Nissan Qashqai vs Kia Sportage - service & running costs compared
Nissan Qashqai vs Kia Sportage - the two best-selling family SUVs in the UK head-to-head. Real 2026 service costs, common issues, and the better long-term buy.
These are the two cars on every UK family's shortlist when it's time to step up from a hatch to an SUV. Both seat five comfortably, both do 45+ mpg, both are reliable enough to outlast your kids' school years.
The pricing is close enough on showroom day, but the long-term running cost picture has some interesting differences. Here's what £2,500-a-year-of-ownership actually looks like.
Nissan Qashqai vs Kia Sportage - full price comparison
| Service / Repair | Nissan Qashqai | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| MOT test | £55 | £55 |
| Full service | £160–£230 | £170–£250 |
| Interim service | £100–£140 | £110–£155 |
| Front brake pads | £105–£170 | £115–£180 |
| Front brake discs + pads | £190–£335 | £205–£365 |
| Rear brake pads | £90–£145 | £95–£160 |
| Rear brake discs + pads | £170–£295 | £180–£315 |
| Brake fluid change | £45–£85 | £45–£85 |
| Wheel alignment | £35–£70 | £35–£70 |
| Drop links (pair) | £80–£160 | £85–£170 |
| Shock absorbers (pair) | £210–£420 | £225–£455 |
| Battery replacement | £100–£190 | £110–£205 |
| Air-con regas | £120–£150 | £120–£150 |
Real UK independent garage prices for 2026. Main dealer prices add 30–50% on top.
Which is cheaper to service?
They're identical on paper - both Qashqai and Sportage land at £170–£250 for a full service, with brake pads, alignment, batteries and shocks all priced the same across both cars in our cost data. That's because they share roughly the same engine bay weight, the same labour times for routine work, and parts are similarly accessible on both.
Where the picture changes is on the warranty. Kia's 7-year manufacturer warranty (transferable to second owners) is the strongest in the UK market.
If you're buying a Sportage under 7 years old, anything covered under the powertrain warranty is free to fix. Nissan offers 3 years - less generous, but adequate.
Common issues to watch for
The Qashqai's most-talked-about issue is the automatic gearbox fitted to petrol automatics from the older model (2014–2021). When they fail, replacement costs £2,500–£3,500. Pre-purchase check: any judder under acceleration, any whining noise above 50 mph, and any history of slipping - walk away. The 1.5 diesel and the manual petrol are both fine.
The Sportage's main known issues are more minor. The previous-gen 1.6 petrol can suffer carbon build-up on inlet valves (a direct-injection issue common across the industry) which becomes noticeable around 60,000 miles.
Walnut blasting fixes it for around £300. The 1.6 diesel is generally trouble-free if serviced on schedule.
Electrics across both generations have been better than the Qashqai's.
Insurance and running costs
Insurance groups are similar - Qashqai sits in groups 14–22, Sportage 13–24 depending on engine and trim. The hybrid versions of both are slightly more expensive to insure due to drivetrain complexity.
Real fuel economy is line-ball: 45–55 mpg on the diesels, 35–45 mpg on the petrols. Hybrid Sportages get to the mid-40s on a mixed cycle. The Sportage typically retains value 5–10% better at the 3-year mark thanks to that warranty.
Verdict - which is cheaper to own?
The Sportage is genuinely cheaper to own over a 5-year window - not because the per-job costs are lower (they're identical), but because the warranty absorbs more out-of-warranty surprises, and resale is stronger. A 3-year-old Sportage is worth £2,000–£3,000 more than an equivalent Qashqai.
That said, if you find a low-mileage manual or diesel Qashqai with documented service history, the absolute cost of running it day-to-day is basically the same as a Sportage. The Sportage wins on resale and warranty cover; the Qashqai sometimes wins on purchase price.
Hard rule: avoid the automatic-gearbox Qashqai. The savings on purchase don't compensate for a £3,000 gearbox bill at 80,000 miles.
FAQs: Nissan Qashqai vs Kia Sportage
Is a Kia Sportage cheaper to maintain than a Nissan Qashqai?
Service-by-service, no - both come in at £170–£250 for a full service and the same for brakes. But the Sportage's 7-year warranty covers major component failures that you'd pay for out of pocket on a 3-year-old Qashqai. Over 5–7 years of ownership, the Sportage works out cheaper.
What's the automatic gearbox problem on the Nissan Qashqai?
The automatic gearbox fitted to petrol automatic Qashqais (the older model, 2014–2021) is the car's biggest weakness. Symptoms are judder, slipping, or a whine above 50 mph.
Replacement is £2,500–£3,500. Manual and diesel Qashqais don't have this gearbox and aren't affected.
Which is more reliable, the Qashqai or the Sportage?
The Sportage, by a fair margin - particularly the current generation. Reliability surveys (What Car, Honest John) consistently rank Kia above Nissan in this segment. The Sportage's only common issue is carbon build-up on the older 1.6 petrol.
Is the Kia 7-year warranty worth the extra purchase price?
Usually yes - if you keep the car 5+ years, the warranty covers major drivetrain failures (engine, gearbox, drive shafts) that could otherwise cost £2,000–£5,000 out-of-pocket. It also boosts resale value at trade-in time.
Should I buy a petrol, diesel or hybrid Qashqai/Sportage?
Mostly depends on annual mileage. Under 8,000 miles a year - petrol or hybrid. 8,000–15,000 - hybrid (both makes do this well). Over 15,000, especially motorway miles - diesel.
The hybrid versions of both are now mature enough that they're a defensible default choice.
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