Hyundai Tucson vs Nissan Qashqai vs Kia Sportage

A family-favourite SUV showdown: Who will win?

Three heavyweights in the family SUV arena, all vying for a spot on your driveway.

The Hyundai Tucson brings bold styling and impressive tech. The Nissan Qashqai – the car that started our crossover obsession – offers proven reliability and British-built pride. And the Kia Sportage? Well, it's packing serious value and a seven-year warranty that's hard to ignore.

But when you pit them against each other, which one actually delivers? We're putting these three through their paces to find out which deserves your next lease deal.

Spoiler alert: it's going to be closer than you think.

Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson has come a long way from its humble beginnings.

What started as a practical-but-plain family SUV has transformed into something that genuinely turns heads – and we're here for it.

Those distinctive Parametric Hidden Lights aren't for everyone, but they certainly get you noticed.

Inside, Hyundai haven't held back on the tech and clever features, while still delivering on the family-friendly promise with plenty of room for everyone.

The Tucson drives exactly how you'd expect a family SUV to drive – competently and comfortably, without trying to be a sports car.

It handles motorway miles with ease and keeps bumps in the road to a minimum, so your passengers won't be reaching for the sick bags on winding roads.

Under the bonnet, everything's built around Hyundai's trusty 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, available in various states of electrification.

The entry-level petrol manages 158bhp and will get you from 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds – perfectly adequate for family duties.

Step up to the mild hybrid and you'll shave half a second off that time while improving fuel economy to 44.1mpg.

The full hybrid version bumps power up to 212bhp and delivers around 45mpg in real-world driving, while the plug-in hybrid offers 38 miles of electric range and some very tax-friendly CO2 figures for company car drivers.

The catch?

That bold styling is a bit Marmite – you'll either love those angular lines or they'll leave you cold. And while the plug-in hybrid's 38-mile electric range is decent, it's not exactly class-leading.

The verdict

If you're after a family SUV that stands out from the crowd and packs in the tech, the Tucson makes a compelling case. Just make sure you can live with those polarising looks – they're quite the statement piece.

Nissan Qashqai

The car that started our crossover obsession is still going strong – and there's a good reason it's consistently one of the UK's best-sellers.

The current Qashqai has been with us since 2021, but had a mid-life refresh in 2024, with sharper looks, better tech, and a higher-quality cabin.

But this isn't a dramatic reinvention – Nissan knows better than to mess with a winning formula that's sold over four million cars since 2007.

What you get is classic Goldilocks territory: not too big, not too small, but just right for family life.

The updated grille might look like samurai armour (Nissan's words, not ours), but the overall package remains refreshingly sensible in a world of expensive EVs.

The e-Power hybrid system is the big seller here, and it's easy to see why.

Unlike traditional hybrids, the petrol engine acts purely as a generator, with an electric motor driving the wheels directly.

The result? A smooth, almost electric-like driving experience with 187bhp and a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds.

If you don't fancy the e-Power system, there are mild hybrid options starting with a 138bhp 1.3-litre turbo.

Both feel a bit sluggish pulling away from junctions, but they settle into a refined cruise once you're moving.

The interior strikes a nice balance between modern tech and actual buttons you can find without taking your eyes off the road.

Space is decent rather than class-leading, but the boot's a good size and the build quality feels solid throughout.

The reality check?

This isn't the most exciting drive in the class, and passenger space could be more generous. But sometimes 'fine' is exactly what you need – especially when it's backed by British build quality and comes in at a sensible price.

The verdict

The Qashqai does exactly what it says on the tin – reliable, practical family transport that won't break the bank or give you any nasty surprises. It's the automotive equivalent of a good cup of tea: familiar, comforting, and exactly what you need most of the time.

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage isn't playing it safe – and that's exactly why it's become the UK's second-best-selling car.

This fifth-generation model is the first Sportage designed specifically for European tastes, and it shows. Where its global sibling is a bit more truck-like, our version strikes a neat balance between crossover practicality and eye-catching style.

Those looks are certainly divisive.

The aggressive front end with its sharp, upright daytime running lights screams confidence, while the rear borrows styling cues from Kia's electric EV6.

It's all part of Kia's 'opposites united' design philosophy – and clearly, it's working.

Inside is where the Sportage really steps up its game.

Higher trim levels get a wraparound dashboard with twin 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and digital dials, plus thoughtful touches like neatly designed air vents that make it feel more premium than the price suggests.

As usual with Kia, you get loads of kit for your money.

The engine lineup is refreshingly varied.

There's a 1.6-litre mild hybrid that does the job but feels a bit clunky, a full hybrid with 226bhp that's much more refined, and a plug-in hybrid that manages 248bhp with all-wheel drive as standard. The PHEV's 13.8kWh battery offers decent electric-only range for shorter trips too.

The Sportage drives competently rather than thrillingly.

It's not as engaging as a Ford Kuga or SEAT Ateca through the twisty bits, and you'll notice more body roll in corners.

But for family duties, it strikes a good balance between comfort and control, with a smooth ride that keeps everyone happy.

Space is generous throughout, making it genuinely practical for family life. The boot's a decent size, and there's plenty of room for passengers in the front and rear.

The trade-offs?

The engines can be a bit noisy, efficiency could be better, and it's not the most connected driving experience if you enjoy your B-roads. But then again, most buyers prioritise comfort and practicality over corner-carving ability.

The verdict

The Sportage succeeds by being very good at the things that matter most to families – space, kit, comfort, and value. Those bold looks are just the icing on the cake. If you can live with the styling, it's hard to argue with what's become a proven formula.

The verdict: Which family SUV wins?

After putting these three through their paces, we've got a clear winner – though it might not be the one you expect.

Third place: Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson certainly makes a statement, and if you love the bold looks, there's a lot to like. The tech is impressive, the interior feels premium, and the engine range covers all bases.

But that polarising design will limit its appeal, and the plug-in hybrid's range trails the competition.

Runner-up: Kia Sportage

The Sportage is brilliant at being very good at everything that matters to families. It's spacious, well-equipped, competitively priced, and comes with that reassuring seven-year warranty.

The bold styling works better than the Tucson's, and the engine range is comprehensive. It's a safe bet that'll keep everyone happy.

Winner: Nissan Qashqai

Sometimes the quiet achiever wins the day. The Qashqai might not shout the loudest, but it does everything you need without any drama.

That e-Power system is genuinely clever, offering near-electric smoothness with hybrid efficiency.

It's British-built, sensibly priced, and has that proven reliability that comes from being the UK's crossover pioneer.

The Qashqai succeeds because it doesn't try to be everything to everyone – it just does the family SUV job exceptionally well. In a crowded market where everyone's trying to stand out, sometimes the best choice is the one that simply gets on with it.

Our recommendation

If you want dependable family transport that won't give you any nasty surprises, the Qashqai gets our vote. But if you fancy something with a bit more personality and kit, the Sportage runs it close.

Either way, you can't really go wrong – which is exactly what you want when you're spending your hard-earned cash on your family's next set of wheels.