2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from the brand's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while stepping into the luxury class. After Volvo's acquisition by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new platforms, leading to the current XC90, which launched in 2016 as the flagship SUV on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. The XC90's design was sleek and athletic, with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches, complemented by the iconic "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights. Inside, the XC90 exuded "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim, with options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, on the other hand, arrived with a completely redesigned look, drawing comparisons to French automakers like Renault and Citroen. Its styling was exciting and exotic, with standout features like boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar. The Sportage offered seven trim levels, including new X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige trims. Inside, Kia replaced leather seating with durable synthetic leather, while the base LX trim featured cloth seats. The interior boasted a large front windshield and a low beltline for excellent visibility, though some design choices, like touch-sensitive HVAC controls, were less user-friendly.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 250 horsepower, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version delivering 316 hp, and the T8 plug-in hybrid combining gasoline and electric power for a total of 455 hp. The T5 models were available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the T6 and T8 were AWD only. The T8's electric motor drove the rear wheels, providing a smooth and spirited driving experience. Fuel efficiency varied, with the T5 FWD achieving 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway, and the T8 offering 27 mpg combined on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range.

The 2023 Kia Sportage introduced a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, available in FWD and AWD. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering slightly more power and efficiency than the previous 2.4-liter engine. The Sportage's fuel economy was 25 mpg city/32 highway with FWD and 23/28/25 with AWD. While the new engine was more powerful than the 2022 model, it lacked the punch of the previous turbocharged option. The X-Line and X-Pro trims added rugged visual cues and off-road capabilities, with the X-Pro featuring all-terrain tires and specific drive modes for off-road adventures.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 accommodated six or seven passengers, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults found it lacking in legroom. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with it folded, and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both rear rows down. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior was spacious and airy, enhanced by a panoramic moonroof, and the air-conditioning system performed admirably during hot weather.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, now larger than its predecessor, provided ample 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 seat folded. The front seats offered typical storage options, including a cubby ahead of the shifter and a spacious center console bin. However, the Sportage's technology, like touch-sensitive HVAC controls, could be frustrating to use, as they required switching between climate and navigation functions.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, offering familiar smartphone gestures. However, it was occasionally glitchy and slow, performing better with Apple CarPlay. The XC90 included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display. The standard Harman Kardon sound system could be upgraded to a Bowers & Wilkins system for audiophiles. The vehicle also offered multiple USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app for remote functions.

The 2023 Kia Sportage boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on EX and higher trims, paired with a 12.3-inch driver information display on SX trims and above. While the technology was impressive, the wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on higher trims puzzled some users. The Sportage included wireless charging, rear USB-C ports, navigation, and a Harman Kardon stereo on select trims. However, the similar-looking icons on the screen could be challenging to navigate while driving.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Volvo's Pilot Assist system. It received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, earning the Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The SX Prestige and X-Pro Prestige trims included advanced features like a blind-view monitor and highway driving assist. However, the Sportage had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.