2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged look. However, its side profile introduced a swooping character line that added unnecessary visual weight, making it appear somewhat bloated. The rear design echoed the front grille, but the overall aesthetic felt disjointed compared to more cohesive designs like the Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander’s asymmetrical dash and metallic styling element added interest, while the high-mounted infotainment screen reduced driver distraction. The Bronze Edition’s light grey fabric upholstery, however, seemed impractical for families due to its tendency to attract dirt.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid embraced a bold design with angular LED headlights and distinctive “boomerang” LED daytime running lights. This gave the Sportage a unique face, setting it apart from other vehicles. The interior focused on a large optional infotainment display, flanked by air vents that echoed the door handle design. The minimalist cabin was more elegant than the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and contrasted with the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s ruggedness. While the SynTex artificial leather felt somewhat cheap, the overall design was clean and modern, with thoughtful touches like a rotary shift knob and clever cupholders.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT and standard FWD, with optional AWD. It reached 60 mph in just over 8 seconds. The electric motors provided initial acceleration, with the gasoline engine taking over smoothly. The CVT, however, resulted in a droning engine sound under heavy acceleration. The Highlander offered a soft ride, with a suspension that smoothed out road bumps, and a quiet cabin at highway speeds.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, producing 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It offered FWD on the base LX trim and AWD on higher trims. The powertrain delivered smooth and predictable acceleration, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The well-tuned transmission provided quick responses, and the cabin remained quiet and comfortable. The Sportage Hybrid had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, slightly less than its non-hybrid counterpart.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage was plentiful, with various trays and bins for personal items. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining capabilities, while the third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid provided competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom and cargo space than the non-hybrid model. It offered best-in-class rear-seat legroom, and a dual-level cargo floor added flexibility. With the floor lowered, it had 39.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 73.7 cubic feet with seats folded. The interior featured a rotary shift knob and clever storage solutions, enhancing usability.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option on higher trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Higher trims offered navigation and a JBL audio system.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch screen on higher trims. The SX-Prestige trim boasted a panoramic display combining the touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. The system was user-friendly, with touch controls and analog knobs for audio and climate adjustments. Hybrid models included multiple USB-C ports and optional wireless charging.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star NHTSA rating and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. However, some systems required fine-tuning, such as the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid lacked crash-test ratings at the time of review. Standard safety features included forward collision warning and lane keep assist. Higher trims offered advanced features like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, a blind-spot view camera, and Remote Smart Parking Assist, setting it apart from competitors.