Omoda C9 SHS vs KIA Sportage

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Omoda C9 SHS in South Africa

Omoda C9 SHS

C9 SHS AWD Plug-in Hybrid 3-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 999,900 ex-showroom
⛽ 71.4 km/l
VS
KIA Sportage in South Africa

KIA Sportage

2WD 1.6T-GDI GT-Line S DCT Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 823,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 132 kW 🔧 265 Nm ⛽ 13.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Omoda C9 SHS vs KIA Sportage: the short answer

C9 SHS holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Sportage.

Sportage starts ZAR 336,905 cheaper C9 SHS from ZAR 999,900 · Sportage from ZAR 662,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification C9 SHS Sportage
Maximum Power C9 SHSNot Officially Disclosed Sportage132 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque C9 SHSNot Officially Disclosed Sportage265 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Engine Size C9 SHS1500 cc Sportage1591 cc
Combined Fuel Economy C9 SHS71.4 km/l Sportage13.9 km/l
Ground Clearance C9 SHS165 mm Sportage181 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

C9 SHS

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Sportage

Strengths
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

C9 SHS

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Sportage

  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec C9 SHS Sportage
Model Introduced Year 2025 2022
Generation Current South Africa C9 SHS range Fifth generation (NQ5); global launch 2021, SA 2022
Facelift History Current South Africa version listed by official source Fifth generation (NQ5) launched SA 2022; no facelift yet
Facelift Launched Since 2025 2022
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg Not Available 1570 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2WD 1.6T-GDI GT-Line S DCT
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note - Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Gravity Blue, Steel Grey, Intense Red, Glacial White Pearl, Interstellar Grey
Spec C9 SHS Sportage
Length 4775 mm 4515 mm
Width 1920 mm 1865 mm
Height 1671 mm 1660 mm
Wheelbase 2800 mm 2680 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 165 mm 181 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 140 mm 181 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 70 l 54 l
Boot/Cargo Space 660 l 466 l
Kerb Weight 2195 kg 1570 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2717 kg 2080 kg
Payload Capacity 522 kg 500 kg
Towing Capacity 1500 kg 1500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.8 m 10.8 m
Front Headroom 1005 mm 1010 mm
Rear Headroom 970 mm 955 mm
Front Legroom 1070 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 960 mm 855 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This C9 SHS and Sportage comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: C9 SHS 92 vs Sportage 57.

Efficiency index: C9 SHS 96 vs Sportage 54.

Safety-equipment index: C9 SHS 94 vs Sportage 100.

Practicality index: C9 SHS 69 vs Sportage 63.

Ownership-cover index: C9 SHS not separately scored vs Sportage 71.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

C9 SHS leads by 18 points

C9 SHS holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Sportage.

Evidence leader 87 /100
Lead 18 points
Data 55% source coverage
87
#1 Evidence leader

C9 SHS

55% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 96 Check Practicality 69
Performance 92
Efficiency 96
Safety 94
Practicality 69
Leads by 18 points
69
#2

Sportage

99% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 100 Check Efficiency 54
Performance 57
Efficiency 54
Safety 100
Practicality 63
Ownership 71
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance C9 SHS +35 Efficiency C9 SHS +42 Safety Sportage +6 Practicality C9 SHS +6

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

C9 SHS

Performance 92/100
Efficiency 96/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 69/100

Sportage

Performance 57/100
Efficiency 54/100
Safety 100/100
Practicality 63/100
Ownership 71/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Omoda C9 SHS leads the specification evidence index with 87 pts vs 69 pts for Sportage

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, C9 SHS leads. However, Sportage may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

C9 SHS vs Sportage questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.