2023 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Kia Sportage emerged with a completely redesigned look that was both exciting and exotic, reminiscent of French automotive styling. Its distinctive features, such as the bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar, added a touch of class to this compact crossover. The Sportage was available in seven trim levels, including the new X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige trims. Inside, Kia opted for synthetic leather upholstery, which, while durable, didn't quite match the feel of genuine leather. The interior boasted a large display dominating the dash, although some hard plastic elements detracted from the overall premium feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication and grace with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. The midsize SUV, measuring over 16 feet long, featured 19-inch wheels as standard, with the Prestige trim offering 22-inch alloy wheels. The interior continued the elegant theme with quilted leather seats, metal and matte wood trim, and a unique two-spoke steering wheel. The GV80's spacious and luxurious cabin was complemented by features like a 14.5-inch infotainment screen, although its placement on the dash was slightly awkward. Despite a few quirks, the GV80's interior was a comfortable and opulent space.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), the Sportage's engine was slightly more powerful and fuel-efficient than its predecessor. However, it lacked the turbocharged engine option from previous models, which affected the premium experience of higher trims. The X-Line and X-Pro trims added rugged visual cues and off-road capabilities, with the X-Pro featuring all-terrain tires and specific drive modes. Despite its off-road prowess, the Sportage's naturally aspirated engine struggled to compete with turbocharged rivals.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came exclusively with all-wheel drive and offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a turbo 3.5-liter V6 producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 wasn't particularly quick or nimble, it excelled at highway driving with smooth power delivery and an electronically controlled suspension that adjusted to road conditions. The active noise cancellation further enhanced the driving experience, making it a comfortable and quiet ride.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, as a compact crossover, offered impressive interior space with 41.3 inches of rear-seat legroom and 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Folding the back seat expanded the cargo space to 74.1 cubic feet. The front seats provided decent storage options, but the technology controls were overly complicated, with touch-sensitive buttons that could be frustrating to use while driving.

The 2023 Genesis GV80, on the other hand, boasted luxury touches like heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and an Ergo Motion driver's seat. The interior featured Nappa leather seats and a tri-zone climate control system. While a third-row option was available, its limited legroom made it suitable only for children. The GV80 offered ample cargo space, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Its towing capacity was a robust 6,000 pounds.

The 2023 Kia Sportage featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on EX and higher trims, paired with a panoramic 12.3-inch driver information display on the SX trim and up. While the technology was impressive, the wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on higher trims puzzled many. The Sportage included wireless charging, rear USB-C ports, and a Harman Kardon stereo on select trims, offering a technologically advanced experience.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial control was cumbersome. The GV80 included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly, and offered wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a 110-volt outlet. The remote smart parking assist was a standout feature, allowing the car to park itself without the driver inside.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of standard collision-avoidance tech and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. However, the 2023 Sportage had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a wide array of standard advanced driver's aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The GV80's blind-spot video feed and Highway Drive Assist were notable features, although the latter struggled in certain conditions. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS for crashworthiness and front crash prevention.