2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Toyota Sienna occupied a unique space in the automotive landscape. While other manufacturers like Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Nissan, and Volkswagen exited the minivan market, and even Kia pivoted its minivan terminology to “Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV),” Toyota never shied away from embracing the minivan identity. The Sienna legacy began with the original Toyota Van (1984-1989), followed by the innovative mid-engined Previa (1990), and the first Sienna in 1998. By 2021, the Sienna had reached its fourth generation, boasting a clever SUV-like styling, although its sliding side doors revealed its true minivan nature. The re-engineered door hinges, the buried slider channel, and the assertive profile all contributed to a more stylish look. Wheels ranged from 17 to 20 inches, depending on trim levels. Inside, the spacious and uncluttered design catered to families with plenty of storage and seating options, including available second-row captain’s chairs with ottomans and a 60/40-split third-row bench that folded easily into the floor.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage underwent a dramatic transformation from its quirky beginnings to a bold, somewhat French-striking design. The new Sportage garnered attention with its boomerang-shaped daytime running lights framing a distinctive grille, while metallic trim on the D Pillar added class. Available in seven trim levels (LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, X-Pro Prestige), the new Sportage featured synthetic leather in place of genuine leather, enhancing durability while maintaining a refined interior feel. The driving view was enhanced by a large front windshield and a low beltline, with a substantial 12.3-inch display dominating the dashboard on most trims. Yet, some peculiar design choices, like hard plastics near the door handle, detracted slightly from comfort.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna carried over its hybrid powertrain from the previous model year. This combination of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors produced 243 horsepower. Standard FWD could be upgraded to AWD, with an additional electric motor powering the rear wheels, providing 54 horsepower and 89 pound-feet of torque. An electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth and efficient power delivery, with selectable drive modes (Normal, EV, Eco, and Sport) adding versatility. The handling was commendable for a minivan, supported by the Toyota Next Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform. The Sienna’s fuel economy was impressive, with the EPA rating FWD models at 36 mpg across the board and AWD models at 35 mpg.

In comparison, the 2023 Kia Sportage introduced hybrid and plug-in hybrid models for the first time, though the focus here is on the gas-powered variant with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine. This engine generated 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy was respectable at 25 mpg city, 32 mpg highway for FWD, and 23/28/25 for AWD. The previous turbocharged engine option, which offered 240 horsepower, was no longer available, affecting the Sportage’s appeal to performance enthusiasts. The new X-Line and X-Pro trims added rugged visual cues and genuine off-roading capabilities, like BF Goodrich all-terrain tires and specific drive modes, making the Sportage versatile for off-road adventures.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna was designed to be a family workhorse. It could comfortably fit a full 4x8 sheet of plywood inside with the tailgate closed. The cargo capacity measured 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The standard 60/40-split third-row bench folded easily into the floor, and power-operated side sliding doors and a rear tailgate added convenience, particularly with the foot-motion triggers for hands-free access.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, now larger than its predecessor, offered impressive interior space for its class. Rear-seat legroom extended to 41.3 inches, and the trunk provided 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Front-seat passengers benefited from ample storage, including a spacious center console bin and tandem cupholders. However, the touch-sensitive HVAC controls could be a hassle when driving due to their dual-functionality and resemblance to other buttons, complicating the user experience.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna came loaded with standard and optional tech features, starting with a 9-inch touchscreen equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with SiriusXM, USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker JBL system and a rear-seat entertainment system with an 11.6-inch display. Safety and Remote Connect telematics services were standard on XLE and higher trims, while wireless phone charging, a digital rearview mirror, a 7-inch multi-information display, and a 10-inch color head-up display were available on upper trims, making driving safer and more convenient.

The 2023 Kia Sportage impressed with a 12.3-inch touchscreen on EX trims and above, complemented by a 12.3-inch driver information display on SX trims and higher. However, these high-tech features came with quirks, such as wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the top trim and similar icon designs that could be confusing. Wireless charging, rear USB-C ports, navigation, Sirius XM, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon stereo system were standard on higher trims. Despite a few usability issues, the Sportage's tech offerings were advanced and user-friendly once understood.

The 2022 Toyota Sienna boasted top-tier safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. Additional features included 10 airbags, LATCH connectors for child seats, a rear-seat reminder system, tire-pressure monitoring, and an inflator kit, with an optional spare tire for added convenience and safety.

The 2023 Kia Sportage also came well-equipped with safety features, offering automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping and following assist, lane-departure warning, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, and adaptive cruise control. The SX Prestige and X-Pro Prestige trims included advanced features like blind-view monitor and highway driving assist, although these were not available on lower trims. As a new model, the 2023 Sportage had yet to be crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.