2022 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Kia Sportage presented a mixed bag in terms of design. While Kia's signature tiger-nose grille was a hit on models like the Stinger and Sorento, it seemed out of place on the Sportage, resembling a Halloween party fake mustache. Despite this, the Sportage excelled in other design aspects, with its four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and a Volkswagen-style symmetry at the rear. The SX trim's 19-inch alloy wheels added to its stylish and planted stance. Inside, the Sportage boasted a Germanic-inspired design with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and user-friendly buttons and knobs for easy control of the stereo, cabin temperature, and infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe's exterior styling was more conservative, lacking the standout looks of some other Hyundai models. However, it remained an attractive SUV, with its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights providing a distinctive touch. The Santa Fe was available in four trims in Canada, all with standard all-wheel drive. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, tested in the U.S., featured a black interior with Nappa leather seats, offering a high-quality look and feel. The cabin was dark and monotone, but the beige or grey interior options provided visual contrast. The Santa Fe's seats were comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats, making it a pleasant ride in varying weather conditions.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most models came with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, providing a competitive but unremarkable performance. The Sportage SX, however, featured a more robust engine with 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, making it a compelling choice for those living at higher elevations. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and the Dynamax all-wheel-drive system was standard on all but the entry-level LX FWD. The Sportage SX delivered quick acceleration, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm, and a sporty driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The suspension provided a smooth and compliant ride, though the steering and tires could have been sharper.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque and a turbocharged version with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and passing power, especially in Sport mode. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering, and the dual-clutch transmission performed without the usual clunkiness. While the Santa Fe wasn't tested off-road, it offered impressive towing capabilities, with the turbo version able to tow up to 1,587 kg. Overall, the Santa Fe's performance was competitive for its price point.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though on the smaller side of the compact crossover scale, offered a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment. The SX trim provided comfort with perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port, with heated rear seats in the SX grade. However, the Sportage's cargo space was limited, with 1,703 litres available with the rear seats folded down, falling short of segment leaders. The smart liftgate technology was a convenient feature, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered ample rear-seat legroom and cargo space. The rear-seat legroom was among the best in its class, and the cargo area provided 1,032 litres of space, expandable to 2,041 litres with the rear seats folded. The Santa Fe's interior featured an eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added luxury features like a hands-free smart liftgate, ventilated front seats, and a head-up display. The panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting enhanced the cabin's appeal, though the wide centre console limited driver leg space.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The SX trim added UVO Intelligence connected services, satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, the UVO Intelligence system lagged in technological sophistication, with a small screen, no WiFi hotspot, and wired smartphone mirroring.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless device charging. The infotainment system was customizable, though the voice-recognition capabilities were mixed, with some difficulty in recognizing commands. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a range of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The SX trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favourable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX earning an Acceptable headlight rating for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted an extensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured Highway Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high marks in crashworthiness tests.