Used Nissan Qashqai J11 (2014–21) vs Kia Sportage Mk4 QL (2016–21)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used family suv? We compare the Nissan Qashqai J11 (2014–2021) and Kia Sportage Mk4 QL (2016–2021), which were on sale at the same time, on size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how cars of their age do in real MOT tests.
The short answer
The Kia Sportage Mk4 QL comes out ahead, with the bigger boot; the Nissan Qashqai J11 is close on everything else.
- The Kia Sportage Mk4 QL has the biggest boot: 491 litres, 61 more than the Nissan Qashqai J11.
- Their MOT records are similar for their age: the Kia Sportage Mk4 QL fails its MOT about as often as average for its age (19% of Kia Sportages built 2016–2021 failed first time in 2024, against 19% of all cars that age); the Nissan Qashqai J11 fails its MOT 3% more often than average for its age (22% of Nissan Qashqais built 2014–2021 failed first time in 2024, against 21% of all cars that age).
- Watch the steering on a Nissan Qashqai J11: it fails on them 3.3 times as often as the average car.
- Watch the brakes on a Kia Sportage Mk4 QL: it fails on them 1.7 times as often as the average car.
| Figure | Nissan Qashqai J11J11 (2014–2021), 5-door SUV | Kia Sportage Mk4 QLMk4 QL (2016–2021), 5-door SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door SUV | 5-door SUV |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 430 litres / 1,598 | 491 litres / 1,480 (best) |
| Length | 4,394mm | 4,485mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,806mm | 1,855mm |
| Height | 1,595mm | 1,635mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 110–163 PS | 115–185 PS (best) |
| 0–62mph | 9.1–13.0 sec | 9.1–12.0 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2014) | ★★★★★ (2015) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Petrol | – |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 41.5–74.3 mpg | – |
| CO2 | 99–180 g/km | – |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £1,202 (48.7 mpg) | – |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £1,436 (47.1 mpg) | – |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,202 (petrol) | – |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £445 | – |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 88Below average | 99Average (best) |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 22.1% (21.4%)built 2014–2021 | 19.0% (18.6%)built 2016–2021 |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 31.4% | 24.3% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 9.9% (best) | 15.7% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 15.9% (best) | 17.1% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 37.8% | 33.0% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Ball joint (5.2% of tests) | Brake pads (3.6% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Steering (3.3×), Seat belts and airbags (2.1×) | Brakes (1.7×), Steering (1.6×) |
| MOT tests analysed | 561,521 | 258,990 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Family SUV | Family SUV |
| Owners' average miles a year | 8,400 | 8,600 |
| On sale | 2014–2021 | 2016–2021 |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
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- Nissan Qashqai J11 vs Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2
- Nissan Qashqai J11 vs Honda CR-V Mk5
- Nissan Qashqai J11 vs Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL
- Ford Kuga Mk2 vs Kia Sportage Mk4 QL
- Kia Sportage Mk4 QL vs Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2
- Kia Sportage Mk4 QL vs Honda CR-V Mk5
- Kia Sportage Mk4 QL vs Hyundai Tucson Mk3 TL
Frequently asked questions
›Is a used Nissan Qashqai J11 or Kia Sportage Mk4 QL more reliable?
There's little in it. Compared with all cars the same age, the Kia Sportage Mk4 QL fails its MOT about as often as average and the Nissan Qashqai J11 3% more often than average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 19.0% of Kia Sportages built 2016–2021 failed first time, and 22.1% of Nissan Qashqais built 2014–2021. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the Nissan Qashqai J11 or the Kia Sportage Mk4 QL?
The Kia Sportage Mk4 QL is 91mm longer (4,485mm against 4,394mm). The Kia Sportage Mk4 QL has the bigger boot: 491 litres against 430.
›Which is safer, the Nissan Qashqai J11 or the Kia Sportage Mk4 QL?
Euro NCAP gave the Nissan Qashqai J11 5 stars (2014) and the Kia Sportage Mk4 QL 5 stars (2015). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Nissan Qashqai J11 or the Kia Sportage Mk4 QL?
The Kia Sportage Mk4 QL comes out ahead, with the bigger boot; the Nissan Qashqai J11 is close on everything else. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.