2021 Kia Sportage vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, mirrors, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and striking 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were standard, adding to the vehicle's distinctive look. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint, paired with a beige-leather and aluminum interior, created a stunning visual contrast. The interior boasted luxurious materials, including leather, aluminum, and optional carbon-fiber trim, with seats that offered exceptional comfort and support, even on long journeys.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Sportage had a design that some might describe as frog-like, with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights. Kia marketed the Sportage's styling as "Euro-focused." The two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the previous year, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as the centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons for tuning and volume. The interior, while not as tech-forward as some of Kia's other models, was still a pleasant place to sit.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with five states of tune, all featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6 model, with a supercharger added, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing better performance. The Polestar tune upgrade boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's acceleration was not linear, and the engine noise was unrefined for its price range. Fuel economy was also unimpressive, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, but its added weight negated the speed benefits, and its fuel economy was only slightly better at 27 mpg combined.

The 2021 Kia Sportage came in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims, with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims featured a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. The SX Turbo trim had a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All models used a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while the AWD version achieved 21/25/23. The turbo models had lower fuel economy, with the FWD version at 20/28/23 and the AWD at 19/24/21. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth ride, but the steering and tire grip left something to be desired. The SX Turbo trim offered a more rewarding driving experience, especially for those seeking a sporty drive.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system had improved initialization and response times, which was crucial since all climate controls were within the touchscreen. The system was well-organized, though some safety features were buried in menus. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an optional integrated booster cushion for young children. The six-seat configuration was available on the T6 and T8 powertrains but not on the R-Design model. The first and second rows offered generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was tight and best suited for small children. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded, and sightlines from the driver's seat were good.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited to 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, which was not competitive with other compact crossovers.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, offering an exceptional audio experience. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could be reskinned but lacked major reconfiguration options compared to competitors.

The 2021 Kia Sportage's 8-inch touchscreen interface managed the infotainment system, with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. Most trims also had Kia's UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim included wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs, though it was not the most cutting-edge.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 had top safety ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels and advanced safety systems.

The 2021 Kia Sportage also excelled in safety, with standard advanced driver assistance systems such as forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control and earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. All trim levels performed well in NHTSA crash tests.