Verdict
At RM123,800, the GAC Emkoo undercuts the RM129,639 Kia Sportage by RM5,839 while also cutting annual road tax from RM440 to RM120. Its 175 hp and 270 Nm 1.5-litre turbo make a clear numerical case over the Sportage’s 154 hp and 192 Nm 2.0-litre, and it adds a 638-litre boot, 19-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. The Kia counters with a 12.3-inch screen, two rear USB ports and a 5 mm longer wheelbase, but the Emkoo is the better-equipped buy on these specifications.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you want lower annual road tax, 175 hp and 270 Nm, plus a fuller ADAS and convenience kit.
Pick the Kia Sportage if a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, two rear USB ports and Tiptronic control matter more than outright equipment count.
Key differences
- Power and torque: GAC Emkoo 175 hp and 270 Nm; Kia Sportage 154 hp and 192 Nm.
- Engine and transmission: GAC Emkoo 1,497 cc turbo with 7-speed wet DCT; Kia Sportage 1,999 cc naturally aspirated with 6-speed conventional automatic.
- Road tax: GAC Emkoo RM120 per year; Kia Sportage RM440 per year.
- Boot space: GAC Emkoo 638 litres; Kia Sportage 587 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: GAC Emkoo 19-inch wheels with 235/55R19 tyres; Kia Sportage 17-inch wheels with 235/65R17 tyres.
- Warranty mileage: GAC Emkoo 5 years/150,000 km plus 7 years/180,000 km powertrain; Kia Sportage 5 years/100,000 km.
Emkoo
- 175 hp and 270 Nm, against 154 hp and 192 Nm.
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot information.
- 638-litre boot, powered front seats and 360-degree camera.
- Wheelbase is 2,750 mm, 5 mm shorter than the Sportage’s 2,755 mm.
- Only one rear USB port versus the Sportage’s two.
- No Tiptronic function, unlike the Sportage.
Sportage
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen versus 10.1 inches.
- Two rear USB ports versus one.
- 2,755 mm wheelbase and Tiptronic control.
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the Emkoo’s 175 hp and 270 Nm.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot information or adaptive cruise control.
- 587-litre boot is 51 litres smaller, and rear parking sensors total four versus six.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM123,800✓ | RM129,639 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 175 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | 270 Nm✓ | 192 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7DCT | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,901 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 638 litres✓ | 587 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Available for all seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilated Driver's Seat | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Manual Recline | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| 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 | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 7 Year, 180,000 km Powertrain 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 Emkoo & Sportage for sale
Emkoo vs Sportage FAQ
Is the GAC Emkoo or Kia Sportage better?
The GAC Emkoo is the stronger specification-led choice: it has more power and torque, a larger 638-litre boot, lower road tax and substantially more driver-assistance equipment. Choose the Kia Sportage for its larger 12.3-inch screen, two rear USB ports and Tiptronic control.
What is the price difference?
The GAC Emkoo costs RM5,839 less than the Kia Sportage. It also has RM320 lower annual road tax.
Which has the better safety and parking equipment?
The GAC Emkoo has the fuller kit: autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot information, adaptive cruise control, six front and six rear parking sensors, plus a 360-degree camera. The Kia Sportage has a reverse camera and four rear parking sensors.