2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2022 Kia Sportage

In the 2022 Kia Sportage, Kia's distinctive tiger-nose grille styling worked wonders on models like the Stinger and the Sorento. However, it didn't quite hit the mark with the Sportage. Placed beneath oversized headlights and bordered by a chrome trim that stretched into a broad grin between the bumper's squared-off edges, the grille appeared more like a fake Halloween mustache stuck to the SUV's front.

This was unfortunate because Kia nailed almost every other design detail. The four-dot running light signature evoked the Porsche Macan, and the Volkswagen-style symmetry of the back door shut line and rear fascia seam added to the visual appeal. The SX Turbo's stylish 19-inch wheels, pushed out to the corners, contributed to the vehicle’s planted stance and proper proportions.

Inside, the Sportage featured Germanic design cues, with a black dashboard adorned with polished metallic accents and instrumentation using simple white-on-black markings. The SX Turbo version added metal pedal covers for a sportier feel. Interior color options included black, gray, and beige, creating a high-contrast look that energized the space.

User-friendly buttons and knobs facilitated easy adjustments for the stereo, cabin temperature, and infotainment system menus. The upscale feel extended to everyday interactions, like the solid and fluid operation of the transmission shifter.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid embraced a transformative redesign in 2019, shifting from a softer crossover style to a more substantial, blocky appearance. The trapezoidal grille borrowed from Toyota's truck lineup added heft, framed by distinct beveled and angled bodywork that accented the headlights. This bold restyling initially stood out, but other brands, including Honda and Mazda, soon adopted similar aesthetics.

The angular theme continued inside with a multi-tiered dashboard adorned with beveled cutouts, adding visual interest to an otherwise straightforward layout. The interior incorporated a common design approach, with an infotainment touchscreen mounted atop the dashboard and a plethora of physical buttons and knobs for primary feature control.

Material quality landed around average for the class and price point, balancing hard plastics with lightly padded surfaces in high-contact areas. Notably, both base and Woodland trims opted for a rubbery and cheap-feeling urethane steering wheel and center armrest, whereas higher trims offered a more premium leather-wrapped experience. Despite some cost-cutting in materials, the build quality was robust with no detectable creaks or squeaks over rough roads.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. While this powertrain was competitive, it wasn't particularly remarkable.

The SX Turbo trim, however, significantly upped the ante with a powerful 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. This robust output was especially beneficial in high-altitude areas like Denver. Both engine configurations utilized a six-speed automatic transmission to channel power to the front wheels, with the optional Dynamax all-wheel-drive system including a locking center differential for equal power distribution at low speeds.

In the SX Turbo, the Sportage exhibited quick acceleration, although the sudden torque surge between 1,450 and 3,500 rpm could catch drivers off guard. Sport mode enhanced this energetic personality, making the SUV eager to launch the moment the accelerator was engaged.

The Sportage's suspension featured MacPherson struts with gas shocks up front and an independent multi-link setup with high-performance dampers at the rear. The SX Turbo came with larger ventilated front discs and exclusive 19-inch wheels on 245/45 tires, lending it a sophisticated and smooth ride quality reminiscent of the larger Kia Telluride, albeit with minor body roll and some lateral rocking.

Driving dynamics of the SX Turbo felt athletic and sporty but reached their limit sooner rather than later. Sharper steering and more grip from the tires would improve its performance, especially over sharp bumps. Despite some shortcomings, the SX Turbo managed to deliver a fun driving experience that wasn't as refined as a Mazda CX-5 Turbo but still enjoyable.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured a powertrain consisting of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator. This setup, connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels and a secondary electric motor powering the rear wheels for AWD, produced a combined 219 horsepower. This allowed the RAV4 Hybrid to achieve 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Most drivers wouldn't floor the pedal frequently unless merging onto highways from steep ramps.

When compared to other models, the Hybrid was about half a second quicker than the standard RAV4 and significantly slower than the RAV4 Prime, which reached 60 mph in a brisk 5.5 seconds. Within the hybrid segment, the Kia Sportage Hybrid was slightly faster, while the Honda CR-V Hybrid matched a similar acceleration pace of 8 seconds.

