2022 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured a tiger-nose grille that worked well on other Kia models but seemed out of place on the Sportage. The grille, positioned under oversized headlights and above a chrome trim, resembled a fake mustache plastered to the SUV's front. Despite this, Kia nailed other design details, from the four-dot running lights reminiscent of the Porsche Macan to the Volkswagen-style symmetry of the rear. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels added to its stylish and planted stance.

Inside, the Sportage boasted Germanic design cues with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and plain white markings on a black background for instrumentation. The SX Turbo trim included metal pedal covers and offered interior colors like black, gray, and beige, creating a high-contrast look. Buttons and knobs made it easy to adjust settings, and the solid transmission shifter added a sense of quality.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 had evolved significantly from its boxy predecessors, maintaining its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale. The current XC90, launched in 2016, rode on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. The 2022 model had a poised stance, sleek roofline, and pronounced wheel arches, with a snub nose recalling the classic 245 wagon. Superior fit and finish, along with the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights, added to its quality and Swedish heritage.

Inside, the XC90's interior was described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim. Exquisite details like the sliding wood tambor cover and clear crystal gear selector handle emphasized its luxury status. Volvo's commitment to going leather-free by 2030 was evident, with options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery. The XC90's interior was spacious and comfortable, making it a sanctuary during a heat wave.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most models had a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, forming a competitive but unremarkable powertrain. The Sportage SX Turbo, however, featured a robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, making it ideal for those living at higher elevations. Both engines used a six-speed automatic transmission, with an optional Dynamax all-wheel-drive system that included a locking center differential.

The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque arriving at a low 1,450 rpm and remaining available until 3,500 rpm. The sudden surge of torque could surprise drivers, and switching to Sport mode made the SUV eager to accelerate. The Sportage's suspension, featuring a MacPherson strut front and independent multi-link rear, provided a smooth and compliant ride. The SX Turbo had upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels with 245/45 tires, lending it a sophisticated driving character. While fun to drive, it wasn't as refined as competitors like the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain options. T5 models had a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. T6 models featured a supercharged and turbocharged version of the engine, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 plug-in hybrid combined the supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. T5 models were front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive, while T6 and T8 models were AWD only.

The XC90 engines required Premium gasoline, with T5 FWD models achieving 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and T5 AWD models at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. T6 AWD models were rated at 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 had a 27 mpg combined rating on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended range variant offered 26 mpg combined, 66 MPGe, and up to 36 miles of EV range. Charging the battery took about five hours at 240 volts.

The XC90's driving experience was superb, handling like a smaller SUV despite its size. Body roll was minimal, and the T8 Inscription extended range provided spirited acceleration. The electric motor eliminated turbo lag, smoothing out power delivery. While not a hot rod, the XC90 was fun to drive.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though on the smaller side of the compact crossover SUV scale, had a remarkably roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim offered perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, ten-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel was standard.

Rear seat legroom was generous, and the seat was comfortable, with air conditioning vents and a USB charging port for rear passengers. However, the back doors were widest at the top, making it easy to almost smack yourself in the face. Interior storage space was generous, but maximum cargo volume was limited. With the second-row seats folded, the Sportage offered 60.1 cubic feet of cargo space, falling short of segment leaders. The 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat was acceptable for four full-sized suitcases. The smart liftgate technology was convenient but could be turned off if not needed.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 could carry up to 15.9 cubic feet of luggage behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on configuration and powertrain.

The XC90's interior space was well-utilized, with ample door pockets, seat back pockets, console storage, and a big glove compartment. The cabin was airy and spacious, enhanced by the standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, cooling rapidly and effectively. The XC90 was comfortable and supportive, making it suitable for family tours.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came 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 added wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system with Clari-Fi technology. USB data and charging ports were also available.

The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for stereo volume and radio tuning, and easy-to-navigate onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system was falling behind in terms of technological sophistication. The 8-inch screen was small, there was no WiFi hotspot, voice-recognition technology was hit-and-miss, and smartphone mirroring was wired instead of wireless. Despite these limitations, the system was simple and easy to use.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which offered tablet-like functionality with familiar gestures like pinch, pull, and swipe. However, the system in the test car was glitchy and slow to respond. It worked better with Apple CarPlay, and the XC90 also supported Android Auto. The touchscreen interface was a nine-inch portrait-oriented unit, positioned close to the driver's line of sight. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel offered easy configuration and customization.

The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade available. The XC90 included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot with a complimentary trial subscription, and the Volvo Care smartphone app for remote vehicle controls.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with forward-collision warning, 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 also had adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety, with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for minimal driver intervention on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.