2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, which some might have found boring, but it had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. It was large for its class, nearly as big inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, offering a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and an optional third-row seat expanded passenger capacity to seven. The interior combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though it had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage had a more controversial design with its tiger-nose grille, which some found less appealing. However, Kia nailed other design details, giving the Sportage a stylish and planted stance. Inside, the Sportage applied Germanic design cues with polished metallic accents and a high-contrast look. Buttons and knobs ruled the interior, making it easy to adjust various settings, and the transmission shifter's solid operation imparted a sense of quality.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD as an option. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the engine feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan returned 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. Despite its lethargic acceleration, the Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and a more robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque in the SX Turbo. Both engines used a six-speed automatic transmission, with AWD as an option. The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque arriving at a low 1,450 rpm. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth and compliant ride, though it exhibited some body roll and lateral rocking. The SX Turbo felt athletic and sporty, but the steering could have been quicker, and the tires offered a lower threshold before losing grip.

Inside the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, comfort was paramount. Large doors and tall seating hip points made entry and exit easy, and the front seats offered a wide range of adjustments. The back seat provided excellent support and generous legroom, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear passengers. The Tiguan had a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and a usefully shaped cargo space, with cargo volume ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though smaller, had a remarkably 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. Rear seat legroom was generous, and the seat was comfortable, with air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. The Sportage offered 30.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 60.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down. The smart liftgate technology was a convenient feature, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, which included an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, and a long list of Car-Net connected services. However, the voice recognition technology was lacking, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL Premium R-Line trim offered a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system and Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, 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 premium audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for stereo volume and radio tuning, though the UVO Link system was less technologically advanced compared to competitors.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with IQ Drive, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was available starting with SE trim, and the SEL added lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with forward-collision warning, 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 starting with the LX Value Edition Package. The SX Turbo trim included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage earned high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo receiving an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for a Top Safety Pick award.