2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was crafted by removing the third row from the standard Atlas model, lowering the roofline by 2.3 inches, and shortening the SUV’s length by 5.2 inches. Despite these changes, the wheelbase remained the same, ensuring a spacious interior for five passengers. However, the design adjustments resulted in reduced cargo space, offering 40.3 cubic feet behind the second-row seat and a maximum of 77.8 cubic feet. The Atlas Cross Sport boasted a bold and sporty appearance, particularly in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The vehicle's color combinations, such as Pure Gray with a Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior, added to its upscale look. However, the interior's hard, glossy plastic detracted from the overall quality impression.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid rode on the N3 platform, shared with the larger Kia Sorento, resulting in a size increase over the previous model. The new Sportage was 7.1 inches longer, with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase, enhancing rear-seat legroom. The styling was bold, featuring angular LED headlights and "boomerang" LED daytime running lights, giving it a distinctive face. The Sportage Hybrid LX came with standard 17-inch alloy wheels, while other models had 18-inch wheels. The interior was designed around a large optional infotainment display, with a clean, minimalist look. However, the SynTex artificial leather upholstery felt somewhat cheap, and the gloss black plastic trim quickly accumulated fingerprint smudges.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options. The standard engine was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but it required premium fuel. The available 3.6-liter V6 engine provided 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the 4Motion AWD system was available. The V6 engine, standard in the SEL Premium R-Line, felt more energetic in the two-row version, although it averaged just 19.2 mpg during testing. The ride quality varied, with the suspension feeling too firm at lower speeds and too soft at higher speeds. The Atlas Cross Sport excelled on highways, but road noise was more intrusive than expected.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor, producing a combined 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain delivered smooth and predictable acceleration, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The Sportage Hybrid offered a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, even with the larger optional 18-inch wheels. However, the steering felt artificially heavy in the Sport driving mode, and the maximum towing capacity was 2,000 pounds, 500 pounds less than the non-hybrid version.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and interior dimensions with the larger seven-passenger model, providing ample space for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, and there was plenty of storage space, although some areas lacked lining, leading to potential rattles. The cargo area offered significant load-floor space, with deep wells for additional storage.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid had slightly less headroom and cargo space than the non-hybrid version but remained competitive in its segment. It offered more front-seat headroom than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 hybrids, but less for second-row passengers. The dual-level cargo floor provided flexibility, with 39.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 73.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Sportage Hybrid featured a rotary shift knob, large bin for phones with USB ports, and clever cupholders, maximizing the available space.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, featuring an 8-inch display and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims had a 10.25-inch digital cockpit and an 8-inch touchscreen with additional features like wireless smartphone charging and SiriusXM. The infotainment system offered Car-Net connected services, but the user experience could be frustrating. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which was highly praised.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid's standard infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The EX model had a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the SX-Prestige featured a panoramic display with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The panoramic display was visually impressive and user-friendly, although Android Auto didn't utilize the entire screen. The Sportage Hybrid also had touch controls for audio and climate settings, four standard USB-C ports, and an available Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and lane-keeping assist. The IQ Drive system offered Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing safety. However, the Lane Assist technology occasionally misinterpreted road markings. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings but did not earn the highest accolades from safety organizations.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid's base LX trim included forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the SX-Prestige offered advanced features like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, a blind-spot view camera, and Highway Driving Assist. The Sportage Hybrid's safety features were competitive, although crash-test ratings were not available at the time of testing.