The rising demand for Sport Utility Vehicles has sparked severe competition amongst Korean and Japanese manufacturers. Notable competitors include the 2017 Kia Sportage and the 2017 Nissan X Trail. First released in 1993, the Sportage remains true to its name, while the millennial X Trail refuses to go down without a fight.

Exterior

Although both SUVs are five-door crossovers, they share more differences than similarities:

Kia Sportage:
- Length: 4.48 meters
- Width: 1.85 meters
- Height: 1.64 meters
- Prominent features: Chrome door handles, roof rails, roof spoiler, auto headlamps, sizeable alloy wheels.
Nissan X Trail:
- Length: 4.64 meters
- Width: 1.82 meters
- Height: 1.71 meters
- Distinguishing features: Body colored bumpers, chrome exhaust pipes, body colored mirrors.

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Interior

Modern and stylish yet extensively functional, the cabin of the Kia Sportage is pleasant to look at and be within. Far more spacious, the cabin of the Nissan X Trail offers seating for five and a whopping 1,100 liters of cargo capacity, a fair bump over the Kia Sportage's 739-liters.

Specifications

The Kia Sportage is equipped with a 2.0-liter engine that produces 155 horsepower and 197 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds, with a top speed of 170 km/h. In contrast, the Nissan X Trail features a more powerful 2.5-liter engine generating 170 horsepower and 233 Nm of torque, achieving 0 to 100 km/h in 11 seconds and a top speed of 170 km/h.

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Verdict

The 2017 Kia Sportage attracts customers with a lower price tag of AED 69,900. However, the 2017 Nissan X Trail, offering more space, power, and better features, stands out as the better value for money purchase at AED 84,000.