Comparative test. The 2022 Kia Sportage challenges the Peugeot 3008

In a hotly contested compact SUV segment, the Kia Sportage is one of the safe bets. Without revolutionizing the category, it has built its reputation on its statutory appearance, on its technology and on its good ratio between price and performance. Its fifth generation, which is starting from scratch, is giving itself the means to consolidate its achievements. Perhaps less extroverted than its cousin Hyundai Tucson, with which it shares its N3 platform, the Sportage still imposes itself with its chubby bow and muscular sides. The Korean SUV does not forget any of the latest fashionable technologies and meets all desires in terms of motorization. It is indeed possible to choose between traction and all-wheel drive, hybrid gasoline, plug-in hybrid, but also diesel as on our test model.

Sure of his strength, the Peugeot 3008 second of the name look with amusement at this newcomer. The one who renewed the genre when it was released at the end of 2016 saw its competitors struggling to follow or copy it. But almost everyone broke their teeth on this icon, which was given a restyling in January 2021 and remains by far the favorite compact SUV of the French. Here is the Sportage warned for this match in diesel version (136 hp for the Kia; 130 hp for the 3008) and automatic transmission.

Kia Sportage Price

Available in four finishes, the Kia Sportage diesel is available from €33,790 (Motion). In its high-end GT-Line Premium version, our test version brings the bill to €43,290. At this price, the sporty presentation is rewarding and the equipment is ultra-complete in terms of style (19-inch rims) or amenities (premium Harman Kardon sound system). Driving aids, which abound, can also count on the presence of a vehicle exit safety warning and rear traffic detection (see table on page 2). The Sportage GT-Line Premium limits its extras to metallic paint (€650) and black roof (€400). Also, unlike the 3008, it can adopt a 4 x 4 transmission (+ €2,000).

Price Peugeot 3008

With a call price set at €37,550 with the Active Pack finish, the Peugeot 3008 Blue HDi 130 is not as accessible as the Sportage. Billed at €42,250 in our GT test version, it is certainly €1,040 cheaper than its rival but also less well equipped as standard since 360° camera, motorized tailgate, electric and heated seats and 19-inch alloy wheels. appear in the option section (See table). The Sportage therefore displays the best price/equipment ratio against the French, who has been paying for its successive price increases for a few months. To drive the point home, the Korean adds its famous warranty of 7 years or 150,000 km.

To drive

More than four years after its release, the i-cockpit of the Peugeot 3008 continues to have an effect with its confined atmosphere. The enveloping upholstery and the small steering wheel that some will find set too low bring a touch of sportiness unprecedented in the category. The very smooth steering at low speed and the considerate damping, despite the slight percussion generated by the 19-inch wheels, work wonders in urban use. Installed higher, the Sportage driver dominates traffic more, as on board the majority of its competitors. This more classic ergonomics and the plunging hood are appreciated in town, even if the seats lack a bit of support. On the other hand, its less gentle steering and its more imposing size do not make Kia’s SUV as alert as its rival in the flow of traffic, and the tremors at low speed appear a little more marked than on board the Peugeot. It must be said that the 19-inch rims do not help!

In a segment of compact SUVs where plug-in hybrids are becoming a heavy trend, diesel retains better sobriety on long journeys. In use, the 1.6 l Korean CRDi is a little more consistent than the 1.5 l Blue HDi tricolor, which suffers from a slight dip at low revs. Admittedly, the automatic converter box of the Peugeot makes it possible to smooth out this defect, but it is both slower and less reactive than the dual-clutch unit of the Kia.

The mechanics of the Sportage therefore take the advantage in town and highlight their 48 V light hybridization, which makes its Stop & Start system more discreet. The latter generates a more marked engine brake when lifting the foot from the accelerator or a freewheel mode which cuts the engine once the Eco mode is activated. Leaving the built-up areas, the two rivals deliver services that are largely sufficient, even if the lesser flexibility of the Peugeot block makes it a little less invigorating. The French catches up on the highway, where its eight-speed gearbox offers more silence.

Seeming more compact than Korean, the 3008 still gives as much pleasure to its driver when the road begins to turn. Helped by a steering that strengthens with speed, it is communicative and playful. Its suspensions which tactfully erase the relief of the roadway contribute to the dynamism while maintaining a soft comfort. The new Sportage doesn’t offer as refined road feel, or the same flavor, but it’s perfectly safe in all circumstances and precise enough to keep up. Only its slightly less subtle damping and a barely less agile balance suffer from the comparison.

To live

With its large, fully customizable 12.3-inch touchscreen as an instrumentation block and its central screen of the same size, the Kia Sportage is making its digital revolution. Borrowed from the Kia EV6 electric SUV, the ultra-modern presentation, the rewarding materials despite some slightly flashy lacquered touches and the meticulous manufacturing quality make its cabin stand out. The disappearance of the classic Commodo does not facilitate general ergonomics, but a horizontal tactile strip nestled on the central console gives access to the various menus, including the air conditioning. Opposite, the i-cockpit of the 3008 is still atypical and technological. On the other hand, the graphics of its instrumentation block and its 10-inch touch screen are getting old. Its ergonomics also appear a bit confusing in the absence of a real main menu.

Life is good in the rear seats of the Sportage. The bench seat does not slide, but the generous legroom, the USB ports on the back of the front seats and the tilt-adjustable backrests make it a particularly pleasant host. If the central space suffers from an easement tunnel and a firm file, it nevertheless retains sufficient roof clearance to accommodate a large size. The 3008 takes advantage of its fixed bench seat with a slightly deeper design to offer more support to the rear seats, but the legroom is less, and the middle seat is even less pleasant than that of the Sportage.

With volumes announced at 526 and 520 liters respectively, the trunks of the Kia and Peugeot appear comparable. Their dimensions are relatively similar, and their double floor provides a flat loading space. That of the Sportage, on the other hand, can only be used in the high position since its lower part accommodates the imposing battery of the 48 V hybrid system. A little more practical, the 3008 offers more storage and a folding passenger seat in portfolio for transport long objects.

Find the results of the match and the prices, equipment and technical sheets compared on the next page…