2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid vs 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was built on the N3 platform, which it shared with the larger Kia Sorento, resulting in a noticeable size increase over its 2022 predecessor. It was 7.1 inches longer, with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase that enhanced rear-seat legroom. The new model was also about an inch taller and half an inch wider. The Sportage Hybrid featured a bold design with angular LED headlights and distinctive “boomerang” LED daytime running lights, giving it a unique appearance. The interior was centered around a large optional infotainment display, with a minimalist design that was more elegant than its competitors. However, the SynTex artificial leather upholstery felt somewhat cheap, despite Kia's promotion of it as an "animal-free" alternative.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried over from its 2022 redesign with minimal changes, except for the new Rock Creek trim. It combined traditional elements with forward-thinking design, resulting in a modern aesthetic that extended into the cabin. The interior featured clean lines and a sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical. The Pathfinder offered various trims, each with distinct features, from the base S trim with 18-inch alloy wheels and an 8-inch touchscreen to the top-tier Platinum trim with upgraded leather upholstery and a 20-inch alloy wheel. The Rock Creek trim added off-road capabilities with all-terrain tires and a rugged design, making it suitable for both trails and winter conditions.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was powered by 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 base LX trim offered standard front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, while the EX and SX-Prestige trims were all-wheel drive only. The powertrain delivered smooth and predictable acceleration, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The Sportage Hybrid provided a comfortable ride, aided by a well-tuned transmission and a quiet cabin. However, its steering felt artificially heavy in Sport mode, and its maximum towing capacity was 2,000 pounds, less than the non-hybrid version.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek trim offered a slightly more powerful version with 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Power was delivered through a 9-speed automatic transmission to either front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. The Pathfinder's engine provided ample power for city and highway driving, with a smooth and quiet performance. However, the new shifter design was unintuitive and potentially unsafe. The Pathfinder featured a rotary drive mode dial with various modes, including an All-Terrain mode in the Rock Creek trim. Its maximum towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, with the Rock Creek capable of towing up to 6,000 pounds.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom and cargo space than the non-hybrid version. It provided 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 Sportage Hybrid featured a dual-level cargo floor, offering 39.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 73.7 cubic feet with them folded. The interior included a rotary shift knob, large bin for phones, and clever cupholders, maximizing available space.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder provided up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it offered 45 cubic feet, and 16.6 cubic feet with all seats upright. The first two rows provided ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. The optional second-row captain’s chairs facilitated access to the third row. The Pathfinder featured 12 cupholders and four bottle holders, along with numerous cubbies and compartments. The Rock Creek trim included a robust roof rack capable of holding up to 220 pounds, though its proximity to the roof made snow removal challenging.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The EX model upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, while the SX-Prestige offered a panoramic display combining a 12.3-inch screen with a digital instrument cluster. The panoramic display was visually impressive and user-friendly, though Android Auto didn’t utilize the entire screen. The Sportage Hybrid included touch controls for audio and climate, four USB-C ports, and optional wireless charging and Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum trims offered a larger 9-inch touchscreen. While the system was easy to use with logical menus, some found the graphics dated. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and voice recognition. The SV trim added a Wi-Fi hotspot, while the SL trim included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and a third-row USB port. The Platinum trim added an additional third-row USB port.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA at the time of testing. The base LX trim included standard 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 advanced features like 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.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SV trim included ProPilot Assist with lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The SL trim added front parking sensors, a 360-degree monitor, and traffic-sign recognition. The Platinum trim featured rain-sensing wipers and a head-up display. The Pathfinder also offered front- and side-view cameras in Off-Road mode for obstacle monitoring.