Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

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 evolved into a more rectangular shape 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's design remained largely unchanged, 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 its competitors, adding visual interest with crisp body lines. The interior featured a new steering wheel design reminiscent of early airbag-equipped wheels, and the dashboard's large air vents were removed to highlight the curved screen. Materials used were of good quality, suitable for active lifestyles.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a distinctive design that divided opinions. Inspired by smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, the Ioniq 9 aimed for an aerodynamic shape to comfortably house seven passengers. Measuring 5,060 millimetres in length with a 3,130 mm wheelbase, it offered impressive interior volume. Despite its size, the Ioniq 9 achieved a 0.27 drag coefficient, making it more aerodynamic than larger SUVs. The design featured a swooping roofline and a stubby rear end, with horizontal character lines adding dissonance. The rear view was notable for its LED taillights wrapping around the tail's circumference. Available in seven paint colours, the Ioniq 9 offered trim-specific options and wheel designs ranging from 19 to 21 inches. Inside, the Ioniq 9 was spacious, with flat floors and a sliding centre console. The interior featured high-quality plastics and a panoramic sunroof in higher trims, though the seats lacked thigh support.

The 2026 Kia Sportage offered a range of powertrains, including conventional gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The base LX grade featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. All other versions in Canada came with all-wheel drive. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models used a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 232 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque for hybrids, and 268 hp for plug-in hybrids. While the base engine was less powerful, it was competitive with rivals, and the hybrid options offered more refinement and consistent torque.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai's e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim had a rear-wheel-drive setup with a 160-kW electric motor, delivering 215 horsepower. Other trims had dual-motor all-wheel-drive systems, with the Preferred AWD producing 303 hp and the Preferred AWD+ generating 422 hp. The Ioniq 9 impressed with energy efficiency, often exceeding the estimated 500-kilometre range. The vehicle's weight and soft suspension provided a smooth ride but compromised cornering agility. The Ioniq 9 was quiet, with active noise cancellation and sound-absorbing features. Towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms for RWD and 2,268 kilograms for AWD models. Charging options included Tesla-style NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with fast charging times.

The 2026 Kia Sportage maintained competitive interior space, with headroom and legroom comparable to rivals. Rear-seat legroom was among the best in the segment, surpassing the Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. Cargo space was 1,036 litres with the rear seats up and expanded to 2,098 litres with the dual-level cargo floor in its lower position. The Sportage's towing capacity was 1,130 kilograms for non-hybrid models and 900 kilograms for hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. The centre console offered ample storage, with a wireless charging pad and adaptable cupholders.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-SUV practicality, seating seven with a middle-row bench or six with captain's chairs in the Ultimate Calligraphy Package. The sliding centre console improved access for middle-row passengers. The Ioniq 9 offered 1,086 millimetres of legroom in the middle row and 813 mm in the third row, comparable to the Hyundai Palisade. The rear doors provided easy access, and dual-zone climate control with air vents in all rows was standard. Cargo space was 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with seats folded. The small front trunk was best for storing charging cables.

The 2026 Kia Sportage featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with wireless phone charging on all but the base trim. The X-Line Limited trim included a Harman Kardon audio system, head-up display, and digital key functionality. The interface had sharp graphics but required frequent swiping due to large icons. Climate and audio controls shared a panel, requiring attention to avoid adjusting the wrong function.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had dual curved 12.3-inch displays, similar to other Hyundai models. SiriusXM, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay were standard, along with a wireless charging pad. The charging pad struggled to keep up with high-demand devices. Six USB-C ports provided ample charging options. The 14-speaker Bose audio system in higher trims delivered impressive sound quality. The infotainment system was user-friendly but prone to fingerprints and glare.

The 2026 Kia Sportage came with standard driver-assist features, including 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, and a blind-spot view monitor. The Sportage received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it included a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, such as collision avoidance, lane guidance, driver attention warning, and safe-exit assist. Highway Driving Assist 2 provided supervised hands-free driving. Higher trims offered a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.