autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot system and adaptive cruise control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM159,800 | RM129,639✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing with Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 139 hp | 154 hp✓ |
| Torque | 215 Nm✓ | 192 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | 77 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 18.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 90 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | DHT | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,725 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,860 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,710 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,916 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 193 litres | 587 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact C | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Center Airbag, Driver's Knee Airbag, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Available for all seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Automatic LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 4-way Power Adjustable Passenger Seat, Ventilated Front Seats | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Second Row | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 10-speaker Sony Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation, with Proximity Sensor Auto Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km battery and drive unit warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Tiggo 8 & Sportage for sale
Tiggo 8 vs Sportage FAQ
Is the Chery Tiggo 8 or Kia Sportage better?
The Tiggo 8 is better for seven-seat family use, plug-in driving and driver assistance. The Sportage is better for five occupants needing 587 litres of boot space, a lower purchase price and lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Chery Tiggo 8 costs RM30,161 more than the Kia Sportage.
Which has the better warranty?
The Tiggo 8 has the longer cover: seven years/150,000 km, plus an eight-year/160,000-km battery and drive-unit warranty. The Sportage warranty is five years/100,000 km.