Which medium family SUV should you consider buying out of the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, GWM Haval H6 and MG HS? We've put them head to head on paper so you don't have to

As the top vehicle class for Australians for six of the last seven years, the medium SUV segment is our nation's most competitive.

With 24 different models vying for Toyota RAV4 Crown, it's a packed field. Established names like the RAV4 and Sportage offer lots of variants and, while Chinese-made rivals such as the GWM Haval H6 and MG HS offer less choice, they arguably make up for that in value.

We've decided to compare each model's lineups at the middle of the range – as close as possible to the $50k mark – to see which vehicle makes the strongest value case on paper.

Is the Toyota RAV4 really justified as the segment's leader, or should it be worried? Lets find out.

Cargo space and dimensions: Which SUV is the roomiest?

2022 Kia Sportage GT-Line (image: Dean McCartney)

As the biggest in this set, it's no surprise that the Kia Sportage boasts the largest boot with seats folded. Having said that, it only exceeds the MG HS in boot space once the second row is upright.

For daily boot space, the Toyota RAV4 reigns supreme. Surprising, given it is the smallest vehicle — put that down to smart packaging. That's part of the reason for the RAV4's resounding popularity, given it is nimble in an underground carpark but doesn't compromise on overall space.

Perhaps the most disappointing vehicle in this field is the MG HS, which has the longest wheelbase and the least boot space.

Standard features: Who packs the most kit at the best price?

The answer to how MG and GWM have launched from unknowns in Australia to top-ten brands so quickly can be found in this table.

Both the HS and H6 offer an array of standard kit – some not seen on class-leading competitors – with more than $10,000 worth of savings, in the case of the HS, compared to the RAV4.

Features like 19-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, a power tailgate (HS), a heated steering wheel (H6) and a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreens are areas where the HS and H6 punch above their weights, with the segment-leader and the most expensive model of the four – the Toyota RAV4 – falling short on this metric.

Bear in mind that the RAV4 is the oldest of the four with its current generation going on sale in 2018, compared to the MG HS in 2024, the Kia Sportage in 2021 and Haval H6 in 2020.

Despite its age, the RAV4 is the only vehicle with wireless Apple CarPlay, a digital rear view mirror, a nine-speaker system and 10-way power driver's seat adjustment.

Powertrain and power outputs: Which option provides the most grunt and best fuel efficiency?

2024 Toyota RAV4 Cruiser 2WD Hybrid (image: Glen Sullivan)

It's no surprise that Toyota, the brand with by far the most hybrid vehicles in Australia, leads the pack on fuel efficiency quite comfortably.

The entire RAV4 range is now hybrid so you can expect a fuel consumption under 5.0L/100km in all trims.

Things are about to change for the H6 and HS, though, with both models set to welcome PHEV versions in 2025. It's a move that is is destined to give them an edge over the RAV4 (at least in terms of fuel consumption), though it is unlikely it will lead to them usurping the RAV4 on the sales chart given plug-in sales remain at a fraction of standard hybrids.

In terms of power and torque, it's the Haval H6 that comfortably leads the way thanks to its electric motor that delivers 130kW and 300Nm on its own.

The Kia Sportage is the only all-wheel drive model at this price point, with the Haval H6 and MG HS not available in AWD. An all-wheel drive RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid will set you back a further $5000, at $54,410, before on-road costs.

Safety

All four vehicles are covered by a five-star ANCAP rating. As the newest vehicle of the four, the MG HS was tested to more rigorous 2024 protocols, while the RAV4 was brought in against more lenient 2019 protocols.

Autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and rear parking sensors are standard on all trims.

The RAV4 has the least sophisticated AEB system of the four and misses out on AEB backover and AEB junction. The other vehicles have these features, while the HS gets intelligent speed limit assist and driver-attention monitoring.

Despite its age, the RAV4 does lead the other three competitors in the number of airbags, with a total of eight compared to seven on the H6 and six apiece on the HS and Sportage.

Ownership and servicing

The MG HS's 10-year/250,000km warranty is the market leader. Haval and Kia come close with a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty that may suit those who do more driving.

Toyota is at the back of the pack with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty though if serviced on schedule Toyota will extend this coverage up to seven years.

RAV4 servicing is due every 12 months/15,000km, as it is on the Sportage. Haval and MG, on the other hand, have shorter 12 month/10,000km intervals.

On average the cost of capped price servicing is generally cheapest on the Toyota, capped at $230 per service for five years, compared to $312 on the H6, $390 on the HS and $570 on the Kia Sportage.

Verdict

Each vehicle makes a compelling case from a value, performance and ownership perspective. Overall, the Toyota RAV4 gets an awful lot right and it makes sense it is Australia's favourite medium SUV.

That said, the MG HS, GWM Haval H6 and Kia Sportage all have their merits, be it in warranty length, cabin space or affordable purchase prices. And you certainly get a lot more for your money from the Chinese entrants.

As always, it will come down to how you feel after an extended test drive of these four and other rivals.