2027 Chevrolet Bolt vs 2026 Kia Sportage

The 2026 Kia Sportage showcased a refreshed styling that gave it a more rugged, truck-like appearance, ensuring it stood out in the compact crossover segment. The wide grille design, which pushed the headlights to the corners, was retained but became more rectangular, with vertical headlights and daytime running lights. This design aligned the Sportage with the larger Sorento and Telluride models, enhancing its rugged appeal. Despite these changes, the rest of the vehicle maintained its previous look, with a curvaceous rear end and taillights that didn't quite match the restyled front. The Sportage's 2,755-millimetre wheelbase was notably longer than that of competitors like the Subaru Forester and Nissan Rogue, adding visual interest with crisp body lines. The U.S. specification Sportage X-Pro off-road grade was not available in Canada, but the X-Line models offered off-road appearance packages with unique bumpers and tread-like stitching on the SynTex upholstery. Inside, the Sportage featured a new steering wheel design reminiscent of early airbag-equipped wheels, and a prominent curved screen on the dashboard, with materials that felt appropriate for an active lifestyle.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look with slight styling changes, presenting a front end more akin to a conventional gas-powered car. The thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo and integrated grille insert into the bumper were subtle updates. The 2027 model continued the EUV body style, offering a tall and narrow stance that prioritized utility and interior space. The RS model added gloss black exterior trim for a touch of flair. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was moved to the steering column, freeing up centre console space. The cabin, dominated by hard plastic surfaces, maintained a budget feel, though elbow touch points had thin padding. The RS trim offered Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching, while the rear seating area featured hard plastics and lacked padding for door armrests.

The 2026 Kia Sportage offered a range of powertrains, including conventional gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The base LX grade featured a front-wheel-drive gas powertrain, while all other Canadian versions came with all-wheel drive. Non-hybrid models used a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid models combined a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with an electric motor, delivering 232 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid variant boosted power to 268 hp, with torque remaining the same as the hybrid. While the base engine was less powerful, it was competitive with rivals, and the hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains offered more refinement and consistent torque.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. A motor from Chevy's Equinox EV provided 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, with a 0-100 km/h time in the low seven-second range. This acceleration was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, with immediate pedal response. One-pedal driving was available, with medium or high brake regeneration settings. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and road noise was more noticeable due to the absence of an internal combustion engine. The Bolt's low centre of gravity, thanks to the heavy battery, contributed to its agility on curvy roads. On a full charge, it offered up to 422 kilometres of range, with a Tesla-derived NACS charge port standard on all models. Charging speed increased to 150 kW, allowing a 10% to 80% recharge in 25 minutes.

The 2026 Kia Sportage's exterior changes did not impact interior space, which remained competitive. Headroom in both rows was comparable to rivals, though the Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester offered slightly more in the first row without a sunroof. Rear-seat legroom was among the best in the segment, surpassing the Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota RAV4. Cargo space was 1,036 litres with the rear bench in place and 1,962 litres with it folded, expandable to 2,098 litres behind the first row. The non-hybrid Sportage had a towing capacity of 1,130 kilograms, more than a CR-V but less than a RAV4. The centre console provided ample storage, with a wireless charging pad, adjustable cupholders, and a large storage bin.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants, though taller drivers might desire more telescopic steering wheel extension. Rear seats were also upright, with plenty of headroom and adequate thigh support. The flat floor reduced the penalty for centre-seat passengers. Cargo capacity was 459 litres behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional space. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor in its upper position. While there was no frunk, the Bolt provided ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep centre armrest bin.

The 2026 Kia Sportage featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen standard, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on the X-Line Limited trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio. Wireless phone charging was available on all but the base LX trim. The X-Line Limited included a Harman Kardon audio system, head-up display, and digital key functionality. The horizontal display blended the instrument cluster and touchscreen, similar to luxury cars. However, the screen-centric interface required regular swiping, and exiting Android Auto was cumbersome. Some buttons were provided, but climate and audio functions shared a control panel, requiring attention to avoid errors.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch centre touchscreen, running a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, necessitating Bluetooth pairing for personal music. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and quick responses. Physical climate controls reduced distraction, and the navigation system helped locate charging stations. The Bolt also offered vehicle-to-load charging, serving as a backup power source for a home.

The 2026 Kia Sportage included standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. Higher trims offered Highway Driving Assist, a surround-view camera system, and a blind-spot view monitor. The Sportage received the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not available, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system was available for an additional cost.