2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2020 Honda CR-V, representing the fifth generation of Honda’s compact crossover, had a design that became both familiar and enjoyable. Honda's designers favored soft, curvaceous lines which gave the CR-V a car-like and approachable aesthetic. Its resemblance to Honda's sedan lineup was evident in its front and rear fascias, lending it a look closer to a station wagon than an SUV, embodying the ideal of modern family transportation at least on the exterior.

Inside, the story took a different turn. The CR-V's interior was a juxtaposition of high and low-quality materials. Upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery adorned pricier models but clashed with lower-quality plastics, reminding one that even the more expensive CR-V versions were built upon a basic, commodity foundation rather than being genuine premium products.

The base LX FWD model had an MSRP of $26,270, while the higher trims—EX, EX-L, and Touring—started at $28,720, $31,270, and $34,470 respectively. Notably, all CR-Vs came with a standard three-year or 36,000-mile warranty, and AWD was an optional upgrade for an additional $1,500 on any trim.

Wheel sizes varied across trims, with 17-inch alloys standard, 18-inchers for the EX, and 19-inch wheels fitted to the Touring. Lower trims had fabric seating, whereas real leather was available in higher trims. Although a retractable moonroof was standard on all but the LX, it paled in comparison to the more expansive panoramic roofs found in competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan. Roof rails were exclusive to the top-tier Touring model and were minimalistic in design.

The 2021 Kia Sportage showcased the brand's distinctive "tiger-nose" grille and bulbous headlights, which some described as frog-like, although Kia marketed it as “Euro-focused”. This two-row crossover SUV had a short wheelbase and minimal overhangs, making it suitable for urban environments.

With unchanged headlights from 2020, the Sportage could be fitted with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels depending on the trim. The interior was anchored by an 8-inch touchscreen display, flanked by air vents, and accompanied by physical buttons and knobs for tuning and volume. Between the front seats, two cupholders and the older Kia logo on the steering wheel completed the understated design.

Although not tech-forward, the 2021 Sportage's cabin was indeed pleasant, offering a comfortable space for occupants despite not leading in innovation or luxury.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came with a simplified engine lineup, replacing the previous 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine across all trims. This powertrain produced 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque and was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Despite CVTs' general reputation for sluggishness, the CR-V’s transmission performed credibly, mimicking a traditional automatic well enough to avoid driver complaints. In Sport mode, the vehicle felt particularly responsive.

The CR-V’s driving dynamics were more akin to those of a small sedan, boasting well-weighted steering and nimble handling. The chassis was firm yet comfortable, minimizing body roll and maintaining an overall agile feel. Weighing just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, the CR-V was one of the lightest in its class, positively impacting both acceleration and fuel efficiency.

Fuel economy for FWD models was rated at 30 mpg combined, and AWD versions achieved 29 mpg. This efficiency matched the Subaru Forester and was slightly better than the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4. Additionally, for more eco-conscious buyers, Honda introduced a CR-V Hybrid variant to compete with hybrid options from Toyota and Ford.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in three trims: LX, EX, and SX Turbo, each offering FWD or AWD. The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, generating 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The more powerful SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All engines were managed by a six-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel economy for the 2.4-liter FWD Sportages was rated at 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models reached 21/25/23. The turbocharged engines had slightly lower ratings, with FWD versions achieving 20/28/23 and AWD models 19/24/21.

The Sportage’s McPherson-strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension offered a smooth ride with minimal body roll. Although the steering could be improved, and the tires occasionally struggled for grip, the Sportage, especially in SX Turbo trim, delivered a satisfying driving experience and better handling for those who valued a sportier feel.

The 2020 Honda CR-V exemplified Honda’s skill in space utilization. Its interior was as roomy as the Volkswagen Tiguan, despite the CR-V’s shorter length. Both the driver and passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, with excellent seating positions enhancing visibility due to a low cowl.

Cargo capacity was equally impressive, matching the Tiguan despite only being 3 inches longer. The CR-V had thoughtful storage solutions such as a deep center console inspired by the Odyssey minivan, which was made possible by the gearshift lever protruding from the dashboard. The smart design continued with a two-position load floor in the rear, allowing owners to maximize cargo space or create a flat floor when the 60-40 split seats were folded, resulting in 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Even the door pockets were extended for extra room, demonstrating the CR-V's ability to easily accommodate all necessary items.

On the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, the 2021 Kia Sportage still provided decent interior space. The top-tier SX Turbo trims equipped a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, with both heated and ventilated seats enhancing comfort.

Rear passengers had adequate legroom and headroom, but cargo space was less generous. With 30.7 cubic feet of space behind the second row and a total of 60.1 cubic feet when the seats were folded, the Sportage lagged behind competitors like the CR-V in terms of cargo capacity. However, it remained practical for most needs.

By 2020, the CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age. The base LX trim housed a small 5-inch screen offering minimal functionalities like Bluetooth connectivity and Pandora compatibility. The 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims still seemed inadequate compared to the optional 8-inch display in the VW Tiguan, and the CR-V lacked anything akin to VW's Digital Cockpit.

Honda’s infotainment lacked hard buttons, relying instead on multiple taps on the touchscreen, which could be cumbersome. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available on trims with the larger screen, improving navigation over Honda's own system, which was limited to the Touring model. However, Honda did include plenty of USB ports in EX and higher trims, and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

Kia fitted the 2021 Sportage with an 8-inch touchscreen interface that managed its infotainment system effectively. Standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports. Most trims also benefited from Kia’s UVO Link connected services.

SX Turbo trims went a step further with wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Sportage’s technology was user-friendly, with logical menus, physical buttons, and knobs for convenience. While not the most advanced, it provided a satisfying user experience.

The 2020 Honda CR-V offered comprehensive standard safety features under the "Honda Sensing" suite, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert. Standard safety equipment included stability control, LATCH anchors for car seats, and airbags.

The CR-V earned five stars from the NHTSA, scoring five stars in both frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. It also received the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick designation, though only the Touring trim with LED headlights managed to avoid the Marginal rating given to lesser trims' halogen headlights. A recall for possible rear subframe failure affected only 358 vehicles.

The 2021 Kia Sportage excelled in safety offerings. Standard advanced driver assistance systems included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim also featured adaptive cruise control.

The Sportage achieved Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS for SX Turbo trims due to better headlights and performed well in all NHTSA crash tests.