2023 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Kia Sportage underwent a striking transformation, breaking away from its past looks and adopting a sleek, almost French-inspired design. It featured bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs) and texture metal trim on the D Pillar, adding a touch of class. It offered seven trim levels, from the base LX with cloth seats to top-tier X-Pro Prestige with synthetic leather. The interior favored animal-friendly synthetic leather, although not as luxurious as real leather. The EX trim and above came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The dashboard featured over two feet of display space on all but the base trim, though piano-black plastic and some hard plastic elements detracted slightly from its upscale feel.

The 2023 Lexus GX, meanwhile, boasted a massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The Black Line Special Edition returned with three paint color options. Despite its bulky front end, the GX appeared more compact along the sides due to its short 109.8-inch wheelbase. It exuded a rugged, ready-for-off-road vibe with flared fenders and sleeker lines compared to other Lexus models. The interior was a bit of a mixed bag with excessive plastic but included heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery. The GX's design dated back 14 years but was continually refined to improve driving dynamics.

Kia introduced a hybrid and plug-in hybrid option for the Sportage in 2023, but the gasoline model featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine delivering 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it came with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Despite being more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, it lacked the turbocharged engine from previous models, reducing its "premium" feel. The X-Line and X-Pro trims offered rugged visuals, all-terrain tires, and higher ground clearance for off-road fun, though with some compromises in on-road comfort.

The Lexus GX featured a defining 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Though it lagged in power compared to modern engines, it delivered a satisfying V8 experience that some drivers loved. The GX's towing capacity stood at 6,500 pounds, slightly below some rivals. It handled predictably but felt heavy, particularly in corners. The steering's vagueness and V8's fuel economy (15 mpg city, 19 highway) were notable downsides. However, its 4WD system with a Torsen limited-slip differential, dynamic suspension, and off-road gear made it a capable machine when the pavement ended.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, as a larger compact crossover, offered generous interior dimensions. Its wheelbase increased by 3.4 inches over the previous model, enhancing rear-seat legroom to 41.3 inches. Cargo space was ample with 39.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.1 cubic feet with them folded down. Front storage solutions included typical cubbies, tandem cupholders, and a spacious center console bin. However, the touch-sensitive HVAC controls frustrated some users due to their dual functionality and difficulty of use while driving.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered decent storage space in the front with a deep center console bin, a phone space, and side-by-side cupholders. Despite being well-stocked with physical controls, the GX had a dated feel. Second-row comfort was good, especially with optional captain's chairs, but the third row remained cramped for most adults. The side-hinged trunk door and 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row were major drawbacks. Folding down the third row expanded space to 46.7 cubic feet, and with both rows folded, it offered 64.7 cubic feet, less than a Toyota RAV4.

The 2023 Kia Sportage impressed with a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on EX trims and above, featuring a panoramic display on SX trims. It supported wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on top trims while the base LX had an 8-inch screen with wireless connectivity. This oversight baffled many. Standard tech features included wireless charging, rear USB-C ports, SiriusXM, and a Harman Kardon stereo on higher trims. However, the similar-looking icons on the touchscreen could be confusing.

The Lexus GX got a 10.3-inch touchscreen update in 2022, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Yet, it lagged in comparison to newer Lexus models. The Remote Touch Interface became redundant with the updated touchscreen, and standard features included Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. Despite this, tech was not the GX's strength. Instead, it excelled with off-road capabilities like a two-speed transfer case, crawl control, and suspension systems.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came loaded with standard safety features: automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, lane-departure warning, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-view monitor, and highway driving assist. Neither NHTSA nor IIHS had crash-tested the 2023 model.

The 2023 Lexus GX also awaited crash testing by NHTSA and IIHS. Although built on older architecture, it included current ADAS like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and parking assist. Lexus eschewed some top-tier features but retained solid basic safety equipment for modern needs.