Jaecoo 7 vs Kia Sportage: Which family SUV should you buy?
Thu, 12 Feb 2026
The Kia Sportage is one of the most popular family SUVs, and about as safe a bet as it’s possible to make on a new car. It’s familiar, well-proven, comes with a great warranty, and there’s extensive dealer support across the country.
The Jaecoo 7, by contrast, is a much newer proposition, from a brand that no one had heard of a few years ago. And yet it’s been a smash hit for the Chinese brand, jumping into the UK best-sellers list within months of its launch at the start of 2025. Bold looks, aggressive pricing, and a rapidly growing dealer network, as well as a strong warranty of its own, have all helped catapult it into the public consciousness.
On paper, these two SUVs target the same buyers. Both are designed to be practical, comfortable family cars that sit below premium brands like BMW and Audi, but still feel modern and well-equipped. Where they differ is how they go about it; the Sportage leans on years of refinement and a huge UK dealer network, while the Jaecoo 7 attempts to win customers over with tech, value and, in plug-in hybrid form, a solid electric-only driving range.
We’ve driven both cars, and this is how they stack up.
Jaecoo 7 vs Kia Sportage: Stats at a glance
| Jaecoo 7 | Kia Sportage | |
| Engines | Petrol, PHEV | Petrol, Hybrid |
| Performance (0-62mph) |
Up to 8.5 seconds | 7.9 seconds |
| Towing capacity | Up to 1000kg | Up to 1650kg |
| Boot space | 500 litres (412 litres for PHEV) | 562 litres |
| Infotainment | 14.8-inch touchscreen | 12.3-inch touchscreen |
| Dimensions | 4.5m long, 1.86m wide | 4.54m long, 1.86m wide |
| Warranty | 7-years/100,000 miles | 7-years/100,000 miles |
| Pricing | From £30,115 | £30,935 |
Jaecoo 7 vs Kia Sportage: Engines and fuel economy
The Jaecoo 7 comes either with a conventional petrol engine or as the 7 SHS plug-in hybrid (PHEV). It’s the SHS model that really defines the car; with an electric-only range of up to 56 miles, it lets most drivers finish their daily commute and local journeys without using any petrol at all, as long as they can charge it at home or work.
We’d generally advise you to avoid the pure petrol model – the official fuel economy is 37.7mpg for front-wheel-drive models and around 35mpg for four-wheel-drive models, which isn't very impressive by modern standards.
The Kia Sportage takes a more traditional approach, at least for now. Since its 2025 facelift, you can buy a new Sportage with a 1.6-litre petrol engine, either on its own or as part of a full-hybrid set-up. There will be a new PHEV following, but right now you’ll have to look to the second-hand market for a plug-in Sportage. The petrol Sportages can get into the low-40s when it comes to MPG, but the hybrid promises up to 49.6mpg.
If you don’t have access to a charger, then the Sportage Hybrid is a simpler, low-effort option. However, if you can charge at home and your journeys are generally short and predictable, then the Jaecoo 7 SHS has the potential to be far cheaper to run.
Jaecoo 7 vs Kia Sportage: Practicality
Both the Jaecoo 7 and the Kia Sportage are usefully sized family SUVs, but the Kia has the stronger hand when it comes to outright luggage space. Its boot measures 562 litres, which is excellent for this type of car and makes it particularly appealing for families, dog owners, or anyone who regularly carries bulky loads.
The Jaecoo 7 is still practical, but there’s a notable difference depending on which version you choose. The petrol model offers a 500-litre boot, which is perfectly competitive, but the plug-in hybrid sacrifices space to accommodate its battery, reducing boot capacity to 412 litres. With the rear seats folded, both versions offer enough room for larger loads, but the Kia retains an edge in everyday flexibility.
Rear-seat space is good in both, though the Sportage feels a little more accommodating for taller passengers on longer journeys. Towing capacity also favours the Kia in most configurations – most models manage up to 1500kg (braked) and with the optional towing pack that can rise to 1650kg. The Jaecoo 7 SHS can handle moderate loads – up to 1000kg – and will suit smaller trailers.
Jaecoo 7 vs Kia Sportage: Quality
When it comes to how the interior feels, the Kia Sportage and the Jaecoo 7 take noticeably different approaches.
In the Sportage, Kia has worked hard to lift the perception of quality compared with earlier generations. It feels solidly put together with surfaces that mostly avoid cheap plastics where it matters most. Soft-touch materials run across the top of the dashboard and door tops, and switchgear tends to feel weighty and well-built for the class. The layout is purposeful rather than flashy, and although it doesn’t feel as premium as some rivals from more upmarket brands, it comfortably exceeds what many mainstream compact SUVs offer at similar prices.
The Jaecoo 7’s interior is more about visual impact. It feels modern and tech-rich, with bold styling and generous equipment levels that immediately catch the eye when you step inside. However, surfaces tend to be hard-wearing rather than plush, and there are a few places where the choice of trim and plastics doesn’t quite match the feel of more established rivals. Still, it’s well screwed together and the big screens and glossy surfaces give an air of technological ambition that you don’t always get in this type of car.
