Verdict
At RM129,639, the Kia Sportage costs RM27,659 more than the RM101,980 Mitsubishi Triton, and its annual road tax is RM440 against RM794. For a Malaysian household, that extra outlay buys a five-door, five-seat SUV with a 587-litre boot, rear air-con vents and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Its 2.0-litre petrol makes 154 hp and 192 Nm through a six-speed automatic. The Triton counters with 179 hp, 430 Nm and all-wheel drive, but it is a two-door, two-seat manual pick-up. Choose function first: these are close in price, not in job description.
Pick the Kia Sportage if you need five seats, a 587-litre boot and automatic SUV comfort for daily family use.
Pick the Mitsubishi Triton if 430 Nm, all-wheel drive and a lower RM101,980 entry price matter more than passenger space.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Sportage RM129,639; Mitsubishi Triton RM101,980.
- Power and torque: Kia Sportage 154 hp and 192 Nm; Mitsubishi Triton 179 hp and 430 Nm.
- Driveline: Kia Sportage front-wheel drive; Mitsubishi Triton all-wheel drive.
- Passenger layout: Kia Sportage five doors and five seats; Mitsubishi Triton two doors and two seats.
- Length: Kia Sportage 4,660 mm; Mitsubishi Triton 5,320 mm.
- Annual road tax: Kia Sportage RM440; Mitsubishi Triton RM794.
Sportage
- Five doors, five seats and a 587-litre boot.
- Six-speed automatic, rear air-con vents and rear USB ports.
- LED projector headlamps, reverse camera and four rear parking sensors.
- RM27,659 more expensive.
- 154 hp and 192 Nm trail the Triton's 179 hp and 430 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
Triton
- 179 hp and 430 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbodiesel.
- All-wheel drive with Easy Select 4WD.
- Unlimited-mileage five-year warranty and a full-size spare tyre.
- Two doors and two seats, versus the Sportage's five doors and five seats.
- Manual transmission instead of a six-speed automatic.
- Halogen headlamps and a 2-DIN CD radio, versus LED projectors and a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM129,639 | RM101,980✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Pickup |
| Segment | C-Segment | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC commonrail turbodiesel, variable geometry turbo |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,442 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp | 179 hp✓ |
| Torque | 192 Nm | 430 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
| Bore | 81 mm | 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 15.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Automatic | 6MT |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 5,320 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,785 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,755 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,578 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 587 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 235/65R17 | 265/70R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/65R17 | 265/70R16 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Springs |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Steel Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Easy Select 4WD |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual For Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Available for all seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 2-DIN CD Radio with Bluetooth, AUX, USB |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down | Two Windows, Driver Side Auto Up & Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440✓ | RM794 |
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 Sportage & Triton for sale
Sportage vs Triton FAQ
Is the Kia Sportage or Mitsubishi Triton better?
The Sportage is better for carrying five people and 587 litres of luggage, with a six-speed automatic and rear air-con vents. The Triton is better when 430 Nm, all-wheel drive and a two-door pick-up format matter more than passenger capacity and cabin equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sportage costs RM27,659 more than the Mitsubishi Triton. The gap also comes with a lower annual road tax bill for the Sportage: RM440 versus RM794.
Which one is better for passengers?
The Kia Sportage, decisively. It has five seats, five doors, five three-point seat belts, rear air-con vents and two rear USB ports. The Mitsubishi Triton has two seats, two doors and front-seat-only seatbelt reminders.