2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2023 Kia Sportage evolved significantly over its generations, transitioning from quirky to boring to interesting, and in its latest form, somewhat amphibian. By spring 2023, the Sportage was completely redesigned, and its distinct styling evoked a French aesthetic, drawing comparisons to models from Renault, Peugeot, and Citroen. This wasn't a negative point; the Sportage's exterior looked exciting and exotic, turning heads with its bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar, imparting a sense of class and uniqueness.

Kia offered the Sportage in seven trim levels for 2023: LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige. Inside, Kia ditched traditional leather for synthetic leather, claiming durability and animal-friendliness, although critics noted the synthetic version didn’t quite match the plush feel of genuine leather. The base LX trim retained cloth seats. Still, premium touches remained with a leather-wrapped steering wheel (from the EX trim up) and gear shift (from the SX trim up).

The driver’s seat promised excellent visibility with a well-designed dash featuring over two feet of display screens, impressive but adding to the common compact crossover interior look. Some hard plastic and piano-black elements were prone to fingerprints. Despite this, the overall interior experience remained solid, albeit with a few quirks like dual-purpose HVAC controls that added a somewhat needless complexity.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 had a storied evolution since its North American launch in 1996. Originally a tiny SUV alternative, it matured over five generations into a sales leader in the crossover segment. The 2022 model, part of a 2019 redesign, fit neatly into the contemporary crossover styling but held a few distinctive details upon close inspection – angular wheel arches and expressive headlights creating a distinctive, somewhat aggressive face.

Inside, the RAV4 had a layered, contrasting dash with a practical center stack. The touchscreen interface sat optimally atop the dash, minimizing driver distraction. The interior’s repeated geometric patterns, visible in seat inserts, sill plates, and even dash components, tied the cabin together stylistically. This design consistency extended to the 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels on the Adventure trim, demonstrating Toyota’s attention to detail and quality.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered new hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, but the gas-powered model used a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this engine fell short of the Sportage Hybrid's turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and even more so at higher altitudes.

Despite being slightly more powerful and efficient than the previous 2.4-liter engine, producing 25 mpg city, 32 highway with FWD, and 23/28 mpg for AWD, the 2023 Sportage lacked a high-performance engine option. The previous-gen’s turbocharged engine, which had delivered 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, was sorely missed.

The Sportage X-Line trimmed up for rugged appearances, and the X-Pro trims offered genuine off-roading features, including all-terrain tires and specific drive modes (Normal, Sport, Smart, and Snow), aided by 8.3 inches of ground clearance. While capable off-road, on-road handling suffered due to heightened ground clearance and all-terrain tires.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 featured three powertrains. The gasoline model's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, available with FWD or AWD. It delivered commendable fuel efficiency, with FWD models achieving 27-28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, while AWD versions reached 25-27 mpg city and 32-34 mpg highway.

The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor for 217 combined hp and operated with an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT), offering an impressive 41 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, boasting 302 hp and a larger battery pack, provided an astounding 42-mile electric-only range and 94 MPGe combined efficiency. It also came with the option for a quick-charging 6.6-kW charger.

Driving the gasoline Adventure AWD model, the RAV4 delivered smooth, turbo-lag-free acceleration and maintained its reputation for car-like handling, thanks to a sophisticated suspension system. AWD models included Multi-Terrain Select and dynamic torque vectoring, enhancing cornering and off-road performance. Fuel-saving features like rear-driveline disconnect added to its efficiency.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, having increased significantly in size from its predecessor, offered competitive space in the compact crossover segment. Its 7.1-inch longer body and 3.4-inch increased wheelbase translated to impressive rear-seat legroom of 41.3 inches and a generous 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with seats folded.

Storage space upfront was practical, with a typical cubby ahead of the shifter, two tandem cupholders, and a spacious center console bin. However, Kia’s attempt to streamline technology by using dual-function touch-sensitive HVAC controls proved less than intuitive.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 also offered substantial interior space. With 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, it provided ample room for luggage and gear. It boasted a healthy payload capacity between 1,050 and 1,230 pounds depending on configuration, and its towing capacity ranged from 1,500 pounds on standard models to 3,500 pounds on Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims.

Inside, the RAV4 was designed for comfort and utility. It comfortably accommodated four adults, with enough space for a fifth passenger in a pinch. Numerous storage options, including cupholders, bottle holders, a roomy glove compartment, and a covered storage area beneath the center armrest, added to its practicality.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came well-equipped with technology features. Its 12.3-inch touchscreen interface, standard on EX and up trims, offered a sharp, stylish display, complemented by a curved driver information display on SX trims and above. However, it’s notable that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were wired on this larger display, while the base trim’s 8-inch screen allowed for wireless connectivity.

Technology quirks included similar-looking icons that made navigation difficult while driving, although wireless charging, USB-C charging ports, navigation, Sirius XM, and a Harman Kardon stereo on higher trims were appreciated features. Despite its quirks, the Sportage’s tech impressed overall.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with six speakers, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay compatibility, along with SiriusXM, Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Wi-Fi Connect. Higher trims received a larger 9-inch touchscreen, while the Premium Audio setup available on Limited and RAV4 Prime XSE trims offered an 11-speaker JBL system and navigation.

The RAV4 Prime showcased advanced tech with multiple USB ports, auxiliary power outlets, ambient lighting, a wireless charging pad, a bird’s-eye view camera system, and a 10-inch head-up display. This suite of features differentiated it from the base models and highlighted its technological advancement.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, lane-departure warning, and rear backup sensors. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a blind-view monitor, and highway driving assistance were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 excelled in safety, with Toyota’s Star Safety System and Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, offering vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, brake assist, smart stop technology, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking assist with automatic braking were available on upper trims.

The RAV4 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick and a five-star NHTSA rating, reflecting its outstanding safety performance.