2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan distinguished itself in a market often populated with aggressively styled alternatives. This Tiguan embraced a conservative yet timeless design language, emphasized through its symmetrical creases and folds. For the 2022 model year, it adopted fresh front styling that aligned it with Volkswagen's larger Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models. It featured a redesigned grille with the new VW logo, standard LED headlights, and updated aluminum wheels. Available in trims like S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line, it offered a range of aesthetic choices, including a trendy blacked-out appearance for the SE R-Line Black. The Atlantic Blue Metallic paint option particularly stood out on the SEL R-Line, complemented by 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tiguan delivered a more premium feel, thanks to features like perforated and piped leather upholstery, touch-sensing steering wheel and climate controls, and ambient lighting with 15 color choices. Despite the upscale accents, hard plastics betrayed its mass-market status. Keyless entry, push-button start, and heated front seats became standard across all trims for 2022, with remote engine starting available from the SE trim upward. The overall aesthetic appeal combined simplicity with a touch of elegance, promising to age gracefully.

In stark contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage delivered a strikingly different visual experience. Redesigned with a distinctly European flair, it could easily blend in with a lineup from French automakers like Renault or Peugeot. The quirky yet sophisticated styling, particularly the bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs) and textured metal D-pillar trim, ensured plenty of attention.

Kia's trim lineup for the 2023 Sportage included LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, along with the new X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige. The intricate design details, both outside and inside, marked a significant departure from previous models, with a focus on synthetic leather replacing natural leather for durability and ethical considerations. However, the touch-sensitive buttons for critical controls like HVAC often proved frustrating in practice, despite their theoretical appeal.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan continued with its tried-and-true powertrain: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque starting at 1,900 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered both front-wheel and VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive options. The latter could disengage the rear axle to improve fuel efficiency and supplied various driving modes including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom through its Active Control system.

Despite the relatively tepid power figures, the Tiguan managed a respectable performance, though turbo lag was noted at lower speeds. With an EPA rating of up to 24 mpg combined for the R-Line 4Motion, fuel economy was slightly above average, though not exceptional. The suspension system and steering provided nimble handling in standard driving conditions but fell short in delivering outright excitement when pushed to its limits.

On the other hand, the 2023 Kia Sportage introduced a new 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine yielding 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This represented a modest bump in power over the previous generation's 2.4-liter engine. Available in both FWD and AWD configurations, the new engine was coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In terms of fuel economy, the FWD variant achieved 25 mpg city, 32 highway, and 28 combined, while the AWD variant managed 23/28/25.

Lamentably, the absence of the previously available turbocharged engine made a significant dent in the Sportage's performance appeal, especially for those seeking a more spirited driving experience. The X-Pro trims, intended for off-road enthusiasts, added practical features like BF Goodrich all-terrain tires and specific off-road drive modes, though at the cost of on-road comfort and driving dynamics.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted a spacious interior that bordered on mid-size SUV territory. Notably, FWD models came with a standard third-row seat, albeit at the expense of some cargo room. The second-row seats were roomy and comfortable, suitable for both adults and children, including those in reverse-facing safety seats. The panoramic glass sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin, while advanced touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard, though visually appealing, required some adjustment time.

Cargo space was particularly generous in the Tiguan. With the third row up, FWD models offered a modest 12 cubic feet. Folding down the third row provided 33 cubic feet, and with the second row also collapsed, the total cargo capacity reached 65.5 cubic feet. AWD models, lacking a third row, started with 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, maxing out at 73.4 cubic feet.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, enlarged by 7.1 inches in length and with a 3.4-inch extended wheelbase, also saw significant improvements in interior space. The rear seats offered a class-leading 41.3 inches of legroom, and the trunk space measured an impressive 39.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Folding the back seats down increased the cargo volume to 74.1 cubic feet.

Up front, the Sportage provided ample storage options, including a cubby ahead of the shifter, tandem cupholders, and a spacious center console bin. However, the touch-sensitive HVAC controls complicated basic functions and detracted from an otherwise practical cabin layout.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with the Digital Cockpit, featuring an 8-inch display in most versions and a 10.25-inch display in the SEL R-Line's Digital Cockpit Pro. The MIB3 infotainment system, introduced last year, carried over with its 8-inch glass-covered touchscreen in all but the base S trim, which utilized the MIB2 system with a smaller 6.5-inch screen. Features such as Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio were standard. The SEL R-Line included a redesigned navigation system and a superior nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

However, the natural voice recognition feature was underwhelming during tests due to the lack of an active Plus Speech subscription. Other Car-Net offerings, including Remote Access and Safe & Secure plans, added convenience and security features, but full access required additional annual subscriptions.

In the 2023 Kia Sportage, technology took center stage with a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface standard on EX and up. Paired with a panoramic curved 12.3-inch driver information display, this system provided a near-premium visual experience, albeit hampered by some user interface challenges. The backward decision to include only wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on higher trims baffled many, as the base LX model featured a smaller 8-inch touchscreen with wireless capabilities.

The overall tech package was impressive, with features like wireless charging, rear USB-C ports, navigation, SiriusXM, and a premium Harman Kardon stereo on higher trims. The minimalist icon design, while elegant, sometimes complicated operations, requiring more attention from the driver.