GAC Emkoo vs Kia Sportage
Verdict
At RM123,800, the GAC Emkoo undercuts the RM129,639 Kia Sportage by RM5,839, yet its 1.5 litre engine makes 175 hp and 270 Nm against the Kia’s 2.0 litre with 154 hp and 192 Nm. It also has the bigger boot, 638 litres versus 587 litres, and much lower annual road tax at RM120 against RM440. The Sportage claws back a tiny 5 mm wheelbase advantage and uses a conventional automatic, but on paper the Emkoo gives you more metal and muscle for less.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you want the stronger output, bigger boot, lower road tax and lower price.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you prefer a conventional automatic and can live with less power, less torque and a smaller boot.
Key differences
- Price: GAC Emkoo RM123,800; Kia Sportage RM129,639
- Engine: GAC Emkoo 1,497 cc; Kia Sportage 1,999 cc
- Output: GAC Emkoo 175 hp/270 Nm; Kia Sportage 154 hp/192 Nm
- Transmission: GAC Emkoo wet dual-clutch automatic; Kia Sportage conventional automatic
- Boot space: GAC Emkoo 638 litres; Kia Sportage 587 litres
- Road tax: GAC Emkoo RM120/year; Kia Sportage RM440/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 123,800✓ | RM 129,639 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,497 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Power | 175 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | 270 Nm✓ | 192 Nm |
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 8.8 s | — |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 638 L✓ | 587 L |
| Fuel tank | 55 L | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 440 |
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.
Emkoo
- More power and torque: 175 hp and 270 Nm
- Bigger 638-litre boot
- Lower RM120 annual road tax
- Wheelbase is 5 mm shorter than the Sportage
- Wet dual-clutch automatic, not a conventional auto
- No warranty advantage; both get 5 years
Sportage
- Conventional automatic transmission
- Slightly longer 2,755 mm wheelbase
- Same 6 airbags and 5-year warranty as the Emkoo
- Lower output at 154 hp and 192 Nm
- Smaller 587-litre boot
- Higher RM440 annual road tax
Emkoo vs Sportage FAQ
Is the GAC Emkoo or Kia Sportage better?
The GAC Emkoo is the stronger on-paper buy: it has more power, more torque, a bigger boot and lower road tax. The Kia Sportage mainly fights back with a conventional automatic and a 5 mm longer wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sportage costs RM5,839 more than the GAC Emkoo. For that extra money, it does not gain power, torque, boot space or a longer warranty.
Which SUV has the bigger boot?
The GAC Emkoo has the bigger boot at 638 litres, while the Kia Sportage has 587 litres. That is a 51-litre advantage for the GAC.