2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid vs 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was built on the N3 platform, shared with the larger Kia Sorento, resulting in a size increase over its predecessor. It was 7.1 inches longer with a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase, enhancing 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 "boomerang" LED daytime running lights, giving it a distinctive appearance. The interior was centered around a large optional infotainment display, with a clean, minimalist look. While the base models had cloth seats, higher trims offered SynTex artificial leather, which felt somewhat cheap. The SX-Prestige trim included gloss black plastic trim, which quickly showed fingerprint smudges.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV represented a significant evolution for the Blazer nameplate, transitioning from a truck-based off-roader to a car-based crossover. Built on the General Motors Ultium platform, the Blazer EV featured a long 121.8-inch wheelbase, shared with the Cadillac Lyriq. Its design included a tall hood, a reimagined front end, and boomerang-shaped taillights, giving it a more aggressive look than rival electric SUVs. The Blazer EV launched in LT and RS trims, with different styling elements for each. The interior featured large round air vents and a flat-bottom steering wheel, with optional red leather upholstery. While some interior parts felt flimsy, the cabin was mostly free of piano-black plastic.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid was powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a single 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 had a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, 500 pounds less than the non-hybrid version.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV offered a single-motor rear-wheel drive and a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain in the LT and RS trims. The RWD models had 340 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD models had 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque. A Blazer EV SS performance model was planned, boasting 557 horsepower and 648 pound-feet of torque. The Blazer EV provided strong acceleration, with the AWD model offering better traction. It featured precise steering but had a stiff suspension that affected ride comfort. The Blazer EV also included a steering-wheel paddle for adjusting regenerative braking levels.

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. The Sportage Hybrid had 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 featured a rotary shift knob, large bin for phones, and clever cupholders.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV had a spacious interior, though headroom and legroom were similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. It lacked the commanding driving position of a traditional SUV. The Blazer EV offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row in place and 59.1 cubic feet with them folded. It had more cargo space than the EV6 but less than the gasoline Blazer. The interior included small-item storage, but some controls were moved to the touchscreen, requiring adjustment.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid came with an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 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, with responsive touch controls. Hybrid models included four standard USB-C ports, with additional ports and wireless charging available on higher trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV introduced a new Google-based infotainment system with built-in Google apps. It lacked standalone Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, offering deeper functionality for Android users. The Blazer EV featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen and 11-inch digital instrument cluster with sharp graphics. The system included built-in route planning and over-the-air software updates. The Blazer EV also had a hands-free start sequence, marking a shift towards a high-tech feel.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of testing. It offered standard forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system. The SX-Prestige trim included advanced features like Remote Smart Parking Assist and Highway Driving Assist.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV's crash-test ratings were also unavailable. It came with standard automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included reverse automatic braking, park assist, and the Super Cruise hands-free driver assist system, which maintained speed and lane position.