2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication that was synonymous with the Land Rover brand. Its design was a testament to elegance, with features like pop-out door handles that, while potentially unreliable, added to its allure. The Velar's exterior was a masterclass in design, with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a trapezoidal roof that echoed the larger Range Rover's iconic silhouette. The vehicle's form was both blocky and streamlined, with subtle adjustments like a sloping roof and wide shoulder crease that enhanced its liquid-like appearance. Special details, such as taillight lenses with depth illusions and air ducts reminiscent of a Bugatti, added to its unique charm. The interior, though less opulent than previous models, maintained high-quality materials and a sleek design, with a polished black center stack and attractive seat patterns.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid embraced a bold and distinctive design, riding on the N3 platform shared with the larger Kia Sorento. This new model was longer, taller, and wider than its predecessor, offering increased rear-seat legroom. The Sportage Hybrid's front end featured angular LED headlights and "boomerang" LED daytime running lights, creating a unique face that set it apart from other vehicles. The interior was designed around a large optional infotainment display, with a minimalist and elegant look that contrasted with the ruggedness of competitors like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. While base models had cloth seats, higher trims featured SynTex artificial leather, which, despite its eco-friendly appeal, felt somewhat cheap. The interior was further enhanced with gloss black plastic trim and silver metallic finishes, though these materials were prone to smudges and glare.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a driving experience unlike any previous Land Rover. Its lower center of gravity and lighter weight improved cornering and braking, while the optional air suspension provided a plush "magic carpet" ride. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. While the turbo-four powertrain offered average response, the Velar's mission as a street Rover limited its off-road capabilities. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune, delivered 340 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque in the base S and R-Dynamic models, and 395 hp and 405 lb-ft in the R-Dynamic HSE, thanks to an electric supercharger. This powertrain, combined with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, provided high performance while reducing emissions.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission, assisted by a single electric motor. This combination produced 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive standard on the base LX trim and all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The Sportage Hybrid's powertrain, shared with the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, offered more horsepower than competitors like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape hybrids. The driving experience was smooth and predictable, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The well-tuned transmission provided quick responses, while the quiet cabin and comfortable ride added to the overall driving pleasure. However, the Sportage Hybrid's steering felt artificially heavy in Sport mode, and its maximum towing capacity was 2,000 pounds, less than the non-hybrid version.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were frustrating, with the P button serving dual functions for parking and engaging the brake. The new Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the interface, but the redesign of critical controls for cost-cutting purposes was a concerning trend.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, while offering slightly less headroom and cargo space than the non-hybrid version, remained competitive in its segment. It provided more front-seat headroom than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 hybrids, with best-in-class rear-seat legroom tied with the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. The dual-level cargo floor added flexibility, with 39.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats in place and 73.7 cubic feet with them folded. The Sportage Hybrid's interior featured a rotary shift knob, large bin for phones, and clever cupholders, maximizing available space and functionality.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system defied expectations by performing reliably during testing. It featured a simplified layout with logical arrangements, customizable home screens, and a voice assistant. Additional features included a PM2.5 air filter, heated windshield, and navigation with traffic detours and frequent route suggestions. The instrument panel offered various layouts, though the driving assist display lacked detail compared to competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid came with an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a panoramic display combining the touchscreen with a digital instrument cluster. The panoramic display was visually impressive and user-friendly, though Android Auto didn't utilize the entire screen. Kia added touch controls below the screen, which could switch between audio and climate controls. Hybrid models included multiple USB-C ports, wireless phone charging, and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had no U.S. crash-test ratings, but it scored five stars in the European NCAP. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA due to its recent redesign. The base LX trim included forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the SX-Prestige trim offered adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot view camera, and Highway Driving Assist. The Sportage Hybrid's advanced features, like Remote Smart Parking Assist, set it apart from competitors.