Suzuki XL7 vs. Kia Sportage Review

Utility
There's no clear winner between the Suzuki XL-7 and the Kia Sportage when it comes to hauling capacity. The Suzuki XL-7 will very likely prove friendlier than the Kia Sportage for those of you with frequent child-cargo. The Suzuki outpulls the Kia by a large margin.

Dimensions
The Suzuki XL-7 is slightly heavier than the Kia Sportage. The Suzuki XL-7's tank is about the same size as the Kia Sportage's, though the Kia's is somewhat bigger. The Kia Sportage and the Suzuki XL-7 compete for the same parking spaces. The Suzuki XL-7's longer wheelbase will likely result in a smoother, more stable ride; on the other hand, the Kia may give a more maneuverable feel in daily traffic.

Convenience
You'll doubtless take the Suzuki XL-7 for a fill-up approximately as often as the Kia Sportage.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs about the same to get the Kia to the dealership as the XL-7. The Kia Sportage won't save you much money at the pump compared to the Suzuki XL-7. The Suzuki XL-7 doesn't pale in comparison to the Sportage as far as gas mileage. As far as MSRP, the Suzuki XL-7 costs considerably more than the Kia Sportage.

Handling
The Kia Sportage's front-wheel drive layout likely gives it better traction in rain, snow or ice than the Suzuki XL-7; on the flip side, the Suzuki XL-7's rear-wheel drive layout likely provides better weight distribution. With its tighter turning radius, the Kia is definitely nimbler than the Suzuki XL-7, something to consider if you do a lot of city driving; however, note that a vehicle with a tight turning circle may feel a bit twitchy on the highway.

Drivetrain
The Sportage has no lessons to learn in terms of torque from the Suzuki XL-7.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the Kia offers a bit more head room than the Suzuki XL-7, there frankly isn't much of a difference. The Kia Sportage offers more head- and leg-room to your passengers than the Suzuki XL-7 does.

Overview
The basic after-sale protection that comes with the XL-7 isn't quite as generous as the Kia Sportage's. In terms of after-sale protection against rust, the Kia Sportage has tremendously better coverage than the Suzuki XL-7.