iCaur 03 vs Kia Sportage
Verdict
The iCaur 03 is the cheaper car at RM119,800 against the Kia Sportage’s RM129,639, and the RM9,839 gap comes with a very different brief. The iCaur is an electric, rear-wheel-drive SUV with 181 hp, a 65.7 kWh battery, 355 km range and RM140 annual road tax. The Sportage is petrol, front-wheel drive and down on power at 154 hp, but its 587-litre boot dwarfs the iCaur’s 264 litres. For family cargo, the Kia has the clearer advantage. For EV running costs and power, the iCaur hits harder.
Pick the iCaur 03 if you want the cheaper electric SUV, stronger 181 hp output, 355 km range and lower RM140 annual road tax.
Pick the Kia Sportage if boot space matters more than EV running, because it gives you 587 litres versus the iCaur’s 264 litres.
Key differences
- Price: iCaur 03 RM119,800; Kia Sportage RM129,639
- Powertrain: iCaur 03 electric single motor; Kia Sportage 1,999 cc petrol engine
- Power: iCaur 03 181 hp; Kia Sportage 154 hp
- Boot space: iCaur 03 264 litres; Kia Sportage 587 litres
- Size: iCaur 03 4,406 mm long, 1,910 mm wide; Kia Sportage 4,660 mm long, 1,865 mm wide
- Road tax: iCaur 03 RM140 per year; Kia Sportage RM440 per year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 119,800✓ | RM 129,639 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Single motor | 1,999 cc |
| Power | 181 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Torque | — | 192 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| Top speed | 150 km/h | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 65.7 kWh | — |
| EV range | 355 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,406 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,910 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,715 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,715 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Boot space | 264 L | 587 L✓ |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 7✓ | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 140✓ | 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.
03
- Cheaper by RM9,839
- 181 hp electric motor beats the Kia’s 154 hp
- 355 km EV range and RM140 road tax
- Boot is small at 264 litres
- Shorter wheelbase than the Kia: 2,715 mm vs 2,755 mm
- Torque figure not listed
Sportage
- Much larger 587-litre boot
- Longer 2,755 mm wheelbase
- CKD assembly
- Costs RM9,839 more
- 154 hp is lower than the iCaur’s 181 hp
- AEB not listed
03 vs Sportage FAQ
Is the iCaur 03 or Kia Sportage better?
The iCaur 03 is better for EV running, power and lower road tax. The Kia Sportage is better if you need boot space, with 587 litres versus 264 litres. Pick based on how much cargo room you actually use.
What is the price difference?
The iCaur 03 is RM9,839 cheaper than the Kia Sportage. It costs RM119,800, while the Kia is RM129,639.
Which one has more boot space?
The Kia Sportage has far more boot space: 587 litres versus the iCaur 03’s 264 litres. For strollers, luggage or balik kampung loads, the Kia is the easier car to live with.