2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning well with Volvo's current lineup. Signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille contributed to its familial look. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. It featured a distinct rear bumper due to the absence of exhaust tips and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and upscale environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage's design was a mix of successful and less appealing elements. The tiger-nose grille, while effective on other Kia models, seemed out of place on the Sportage, resembling a Halloween costume mustache. Despite this, the Sportage excelled in other design aspects, with a four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and a Volkswagen-style symmetry in the rear. The SX trim's 19-inch alloy wheels enhanced its proportions and stance. Inside, the Sportage adopted Germanic design cues, with a black dashboard featuring polished metallic accents. The controls were user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy adjustments, and the transmission shifter's operation added a sense of quality.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a diverse powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. Gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 variant delivered 187 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the T5 variant offered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, producing a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. It housed a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds. The T5 and T4 models achieved 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The XC40 Recharge emphasized comfort and quietness, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads, and offered one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, forming a competitive yet unremarkable powertrain. The Sportage SX variant boasted a more robust engine with 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, beneficial for those living at higher elevations. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Dynamax all-wheel-drive system, standard on all but the base LX FWD, included a locking centre differential for power distribution. The Sportage SX offered quick acceleration, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm. The SUV's suspension, featuring MacPherson struts at the front and an independent multi-link rear, provided a smooth ride, though some body roll and lateral rocking were present. The Sportage felt athletic in turns, but the steering and tires could be more responsive.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in Recharge and gasoline variants, offered similar passenger and cargo space, though it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. It had less legroom and headroom, and a smaller cargo area. The Recharge's frunk was minimal due to powertrain components. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated for limited space with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, with a single USB-C port standard, though rear passengers lacked charging options.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite being on the smaller side of compact crossovers, offered a roomy passenger compartment. The SX trim provided perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, ten-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and eight-way for the front passenger. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were standard on the SX. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. The Sportage's interior storage was ample, though maximum cargo volume was limited compared to segment leaders. With the second-row seats folded, it offered 1,703 litres of cargo space, or 868 litres behind the back seat. The smart liftgate technology allowed hands-free access, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. Gasoline models retained the previous system. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth, with Google features built-in. It had a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Recharge models offered OTA update capability for software-controlled functions. The Recharge lacked a start button, requiring only a key fob to shift out of park. A Digital Key feature was anticipated but not confirmed for the XC40.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The SX trim added UVO Intelligence services, satellite radio, wireless charging, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, and logical onscreen menus. However, the UVO system lagged in sophistication, with a small screen, no WiFi hotspot, and wired smartphone mirroring. Despite these limitations, the system was simple and effective.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. The electric Recharge was expected to perform well due to its safety cage and redesigned crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. Optional features included a 360-degree camera and Pilot Assist. The Recharge had an advanced sensor suite for future driver aid enhancements.

The 2022 Kia Sportage's EX and SX trims included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were also available. The SX trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received favourable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though only the SX had an Acceptable headlight rating for a Top Safety Pick.