2022 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Lexus RX

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive tiger-nose grille that, while successful on other Kia models, seemed out of place on the Sportage. The grille, positioned under oversized headlights and above a chrome trim, resembled a fake mustache, detracting from the SUV's overall aesthetic. Despite this, Kia nailed other design elements, such as the four-dot running lights reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and the symmetrical rear fascia. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels added to its stylish and planted stance.

Inside, the Sportage boasted a Germanic design with a black dashboard accented by polished metallic elements. The instrumentation was straightforward, with white markings on a black background, and the SX Turbo included metal pedal covers. The interior color options of black, gray, and beige provided a high-contrast, upscale look. The use of buttons and knobs for controls made the cabin user-friendly, and the solid feel of the transmission shifter added a sense of quality.

The 2023 Lexus RX, redesigned for a more modern look, was shorter in height, broader in width, and had a longer wheelbase than its predecessor. Despite these changes, it maintained the same overall length. The reduction in rear overhang and softer design lines made it appear smaller, while the floating roof effect added a stubby look. The spindle-style grille was better integrated, featuring a modern mesh texture that flowed into an elevated hood. The upswept body sides and flared rear fenders added to its sleek appearance, while the light-blade taillight design and sporty bumper enhanced its rear view.

The RX's interior was thoroughly modern, with fewer buttons and knobs. It featured digital instrumentation and a choice of a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. The Intelligent Assistant technology, part of the Drive Connect plan, offered natural voice recognition, though it required a subscription after three years. The cabin materials included NuLuxe artificial leather, real wood, and aluminum trims, with genuine leather available. The RX 350 came in various trims, including Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, and F Sport Handling, each offering different levels of luxury and performance.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most models came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The SX Turbo variant featured a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivering 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided quick acceleration, especially beneficial at higher elevations. The SX Turbo's torque peaked between 1,450 and 3,500 rpm, giving it a sudden surge of power.

The Sportage's suspension system included a MacPherson strut front suspension and an independent multi-link rear suspension, providing a smooth and compliant ride. The SX Turbo's upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels with 245/45 tires added to its sporty feel. However, the steering could have been quicker, and the tires offered limited grip before starting to howl. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Sportage SX Turbo was fun to drive, though not as refined as some competitors.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine offered better performance at higher altitudes and improved fuel economy compared to the outgoing 3.5-liter V6. However, it lacked the smooth and refined sound of the V6. The RX 350 AWD accelerated to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, while the FWD version did it in 7.5 seconds.

During testing, the RX 350 Luxury trim displayed occasional torque steer and excess body motion over uneven pavement. The F Sport Handling trim, with its adaptive damping suspension, felt more secure and eliminated most unwanted bouncing and rolling. Both models had 21-inch wheels with 235/50 all-season tires, but the F Sport Handling's upgraded brakes and adaptive suspension provided a more engaging driving experience. Fuel economy for the RX 350 FWD was expected to average 25 mpg, while the AWD version should return 24 mpg, though real-world results were slightly lower.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though smaller in size, offered a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, ten-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the heated flat-bottom steering wheel added a touch of luxury. Rear seat legroom was generous, and Kia provided air conditioning vents and a USB charging port for rear passengers.

Interior storage was ample, but the maximum cargo volume was limited. With the second-row seats folded down, the Sportage offered 60.1 cubic feet of cargo space, falling short of competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat was sufficient for most needs. The smart liftgate technology allowed hands-free access to the cargo area, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 offered a comfortable and luxurious interior. The RX 350 Luxury trim featured semi-aniline premium leather upholstery, ten-way power-adjustable front seats, and a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel. The Peppercorn interior color, suede door panel accents, and black open-pore wood trim added to its sophisticated look. The RX 350 F Sport Handling trim had black NuLuxe simulated leather seats, Dark Graphite trim, and eight-way power-adjustable front seats.

The back seat was roomy and supportive, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. Lexus provided useful storage areas and claimed improved cargo space over the previous generation. The trunk offered 29.6 cubic feet of space with the second row in position, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. While this was an improvement, it still lagged behind some competitors.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher 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 lacked advanced features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2023 Lexus RX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, satellite radio, and various connected services plans. The Drive Connect plan, free for three years, featured Intelligent Assistant natural voice recognition. The system allowed user profiles for different drivers and streaming through embedded apps. However, it lacked the ability to view multiple data panels simultaneously.

Both test vehicles had the 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system, which required some adjustment for optimal sound quality. The RX also offered digital instrumentation, Digital Latch door handles, a digital rearview mirror, and digital key smartphone technology. A color head-up display (HUD) was available, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

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. Higher trims included a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received good 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 2023 Lexus RX featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve speed-reduction. New semi-autonomous driving technologies included Proactive Driving Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, and Advanced Park Assist. LSS+ 3.0 performed well during testing, though some features, like curve-speed reduction, were less effective. The driver monitoring system ensured drivers remained attentive, but could be overly sensitive.