2022 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Volkswagen ID.4

In the past, the 2022 Kia Sportage sported Kia’s tiger-nose grille, which worked well on models like the Stinger and Sorento but seemed mismatched on the Sportage. The grille, placed between oversized headlights and stretching chrome trim across the bumper, gave it a quirky, almost comical look. However, Kia nailed other design details. The four-dot running light signature echoed the Porsche Macan, while the back door shut line and rear fascia seam mimicked Volkswagen’s refined symmetry. With its sleek 19-inch wheels pushed to the corners, the Sportage had commendable proportions and a sturdy stance.

The interior exuded a Germanic style, featuring a black dashboard with polished metallic accents and easily readable white-on-black instrumentation. The SX Turbo variant enhanced this with metal pedal covers. Available in black, gray, and beige, the interior colors added a high-contrast, luxury feel. Functionality was a key focus with intuitive buttons and knobs for adjusting the stereo, cabin temperature, and accessing infotainment menus. Every Sportage felt upscale, and the shifter operated with a solid, fluid motion that suggested high quality.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 showcased subtle exterior tweaks, like a new gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper to improve aerodynamics. All wheel designs and colors were updated for 2023, and the rear VW logo was now illuminated. Despite its EV distinction, the ID.4 lacked the SUV-like profile with lower ground clearance, similar to the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, creating a less traditional SUV appearance.

Inside, the ID.4 maintained the quality of recent VW gasoline cars with a minimalist design. Even the base ID.4 Standard model felt nearly on par with the higher-level ID.4 Pro S, featuring leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts. Subtle changes, like a conventional lid for the center console and better placement for a phone, enhanced functionality. The optional three-zone climate control, with rear-seat controls and heated outboard seats, added to its user-friendly design.

Under the hood of the 2022 Kia Sportage, familiar powertrains continued to be offered. Most Sportages came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque—adequate but unremarkable. The SX Turbo variant boasted a stronger 240 hp (or 237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, enough to navigate elevated terrains like Denver. Both engines utilized a six-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive, featuring a locking center differential.

The SX Turbo’s acceleration was spirited, with maximum torque delivered between 1,450 and 3,500 rpm, which could catch drivers off guard. The SUV’s Sport mode made it feel eager and dynamic, while its MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension ensured a smooth and compliant ride. Despite some body roll and reverberations over bumps, the Sportage offered a sophisticated driving experience. The SUV was fun to drive but lacked the refinement found in competitors like the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 introduced a new 62-kWh battery pack for its base Standard and S models, offering RWD only, while higher trims like the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus retained the 82-kWh pack with RWD or AWD options. The single-motor RWD variants produced 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, whereas the dual-motor AWD versions amped up to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, potentially enhancing handling and acceleration. The AWD model rivaled hot hatchbacks in acceleration but lagged in handling with noticeable body roll. The regen braking system allowed for energy recovery but didn't support one-pedal driving, providing a more traditional driving feel.

The 2022 Kia Sportage might have been on the smaller side of compact crossovers, but it excelled in its passenger compartment layout. The SX Turbo trim featured luxurious perforated leather upholstery with classy stitching, offering ten-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat and eight-way for the front passenger. The front seats were both heated and ventilated, accompanied by a heated flat-bottom steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and comforts like air conditioning vents and a USB charging port.

However, cargo space wasn’t as competitive. The Sportage provided 30.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 60.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down, trailing behind segment leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The smart liftgate technology allowed hands-free access, although it occasionally triggered unintentionally.

Conversely, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 backed its SUV title with ample interior space. It provided more legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf and more headroom than the new Kia Niro EV. The ID.4 offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, outperforming most entry-level EVs. It also featured towing capabilities rare in EVs, with RWD models towing up to 2,200 pounds and AWD models up to 2,700 pounds.

For 2023, VW refined the interior design, adding a conventional lid to the center console, optimizing phone storage, and offering three-zone climate control. These improvements enhanced practicality and comfort, making it an appealing choice for tech-savvy drivers.

In 2022, the Kia Sportage came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims included UVO Link services, satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the infotainment system showed its age, with the 8-inch display feeling small, no WiFi hotspot, hit-or-miss voice recognition, and wired-only smartphone mirroring. Despite these drawbacks, the system remained user-friendly with responsive knobs and controls.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 updated its technology suite by making the formerly optional 12.0-inch touchscreen standard across all trims, along with software enhancements for better responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, as was the ID.Cockpit digital cluster. Despite the visual improvements, the user interface marred usability with haptic touchpads on the dash and steering wheel, which lacked physical feedback and proved distracting. Natural-language voice recognition mitigated these drawbacks, making voice commands a better alternative for vehicle control.

The innovative ID.Light feature incorporated ambient lighting with AI functionalities, signaling navigation directions and drive modes. This subtle yet smart addition complemented the overall tech-savvy interior, though it blended into the background during regular driving.

The 2022 Kia Sportage boasted a solid suite of safety features including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims or the LX Value Edition Package added blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. The SX Turbo also included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The NHTSA and IIHS rated the Sportage high, with the SX Turbo earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in safety as well, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS for its 2022 model. The 2023 model built on this with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. New features for 2023 included Park Assist Plus, automated lane-changing with Travel Assist, and a 360-degree camera system, enhancing the already robust safety package.