2023 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Kia Sportage

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 touches. 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 Volvo XC40, though not new, maintained its distinctive look with a flat-roofed profile and clean exterior design. For 2023, Volvo updated the XC40's styling with pixelated "Thor’s Hammer" headlights, a more angular front bumper, and new wheel designs. The XC40 Recharge was easily identifiable by its sealed-off grille. Built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, the XC40 shared its underpinnings with the C40 Recharge and Polestar 2.

Inside, the XC40 continued with its minimalist design, featuring thin air vents framing the central touchscreen and scalloped door elements. Standard dual-zone automatic climate control and optional air purifier added to the comfort. Leather upholstery was available, with vegan leather for Recharge models. Our test vehicle, the XC40 Ultimate, included a panoramic moonroof and an Orrefors crystal shift knob, though the all-black interior felt somewhat utilitarian. Fit and finish were good, but the materials reminded us that the XC40 was Volvo’s entry-level model.

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, which was competitive but unremarkable. The Sportage SX Turbo, however, 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 ample power, especially beneficial for those living at higher elevations.

Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with the option of Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system, which included a locking center differential. The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm, giving it a spirited driving experience. The suspension setup, featuring a MacPherson strut front and independent multi-link rear, provided a smooth and compliant ride, though there was some body roll and lateral rocking. The SX Turbo also had upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels with 245/45 tires, contributing to its athletic feel.

For 2023, the Volvo XC40 introduced mild-hybrid powertrains, adding a 48-volt electrical system and a 13-horsepower integrated starter generator. The base B4 powertrain combined this system with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 197 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the B5 model offered 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B4 being FWD-only and the B5 AWD-only.

The B5 model could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, while the B4 took 8.1 seconds. The XC40's high level of refinement stood out, with a composed handling and smooth ride quality. The Recharge model, with its two electric motors producing 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and had a 223-mile range. The Recharge also had a higher towing capacity of 4,409 pounds compared to the B5 AWD's 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite its smaller size, offered a remarkably roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim provided perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, ten-way power adjustment for the driver, and eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the heated flat-bottom steering wheel added to the comfort.

Rear seat legroom was generous, and the seats were comfortable, with air conditioning vents and a USB charging port for rear passengers. However, the cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 60.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The smart liftgate technology was a convenient feature, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2023 Volvo XC40, while compact, offered reasonable space for its class. It tied with the BMW X1 for rear-seat headroom and was just behind the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class for front-seat headroom. Legroom was average, but the generous shoulder room made the cabin feel spacious. Volvo listed 20 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 46.9 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.

The XC40's interior storage was well-designed, with scalloped door panels creating flexible storage options and a large center console bin and phone tray. A power tailgate and keyless entry were standard on higher trims, adding to the convenience.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trims included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo added wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning and logical onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system was starting to feel outdated, lacking features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 featured an Android-based infotainment system with Google apps, including Google Maps and Google Assistant. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch touchscreen were standard, with a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available on higher trims. The infotainment experience was visually pleasing, though users who preferred Apple products might not find the Google features as satisfying. The lack of analog controls meant that most functions were accessed through the touchscreen, which could be less convenient for some users.

The 2022 Kia Sportage included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The SX Turbo also had 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 IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Higher trims added front and side parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist. The XC40 received top ratings from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it dropped to an "Acceptable" rating in the updated side-impact test.