2019 Kia Sportage vs Nissan X-Trail HD

2019 Kia Sportage vs 2019 Nissan X-Trail Comparison Flagship Sportage GT-Line takes on the X-Trail Ti The Kia Sportage and Nissan X-Trail are two of the market’s most popular medium-sized SUVs, owning a neat 20 per cent market share between them. What’s interesting about comparing this pair is the different approaches the respective brands have taken. The Kia prioritises visual appeal and a hint of sportiness, whereas the Nissan is all about maximising practicality for a growing family. The Kia has impressed us more lately, but there are countless happy X-Trail owners whose loyalties have been built up over generations. Yours truly once owned a T31 X-Trail (previous generation, the longer boxy one). The two specs on test are the range-topping Sportage GT-Line and the X-Trail Ti. Pricing and specs They also cost the same at the flagship spec levels tested, at $44,790 before on-road costs. And in both cases, we’d suggest you haggle hard at the dealer, because you’ll absolutely do better. Both come pretty well equipped for the money, as both of these are definitely mainstream, unpretentious brands. Main rivals at this price include the outstanding Honda CR-V VTi-LX, Hyundai Tucson Highlander and top-selling Mazda CX-5 GT. Safety equipment on both includes six airbags (front, and side for both rows), a forward collision alert system that warns you of an impending collision, autonomous emergency braking that stops you automatically if you ignore the warning, and lights in the mirrors that alert you if someone is hovering in your blind spot. There’s also rear cross-traffic alert that warns you of encroaching traffic when you’re backing out of a bay, active cruise control that matches the speed of the car ahead, and systems that let you know when you’ve left your lane. Both naturally have the highest ANCAP rating of five stars, the Kia’s scored in 2016 (not updated with the recent mid-life refresh) and the Nissan in 2017. Common features inside include digital radio, eight-speaker audio systems (JBL on the Kia, Bose on the Nissan), leather seats with heating for front occupants, button start, climate control, rear-row air vents, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, LED headlights and tail-lights, panoramic sunroofs, 19-inch wheels, window tinting, and electric tailgates. It’s easy to spot Kia’s inspiration in the design of its interiors. There’s a bit of a European feel inside, and an instrument fascia tilted towards the driver. The big improvement on the MY18 model is the revised centre touchscreen, which sits flush and can be swiped like a phone. While the UX is familiar – a home screen made up of tiles, with maps on the left and audio/phone the right – it now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, as well as DAB+, Bluetooth/USB playing and satellite navigation. Below this screen are simple ventilation controls and UI shortcut buttons, unfortunately ringed in gauche glossy black plastic. Below this