2023 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Kia Sportage marked a significant departure from its previous design iterations. Over the years, the Sportage transitioned from quirky to unremarkable to interesting, and finally, to an amphibian-like aesthetic. The 2023 model, which arrived in the spring, featured a bold redesign that had a distinctly French vibe. If you swapped the new Kia badge for one from Renault, Peugeot, or Citroën, the Sportage would fit seamlessly into any of those lineups.

This transformation was far from a critique. The 2023 Sportage, much like its French counterparts, looked adventurous and exotic, drawing attention with its unique styling. Standout features included bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs) that framed a distinctive grille. The textured metal trim on the D Pillar added a touch of elegance to this compact crossover.

Kia offered the 2023 Sportage in seven trim levels: LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, and the new additions for 2023—X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige.

Inside, Kia opted for durable (and animal-friendly) synthetic leather seating, though the base LX trim came with cloth seats. Despite the synthetic leather not feeling as luxurious as genuine leather, the Sportage still featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel (EX and above) and a leather-wrapped shift knob (SX and above).

The driver's view was exceptional, thanks to a large front windshield and a relatively low beltline for enhanced peripheral visibility. Higher trims boasted over two feet of display space on the dashboard. However, other parts of the cabin retained a typical compact-crossover appearance, with abundant hard-wearing plastic and plastic plates that could be uncomfortable for front-seat passengers. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard above the LX trim.

On the other hand, Volvo had a history of creating utilitarian designs, often likened to rolling bricks. Models like the 240dl and 700 series had solid, safe reputations but weren’t exactly stylish. Fast forward to 2023, and Volvo had made a monumental shift with the XC90, boasting a purposeful design without excessive flair. The front end was robust but not overwhelming, featuring an assertive grille that wasn’t too large or flashy. The iconic “Thor’s Hammer” headlights added modern sophistication.

The XC90's dimensions and shape still leaned towards rectilinear, but it was far from the boxy designs of the past. Our test vehicle, the AWD Ultimate trim, featured dramatic 21-inch wheels with low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, enhancing its visual appeal.

The Platinum Gray paint on our test model had brown undertones in sunlight, adding richness and depth, although Volvo's paint palette remained conservative with mainly neutral shades.

Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with a beautiful two-tone leather steering wheel, Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. These materials created a refined atmosphere, complemented by wood deco inlays across the dash and center console. The minimalist design featured few physical buttons, enhancing the clean, uncluttered look.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a gas-powered version alongside hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. The gas model featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, available with FWD and AWD. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, though it generated less power than the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine in the Hybrid.

The new engine was a bit larger than the outgoing 2.4-liter engine, providing slightly more power and improved fuel efficiency at 25 mpg city, 32 highway, 28 combined with FWD, and 23/28/25 with AWD.

Despite being more powerful than the 2022 model, the 2023 Sportage's 187 hp and 178 lb-ft didn’t deliver a particularly dynamic driving experience. The absence of the previous turbocharged engine, which offered 240 hp and 260 lb-ft, detracted from higher trims like the SX and SX Prestige. For a more spirited drive, the Sportage Hybrid was a better choice.

For an adventurous appeal, Kia introduced the X-Line treatment, featuring 19-inch alloy wheels and black trim pieces. The X-Pro trims offered genuine off-road capabilities with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, specific drive modes, and 8.3 inches of ground clearance on AWD models. However, the higher ground clearance and rougher tires made on-road driving less comfortable.

In contrast, Volvo replaced its older turbocharged engines with new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid engines in the 2023 XC90. The B5 engine featured a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the B6 powertrain added a supercharger, resulting in 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

Mild-hybrid technology, not to be confused with full hybrids, comprised a 13-volt starter generator powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This system improved fuel efficiency and some functions like climate control and ignition. The XC90's mild-hybrid setup ensured smoother operation with minimal fuel economy benefits.

The XC90 delivered a refined driving experience with excellent cornering stability, quick acceleration, and minimal road noise due to robust insulation. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and the brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel.

Despite not offering low-range 4WD or extensive off-roader features, the XC90 impressed with its simplicity. It was easy to drive with minimal adjustments needed, navigating through various conditions effortlessly.

As a compact crossover, the 2023 Kia Sportage was positioned against popular models like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. The new Sportage had grown significantly compared to its predecessor, now 7.1 inches longer with a 3.4-inch extended wheelbase—offering more direct competition and better defining its place in Kia’s lineup.

The increased size translated to more interior space, with rear-seat legroom stretching to an impressive 41.3 inches and a trunk capacity of 39.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Folding down the rear seats expanded the cargo space to 74.1 cubic feet. The front seats featured decent storage, including a cubby ahead of the shifter, tandem cupholders, and a spacious center console bin.

However, the Sportage's technology sometimes complicated basic functions. The HVAC controls, for example, were touch-sensitive buttons, which could be challenging to manage while driving, given their dual functionality for climate and navigation controls.

The Volvo XC90, true to Scandinavian minimalism, had some storage limitations. There wasn’t a dedicated space for a phone, and the small cubby ahead of the cupholders didn’t quite fit the bill. The center console bin, where the USB port was located, was also quite compact.

The second row in the XC90 was comfortable and reasonably spacious, though adjusting the seats was cumbersome. Standard models included a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger capacity, with an optional upgrade to captain's chairs for a six-passenger configuration, albeit at an additional cost and required engine upgrade.

Accessing the third row in the XC90 was challenging, and space was limited once there. With the third row in use, cargo capacity was 12.5 cubic feet, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and maxing out at 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. This was less than competitors like the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX.

The XC90 drove like a smaller vehicle than a typical three-row SUV, providing a smooth driving experience in a more compact form.

The 2023 Kia Sportage boasted an impressive technology offering. The 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on EX and higher trims was sharp and stylish. Paired with a 12.3-inch driver information display on SX trims and above, it created a visual experience that rivaled luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz.

However, there were some quirks. While the top-of-the-line interface required wired connections for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the base LX trim's 8-inch screen offered wireless connectivity—an unusual choice that confused many.

Overall, the Sportage featured practical tech with standard wireless charging on all trims above LX, rear USB-C charging ports, navigation, Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and HD Radio. Higher trims included a Harman Kardon stereo system, delivering an excellent sound experience without a significant price increase.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 also impressed with its tech. The 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment system ran on Google OS, integrating Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant directly into the system. The natural language recognition, a hallmark of Google, enhanced the overall user experience.

Google Home devices could control the XC90 remotely, adding convenience. However, Volvo's reliance on touchscreen controls for critical features like seat adjustments and climate settings could be cumbersome. Though strikingly minimalist, the design sometimes sacrificed practicality for aesthetics, requiring a learning curve for new users.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came equipped with numerous advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, lane-departure warning, and rear backup sensors.

Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the top-tier safety features, like the blind-view monitor and Highway driving assist, were reserved for the most expensive trims.

As of the time of this review, neither the NHTSA nor IIHS had crash-tested the 2023 Sportage.

Volvo’s safety legacy was well-known, dating back to its invention of the three-point seatbelt in 1959. The 2023 Volvo XC90 upheld this tradition, earning a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS in 2022.

Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance from the car ahead, even in heavy traffic. These features showcased Volvo's commitment to safety, performing well in a variety of driving conditions.