2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a striking debut in Hyundai's new all-electric Ioniq lineup. Unlike its predecessors, it was a standalone marvel rather than an evolution. This car impressed whether you were in Las Vegas, Miami, or New Orleans with its clean, electrified mobility. It broke away from the original Ioniq, which debuted in 2016 and offered three electrified variants. The 2022 Ioniq 5 introduced a whole new aesthetic, deeply rooted in Hyundai's concept cars rather than production norms. Its exterior design, dubbed Parametric Pixel design, included 8-bit styled LED lights covering everything from headlights to taillights. Aerodynamic wheels featured intricate designs extending into the fender flares, and horizontal lines reminiscent of retro tech added a nostalgic touch.

The cabin offered stark contrast. It exuded tranquility, with black, gray, and dark green hues promoting relaxation. The “Living Space” interior theme featured sustainable materials, and the driver's seat even had a “Relaxation” mode for zero-gravity comfort when the car was parked. Recycled fibers and bio-materials, including bean oil and sugar cane, were utilized throughout. The devil was truly in the details, with Parametric Pixels appearing subtle in interior elements such as the steering wheel and upholstery, making the car both a nod to the future and a tip of the hat to its heritage.

In comparison, the 2023 Kia Sportage went through a radical transformation. Over its first four generations, it oscillated between quirky, boring, and amphibian-like styling. However, in 2023, it looked sleek, almost French, bringing to mind brands like Renault, Peugeot, or Citroen. This was no criticism; the redesign incentivized drivers with its exotic looks. The boomerang-shaped daytime running lights framed a distinctive grille, and the metal trim on the D-pillar added class. Offered in seven trims, the Sportage featured durable synthetic leather upholstery, avoiding real leather altogether in a nod to sustainability.

Seating comfort might not have been as plush as real leather, but the Sportage still provided a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob in higher trims. The panoramic dash display was a particular highlight, though the cabin had some hard plastics and piano-black accents that gathered fingerprints. The dual-function touch-sensitive HVAC controls added a layer of frustration, often requiring the driver to look away from the road to toggle between climate control and navigation settings.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims—SE, SEL, and Limited—and offered two drive configurations: rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). It also featured three powertrains. The base SE Standard Range housed a 128-kW rear motor producing 168 horsepower and offered 220 miles of range. The extended-range versions upped the ante with a 168-kW rear motor, churning out 225 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque, giving it a single-charge range of 303 miles. AWD models brought a dual-motor setup with a total of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque but reduced the range to 256 miles.

The Ioniq 5 wasn’t necessarily a performance vehicle like the Porsche Taycan but held its own on canyon roads, exhibiting composure and control. It had four drive modes, including Sport, which re-tuned torque distribution and added steering wheel heft. However, spirited driving quickly depleted the range. Paddle shifters were included, not for gear changes but for adjusting regenerative braking levels. The quiet cabin benefited from acoustic tires and sound-deadening materials.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Kia Sportage’s gas-powered version came with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations were available. This engine was slightly more powerful and larger than the previous 2.4-liter engine but wasn’t blistering in performance. Fuel efficiency hovered around 25 mpg city, 32 highway for FWD, and slightly less for AWD.

Previously, the Sportage offered a turbocharged engine making 240 hp, but it was no longer available in the 2023 model, which was a loss for those seeking a premium driving experience. The X-Line and X-Pro trims added rugged visual cues and off-road capabilities, respectively. The X-Pro, with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires and specific drive modes, had 8.3 inches of ground clearance and performed adequately off-road but was less polished on-road, suffering from road noise and body lean in corners.

The Ioniq 5 rode on an all-new Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offering enhanced EV capabilities and interior space. It had a longer wheelbase (118.1 inches) than the seven-passenger Palisade (114.2 inches), despite being a five-seater, making it more spacious than competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. With a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, it prioritized passenger comfort over cargo, offering a generous 106.5 cubic feet of passenger space but only 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

The interior design allowed for high usability with features like a moveable center console and front bench-like seating, enabling easy exit from either side. The seats were among the most comfortable, with foam providing ample support without being too plush.

The 2023 Kia Sportage grew significantly compared to its predecessor, making it more competitive against models like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. It gained an additional 7.1 inches in length and 3.4 inches in wheelbase, translating to enhanced interior space. Rear-seat passengers benefitted from 41.3 inches of legroom, and the trunk offered 39.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with rear seats folded.

The front cabin had adequate storage with a typical cubby ahead of the shifter, tandem cupholders, and a spacious center console bin. However, the touch-sensitive HVAC controls were more frustrating than functional, an overcomplicated approach that detracted from user experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 overwhelmed with its state-of-the-art technology. It featured a high-voltage system capable of ultra-fast charging, achieving 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes and 68 miles of range in 5 minutes using a 350-kW charger. It could also charge other EVs or appliances with its vehicle-to-load capabilities. The digital suite included a redesigned Blue Link app focusing on EV management, a digital key, AI-powered voice recognition, and over-the-air updates.

The car’s 12.3-inch screens for both the instrument cluster and infotainment were anti-glare and easily readable even with polarized sunglasses. Hyndai's collaboration with Electrify America offered two years of unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions, adding practicality to its technological prowess.

In comparison, the 2023 Kia Sportage showcased a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface from the EX trim and up, merging with a panoramic, curved driver information display in SX trims and higher. However, top trims ironically offered wired rather than wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, confounding both shoppers and reviewers.

Wireless charging, multiple USB-C ports, navigation, Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and HD Radio came standard on higher trims. A Harman Kardon stereo provided premium sound experience on upper trims. Despite its impressive tech features, the icons on the touchscreen were too similar in appearance, making navigation less intuitive and often requiring the driver to take their eyes off the road.

Safety was paramount in the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5. Hyundai SmartSense suite included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and collision avoidance among others. The vehicle featured Hyundai’s Highway Drive Assist I (HDA I), a Level 2 semi-autonomous system that learned drivers' habits through adaptive cruise control. A head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays was also available, though it could be more distracting than helpful. While the Ioniq 5 hadn’t yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, Hyundai's recent track record suggested it would score high marks.

The 2023 Kia Sportage also came well-equipped with safety systems. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, and rear backup sensors. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and safe exit warning. Adaptive cruise control was only available from the SX trim and above. Higher trims included the impressive Blind-view monitor and Highway driving assist, though these features weren’t available across the lineup. As with the Ioniq 5, crash test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were pending.