2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a nostalgic nod to its heritage with the Heritage Edition trim. However, the standard model, which was reviewed, came in Magnetic Gray with Terra leather upholstery. From the outside, it resembled a first-generation Toyota Highlander, albeit with oversized headlights and a chrome-heavy design. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota's parts-bin switchgear with Lexus-like design themes, featuring high-quality materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake. The overall experience was akin to a trip back in time, with a blend of old-school charm and modern luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage showcased a more contemporary design, though its tiger-nose grille was a point of contention. Despite this, the Sportage excelled in other design aspects, with a Porsche Macan-like running light signature and a Volkswagen-style rear symmetry. The SX Turbo trim, with its 19-inch wheels, added to its sporty stance. Inside, the Sportage adopted Germanic design cues, with a black dashboard, metallic accents, and metal pedal covers. The interior offered a rich, high-contrast look, with buttons and knobs for easy control of the stereo and climate settings, contributing to an upscale feel.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. Despite its power, the engine's roar was subdued, contributing to an average fuel economy of 14.7 mpg, slightly better than the EPA's 14 mpg rating. The eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, provided impressive off-road capabilities. Features like the Torsen limited-slip differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control enhanced its ruggedness. On-road, the Land Cruiser offered a refined, Lexus-like driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight was evident in its handling. It was rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options, with the SX Turbo trim boasting a 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) engine and 260 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivered quick acceleration, especially in Sport mode. The Sportage's suspension, featuring a MacPherson strut front and independent multi-link rear, provided a smooth and compliant ride. The SX Turbo's upgraded brakes and 19-inch wheels added to its sporty character. While the Sportage was fun to drive, it lacked the refinement of some competitors, like the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench offered ample space and comfort, while the third-row seat, though accommodating adults, lacked leg support for long trips. The Land Cruiser provided 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate added convenience for accessing the cargo area.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite its compact size, offered a roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. The Sportage's cargo space, at 60.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, was less than some competitors. However, the smart liftgate technology provided hands-free access to the 30.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was reminiscent of a simpler era, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it offered Siri Eyes Free and a three-month SiriusXM subscription. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control, while the rear-seat entertainment system, though dated, provided DVD playback and HDMI connections. The 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system delivered good sound quality.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, though the UVO Link system was becoming outdated. Despite its limitations, the system was straightforward and effective.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked more advanced systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping assistance. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, leaving its safety performance uncertain.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favorable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though only the SX Turbo earned an Acceptable headlight rating.