2023 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

The 2023 Kia Sportage arrived with a completely redesigned look that was both exciting and exotic, drawing comparisons to French automakers like Renault, Peugeot, and Citroen. Its standout features included bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar, which added a touch of class to this compact crossover. The Sportage was available in five trim levels in Canada, starting with the LX trim, which offered front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. Inside, Kia opted for synthetic leather upholstery, which, while durable and animal-friendly, didn't quite match the feel of real leather. The interior boasted a large display dominating the dash in higher trims, though some hard plastic elements detracted from the overall premium feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia made a bold statement with its styling, combining the look of the Toyota Tundra pickup truck with a newly creased SUV body. The Sequoia's interior shared elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The Capstone's dashboard was dominated by a massive 14-inch infotainment system, and the interior came in a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. However, some interior materials reminded occupants of the Sequoia's pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $79,335 to $95,335, and offered features like a panoramic glass moonroof and power-deploying running boards.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While it provided slightly more power than the previous model, it lacked the punch of the previous turbocharged engine option. The Sportage's fuel economy was commendable, with ratings of 9.3 L/100 km in the city and 7.4 on the highway for front-wheel drive models. The Sportage's X-Line trim added rugged visual cues but didn't enhance off-road capabilities. However, the Sportage's all-wheel-drive models offered 21 centimetres of ground clearance, making it capable for most off-pavement adventures.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms, and its fuel efficiency improved to 11.7 L/100 km with 4WD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, as a compact crossover, offered increased interior space compared to its predecessor. It featured 1,050 mm of rear-seat legroom and 966 mm of rear headroom, with a trunk capacity of 1,121 litres, expandable to 2,098 litres with the rear seats folded. The Sportage's front seats provided ample storage space, but the touch-sensitive HVAC controls were frustrating to use while driving.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, with comfortable front seats, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. However, the second-row captain's chairs didn't slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The Sequoia's cargo space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, offering only 325 litres with the third-row seat in place, expandable to 1,387 litres with the seats folded. The Sequoia's cargo capacity was significantly smaller than its predecessor and segment rivals.

The 2023 Kia Sportage featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system in higher trims, paired with a digital instrument cluster in the X-Line Limited. While the system was impressive, the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in higher trims was puzzling. The Sportage offered Bluetooth, keyless entry, and a Harman Kardon audio system in the X-Line Limited trim.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sequoia's Capstone trim featured a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, glare on the display and occasional issues with the Intelligent Assistant were noted during testing.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of collision-avoidance tech and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a backup camera. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. However, the Sportage had not yet been crash-tested by major safety organizations.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included all available driver-assistance features as standard, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This package included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Sequoia's adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems were praised for their highway driving assistance. While the Sequoia hadn't been crash-tested, the Tundra, on which it is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.