2021 Land Rover Range Rover 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 the styling as "Euro-focused," and the two-row crossover SUV's short wheelbase and overhangs made it well-suited for urban environments. The headlights were carried over from the previous year, and the Sportage offered wheel options ranging from 17 to 19 inches. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen served as the focal point, complemented by physical buttons and knobs for easy control. While the interior wasn't the most advanced or stylish, it provided a comfortable and pleasant environment for occupants.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded luxury and sophistication, having evolved from its rugged origins to a more upscale offering. The Range Rover's design, despite nearing a decade old, remained timeless with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield and roof pillars, large nameplate lettering, and clean lines. The test model, in Byron Blue with silver 21-inch wheels, looked impressive. Inside, the Range Rover's cabin was a testament to luxury, with an Ivory-color interior and a mid-century modern ambiance. Although the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system wasn't the most intuitive, the overall interior experience was one of opulence and comfort.

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered a range of trims, including LX, EX, and SX Turbo, with the choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). 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 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, producing 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All models came with a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy varied, with FWD models achieving up to 30 mpg on the highway, while AWD models saw slightly lower figures. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left room for improvement.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse array of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, generating 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured off-road capability. The SUV's adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, though its weight and tall center of gravity affected handling. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, with our test averaging 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim included 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 seat folded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather upholstery. However, the second row lacked comfort, with insufficient thigh support and a slouched seating position. Despite this, the back seat offered amenities like quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a small refrigerated bin. Cargo space was also restricted, with 25 cubic feet available and a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet.

The 2021 Kia Sportage came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen interface, offering Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. Most trims included Kia's UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus and physical controls.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, offered numerous features and functions. The dual 10-inch touchscreens could be distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2021 Kia Sportage boasted a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including 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 earned Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS and performed well in NHTSA crash tests.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and parking sensors. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.