2022 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Volvo XC90

Comparing the 2022 Kia Sportage and the 2023 Volvo XC90 was a true testament to how far auto design has evolved over the years.

Back in 2022, the Kia Sportage flaunted a unique character. Its tiger-nose grille, while celebrated on models like the Stinger and Sorento, didn’t quite work on the Sportage. The oversized headlights and chrome grin trim might have felt a bit too much, like a Halloween party mustache. But this grille placement didn’t overshadow Kia’s otherwise impressive design mastery. Elements like the four-dot running lights gave nods to prestigious brands like Porsche, while the symmetry of the backdoor and rear fascia hinted at a Volkswagen-inspired style. From its aesthetically balanced 19-inch wheels to its firmly planted stance, the Sportage exuded a sleek, well-proportioned presence.

Inside, the Sportage embraced a Germanic ambiance. Polished metallic accents complemented the black dashboard, and straightforward black-and-white instrumentation amplified this straightforward elegance. The choice of black, gray, or beige upholstery along with metallic pedal covers, provided a high-quality feel. With simple and efficiently placed buttons and knobs, adjusting settings inside the Sportage was intuitive, helping to keep the cabin’s premium vibe alive.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 was a marked departure from Volvo’s past pixelated design ethos. Emerging from the 240dl days, the XC90 showcased a robust yet subdued elegance. The front end was solid without the flashiness, featuring the assertive but proportioned grille and modern Thor’s Hammer headlights. These features, combined with the XC90’s rectilinear yet refined dimensions, made it clear this was no plain Volvo of yesteryears.

Donning big 21-inch wheels with Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, the XC90's stance was dramatic yet stoic. The Platinum Gray paint added a richness, a hue shifting under sunlight, making it feel sophisticated. Inside, the elegant two-tone leather steering wheel and luxurious Nappa leather seats wrapped in Charcoal or Blond hues made the XC90’s cabin a haven of taste and luxury. Wood deco inlays and minimalistic features reinforced the elegant Scandinavian vibe, while hints of nature enhanced the cabin’s aesthetic appeal.

Talking about performance, both vehicles offered a different slice of the automotive spectrum.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with two engine options. Most trims sported a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. It was competent but unremarkable. The SX Turbo, however, housed a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, churning out a robust 240 horsepower (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain made the Sportage particularly lively, especially at higher altitudes. The six-speed automatic transmission and the option of Kia’s Dynamax all-wheel-drive system with a locking center differential rounded off the drivetrain’s versatility. While the torque, arriving at a low 1,450 rpm and available until 3,500 rpm, might catch some drivers off guard, it added a layer of spirited driving. The suspension system, featuring a MacPherson strut front and independent multi-link rear, offered a smooth ride, akin to the larger Kia Telluride. Despite a hint of body roll, the Sportage’s driving character remained sophisticated and sporty, even if it didn’t match the refinement of competitors like the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

In 2023, Volvo revamped the XC90’s powertrain options, transitioning to the B5 and B6 engines. These were iterations of Volvo’s older engines, now with mild-hybrid technology for improved fuel efficiency and performance smoothness. The B5, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid setup, produced 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The B6, incorporating both a supercharger and turbocharger, alongside the mild-hybrid tech, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Though these figures saw a slight dip from the previous T6 powerplant, the real gain was in the smoother operation and marginal fuel economy improvements.

Unlike full hybrids, Volvo’s mild-hybrid system didn’t provide electric-only driving mode but took on auxiliary tasks to ease the engine’s load. The XC90’s big wheels and the supple suspension allowed for a fairly flat cornering experience despite the vehicle’s considerable size. Meanwhile, the eight-speed automatic transmission pulled its weight efficiently, offering seamless shifts. Road and wind insulation were top-notch, making it a serene ride.

Evaluating the interior space, comfort, and cargo capacity of both SUVs provided revealing insights into their functionality.

In 2022, the Kia Sportage, though on the smaller end of the compact crossover SUV spectrum, offered a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim elevated comfort with perforated leather seats featuring contrast stitching and piping. The driver’s seat boasted a generous ten-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat offered eight-way power adjustment—the latter being a rarity in its class. Heated and ventilated front seats and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel added to the premium feel. Rear seat occupants enjoyed generous legroom and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. Interior storage was decent, although the maximum cargo volume of 60.1 cubic feet lagged behind leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The hands-free smart liftgate, a notable feature, added convenience, albeit with some potential for unintended activation.

On the other hand, the 2023 Volvo XC90’s interior exuded peace and tranquility, albeit with some storage design quirks. The minimalist Scandinavian design led to limited cubby space for smaller items, including a lack of dedicated cell phone space. The USB ports, crucial for phone connectivity, were also inconveniently located. The second-row comfort was commendable, but accessing the third row presented challenges, especially with the optional captain’s chairs, an upgrade that intriguingly cost $500 and required the B6 engine. Additionally, the third row was cramped, making entry and exit cumbersome. Cargo space was respectable, with 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with it folded, and a total of 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats stowed—falling short of rivals like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX.

In 2022, Kia equipped the Sportage with a user-friendly suite of tech features. It boasted a standard 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trims received UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo included wireless smartphone charging and a premium 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The system's simplicity and the presence of physical knobs for key functions were commendable. However, compared to cutting-edge competitors, the UVO Link system felt dated with its small screen, lack of WiFi hotspot, wired smartphone mirroring, and inconsistent voice recognition.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 took a different tech approach with its 9-inch touchscreen running Google OS. Volvo uniquely integrated Google’s Android Auto into the system, bringing Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, Google Assistant, and more directly onboard. The advanced natural-language recognition technology, facilitated through Google, elevated daily usability. Integration with Google Home devices further showcased smart connectivity. Despite the advanced tech, too many functions were confined to the touchscreen, leading to some user frustration. While the minimalist approach was aesthetically pleasing, it meant essential functions like adjusting seat positions or activating the heated steering wheel required navigating the touchscreen—something most users might eventually get used to but could find initially cumbersome.

In terms of safety, the 2022 Kia Sportage was well-equipped across all trims with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, and a driver monitoring system. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert was available on higher trims or via the LX Value Edition Package. Our SX Turbo test vehicle further included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The Sportage received commendations from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though only the SX Turbo’s headlights earned an Acceptable rating for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Volvo, synonymous with safety, did not disappoint in 2023. The XC90, lauded for its safety record, carried a five-star rating from NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS in 2022. Standard advanced driver-assist features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist, which combined various technologies to maintain distance and lane positioning seamlessly. These features underscored Volvo’s commitment to safety, tracing back to its foundational decision to make the 3-point seatbelt available industry-wide—a testament to the brand’s ethos of prioritizing human life over competition.