Nissan Kicks vs Kia Sportage for UAE Families

The quick answer

If you want the lower purchase price, better fuel economy, and stronger resale value, the Nissan Kicks wins. If you need more cabin space and a bigger boot for a growing family, the Kia Sportage is worth the extra money — just know it loses value faster. Both are solid picks on the used market in Dubai, and we have inspection-verified listings for each.

Price: what each one costs on the used market

The Kicks is the more affordable car at every model year. A 2020 Kicks lists around AED 50,000 on CarSwitch, while a 2020 Sportage sits closer to AED 64,000 (CarSwitch listings data, July 2026). That gap narrows a little as the cars get newer — a 2021 Kicks is around AED 56,000 versus roughly AED 72,000 for the Sportage.

Compared to buying new, both save you real money. A 2020 Kicks costs about 45% less than a brand-new one. A 2020 Sportage saves you a similar percentage off its new sticker price of around AED 118,000.

Resale value: the Kicks holds up remarkably well

Here’s where the Kicks really pulls ahead. A five-year-old Kicks still holds about 91% of its value compared to a one-year-old example. The Sportage at the same age keeps around 80%. That’s a meaningful difference if you plan to sell or trade up in a few years.

“Families who buy a Kicks and sell it three or four years later are getting back almost everything they put in. That kind of resale strength is unusual in this price range.”

Ramiz Islam, Head of Marketing at CarSwitch

By year eight, the gap is even wider. A 2018 Kicks lists around AED 33,500, while a 2018 Sportage sits at about AED 38,500 — but the Sportage started at a much higher new price. Proportionally, the Kicks owner kept more of their money.

Space and practicality: the Sportage is the bigger car

The Sportage is a mid-size SUV. The Kicks is a compact crossover. That size gap shows up where it counts for families — the back seat and the boot.

The Sportage gives rear passengers noticeably more legroom. Car seats fit more comfortably, and three kids across the back row is actually doable. The boot is about 540 litres versus roughly 400 in the Kicks. That’s the difference between fitting a stroller plus grocery bags or having to choose.

If your family is two adults and one child, the Kicks is perfectly fine. If you regularly carry three kids, sports bags, or luggage for a weekend away, the Sportage earns its higher price. For families needing even more room, it might be worth looking at 7 seater cars in the UAE.

Fuel economy and running costs

The Kicks runs a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. It’s not fast, but it sips fuel — expect around 6.5–7 litres per 100 km in mixed Dubai driving. The Sportage’s 2.0-litre or 2.4-litre engine uses closer to 9–10 litres per 100 km.

At current petrol prices, that works out to roughly AED 150–200 less per month for the Kicks if you drive about 1,500 km monthly. Over a year, that’s AED 1,800–2,400 back in your pocket.

Insurance tends to be cheaper on the Kicks too, simply because the car costs less to replace. Both Nissan and Kia parts are widely available and affordable across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah — neither will surprise you with expensive repairs.

What to look for when buying either one used

Across our listings, cars with a minor accident history tend to list about 9% lower than clean-history examples. That’s a real saving if the repair was cosmetic, but always check the inspection-verified Kicks listings for full transparency on what’s been repaired.

Trim level matters too. A base-spec version typically lists about 7% below a fully loaded one. For the Kicks, the SV trim hits the sweet spot — you get the touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and decent safety kit without paying for features you don’t need.

Keep an eye on odometer readings. A 2020 Kicks typically shows around 61,000 km; a 2020 Sportage sits at about 75,000 km. Both are well within normal range for a five- to six-year-old car in the UAE.

Which one should you pick?

Choose the Nissan Kicks if your priority is lower running costs, stronger resale value, and a tighter budget. It’s the smarter financial choice, especially for smaller families or anyone who mostly drives around the city.

Choose the Kia Sportage if you need more space for passengers and luggage, or if you want the option of AWD for the occasional off-road trip. Just go in knowing it’ll lose value faster.

For most back-to-school family buyers in Dubai, we’d lean toward the 2020 or 2021 Kicks. It’s listed around AED 50,000–56,000, keeps its value well, and costs less to run every month. If you need the space, a 2022 Sportage at around AED 76,000 is the sweet spot — newer enough to still have low mileage and possibly some warranty left. Cars that still carry manufacturer warranty tend to list about 5% higher, but you’re paying for peace of mind.

Browse both models — all inspection-verified — on CarSwitch, or reach out to our real people who can help you narrow it down. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting before you commit. Browse used cars in the UAE to compare more options, or check out the Nissan Patrol 2021 if you’re considering something larger.