Kia Sportage vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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 styling was a departure from previous generations, featuring bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar, which added a touch of class. 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, didn't quite match the feel of real leather. The interior boasted a large display dominating the dash, although some areas featured hard-wearing plastic and piano-black finishes that were prone to fingerprints.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid maintained a more conservative appearance with minimal changes for the year, including a new Cypress Green paint colour. The Highlander Hybrid's design was characterized by exaggerated forms, from scowling headlights to flared rear fenders, which some found over-styled. Inside, the cabin featured large air vents, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and oversized climate control knobs. However, the interior's mismatched textures and tones, along with reflections from the display, made it visually overwhelming. Despite these design choices, the Highlander Hybrid was quiet on the road, and Toyota focused on ensuring a smooth ride.

The 2023 Kia Sportage was powered by a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive on the LX trim, with all-wheel drive available as an option. While the Sportage's engine provided slightly more power than its predecessor, it lacked the punch of the previous turbocharged engine, which was no longer available. The Sportage's fuel economy was respectable, with figures of 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 7.4 on the highway for front-wheel drive models. The X-Line trim added rugged visual cues but didn't enhance off-road capabilities. However, the Sportage's 21 centimetres of ground clearance made it capable of handling off-pavement challenges.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, delivering 243 combined horsepower. The hybrid system provided standard all-wheel drive, with one of the front motors assisting in propulsion and regenerative brakes contributing to battery charging. While the Highlander Hybrid offered decent acceleration, its gas engine's 175 pound-feet of torque limited high-speed passing power. The SUV's towing capacity was rated at 1,588 kilograms, but it struggled with heavy loads. The Highlander Hybrid featured Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, along with a Trail mode for light off-road use. Its Predictive Efficient Drive system aimed to optimize fuel economy, but real-world results were slightly higher than expected, averaging 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres.

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 front seats provided ample storage, including a cubby ahead of the shifter and a spacious centre console bin. However, the Sportage's technology, such as touch-sensitive HVAC controls, could be frustrating to use.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, designed for family use, accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. Most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making the third row suitable for occasional use. The interior included three-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and, in the Platinum package, a heated steering wheel and second-row captain's chairs. While the second-row seats were comfortable, accessing the third row was challenging, and the third-row seats were less comfortable. The Highlander Hybrid offered 453 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,387 litres with the second-row seats folded.

The 2023 Kia Sportage boasted impressive technology, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system available on higher trims. The system featured a panoramic, curved digital instrument cluster on the X-Line Limited trim, creating a premium feel. However, the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the top interface was a drawback. The Sportage included Bluetooth, keyless entry, and a wireless charging pad on higher trims, along with a Harman Kardon audio system on the X-Line Limited.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display on upper trims. The infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 12.3-inch display on the Limited trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Highlander Hybrid offered connected service plans, including Remote Connect and Drive Connect, which provided features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, which delivered decent sound quality.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of collision-avoidance technology 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, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The X-Line Limited trim included advanced safety features such as a blind-view monitor and highway driving assist. However, crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid prioritized safety with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with higher trims gaining front and rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, and Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and collision notification.