2023 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Kia Sportage emerged with a completely redesigned look that was both exciting and exotic, drawing comparisons to French automakers like Renault, Peugeot, and Citroen. Its styling was a departure from previous generations, featuring bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and a distinctive grille that captured attention. The interior of the Sportage was modernized with synthetic leather upholstery, offering a durable and animal-friendly alternative to traditional leather. The driver’s seat provided excellent visibility, and the dashboard was dominated by an impressive display, although some interior elements, like the hard plastic plate near the door handle, were less appealing.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV70 exuded luxury with its design, drawing stylistic connections to the G70 compact luxury sedan. The GV70's interior was a testament to Genesis's luxury credentials, featuring top-notch materials and a blend of contemporary and classic aesthetics. The climate controls were integrated into a curving bezel, and the touchscreen rose organically from the dash. The GV70's cabin was equipped with a full touchscreen backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly experience. The GV70 was available in both gas-powered and electrified versions, each offering a range of luxurious features and trims.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While it was more powerful than the previous model, it lacked the turbocharged engine option that was available in earlier versions. The Sportage was available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, with the latter providing 8.3 inches of ground clearance. The X-Pro trims added off-road capabilities with all-terrain tires and specific drive modes, although the naturally aspirated engine struggled to deliver a punchy driving experience.

The Genesis GV70 2.5T featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.5T boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The GV70 Electrified offered a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque from its dual electric motors, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower. The electric version had a range of 236 miles and supported fast charging. The GV70 provided a refined driving experience, balancing comfort and handling.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, as a compact crossover, offered increased dimensions compared to its predecessor, providing more interior space. Rear-seat legroom was an impressive 41.3 inches, and the trunk offered 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front seats provided decent storage space, but the touch-sensitive HVAC controls were frustrating to use, complicating basic functions.

The Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with them in use, which was above average for its class. The GV70 featured a hands-free power liftgate and a well-designed center console with cupholders and storage trays. While the front seats were comfortable and adjustable, rear-seat legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats for rear passenger comfort.

The 2023 Kia Sportage featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on EX-and up trims, paired with a panoramic driver information display on higher trims. While the technology was impressive, the wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on higher trims were a point of contention. The Sportage offered wireless charging, rear USB-C ports, and a Harman Kardon stereo on select trims, but the similar-looking icons on the screen could be confusing.

The Genesis GV70 came standard with a 14.5-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menus, complemented by a rotary dial and button controls. The GV70 included four USB ports, wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Ambient lighting and a digital instrument panel were available features, enhancing the luxury experience.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of collision-avoidance technology 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 and adaptive cruise control. However, the blind-view monitor and Highway driving assist were only available on the most expensive trims. The Sportage had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The Genesis GV70 provided a full suite of driver-assistance technology, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2.5T's Advance Package and the 3.5T's Sport Advance package added features like a blind-spot camera system and a 360-degree parking camera. The GV70 Electrified included most of these features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.