If you’ve been looking to buy a family car, chances are one of the types of car you’ve had a look at is the crossover SUV. Combining the ruggedness and solidity of an SUV with the comfort and safety of a family car, the crossover SUV has become the most popular choice for families looking to have a car that fits all their needs.

Two of the most popular come from Asia – the Kia Sportage from South Korea, and the Nissan Qashqai from Japan. But which of these two models is best suited for you and your needs? Let’s take a look.

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage was first introduced in 1993, however back then it was a normal compact SUV, rather than a crossover. The model you see on the roads today was introduced in 2015, having changed to become a family car, following in the footsteps of models like the Qashqai.

While Kia say the car’s design, including the sharp lines and aerodynamic surfaces, were inspired by fighter jets, it’s easy to see how it fits in with the crossover SUV trend. High seating position and robust build makes it a good fit for families. But it still has elements that make it stand out on the road, including the distinctive arrow shaped headlights that give it a real presence on the tarmac.

Key features of the Kia Sportage

All family cars have to get one thing right – the amount of interior space. The Kia Sportage is no exception, with smart design and layout making for an incredibly spacious interior. While we can’t guarantee that will stop your kids fighting, at least they won’t be with in biting distance all the time.

For the adults in the car, the Sportage comes with an intelligent dashboard setup that combines all the best navigation, communication and entertainment features. So when you do get a say over the radio station, you’ll have lots of options to choose from.

The Sportage has a good all-round quality, with everything feeling like it has had some thought put behind it. Now in its fifth generation (second as a crossover SUV), you can see that lessons have been learned and applied to the latest model.

Nissan Qashqai

The car that started off the trend, the Nissan Qashqai transformed the market on its release. Now every major manufacturer, including prestige brands like Porsche and Jaguar, are producing crossover SUVs to target the family market.

So why was the Nissan Qashqai so revolutionary? While it originally started as a normal SUV, it was the 2010 second generation that really changed things. Features like LED lights and electronic stability control made the car much more appealing. The latter feature especially meant such a large car was no longer going to roll on its suspension as much, making for a smoother, more comfortable ride.

Key features of the Nissan Qashqai

Now in its third generation, the Qashqai still retains the features that made it popular. The high seating position gives you an excellent view of the road, meaning you feel more in control and adding to the sense of safety.

Interior space has been cleverly thought out too, with plenty of room in the front and the back, for child and adult passengers too. The safety features are all top-of-the-range too, giving you and your brood maximum protection. Plus, the onboard technology has been refined and tweaked to ensure you can keep your family comfortable and entertained on even the longest journeys.

So which is better?

Both the Sportage and Qashqai are excellent family cars. Providing safety and comfort for you and your loved ones is the top priority. The Sportage does have a slightly large boot space than the Qashqai, but you may not like its looks as much as the Qashqai’s popular design. There are more used Qashqais on the road too, so it’s easier to get an excellent deal. Whichever you go for, you’ll be choosing a car that’s going to give your family the comfort and protection they need.