Kia Sportage vs Buick Envision

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign, presenting a lower and wider stance compared to its predecessor. This two-row compact crossover, positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, showcased a more sculpted appearance, distinguishing itself from its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, though it wasn't as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision offered three trim levels: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir, with the latter making its debut in this model year. The Avenir trim featured premium exterior elements, including a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific wheels, while the interior boasted leather-appointed seating and a head-up display. Despite its stylish design, the Envision's cabin had a driver-centric layout, which could be less convenient for passengers, and the use of piano black plastic attracted dust.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage exhibited a bold design with its tiger-nose grille, though opinions on its front-end styling were mixed. Despite this, Kia excelled in other design aspects, with features like the four-dot running light signature and a symmetrical rear fascia. The Sportage's interior drew inspiration from German design, offering a black dashboard with metallic accents and a high-contrast color scheme. The SX Turbo trim added metal pedal covers and a sporty feel. The Sportage's controls were user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy adjustments, and the transmission shifter provided a sense of quality. Overall, the Sportage's design was upscale and stylish, though it wasn't as refined as some competitors.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While this engine was less powerful than the previous model's, Buick managed to reduce the vehicle's weight by 200 to 300 pounds, depending on the trim. This weight reduction contributed to improved fuel efficiency, with the FWD model achieving 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. However, the Envision's performance was more focused on comfort than sportiness, with a noisy engine and road noise affecting the cabin experience. The drive mode selector offered a Sport mode, but it didn't significantly enhance the driving dynamics.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options, with the SX Turbo trim featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivering 240 horsepower (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided quick acceleration, especially beneficial for those living at higher elevations. The Sportage's six-speed automatic transmission and optional Dynamax all-wheel-drive system with a locking center differential ensured power distribution. The SX Turbo's suspension and brakes were upgraded, providing a smooth and compliant ride. While the Sportage felt sporty and athletic, it wasn't as refined as some competitors, with steering and tire performance leaving room for improvement.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign resulted in a cabin with less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row compared to its predecessor. Rear-seat passengers also experienced reduced legroom and headroom, making it less adult-friendly. The Envision's cargo capacity was limited, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The driver-centric cockpit design limited passenger access to controls, and forward visibility was challenging for shorter drivers. Despite these drawbacks, the Envision offered standard features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though smaller, provided a roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. The Sportage's cargo capacity was 30.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 60.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, falling short of segment leaders. The smart liftgate technology offered convenience, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2021 Buick Envision came with a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering a clean and responsive interface. The driver information display was available in 8.0-inch and 4.2-inch sizes. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, and wireless device charging. However, the tech offerings were not particularly advanced, and the passenger's access to controls was limited.

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SX Turbo trim added wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, though the UVO Link system lacked some modern features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring. Despite these limitations, the system was easy to use.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS due to its new generation. Standard safety features included forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Buckle to Drive feature ensured seatbelt use before shifting from park to drive. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models. However, the Envision lacked advanced driver-assist systems like GM's Super Cruise.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic emergency braking. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favorable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.