Tesla Model Y vs Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid: 5-year cost to own (UK)
Over 5 years in the UK (12,000 mi/yr), as of August 6, 2026, the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid stays the cheaper car to own — about £37,040 vs £49,811 for the Tesla Model Y, a £12,771 difference over 5 years. The UK Electric Car Grant is shown separately, not in these totals.
UK Electric Car Grant: up to £3,750 off the price of an eligible new EV (RRP ≤ £37,000, applied by the dealer). Shown for reference; not included in the totals above. Source: GOV.UK Electric Car Grant.
Cheaper to own over 5 years · UKKia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid · £37,040 total · £12,771 less than the Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y vs Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model Y | Hybrid · Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | £30,374 (61%) | £17,213 (46%) |
| Charging / fuel | £5,508 (11%) | £8,294 (22%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~£661) | — |
| Maintenance | £1,500 (3%) | £1,998 (5%) |
| Insurance | £2,780 (6%) | £2,625 (7%) |
| Financing interest | £8,649 (17%) | £5,910 (16%) |
| Registration & fees | £1,000 (2%) | £1,000 (3%) |
| Total cost of ownership | £49,811 | £37,040 |
When does the Tesla Model Y win?
The Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid wins decisively here — £12,771 cheaper over 5 years; at typical assumptions this isn't a close call.
No realistic annual distance flips this verdict — the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid stays the cheaper car at every distance we model.
What decides the Tesla Model Y vs Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid verdict
One line outweighs everything else here: depreciation. It costs £30,374 on the Tesla Model Y against £17,213 on the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid — a £13,161 swing to the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid, bigger than the £12,771 that separates the two 5-year totals. On the Tesla Model Y, depreciation alone is 61% of its £49,811 total; on the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid it is 46% of £37,040.
- Energy: £5,508 of charging for the Tesla Model Y vs £8,294 of petrol for the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid — £2,786 the other way, to the Tesla Model Y.
- Financing interest: Tesla Model Y £8,649, Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid £5,910 — £2,739 more in the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid's favor.
- Maintenance: Tesla Model Y £1,500, Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid £1,998 — £498 the other way, to the Tesla Model Y.
The Tesla Model Y's best answer is energy — £2,786 back the other way — which covers 22% of the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid's £12,771 lead. At the dealer the Tesla Model Y starts £14,565 behind the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid; running costs claw back £1,794 of that, but the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid still ends £12,771 ahead. The Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid is ahead by £4,702 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — £12,771 by year 5.
Tesla Model Y vs Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid, side by side
Tesla Model Y
- 5-yr total cost
- £49,811
- Cost / month
- £830
- Cost / mile
- £0.83
- RRP
- £48,990
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 23.8 kWh/100mi
Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid
- 5-yr total cost
- £37,040
- Cost / month
- £617
- Cost / mile
- £0.62
- RRP
- £34,425
- Powertrain
- Hybrid
- Efficiency
- 50.4 mpg
- UK electricity
- 26.11p/kWh Ofgem
- UK petrol
- £1.53/litre GOV.UK