Slick new Korean contender is our top pick in Australia’s biggest SUV sales segment
The new Kia Sportage has been named carsales Best Mid-Size SUV 2022, topping a field of 14 finalists in Australia’s biggest new-vehicle sales segment after utes, and the most popular among private buyers.
Australians purchased more than 180,000 mid-size SUVs in 2021 and growth in the category continues in 2022. Views for medium SUVs on carsales last month were up 19.7 per cent compared to April 2021, highlighting the increased interest in this fast-growing segment.
Excluding premium brands, no fewer than 18 mainstream car-makers offer a medium SUV in their line-up today.
carsales short-listed the most popular to determine the best. From the latest versions of the pioneering Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester to newer entries from Skoda, Hyundai, Kia, MG and Haval, the best-equipped all-wheel drive petrol auto versions priced under $55,000 were compared to name just one winner.
As with all carsales Best awards, we assessed each contender against more than 100 individual criteria across five key areas including safety, technology, comfort and convenience features, driving performance and ownership costs.
First launched in November 2021, and a carsales Car of the Year finalist, the fifth-generation Kia Sportage offers three powertrain choices (with two hybrids to come) and ticks more boxes than any other affordable mid-size SUV.
Thanks to its extensive standard safety suite, cutting-edge and intuitive multimedia technology, relatively low cost of ownership and impressive locally tuned ride and handling package, the Kia Sportage scored well in all key areas of assessment.
In winning the carsales Best Mid-Size SUV award for 2022, it defeated its sister model – the Hyundai Tucson – which claimed the top mid-size award in 2021.
Best Mid-Size SUV 2022 contenders:Ford Escape Vignale AWDHaval H6 Ultra AWDHonda CR-V VTi LXHyundai Tucson Highlander AWDKia Sportage GT-LineMazda CX-5 AkeraMG HS Essence XMitsubishi Outlander Exceed TourerNissan X-TRAIL TiRenault Koleos Intens AWDSkoda Karoq 140TSI SportlineSubaru Forester 2.5i-SToyota RAV4 Edge
Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI Elegance