2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have described as frog-like. Kia referred to its styling as “Euro-focused.” This two-row crossover SUV had a short wheelbase and overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The interior included an 8-inch touchscreen display, flanked by air vents, with physical buttons and knobs for tuning and volume. Despite not being the most tech-forward cabin, it provided a pleasant seating experience.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, with its blunt and bulbous nose, presented a bold look that required an acclimation period. Its design included black windshield pillars for a floating roof effect and swollen haunches for balance. Available in various trims, the Highlander Hybrid offered a hybrid powertrain option. The Limited trim, evaluated in this review, included features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and electronic all-wheel drive. While the interior was upscale with leather upholstery, some details, like the instrument-panel shroud, felt cheap. The cabin's two-tone look was appealing, but reflections on the screen and busy gauge illumination were noted drawbacks.

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered LX, EX, and SX Turbo trims with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All models used a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy varied, with the FWD 2.4-liter engine achieving 23 mpg city and 30 highway, while the AWD turbo models reached 19/24/21 mpg. The Sportage provided a smooth ride with its McPherson-strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, though steering and tire grip were less impressive.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, achieving 36 mpg combined (35 mpg with AWD) and producing 243 hp. The hybrid used an "E-CVT" for transmission. While more efficient, the Highlander Hybrid was less enjoyable to drive, with adequate power but a strained engine sound during acceleration. Steering was lifeless, and the ride had unwanted body movement. However, it handled well on smooth roads and offered a quiet freeway experience. Regenerative brakes improved over previous models, but the overall driving experience was not engaging.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, though smaller in the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space. The SX Turbo trim included a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way for the passenger, 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 total.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited provided roomy accommodations with a 10-way power driver’s seat and heated steering wheel. The second-row bench seat increased capacity to eight but felt narrow for three adults. The third-row seat was uncomfortable with limited headroom. Cargo space measured 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded. Storage was less generous than previous models, with some design choices limiting accessibility.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The technology was user-friendly with logical menus and physical controls.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The Limited trim offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 11-speaker JBL audio system, and navigation. The infotainment system was well-designed, with large knobs and shortcut buttons. Driver Easy Speak and a video rearview mirror enhanced convenience, though the JBL system's sound quality varied.

The 2021 Kia Sportage excelled in safety with standard features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. The SX Turbo trim included adaptive cruise control and earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. All trims performed well in NHTSA crash tests.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, adding intersection support and emergency steering assistance. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the LE trim. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems had some inconsistencies. The Highlander received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was expected to achieve a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.