2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid vs 2022 Volvo XC60

The 2022 Volvo XC60 featured subtle styling updates, including a new front fascia with "air blades" for a sportier look, a redesigned rear bumper that concealed the tailpipes, and fresh wheel designs. The front grille was reworked to house sensors for driver-assist systems behind a heated Volvo logo, ensuring functionality in cold weather. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, the XC60 shared its foundation with other Volvo models like the XC90 and S90. Inside, the XC60 retained its clean design with a new digital instrument cluster, a portrait-oriented touchscreen, and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design model added flair with aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, while the Inscription trim offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, built on the N3 platform shared with the larger Sorento, was longer, taller, and wider than its predecessor, enhancing rear-seat legroom. Its bold styling featured angular LED headlights and "boomerang" LED daytime running lights, creating a distinctive front end. The Sportage Hybrid LX came with standard 17-inch alloy wheels, while other models had 18-inch wheels. The interior was centered around a large optional infotainment display, with air vents flanking the touchscreen and instrument cluster. The minimalist design was more elegant than the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and contrasted with the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid's rugged look. While base models had cloth seats, higher trims offered SynTex artificial leather, which felt somewhat cheap. The SX-Prestige test car featured gloss black plastic trim and silver metallic finishes, which looked nice initially but quickly showed fingerprints and glare.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 versions. Both combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and an integrated starter generator, adding 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 also included an electric supercharger. The B5 produced 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 offering FWD or AWD and the B6 exclusively AWD. The XC60 B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD), and the B6 in 5.9 seconds. The XC60 emphasized a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, enhanced by optional air suspension, prioritizing luxury over sportiness. The XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds, while the Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid used a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, assisted by a single electric motor powered by a 1.49-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This setup produced 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The base LX trim had standard FWD and optional AWD, while the EX and SX-Prestige were AWD-only. The Sportage Hybrid offered more horsepower than the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape hybrids. It provided smooth and predictable power delivery, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The well-tuned transmission ensured smooth shifts and quick responses, contributing to a quiet cabin and comfortable ride. The Sportage Hybrid had a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, 500 pounds less than the non-hybrid version.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained its competitive passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but tied with the Audi Q5 for the worst rear-seat headroom. Legroom was average for the segment. Mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them folded, while plug-in hybrids had slightly less capacity. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

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

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul with a 9-inch touchscreen running Android Automotive, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Android-specific features included Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. The system supported over-the-air updates and was compatible with iPhones, though without Google profile syncing. The digital instrument cluster could display a map or a "Calm" setting to minimize distraction.

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 combining the touchscreen with a digital instrument cluster. The panoramic display was visually impressive and user-friendly, though Android Auto didn't utilize the entire screen. Touch controls below the screen switched between audio and climate settings, with analog knobs for volume and temperature. Hybrid models had four USB-C ports, with additional rear ports, wireless charging, and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system available.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for 2022, but the 2021 model received top ratings. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist driver-assistance system was available, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid had no crash-test ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA due to its recent redesign. The base LX trim included forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and safe-exit warning, while the SX-Prestige offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, a blind-spot view camera, a 360-degree camera system, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. Competitors lacked features like Remote Smart Parking Assist and the blind-spot view camera.