2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have likened to a frog-like appearance. Kia described its styling as "Euro-focused," and the compact crossover SUV's short wheelbase and overhangs made it particularly suitable for urban environments. The interior, while not the most advanced in terms of technology and fashion, offered a pleasant atmosphere with an 8-inch touchscreen display, physical buttons, and knobs for easy control, along with a couple of cupholders and the older Kia logo on the steering wheel.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V had a more conventional appearance, blending in with many other compact crossovers on the market. Its styling was not a standout feature, with the daylight opening and overall shape being quite similar to its competitors. The CR-V was available in eight colors, though many were variations of gray, black, and white, with more vibrant options limited to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and a choice of cloth or leather upholstery, depending on the trim level. While not the most visually striking, the CR-V's design was functional and practical.

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered a range of trims, including LX, EX, and SX Turbo, with both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, producing 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All models were equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy varied, with FWD models achieving 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw slightly lower figures. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth ride, though its steering and tire grip left room for improvement.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, regardless of trim, was equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup offered smooth and steady acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of around 7.8 seconds. While not the most engaging driving experience, the CR-V's performance was competitive within its class. FWD was standard, with AWD available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup, similar to other vehicles in its class, provided decent handling and ride quality, making it a reliable choice for everyday driving.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, along with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing competitors like the Toyota RAV4. It also provided ample cargo space, with 75.8 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. Access to the cargo area varied by trim, with options ranging from a manual tailgate to a hands-free power tailgate. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim, limiting options for carrying additional gear on the roof.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with standard Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports. Most trims also included Kia's UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus and physical controls, though not the most advanced.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth, while other trims offered a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Audio systems varied by trim, with the Touring trim featuring a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with options for both front and rear passengers. The Touring trim also included a wireless phone charger and satellite navigation.

The 2021 Kia Sportage excelled in safety, offering a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) across all trims. These included forward-collision warning, 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 added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received high safety ratings, including Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS for SX Turbo trims and strong crash test results from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Honda CR-V also prioritized safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. However, it did not achieve the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to headlight and side crash test evaluations. The CR-V's Honda Sensing system included a range of standard safety features, such as 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. Blind spot monitoring was standard from the EX trim upward.