2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended into the crowded compact crossover market. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The color options were limited, especially for the base LX trim, which only offered black, silver, and white. The interior featured black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with higher trims adding wood panels and more chrome for a more upscale appearance. However, vehicles like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially at mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage showcased a more unique design, although its tiger-nose grille received mixed reviews. Despite this, Kia nailed other design elements, such as the four-dot running light signature and the symmetrical rear fascia. The SX Turbo trim featured 19-inch wheels that gave it a planted stance. Inside, the Sportage adopted Germanic design cues with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and metal pedal covers. The interior was available in black, gray, and beige, adding a rich, high-contrast look. Buttons and knobs made it easy to adjust various settings, contributing to an upscale feel.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not built for thrilling acceleration or high-speed cornering. It featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims, excluding the hybrid versions. Road tests showed it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth but uninspiring acceleration. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most trims had a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The SX Turbo trim, however, boasted a 240-horsepower engine (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both engines used a six-speed automatic transmission, with the option of Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system. The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm. The Sportage's suspension included a MacPherson strut front and an independent multi-link rear, with the SX Turbo getting upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels. The ride was smooth and compliant, though not as refined as some competitors.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo space with the rear seats folded. The tailgate options varied by trim, with the Touring trim featuring a hands-free power tailgate. Roof rails were standard only on the top-of-the-line Touring trim.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though smaller, provided a roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery, ten-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger. The rear seats offered generous legroom and comfort, with air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. However, the Sportage's cargo space was limited to 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat. The smart liftgate technology was a convenient feature, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trims included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo added wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the UVO Link system lacked some advanced features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was the blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Kia Sportage also offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage earned good crash-test ratings, with the SX Turbo achieving an IIHS Top Safety Pick award.