2022 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2022 Kia Sportage presented a mixed bag in terms of design. While Kia's signature tiger-nose grille was a hit on models like the Stinger and Sorento, it seemed out of place on the Sportage, resembling a Halloween party mustache. Despite this, the Sportage excelled in other design aspects, with a stylish four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and a Volkswagen-like symmetry in the rear. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels added to its well-proportioned and planted stance. Inside, the Sportage adopted a Germanic design with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and plain white-on-black instrumentation. The interior offered a high-contrast look with available colors like black, gray, and beige. The controls were user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy access to the stereo, cabin temperature, and infotainment system, contributing to an upscale feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, a hallmark of Land Rover's luxury SUVs. The Velar's design was a testament to the brand's cachet, with a sporty yet refined appearance. It borrowed the tall, tent-like profile of the larger Range Rover and scaled it into a sleek package with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive Land Rover grille. The Velar's design was both blocky and streamlined, with subtle adjustments like a sloping roof and wide shoulder crease. Special details included taillight lenses with mirrors for depth and air ducts reminiscent of Bugatti's NACA ducts. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was slick, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The three screens offered sharp graphics, and upper trims featured luxurious touches like extra leather and richer seat colors.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a choice of two engines. Most models came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, providing a competitive but unremarkable performance. The Sportage SX Turbo, however, boasted a more robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, making it a compelling option for those living at higher elevations. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with an optional Dynamax all-wheel-drive system. The SX Turbo delivered quick acceleration, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm. The ride was smooth and compliant, with a hint of body roll, and the suspension tuning lent the Sportage a sophisticated driving character. While it was fun to drive, it wasn't as refined as competitors like the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in a handling and steering experience unlike any previous Land Rover. The lower center of gravity and lighter weight improved cornering and braking. The optional air suspension with adaptive dampers provided a plush "magic carpet" ride. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's performance was average, with the eight-speed automatic favoring efficiency over excitement. The Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, but the Velar's street-focused mission limited its off-road capabilities. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system delivered impressive performance, with up to 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque in the R-Dynamic HSE trim.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though on the smaller side of the compact crossover SUV scale, offered a remarkably roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim provided comfort with perforated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. However, the Sportage's cargo space was limited, with 60.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume and 30.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The smart liftgate technology was a convenient feature, allowing hands-free access to the cargo area.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, sacrificed interior space for its striking design. The exterior design reduced headroom, especially for rear-seat passengers, and limited visibility due to thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design also introduced a frustrating issue with the parking brake, which was integrated into the transmission button, making it difficult to operate in emergencies. The Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the interface, but the Velar's redesign of critical controls was a point of contention.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came equipped with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trim levels included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo featured 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, and logical onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system was falling behind in terms of technological sophistication, lacking features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system exceeded expectations, offering a simplified layout with fewer icons and more logical arrangements. The system included features like a voice assistant, PM2.5 air filter, heated windshield, and advanced navigation capabilities. The 4x4 app provided off-road measurements, and the 360-degree cameras offered a three-dimensional view of the vehicle. The instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure gauges, while the optional adaptive cruise control with steering assist provided semi-automated driving assistance.

The 2022 Kia Sportage was equipped with a range of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favorable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been crash-tested by U.S. agencies, but it scored well in the European NCAP. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.