There's plenty to praise the Kia Sportage for but that doesn't mean it's guaranteed to float your boat. Thankfully, there are loads of brilliant rivals to the Sportage that are worth considering instead.
Here are 10 of our favourite family SUVs that you should consider instead of the Kia. We'll take a look at what helps them stand out against the Sportage so you can choose the best model for you.
Hyundai Tucson
Better than a Sportage for: concept-car looks
Read our Hyundai Tucson review
Our first choice doesn't push the boat out too far – the Hyundai Tucson might have very different styling to the Sportage but, underneath, it uses mostly the same parts and engines. Its looks really do stand out – the latest Tucson models have eye-catching segmented headlights that blend into the front grille unlike any other SUV on sale. Practicality and performance are more or less the same as the Sportage, with the Tucson excelling at both. Driven back-to-back, the Tucson feels ever so slightly softer of the two but still handles with plenty of poise.
Nissan Qashqai
Better than a Sportage for: comfort
Read our Nissan Qashqai review
You'll probably see a Nissan Qashqai on almost every street in the UK, and for good reason. This family SUV is comfortable, well made and easy to drive, along with being impressively affordable on the used market. It's a touch smaller than the Sportage, so might not be the best choice if you have lots of six-footers in your family, but used examples often undercut like-for-like Sportage models. That means you can usually get a newer or higher-spec Qashqai for the same budget.
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Ford Kuga
Better than a Sportage for: handling
Read our Ford Kuga review
The Ford Kuga is the Blue Oval's answer to the Sportage and has many of the same qualities – it's practical and spacious, along with being nicely trimmed and easy to use. Where the Ford stands out is behind the wheel, where the Kuga's accurate steering and superb body control make it fun and rewarding to drive on a twisty road. Its party trick, however, is that for all the Kuga's agility and athleticism, it's still impressively comfortable, soaking up big bumps and tuning out rough surfaces without complaint.
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Renault Austral
Better than a Sportage for: infotainment tech
Read our Renault Austral review
Renault has really stepped up its family SUV game with the Austral. This smart-looking thing comes as standard with a hybrid engine that manages up to 60mpg – that's a chunk more than the Sportage's hybrid engine returns – and an easy driving experience. The Austral is one of the comfiest SUVs you can buy – but even more impressive is the Austral's infotainment system. The two 12.3-inch screens run on Google software, so you get to use Google Maps as the native sat nav system – guaranteeing that you'll get to your destination as quickly and as economically as possible. We also love how responsive the screen is, and how simple it is to switch between functions.
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Toyota RAV4
Better than a Sportage for: practicality
Read our Toyota RAV4 review
The Toyota RAV4 is a little larger than the Sportage in every dimension and it feels it inside. You'll find even more passenger space but most of the gains will be felt in the boot, with the RAV4 swallowing dogs or bikes with ease. And, thanks to Toyota's high-tech hybrid engines, the RAV4 won't sting you with big fuel bills despite its size and space. Nor will it bore you with a dull driving experience because, like all recent Toyota hybrids, there's now noticeably more assistance from the electric motor giving the RAV4 surprisingly sprightly acceleration. The RAV4 is also one of the only SUVs to offer more warranty cover than the Sportage – up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, although you do have to keep going back to the Toyota dealer for that to apply.
MG HS
Better than a Sportage for: value
Read our MG HS review
The second-generation MG HS (pictured) is a vast improvement on its predecessor. It's much more spacious, offering class-leading rear legroom, and has a dashboard that looks very similar to the Sportage's, with a pair of big screens. Material quality has got much better, and the HS now has the styling of an expensive car as well. Opt for the plug-in hybrid and you'll be able to drive for up to 75 miles without waking the engine – putting the HS firmly on our list of the longest-range plug-in hybrids. But the best bit is that a used HS is still eye-wideningly affordable.
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Volkswagen Tiguan
Better than a Sportage for: refinement
Read our Volkswagen Tiguan review
The Sportage could easily be crowned the perfect all-rounder, unless the Volkswagen Tiguan has something to say about it. This family SUV has all the hallmarks of Volkswagen ownership – a fuss-free driving experience, solid performance, and a plush, intuitive cabin. Like the Kia, there's lots of space inside the Tiguan, with ample room to secure kids in their child seats, and a big boot into which you can chuck their clobber. The Tiguan shines most at a cruise, where the composed ride and hushed engines make it easy to rack up the miles.
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Skoda Enyaq
Better than a Sportage for: electric driving
Read our Skoda Enyaq review
You could stick with Kia and choose the EV6 as your next car – it's a fantastic choice. But the EV6 isn't quite as practical as the Sportage, which is where Skoda's Enyaq comes in. Legroom is top-notch, and the 565-litre boot is on a par with the Sportage – it's one of the biggest you'll find in an electric SUV. The Enyaq impresses with its quick acceleration, a driving experience that's as refined as a serene swan, and its well-built interior. If you can charge at home, you'll see a drastic reduction in your running costs. We've lived with an Enyaq and, on an EV-specific electricity tariff, a month's usage cost around £10 – and that's with recharging twice a week.
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Peugeot 3008
Better than a Sportage for: style
Read our Peugeot 3008 review
Under the skin, the Peugeot 3008 is mostly the same as the Grandland X above, but comes decked out with the French brand's finest styling. That means modern-looking cloth, metal and soft-touch trim adorning most interior surfaces, along with Peugeot's ultra-contemporary small steering wheel and funky infotainment screens. There's no sacrifice to the substance in the name of style, however, with plenty of interior space for rear-seat passengers to get comfy and a big boot that'll swallow suitcases or pushchairs without a fuss.
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Mazda CX-5
Better than a Sportage for: luxury
If the Sportage isn't quite luxurious enough for you, your options aren't limited to the obvious expensive German alternatives. Instead, check out the Mazda CX-5, which comes trimmed with acres of soft-touch and metal-effect styling details to lift it above more humdrum rivals. Plus, the CX-5 isn't a one-trick pony because it also offers a superbly composed driving experience with a great balance between handling prowess and ride comfort. This is backed up by Mazda's clever engine technology which delivers smooth and frugal performance.
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