Verdict
The Kia Sportage NQ5 costs RM11,240 more at RM128,800, but brings a 180-mm longer body, 85-mm longer wheelbase and 121 litres more boot space than the Kia Sportage QL. Its 12.3-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED lighting, keyless start and electronic parking brake also make it the more modern daily driver. Performance is effectively a draw: 154 hp and 192 Nm plays 153 hp and 192 Nm, both through a six-speed automatic driving the front wheels. The QL remains the sensible lower-cost choice, especially with its unlimited-mileage five-year warranty.
Pick the Kia Sportage QL if you want to spend RM11,240 less and value a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus a full-size alloy spare wheel.
Pick the Kia Sportage NQ5 if you want substantially more cabin-friendly packaging, a 587-litre boot and newer convenience technology.
Key differences
- Price: Kia Sportage QL RM117,560; Kia Sportage NQ5 RM128,800.
- Length and wheelbase: QL 4,480 mm and 2,670 mm; NQ5 4,660 mm and 2,755 mm.
- Boot space: QL 466 litres; NQ5 587 litres.
- Infotainment: QL touchscreen with CD, AUX and Bluetooth; NQ5 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Warranty mileage: QL five years/unlimited mileage; NQ5 five years/100,000 km.
- Spare wheel: QL full-size 17-inch alloy; NQ5 space saver.
QL
- RM11,240 lower purchase price.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Full-size 17-inch alloy spare wheel and front foglamps.
- 466-litre boot is 121 litres smaller than the NQ5's.
- Halogen projector headlamps and bulb taillamps replace the NQ5's LED units.
- Manual air-con, manual key start and older touchscreen specification.
NQ5
- 587-litre boot and 2,755-mm wheelbase.
- 12.3-inch infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- LED projector headlamps, keyless push-button start and electronic parking brake.
- Five-year warranty is capped at 100,000 km, unlike the QL's unlimited-mileage cover.
- Space-saver spare replaces the QL's full-size 17-inch alloy spare.
- No front foglamps or alarm are listed.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM117,560✓ | RM128,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-Valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 153 hp | 154 hp✓ |
| Torque | 192 Nm | 192 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 81 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Automatic | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Co2 | 182 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,855 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,755 mm |
| Weight | 1,499 kg | 1,578 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 62 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 466 litres | 587 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R17 | 235/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R17 | 235/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size 17" Alloy | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Kinergy GT | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| 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 |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer 2nd Row Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For all seats | Available for all seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Touchscreen with Radio, CD, MP3, AUX and Bluetooth, 8 Speakers | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Down |
| Engine Start | Manual key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | — | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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 cars for sale
QL vs NQ5 FAQ
Is the Kia Sportage QL or Kia Sportage NQ5 better?
The Kia Sportage NQ5 is better equipped and more practical, with a 587-litre boot, 12.3-inch infotainment screen and LED lights. The Kia Sportage QL is the better budget-led buy, costing less and carrying an unlimited-mileage five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Kia Sportage NQ5 costs RM128,800 versus RM117,560 for the Kia Sportage QL, a difference of RM11,240.
Which Sportage has the bigger boot?
The Kia Sportage NQ5 has the bigger boot at 587 litres, compared with 466 litres in the Kia Sportage QL. That is a 121-litre advantage for the newer generation.