2021 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Kia Sportage was characterized by its distinctive design, featuring a tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights that some might have likened to a frog. Despite this, Kia described the Sportage's styling as "Euro-focused." This two-row crossover SUV had a short wheelbase and overhangs, making it well-suited for urban environments. The headlights were carried over from the previous year, and the Sportage offered wheel options ranging from 17 to 19 inches. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as the focal point, surrounded by air vents and complemented by physical buttons and knobs for easy control. The interior, while not the most advanced, provided a pleasant experience with features like two cupholders and Kia's older logo on the steering wheel.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia continued its second generation into its 14th year, maintaining a mature design. The Sequoia's exterior was a testament to the idea that "good taste never goes out of style," with a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight body lines. It was a large SUV, measuring 77 inches in height, 79.9 inches in width, and 205.1 inches in length, with a 122-inch wheelbase. The Sequoia's ground clearance ranged from 9.6 to 10 inches, and it featured 18 to 20-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Sequoia's age showed, with a somewhat dated design compared to modern trends. The 7-inch touchscreen and 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen felt outdated, but the interior was built to last, with high-quality materials and tight seams. The Nightshade Special Edition added a modern touch with darkened chrome and black-painted finishes.

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered a range of trims, including LX, EX, and SX Turbo, with options for front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Sportage models were equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy varied, with FWD models achieving 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw slightly lower figures. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left room for improvement. The SX Turbo trim offered a sporty driving experience, making it a contender for those seeking a dynamic ride.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a single powertrain option: the 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, a lockable Torsen limited-slip center differential, and a two-speed transfer case in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. However, its weight, ranging from 5,730 to 6,000 pounds, resulted in lower fuel economy ratings of 13 mpg city, 17 highway, and 15 combined for RWD models, with slightly lower figures for 4WD. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its robust construction and suspension system. The TRD Pro off-road model further enhanced its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, along with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and available heated and ventilated front seats. The center console and glove compartment provided ample storage, and rear passengers had access to cup holders and power outlets. The Sequoia's cargo compartment included a 12-volt outlet, with 18.9 cubic feet of space behind the third row. Folding the third row expanded cargo space to 66.6 cubic feet, and folding both the second and third rows provided a generous 120.1 cubic feet of space.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. Most trims also included Kia's UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus and physical controls, though not groundbreaking.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a clunky operating system. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were standard. The Sequoia Limited added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, with an optional premium audio package. While the Sequoia's technology lagged behind competitors, Toyota updated its exterior lighting to LED and included a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2021 Kia Sportage excelled in safety, offering a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control and earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with strong crash test results from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it featured the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also included a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, the STAR safety system, and a full complement of airbags and safety features.