2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a testament to Land Rover's long-standing tradition of crafting luxury SUVs. It exuded class and elegance, making a statement of wealth and taste. The Velar's design was a nod to the larger Range Rover, with its tall, tent-like profile scaled into a sporty package. Its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and signature Land Rover grille were unmistakably Range Rover. The Velar's exterior was a blend of blocky and streamlined elements, with special details like taillight lenses that created an illusion of depth and air ducts reminiscent of a Bugatti. The interior, though less opulent than previous models, maintained high-quality materials and exemplary fit and finish, with a polished black center stack as its defining element.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage arrived with a completely redesigned look that was both exciting and exotic. Its styling was reminiscent of French automakers, with features like boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar adding a touch of class. The Sportage offered seven trim levels, including new X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige trims. Inside, Kia opted for durable synthetic leather instead of traditional leather, with the base LX trim featuring cloth seats. The Sportage's interior was spacious, with a big front windshield and a low beltline for better visibility. However, the use of touch-sensitive buttons for HVAC controls was a point of frustration, as they could be difficult to locate while driving.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a unique driving experience for a Land Rover. It featured a lower center of gravity and lighter weight, enhancing its cornering and braking capabilities. 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. The Velar also offered an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, available in two states of tune, providing up to 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. The Velar's Terrain Response system included six driving modes, but its off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

The 2023 Kia Sportage introduced a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering slightly more power and fuel efficiency than the previous model. However, the lack of a turbocharged engine option in the new model was a drawback for those seeking a more spirited driving experience. The Sportage's X-Pro trims offered genuine off-roading features, including all-terrain tires and specific drive modes, making it capable for off-pavement adventures. The Sportage's ground clearance of 8.3 inches on AWD models was competitive, but the naturally aspirated engine struggled to keep up with turbocharged competitors.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs and only slightly roomier than compact SUVs. Its stylish exterior compromised headroom and visibility, with cargo space limited to 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, and the new shifter design interfered with volume and climate controls. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the interface, making it faster and easier to use.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, as a compact crossover, offered impressive interior space with 41.3 inches of rear-seat legroom and 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Sportage's front seats provided ample storage space, but the use of touch-sensitive buttons for HVAC controls was a drawback. The Sportage's longer wheelbase and increased ground clearance made it a more competitive option in its segment, offering a spacious and practical interior.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout with logical arrangements. It featured a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield, among other useful features. The navigation system could identify frequent routes and suggest traffic detours, while the 360-degree cameras provided a comprehensive view of the vehicle's surroundings. The Velar's instrument panel offered customizable displays, but the driving assist display lacked detail compared to competitors.

The 2023 Kia Sportage boasted an impressive technology offering, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on EX-and up trims and a panoramic, curved driver information display on SX trims and above. However, the lack of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the top-of-the-line interface was a point of contention. The Sportage offered wireless charging, rear USB-C charging ports, and a Harman Kardon stereo on higher trims. Despite some icon design issues, the Sportage's technology package was advanced and user-friendly.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. 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 offered a comprehensive suite of collision-avoidance tech and advanced driver assistance systems as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The SX Prestige and X-Pro Prestige trims included advanced features like blind-view monitor and highway driving assist, though these were not available on lower trims. Crash-test ratings from U.S. agencies were not yet available for the 2023 Sportage.