2022 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

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 mustache. Despite this, the Sportage excelled in other design aspects, with a stylish four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and a symmetrical rear reminiscent of Volkswagen. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels added to its well-proportioned and planted stance. Inside, the Sportage boasted a Germanic design with a black dashboard, metallic accents, and a high-contrast interior available in black, gray, and beige. The controls were user-friendly, and the transmission shifter's solid operation added a sense of quality.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia made a bold statement with its design, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The Sequoia's new creased and kinked body gave it a more substantial presence than its predecessor. Inside, the Sequoia shared design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the Capstone's interior boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black color scheme. However, some interior materials reminded occupants of the Sequoia's pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $59,895 to $79,895, and offered off-road capabilities with the TRD Pro trim.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most models featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, providing a competitive but unremarkable performance. The Sportage SX Turbo, however, delivered a more robust 240 horsepower (237 hp with AWD) 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, with the option of Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system. The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque available at low RPMs, giving it a spirited personality. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth and compliant ride, with a hint of body roll and lateral rocking. While it was fun to drive, it lacked the refinement of competitors like the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. While it lacked the V8's rumble, the new powertrain offered increased towing and payload capacities, with a maximum tow rating of 9,520 pounds. The Sequoia was more fuel-efficient, achieving 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. The Capstone 4WD test vehicle averaged 17.8 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop. The Sequoia's driving modes included Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The adaptive rear air suspension altered ride and handling traits, but the Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite being on the smaller side of the compact crossover SUV scale, offered a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim provided comfort with perforated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. However, the Sportage's cargo capacity was limited, with 60.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo space and 30.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The smart liftgate technology was a convenient feature, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The Sequoia's power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.9 cubic feet with all seats folded. The adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the Sequoia's overall utility was reduced compared to its predecessor.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trims included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo featured wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, but the UVO Link system lagged in technological sophistication, lacking a WiFi hotspot and offering wired smartphone mirroring.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for directions. However, the system had some quirks, such as difficulty placing calls via Apple CarPlay. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, though glare on the display was an issue. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented accidents.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver monitoring system. 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, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia offered an extensive array of standard driver-assistance features, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While the Sequoia had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, the Tundra, on which it is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.