2023 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Toyota RAV4

The 2023 Kia Sportage underwent a radical transformation and emerged with a design that might remind one of something crafted in France. With its bold boomerang-shaped daytime running lights accentuating the modern grille and textured metal trim on the D Pillar, it screamed of freshness and a distinct allure. The Sportage also expanded its trim offerings, now including the X-Line and X-Pro versions, which add even more flair to the model line.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 maintained its design language introduced in 2019, particularly evident in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims which retained a rugged, utilitarian aesthetic. The RAV4 Adventure incorporated orange accents and an updated Toyota badge placement, presenting a more aggressive look, albeit without the true off-road enhancements of the TRD model. The RAV4’s design continued to underscore a blend of functionality with slight nods to modernity in its frameless rearview mirror and darker aesthetic elements.

In performance terms, the 2023 Kia Sportage kept things interesting with its introduction of a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid variety, but its traditional gas model featured a 2.5-liter engine outputting 187 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine, albeit efficient, offered less exhilaration compared to the previous generation’s turbocharged option, which was no longer available. The Sportage's off-road capability was boosted in the X-Pro trims, noted for their specifically tuned features for diverse terrains and all-terrain tires.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4's standard 2.5-liter engine put forth a slightly higher 203 horsepower, also with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While it was competent, it didn't particularly excel in delivering an engaging driving experience, being criticized for its noticeable noise levels. The Adventure trim, although visually appealing for off-road enthusiasts, didn’t offer significant true off-road functionality as its TRD Off-Road counterpart.

The 2023 Kia Sportage notably increased in size compared to its predecessor, resulting in an impressive rear seat legroom of 41.3 inches and a cargo capacity of 39.6 cubic feet behind the second row, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats down. It stood out in the crowded segment for its spaciousness and practicality, particularly for families or those needing substantial cargo space.

On the other hand, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 presented a competitive but slightly less spacious interior. It offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space which extended to 69.8 cubic feet with the back seats folded. The RAV4, with 41 inches of legroom at the front and 37.8 inches in the rear, accommodated passengers comfortably, though it did not lead the segment in space.

Kia’s 2023 Sportage excelled with its dual 12.3-inch displays in higher trims, offering a cutting-edge feel less common at its price point. Despite some complexities with its touch-sensitive controls, the overall technological provision, including connectivity and audio quality, placed it high in its class.

Toyota’s revised infotainment for the 2023 RAV4 marked an improvement, with the introduction of an 8.0-inch and an optional 10.5-inch touchscreen for higher trims. These screens paired with enhanced connectivity features and a premium audio system option offered a competitive package, although the Toyota’s tech felt less bespoke compared to Kia’s offerings.