2022 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Kia Sportage showcased an audacious yet slightly controversial design. Kia's signature tiger-nose grille, which worked well on models like the Stinger and Sorento, seemed out of place on the Sportage. Placed beneath oversized headlights and a chrome trim grin, it evoked the look of a Halloween party mustache. Despite this, the Sportage nailed other design elements, drawing inspiration from high-end brands. Its four-dot running lights resembled those of a Porsche Macan, and the precise symmetry at the back evoked a Volkswagen vibe. With its SX Turbo's sporty 19-inch wheels pushed to the vehicle’s corners, it offered balanced proportions and a solid stance.

Inside, the Sportage's cabin echoed a Germanic design ethos. The black dashboard, accented with polished metallic trims and straightforward instrumentation, offered a high-contrast look. Buttons and knobs were strategically placed for easy access to stereo controls, cabin temperature, and primary infotainment functions. The SX Turbo further elevated the experience with metal pedal covers, premium materials, and a solid, fluid-operating transmission shifter.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent notable styling changes with a redesigned grille, LED headlights, and a reworked rear fascia. These updates lent the Equinox a chunkier appearance compared to its predecessor. Unlike the rugged stylings of the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, the Equinox maintained its car-based crossover identity, despite a tall roofline and a pronounced front fascia that positioned it between the rugged Forester/RAV4 and the more car-like Ford Escape.

The Equinox’s interior featured a uniquely creative dashboard with petal-like elements, a central touchscreen, and large air vents. The layout felt coherent, blending aesthetically and functionally. The materials and assembly quality were commendable for its price bracket. The new RS model added black trim, darkened 19-inch wheels, a black interior with red stitching, and a unique shift knob, which added a personality boost, though the black interior could feel too subdued for some.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder produced 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. While adequate, it didn't leap out as exceptional. The SX Turbo variant was equipped with a robust 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering an impressive 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, making it suitable for high-altitude driving regions like Denver.

Both engines were mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel-drive as standard. An optional Dynamax all-wheel-drive system included a locking center differential for equally splitting power at low speeds. The SX Turbo's acceleration was brisk, thanks to the early torque availability, giving it a lively, albeit sudden, power delivery. This energetic performance was matched with a MacPherson strut front suspension and an independent multi-link rear suspension for a smooth and compliant ride. However, the aging architecture showed through with some body roll and impact reverberations.

On the other hand, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox simplified its powertrain choice to a single, 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered standard FWD with optional AWD. Despite having more torque than most competitors, the Equinox lagged in horsepower, particularly against rivals like the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue.

In city driving, the Equinox's peak torque availability from 2,000 rpm to 4,000 rpm made for nimble maneuvers. However, at higher speeds, its lack of horsepower was evident. The engine felt coarse, unrefined, and sluggish at high rpm, impacting its highway performance. While the overall driving experience wasn't sporty, it was comfortable on most road conditions, though it lacked the athleticism of a Mazda CX-5 and the refinement of a Honda CR-V.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though on the smaller side of the compact SUV spectrum, offered a surprisingly roomy cabin. The SX Turbo trim, in particular, prioritized comfort with perforated leather upholstery, sophisticated stitching, and high levels of adjustability for both front seats. Rear-seat passengers could also look forward to ample legroom, comfortable seating, air ventilation, and a USB charging port.

Storage was practical in the cabin, but cargo capacity lagged behind competitors. With the rear seats folded, the Sportage offered up to 60.1 cubic feet of cargo space, whereas segment leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 provided more. Behind the second row, the Sportage allowed 30.7 cubic feet, accommodating several full-sized suitcases with ease. Its smart liftgate technology was convenient, opening the tailgate when you stood near it, though it could be switched off if undesired.

Comparatively, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided ample headroom and adequate second-row legroom, though front-row legroom was slightly less generous. The lack of a telescoping steering wheel in some models made it hard to find an ideal driving position. The Equinox’s tall seating position offered great forward visibility, though rear visibility was somewhat hampered by small rear windows and thick rear pillars.

Interior storage was organized efficiently, with climate control buttons clustered conveniently under the touchscreen. The Equinox's cargo capacity was slightly more generous than the Sportage with 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with seats folded, though still not the highest in the segment. The addition of a power liftgate and strategically placed knobs added to the ease of use.

The 2022 Kia Sportage was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Most trims offered UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, with the SX Turbo benefiting from wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The user-friendly system utilized physical knobs for volume and tuning, and straightforward onscreen menus. Despite its reliability and ease of use, the UVO Link system’s technological sophistication was lagging with an 8-inch screen, no WiFi hotspot, or wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox boasted a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot as standard. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen, with options for navigation and a Bose audio system. The Chevy MyLink system was intuitive, with large virtual icons and responsive touch controls. Wireless smartphone integration gave the Equinox a tech edge over the Sportage, though the limited space for phone storage in the center console was a missed opportunity.

In terms of safety, the 2022 Kia Sportage was well-equipped with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, and a driver monitoring system as standard on all trims. Higher trims and packages added features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. While the Sportage garnered high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, only the SX Turbo’s headlights earned an Acceptable rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox similarly earned top-tier safety scores from NHTSA and IIHS, though it fell short in the IIHS side crash test with a "Marginal" rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian braking, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat. Optional features added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The NHTSA granted it a five-star overall safety rating, reinforcing its safety credentials.