2022 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

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, featuring a stylish four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and a Volkswagen-like symmetry in its rear design. The SX trim's 19-inch alloy wheels added to its well-proportioned and planted stance. Inside, the Sportage boasted a Germanic-inspired design with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and straightforward instrumentation. The interior was user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy control of the stereo, cabin temperature, and infotainment system, contributing to an upscale feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design philosophy, emphasizing clean and simple lines. While this approach might not appeal to those seeking flashy luxury, the Range Rover Sport exuded understated elegance. Our test vehicle, in Eiger Grey with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, looked stunning. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, combined with aluminum and shiny black trim, created an atmosphere of refined luxury. The Range Rover Sport offered various trims, including Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. Notable design features included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED taillights. The interior showcased sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery, providing a luxurious and fragrant cabin experience.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a choice of two engines. Most models featured a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, delivering a competitive yet unremarkable performance. The Sportage SX, however, boasted a more robust 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, making it ideal 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 trims except the base LX FWD. The Sportage SX provided quick acceleration, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm. The SUV's MacPherson strut front suspension and independent multi-link rear suspension contributed to a smooth and compliant ride, though some body roll and lateral rocking were noticeable. While the Sportage SX was fun to drive, it lacked the refinement of competitors like the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver-focused engagement. It offered a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography trim, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The sold-out SV Edition One featured a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, with a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. The SUV's adaptive damping air suspension and Dynamic driving mode enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, the Range Rover Sport struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Off-road, it excelled with impressive ground clearance and advanced off-road technologies.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite being on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment. The SX trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, providing comfort for front-seat occupants. The driver's seat had ten-way power adjustment, while the front passenger enjoyed eight-way power adjustment. Heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, were standard on the SX. Rear-seat passengers benefited from generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. The rear seats were also heated in the SX trim. Interior storage was ample, but maximum cargo volume fell short of competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Sportage offered 1,703 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 868 litres behind the back seat. Kia's smart liftgate technology provided hands-free access to the cargo area.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel for the driver. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, accommodating shorter passengers. The front seats featured Windsor leather upholstery, 20-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. A massage feature, soft-closing doors, and a heated steering wheel were available. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The back seat provided excellent support but had a reclined angle. Rear occupants had access to air conditioning vents and power ports. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. A full-size spare tire limited underfloor storage, but Land Rover provided a contraption to secure smaller items.

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. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, and intuitive onscreen menus. However, the UVO Intelligence system lagged in technological sophistication, lacking features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard. While the screens were generally intuitive, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform proved confusing and frustrating at times. The digital assistant struggled with voice commands, and the system's complexity hindered user experience. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and Active Noise Cancellation. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included, though accessing it could be challenging.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, in its EX and SX trims, offered safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were also included. 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 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself via a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were less refined, with slow responses and inconsistent performance.