2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms were consistent with previous iterations, though the interior saw a refresh, especially in trims above the base level. The Premium trim and higher featured an 11.6-inch portrait display, which was bright, sharp, and integrated with polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT, in particular, showcased a unique interior with gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of flair to the otherwise practical design. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding on the wheel arches and bumpers, and a few chrome accents. The 2021 model introduced a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights, but overall, the Outback's appearance remained largely unchanged, emphasizing its identity as a lifted wagon.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage featured a bold design with a tiger-nose grille that, while effective on other Kia models, appeared somewhat out of place on the Sportage. Despite this, the SUV excelled in other design aspects, with stylish four-dot running lights, a symmetrical rear fascia, and a planted stance thanks to its 19-inch wheels. Inside, the Sportage adopted Germanic design cues, with a black dashboard accented by polished metallic elements and plain white-on-black instrumentation. The SX Turbo trim added metal pedal covers and offered a choice of interior colors, enhancing the upscale feel. The interior was user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy adjustment of the stereo, climate control, and infotainment system, contributing to an overall sense of quality and sophistication.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was a tale of two engines. The base 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. This resulted in sluggish acceleration and noisy operation, particularly on highways and hills. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did little to help, as it couldn't effectively manage the engine's limited power band. However, the XT trims offered a significant upgrade with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided a much-needed boost in performance, making the Outback more capable of keeping up with traffic and offering a smoother, quieter ride. Fuel economy for the turbo XT was slightly lower than the base engine, but the trade-off in performance was worth it. The Outback's handling was geared towards comfort, with long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it adept at tackling rough roads and off-road conditions. Subaru's all-wheel-drive system was proactive and effective, with X-Mode optimizing various vehicle settings for challenging terrains.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produced 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, providing adequate but unremarkable performance. The SX Turbo trim, however, featured a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 240 horsepower (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine offered quick acceleration, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm, giving the Sportage a lively and responsive feel. The six-speed automatic transmission paired with both engines provided smooth power delivery, and the optional Dynamax all-wheel-drive system included a locking center differential for better low-speed traction. The Sportage's ride quality was smooth and compliant, with a sophisticated suspension setup that absorbed road imperfections well. The SX Turbo trim also featured upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels, enhancing its sporty character. While the Sportage handled well in turns, it lacked the sharpness and refinement of some competitors, such as the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

The 2021 Subaru Outback excelled in interior space and practicality. With 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised, the Outback offered ample storage capacity. The cargo area was wide, flat, and free of obstructions, making it easy to load and organize items. Passenger comfort was a priority, with generous headroom and legroom in all seating positions and excellent outward visibility. Storage solutions were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and additional pockets in the front center console and passenger-side dash. However, some features, such as push-button start and rear climate vents, were only available on higher trims, and the moonroof was bundled with expensive options. The standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, providing convenient and cost-effective roof storage.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, while smaller in overall size, offered a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front seats, ensuring a comfortable ride. Rear seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. However, the Sportage's cargo capacity was limited compared to competitors, with 60.1 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded and 30.7 cubic feet with them raised. The smart liftgate technology provided hands-free access to the cargo area, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt dated, with graphics and typefaces reminiscent of older technology. The central screen in the instrument panel was particularly lacking. Despite this, the system offered modern features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional navigation. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions compared to systems that also use radar.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims included UVO Link connected services, satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs for volume and tuning, and intuitive onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system was starting to show its age, lacking features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring. Despite these shortcomings, the system was easy to use and provided a good overall experience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Additional driver assists were available on higher trims, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear emergency braking, and a driver-attention monitor. The Outback earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came standard with 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. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received good safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with the SX Turbo trim earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick award.