Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Kia Sportage Hybrid

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was built on the N3 platform, shared with the larger Kia Sorento, resulting in a size increase over its 2022 predecessor. It was 18 centimetres longer, with an 8.6-centimetre longer wheelbase, enhancing rear-seat legroom. The new model was also about 2.5 cm taller and a centimetre wider. The Sportage Hybrid featured a bold design with angular LED headlights and distinctive “boomerang” LED daytime running lights, setting it apart from other vehicles. The interior was centred around a large infotainment display, offering a clean, minimalist look with SynTex artificial leather upholstery, although some materials felt cheap and prone to smudges.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid maintained a familiar appearance with minimal changes, introducing a new Cypress Green paint colour. The Highlander was known for its exaggerated styling, with scowling headlights and flared fenders. Inside, the cabin was oversized, featuring large air vents and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the interior design was criticized for its mismatched textures and tones, and the quality of materials was questioned. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid offered a quiet ride, with Toyota focusing on minimizing road noise.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and a single electric motor, producing 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It featured standard all-wheel drive in Canada, offering more horsepower than competitors like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape hybrids. The Sportage Hybrid delivered smooth acceleration and seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power, aided by a well-tuned transmission. It provided a comfortable ride, although its steering felt nonlinear and heavy in Sport mode. The Sportage Hybrid had a towing capacity of 907 kilograms.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 combined horsepower. It featured standard all-wheel drive, with the electric motors assisting acceleration and allowing for low-speed electric-only driving. However, the gas engine's torque was limited, affecting high-speed passing power. The Highlander Hybrid had a towing capacity of 1,588 kilograms, but its brakes faded during mountain driving. It offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with a Predictive Efficient Drive system for fuel economy. The Highlander Hybrid was designed for city and suburban driving, with a compliant ride and quiet highway performance.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom and cargo space than the non-hybrid version. It provided more front-seat headroom than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 hybrids but less for second-row passengers. The Sportage Hybrid featured a dual-level cargo floor, offering 1,118 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 2,087 litres with them folded. It had clever storage solutions, including a rotary shift knob and adjustable cupholders.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, with most models featuring second-row captain’s chairs. It offered standard three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats in higher trims. The second-row captain’s chairs were comfortable, but accessing the third row was challenging. The Highlander Hybrid had a dashboard shelf with wireless charging, but its storage areas were unlined. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seats folded, and a maximum of 2,387 litres with the second row down.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid featured a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, with the SX trim adding a panoramic display combining the touchscreen with a digital instrument cluster. It offered wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with touch controls below the screen for audio and climate settings. The Sportage Hybrid included four USB-C ports, with additional ports and a Harman Kardon audio system available on the SX trim.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, with upper trims featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system. The Limited trim had a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Highlander Hybrid offered connected service plans, including Remote Connect and Drive Connect, with features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. It also included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA at the time of testing. The base EX trim included standard safety features like forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The SX trim added advanced features like a blind-spot view monitor, 360-degree camera system, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid excelled in safety, equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Limited and Platinum trims added parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.