The Sportage edges it on tactile quality.The Jaecoo 7’s interior feels more contemporary and equipment-rich, but you’ll feel the difference in materials.
Jaecoo 7 vs Kia Sportage: Infotainment
The Kia Sportage sets a strong benchmark for infotainment usability. All versions come with a 12.3-inch touchscreen featuring navigation, media, Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it’s backed up by sharp graphics, quick responses and a logical menu structure. Kia has also put thought into day-to-day use, with multiple USB-C ports and a clever climate control setup that keeps temperature adjustments off the main screen and retains proper rotary dials. It’s not flashy, but it’s easy to live with.
The Jaecoo 7 takes a far more screen-led approach. Its large, portrait-mounted touchscreen – 14.8 inches in Luxury trim – dominates the cabin and makes a strong visual statement. Thankfully, it works well in practice, with an intuitive layout and fast responses. The downside is that almost everything, including climate controls, is handled through the touchscreen, which can be less convenient on the move. Jaecoo counters this with generous tech, including wireless smartphone mirroring, a powerful 50W cooled wireless phone charger and plenty of USB ports.
Both systems are competent, but they suit different tastes. The Kia’s infotainment feels more carefully judged for everyday use, while the Jaecoo’s prioritises screen impact and technology, even if that means relying more heavily on touch controls.
Jaecoo 7 vs Kia Sportage: Performance
Neither the Jaecoo 7 nor the Kia Sportage is trying to be a driver-focused SUV. Instead, both prioritise comfort, predictability and ease of use.
The Kia Sportage delivers a familiar, well-judged driving experience across its petrol and hybrid range. Ride comfort is generally good, particularly on smaller wheels, and it copes well with rougher UK road surfaces without feeling unsettled. Steering is light and easy at low speeds, which suits town driving, but it lacks meaningful feedback or engagement once speeds rise. Despite its name, there’s no sporty edge to the Sportage.
The Sportage Hybrid offers the strongest performance in the range, with its combined petrol-electric output giving it a noticeable boost in acceleration, though it can be quite loud. Once again, it’s best at a steady cruise.
The Jaecoo 7 is similarly composed and smooth, with handling very close in character to the Sportage. The PHEV version – the 7 SHS – is the pick of the range, with more ride comfort and a smoother feeling at low speed thanks to its electric assistance. The petrol models get firmer springs and feel less refined, especially when worked hard.
Both cars deliver much the same on-road character: comfortable, competent and undemanding, but not especially memorable to drive. Of the two, the Sportage feels slightly more refined and predictable as an all-rounder.
Jaecoo 7 vs Kia Sportage: Size
Dimensionally, the two cars are very close. The Kia Sportage measures 4540mm in length, while the Jaecoo 7 is slightly shorter at around 4500mm. The width of both is similar, and both have a tall, upright stance that makes them easy to get in and out of.
In everyday use, neither feels unwieldy, but the Jaecoo’s slightly shorter length can make it marginally easier to manoeuvre in the tightest environments. The Sportage’s size advantage translates into interior space rather than making it feel bulky on the road.
Jaecoo 7 vs Kia Sportage: Trims and variants
Kia keeps the Sportage range relatively simple: Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S, with equipment levels rising predictably as you move up the range. Pure has just about everything you need, GT-Line adds a sporty look inside and out, and GT-Line S has just about everything you also want, from ventilated seats and heated rear seats to an electric boot lid.
Jaecoo offers the 7 in fewer trims: Deluxe and Luxury for the petrol model, and just a solitary Luxury specification for the SHS. However, all versions are loaded with equipment as standard. Even the Deluxe has laminated glass for noise reduction, heated seats and synthetic leather upholstery, with a panoramic sunroof and a 50W wireless charger. The Deluxe adds a fancier sound system, a head-up display and a larger infotainment screen, among other features.
Jaecoo 7 vs Kia Sportage: Pricing
Pricing is one of the Jaecoo’s strongest cards. The petrol Jaecoo 7 starts at just over £30,000, while the plug-in hybrid SHS version begins at around £35,000. Given the level of standard equipment and the electric range on offer, that makes it very competitive.
The Kia Sportage starts at just under £31,000 for entry-level petrol models, rising to over £40,000 for higher-spec versions and hybrids. While it’s not cheap compared to the 7, it justifies its price with strong residuals and a wide dealer network. Kia is also well-known for its seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, but Jaecoo matches it with the same offering.
Which one should you buy?
If you want a dependable, well-rounded family SUV with a proven track record, the Kia Sportage remains an excellent choice. It’s spacious, easy to live with and backed by one of the strongest warranties in the business. For many buyers, it will feel like the least risky option.
The Jaecoo 7, particularly in SHS plug-in hybrid form, could make more sense if you’re prepared to embrace something newer. It offers an awful lot for the money, and if you can charge regularly and want to maximise electric driving without moving to a full EV, it offers genuine advantages in running costs and performance. You’ll sacrifice some boot space and long-established brand familiarity, but you gain technology and value that’s hard to ignore – as well as a Kia-matching warranty.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to priorities. The Sportage is the safe, polished all-rounder. The Jaecoo 7 has a few rough edges, but for the price and the amount of features, many may feel it’s worth the risk.
