A Comparison – Toyota Corolla Cross Non-hybrid vs. Kia Sportage

Toyota Indus Motors has recently launched the non-hybrid variant of the Corolla Cross exclusive for the Pakistani market with lower pricing. IMC is offering two variants in their non-hybrid lineup: 

• 1.8 (base variant) costs Rs. 8.2 million
• 1.8x (top-of-the-line variant) costs Rs. 8.9 million

For detailed review articles on the Cross non-hybrid, consider reading our previous blog Non-Hybrid Corolla Cross Launched – Official Specs & Features. In this series, we’re going to compare the Corolla Cross with other crossovers in the same league and with the similar budget, specs and segment. 

Let’s start the first part with the Toyota Corolla Cross non-hybrid (1.8x) vs. KIA Sportage (AWD) in this blog.

Toyota Corolla Cross Non-hybrid vs. KIA Sportage Overview

Toyota is a brand that needs no introduction. It’s one of the oldest and best-performing Japanese car brands in Pakistan, with outstanding resale value. In 2021, they introduced the CBU unit of Cross, and in December 2023, the CKD of Cross was introduced; in March 2024, Toyota introduced the non-hybrid CKD of Cross. It’s a subcompact C-segment crossover based on the 12th generation of Corolla.

KIA, on the other hand, is a Korean car manufacturer that stepped back in Pakistan in 2019 through Lucky Motors. Their Sportage model is one of Pakistan’s best-selling cars in crossover leagues. In fact, Sportage was one of the first brand-new CKD Crossovers in the Pakistani market as well. 

Interior

To be honest, the Corolla Cross takes the leap in terms of aesthetics; with a Terra Rosa leather interior and sleek design chrome AC grills, its interior looks exquisite and has a modern touch. 

The Cross also features ambient lightning, but Sportage doesn’t offer anything like that. Overall, the Cross follows a modern philosophy of a minimal and simple-looking interior with most of the controls on the infotainment, while you get tons of physical buttons on the Sportage.

Both cars offer nearly identical features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 6-8 stereo system, steering adjustments, climate control, and other standard features. However, the infotainment of Sportage is 8 inches while the other one comes with 9 inches.

Exterior

On the front side of Sportage, you get a KIA’s signature piano black tiger grill with a body-colored bumper and matte black accents on the fog lights. The Cross’s front covers projector lamps with a mesh grill and matte black underskirts. 

On the side view, the Sportage has 19-inch alloy wheels, while the Cross has 17-inch alloy wheels. Both cars have their signature character lines, but the Cross has matte black fenders and bottom garnish.

On the back, both cars come with LED taillights, rear wipers, roof spoilers, dual-tone matte black bumper garnishes, and, of course, the key to becoming a best-selling car: the shark fin antenna.

Dimensions

The dimensions of both cars are:

Dimensions	Sportage	Corolla Cross
Overall Length	4485 mm	4460 mm
Overall Width	1855 mm	1825 mm
Overall Height	1635 mm	1620 mm
Wheel Base	2670 mm	2640 mm
Ground Clearance	172 mm	161 mm
Kerb Weight	1544 KG	1395 KG
Boot Space	869 L	436 L

 

Under the Hood

The Corolla Cross comes with a 2ZR-FE 1798cc DI gasoline engine that produces 138hp at 6400 RPMs and 172 Nm of torque at 4,000 RPMs, mated with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

On the other hand, the KIA Sportage comes with a 1999cc MPI gasoline engine that produces 155 HP @ 6200 RPM and 196 Nm @ 4000 RPM, mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Safety Features

Both models have an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) + Emergency Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) + Brake Assist (BA), Emergency Brake Signal, Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), immobilizer, ISOFIX Child Support Anchor, and Occupant Seat Sensor. However, here it turns the game. The KIA Sportage only offers 2 airbags with hill-assist, while the Corolla Cross offers 7 airbags without hill-assist

Pricing Comparison

The KIA Sportage AWD variant costs 8.4 million, while the Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 X variant costs 8.9 million. These two are the most identical and best to compare variants.

However, both companies offer additional variants that you can compare here.

What do you think about this comparison? Which one is the winner for you? Please tell us in the comments section.