2023 Kia Sportage vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2023 Kia Sportage emerged with a bold redesign, shedding its previous iterations' varied styles for a look that was both exciting and exotic. Its design, reminiscent of French automakers, featured standout elements like boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar, which added a touch of sophistication. The Sportage offered seven trim levels, including new options like the X-Line and X-Pro, catering to a range of preferences. Inside, Kia opted for synthetic leather over traditional leather, maintaining a balance between durability and luxury, though some materials felt less premium.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, presented a more conservative yet upscale appearance. The Luxury trim, with its 22-inch wheels, enhanced the SUV's presence. The TX's design was toned down compared to other Lexus models, appealing to those who preferred a subtler aesthetic. The interior, particularly in the Luxury trim, featured premium materials like semi-aniline leather and artificial suede, though the dark color scheme felt a bit oppressive. Despite this, the TX's cabin exuded luxury, with features like a panoramic sunroof and a spacious layout that accommodated adults comfortably in all three rows.

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 FWD and AWD, it delivered a fuel efficiency of 25 mpg city and 32 highway with FWD, slightly less with AWD. While more powerful than its predecessor, the Sportage lacked the turbocharged engine option from previous models, which affected its performance appeal. The X-Line and X-Pro trims added rugged visual cues and off-road capabilities, though the naturally aspirated engine struggled to match turbocharged competitors.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in about eight seconds, offering adequate performance for typical driving. The TX 350's fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg combined for FWD, with AWD slightly reducing city and highway numbers. The ride quality was comfortable, with a firm yet compliant suspension, and the interior remained quiet on highways. However, the brake pedal felt soft, though it was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, now larger than its predecessor, offered impressive interior space with 41.3 inches of rear-seat legroom and 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front seats provided ample storage, though the touch-sensitive HVAC controls were frustratingly complex. The Sportage's increased size positioned it more competitively in the compact crossover segment, enhancing its appeal.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs by offering a spacious and comfortable interior. The TX's third-row seat accommodated adults, a significant improvement over past models. With 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with seats folded, the TX excelled in utility. However, the second-row legroom was limited, affecting comfort when adjusting for third-row passengers. The cabin featured numerous storage options, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise.

The 2023 Kia Sportage impressed with its technology offerings, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims and a panoramic driver display. However, the wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on top trims puzzled many, as the base model offered wireless connectivity. Despite this, the Sportage included standard wireless charging, rear USB-C ports, and a Harman Kardon stereo on select trims, providing excellent tech value.

The 2024 Lexus TX, equipped with the optional Technology Package, included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, head-up display, and a surround-view camera. However, the unmarked steering wheel controls and head-up display visibility issues detracted from the experience. The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen and natural voice recognition, was user-friendly. The TX also offered wireless smartphone integration and a range of connectivity features, enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came with a robust suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. However, advanced features like the blind-view monitor were limited to top trims. Crash test ratings were not yet available.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional options included parking sensors and traffic jam assist. While the system generally performed well, it occasionally slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in, affecting the driving experience.