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. The Korean Sportage has a burlier design with a length of 4.48 meters, width of 1.85 meters, and height of 1.64 meters. Prominent features include chrome door handles, roof rails, a roof spoiler, auto headlamps, and sizeable alloy wheels.
The 2017 Nissan X Trail, on the other hand, provides a sleeker design with fine contouring in all the right places. It stands at 1.71 meters tall, and has a length and width of 4.64 meters and 1.82 meters respectively. Distinguishing itself from its rivals, the X Trail flaunts body colored bumpers, chrome exhaust pipes, and 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, however, 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 at 739-liters.
Specs
Armed with a 2.0-liter engine that can produce 155 horsepower and 197 Nm of torque, the Kia Sportage can hit 100 km/h in 11.5-seconds and a top speed of 170 km/h. The punchier Nissan X Trail is fitted with a 2.5-liter engine that generates 170 horsepower and 233 Nm of torque, allowing it to reach 100 km/h in 11 seconds and bear a top speed of 170 km/h.
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Verdict
Luring customers in with a lower price tag, the 2017 Kia Sportage makes a compelling case for itself at AED 69,900. Offering more space, power, and better features than its Korean rival, the slightly pricier 2017 Nissan X Trail remains the better value for money purchase at AED 84,000.
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