Geely E5 EM-i 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.

Geely E5 EM-i in South Africa

Geely E5 EM-i

Apex Plug-in Hybrid Current
ZAR 679,999 ex-showroom
⚡ 73 kW 🔧 125 Nm
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

Geely E5 EM-i vs KIA Sportage: the short answer

E5 EM-i and Sportage are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

E5 EM-i starts ZAR 62,996 cheaper E5 EM-i from ZAR 599,999 · Sportage from ZAR 662,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification E5 EM-i Sportage
Maximum Power E5 EM-i73 kW Sportage132 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque E5 EM-i125 Nm Sportage265 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Engine Size E5 EM-i1499 cc Sportage1591 cc
Combined Fuel Economy E5 EM-iNot Officially Disclosed Sportage13.9 km/l
Ground Clearance E5 EM-iNot Officially Disclosed Sportage181 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

E5 EM-i

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

Sportage

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

E5 EM-i

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

Sportage

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec E5 EM-i Sportage
Model Introduced Year 2025 2022
Generation Current South African model / exact generation number not separately published Fifth generation (NQ5); global launch 2021, SA 2022
Facelift History No applicable South African facelift history established Fifth generation (NQ5) launched SA 2022; no facelift yet
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable 2022
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Passenger vehicle SUV
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
Tare Mass Kg - 1570 kg
Spec E5 EM-i Sportage
Length 4740 mm 4515 mm
Width 1905 mm 1865 mm
Height 1685 mm 1660 mm
Wheelbase 2755 mm 2680 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) Not Officially Disclosed 181 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 181 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 51 l 54 l
Boot/Cargo Space 528 l 466 l
Kerb Weight 1770 kg 1570 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) Not Officially Disclosed 2080 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 500 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 1500 kg
Seating Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 5 seats
Number of Rows Not Officially Disclosed 2 rows
Doors Not Officially Disclosed 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius Not Officially Disclosed 10.8 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 1010 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 955 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1040 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 855 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This E5 EM-i 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: E5 EM-i 39 vs Sportage 57.

Efficiency index: E5 EM-i 79 vs Sportage 54.

Safety-equipment index: E5 EM-i 91 vs Sportage 100.

Practicality index: E5 EM-i 74 vs Sportage 63.

Ownership-cover index: E5 EM-i 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

E5 EM-i leads by 1 points

E5 EM-i and Sportage are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 70 /100
Lead 1 points
Data 51% source coverage
70
#1 Evidence leader

E5 EM-i

51% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Performance 39
Performance 39
Efficiency 79
Safety 91
Practicality 74
Leads by 1 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 Sportage +18 Efficiency E5 EM-i +25 Safety Sportage +9 Practicality E5 EM-i +11

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

E5 EM-i

Performance 39/100
Efficiency 79/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 74/100

Sportage

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Geely E5 EM-i leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts vs 69 pts for Sportage

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, E5 EM-i leads. However, Sportage may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

E5 EM-i 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.