2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured Kia’s distinctive tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have described as frog-like. Kia, however, marketed the design as “Euro-focused.” This two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and short overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the 2020 model, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most tech-forward, was still a pleasant place to sit.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, while retaining the tiger-nose grille, had a front-end design that some found less appealing, likening it to a fake mustache. Despite this, Kia nailed other design details, from the four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan to the Volkswagen-style symmetry of the rear fascia. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels gave it a planted stance. Inside, the Sportage adopted Germanic design cues with a black dashboard featuring polished metallic accents and plain white markings on a black background. The SX Turbo included metal pedal covers and offered a choice of black, gray, or beige interiors, adding a rich, high-contrast look.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims with either 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 producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All models used a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw a slight dip. The turbocharged engine offered 20/28/23 mpg for FWD and 19/24/21 mpg for AWD. The Sportage’s suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left room for improvement. The SX Turbo trim, in particular, offered a rewarding driving experience.

The 2022 Kia Sportage continued with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, forming a competitive but unremarkable powertrain. The SX Turbo trim featured a robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, beneficial for those living at higher elevations. Both engines used a six-speed automatic transmission, with the option of Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system, which included a locking center differential. The SX Turbo offered quick acceleration, with maximum torque arriving at a low 1,450 rpm. The Sport mode added a frenetic personality to the SUV. The Sportage featured a MacPherson strut front suspension and an independent multi-link rear suspension, with the SX Turbo getting upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels. The ride was smooth and compliant, with a hint of body roll. The steering and tire grip could be improved, but the SX Turbo was fun to drive, though not as refined as the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim provided 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 good, but cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, which was not competitive with other compact crossovers.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though also on the smaller side, had a remarkably roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel was standard. Rear legroom was generous, and the seat was comfortable, with air conditioning vents and a USB charging port for rear passengers. Interior storage was generous, but maximum cargo volume was limited to 60.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded and 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat. The Sportage also offered Kia's smart liftgate technology, which could be turned off if not needed.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard equipment. Most trims also had Kia’s UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim included wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was easy to use, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs, though it was not the most cutting-edge.

The 2022 Kia Sportage also came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trims had UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo included wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system with Clari-Fi digital music restoration technology. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for stereo volume and radio tuning, and logical onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system was falling behind in terms of technological sophistication, lacking a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring. Despite this, the system was simple and easy to use.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was strong in safety, with 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 also had adaptive cruise control. The SX Turbo trims earned Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and performed well in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests.

The 2022 Kia Sportage also had a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were available with the LX Value Edition Package or higher trims. The SX Turbo trim included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage performed well in NHTSA and IIHS crash tests, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.