In the SUV market in Malaysia, many buyers compare the Perodua Aruz and Kia Sportage when choosing a car.
The Perodua Aruz has an OTR price of RM 72,900 - 77,900 in Malaysia, with a total of 2 versions, including 1.5L X (RM 72,900), 1.5L AV (RM 77,900), etc.
The Kia Sportage has an OTR price of RM 129,639 - 179,320 in Malaysia, with a total of 4 versions, including 2025 1.6T DCT 4WD High (RM 179,320), 2025 1.6T DCT 2WD High (RM 159,320), 2025 2.0L AT 2WD High (RM 139,639), etc.
From the price perspective, the Perodua Aruz's starting price is indeed RM 56,739 cheaper than the Kia Sportage. If your budget is limited, the Perodua entry-level version is already sufficient for daily needs. However, note that saving that few thousand might mean trade-offs in equipment, depending on your needs.

The Perodua Aruz safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP), active safety systems include.
The Kia Sportage safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP), active safety systems include Drive Wise.
Both cars have the same safety rating, and safety features are quite comprehensive for this class. New cars nowadays are not lacking in safety, so there is no need to worry too much about this.

The Perodua Aruz body length is 4400 mm, trunk 400 L.
The Kia Sportage body length is 4400 mm, trunk 400 L.
The dimensions of both cars are almost identical, and the interior space difference is not significant. For this class of cars, it is fully sufficient for daily use.

The Perodua Aruz warranty is 5 years/150,000km, maintenance interval every 10,000km or 6 months.
The Kia Sportage warranty is 5 years/300,000km, maintenance interval every 10,000km or 6 months.

Overall, both the Perodua Aruz and Kia Sportage are very good models in the Malaysian market. Choosing which one depends mainly on your personal needs and budget. It is recommended to do your homework, compare quotes from several dealerships, and then test drive to make the final decision. Buying a car is a significant matter, and spending time doing research will never be wrong.