The RAV4 Hybrid's braking system merged regenerative and physical braking seamlessly, making transitions imperceptible to drivers. The suspension efficiently managed ride quality over moderate bumps and potholes while delivering confident cornering. The driving dynamics were solid, neither extraordinarily sporty nor underwhelming, making it a well-rounded choice for daily driving comfort.

In the 2022 Kia Sportage, despite being on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, the passenger compartment provided ample room. Comfort was a highlight, especially in the SX Turbo trim, with front seats featuring perforated leather upholstery accented by classy contrast stitching and piping. The driver’s seat offered a rare ten-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat included an eight-way power adjustment, which was uncommon for the class. Moreover, the SX Turbo came standard with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel.

Rear-seat accommodations were generous, with ample legroom and a comfortable seating position. Kia ensured rear passengers had their own air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. However, the back-door frame design required caution to avoid hitting one's face.

While interior storage space was generous, the Sportage's cargo capacity was more limited. With the second-row seats folded down, it could hold 60.1 cubic feet of cargo, less than segment leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. With all seats in place, it offered 30.7 cubic feet, sufficient to hold four full-sized suitcases and additional items. The Smart Liftgate feature was convenient but could be switched off if not needed.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided ample front seat space, accommodating larger passengers comfortably. The rear seats easily fitted average-sized adults, with slightly more headroom compared to competitors like the CR-V and Sportage, though legroom was marginally less. For those with rear-facing infant seats, adjustments to the front seat might be necessary. Taller passengers could find the rear seat cushions a bit low for long journeys, causing some discomfort.

The RAV4 Hybrid boasted a generous cargo capacity of 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, only slightly less than its non-hybrid counterpart. This minimized impact from the hybrid battery pack, demonstrating thoughtful design. Compared to the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, which offered 39.5 and 39.3 cubic feet respectively, the differences were negligible.

Interior storage excelled with a wide dashboard shelf for the front passenger and a phone tray in front of the center console. While a wireless charging pad was optional, its unavailability due to supply chain issues was noted. Large cupholders and a spacious center armrest bin provided additional practicality, with average-sized door pockets completing the storage options.

For 2022, the Kia Sportage came equipped with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trims also included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo model upped the ante with wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system featuring Clari-Fi digital music restoration technology. The inclusion of USB data and charging ports was a standard convenience.

The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for stereo volume and radio tuning, and steering wheel controls for easy navigation through station presets. Onscreen menus were logically structured, allowing drivers to adjust various features without referencing the owner's manual. However, the UVO Link system lagged behind in technological advancement, with its comparatively small 8-inch screen, lack of a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wired smartphone mirroring. Despite these drawbacks, the system remained simple and intuitive to use.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced a significantly improved infotainment system. The modern and sharp graphics with logically arranged menus made navigating the system a breeze. The screen placement atop the dashboard reduced driving distractions. Most trims featured an 8.0-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to a more prominent 10.5-inch touchscreen. The base display’s small on-screen buttons required precise effort to operate accurately.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto came standard on all RAV4 models, with an optional wireless charging pad. Over-the-air software updates kept features current, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, along with remote monitoring and control, provided enhanced connectivity. The fully digital instrument panel was a notable upgrade in the top trims. A six-speaker audio system was standard on most models, and the top Limited trim offered an 11-speaker JBL system for a richer audio experience.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came standard with a host of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert was available with the LX Value Edition Package or on any trim beyond the base LX.

The SX Turbo trim tested included all these features plus adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The lane-keeping assistance, while effective when necessary, could be irritating at times, leading some drivers to prefer disabling it. In crash tests, the Sportage received safe ratings, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick honor.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid earned top marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), achieving five stars for overall and side crash protection, and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it a “Good” rating in all tests except for the new moderate overlap frontal and side-impact tests, where it received an “Acceptable” rating. The RAV4 also earned a Top Safety Pick designation, the Institute’s second-highest recognition.

Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5 suite was standard across all RAV4 Hybrid models, featuring forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. Higher trims added a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alerts, parking proximity sensors, and optional surround-view camera system and digital rearview mirror for enhanced visibility and safety. During testing, these systems performed reliably, with no false alarms, and adaptive cruise control operated smoothly.