2023 Kia Sportage vs 2024 Mazda CX-90

The 2023 Kia Sportage emerged with a completely redesigned look that was both exciting and exotic, drawing comparisons to French automakers like Renault and Citroen. Its standout features included bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and a distinctive grille, which added a touch of class to this compact crossover. The interior saw a shift from leather to more durable synthetic leather, with a focus on visibility and a large display dominating the dash. However, some design choices, like the hard plastic plate near the door handle, were less well-received.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 took the elegant design language of its smaller siblings and expanded it into a more imposing SUV. With a length of over 200 inches, the CX-90 featured a big grille, wide-set front end, and large wheels, all contributing to its commanding presence. Inside, the top-tier models boasted luxurious materials like brown suede upholstery and wood inlays, rivaling even high-end luxury brands. Despite its size, the CX-90 maintained a delicate design language and comfortable layout, making it a standout in its class.

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. While it was more powerful than its predecessor, it lacked the turbocharged engine option that had been available in previous models. The Sportage was available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive, with fuel efficiency rated at 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway for FWD models. The X-Line and X-Pro trims added rugged visual cues and off-road capabilities, but the naturally aspirated engine struggled to compete with turbocharged rivals.

Mazda's 2024 CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The Turbo S variant delivered an impressive 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive as standard. The CX-90 offered three driving modes, with Sport mode enhancing the driving experience with a thrilling exhaust note. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter engine with a 17.8-kWh battery, producing 323 horsepower and offering an all-electric range of 26 miles. Both models excelled in handling, with the CX-90's larger platform and advanced suspension providing agility and composure through corners.

The 2023 Kia Sportage grew in size compared to its predecessor, offering more interior space and cargo capacity. Rear-seat legroom measured an impressive 41.3 inches, and the trunk provided 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the Sportage's technology, particularly the touch-sensitive HVAC controls, was criticized for being overly complicated and frustrating to use.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations, with the ability to seat up to eight passengers. Cargo space was slightly improved over the CX-9, with up to 75.2 cubic feet available in models with a two-seat third row. While it fell short of some competitors in terms of capacity, the CX-90 impressed with its clever storage options and high-quality materials. The interior was comfortable and featured a panoramic sunroof, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2023 Kia Sportage boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on higher trims, paired with a driver information display for an impressive visual experience. However, the lack of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on top trims was puzzling. Despite this, the Sportage offered a range of tech features, including wireless charging, rear USB-C ports, and a Harman Kardon stereo on select trims.

Mazda's approach to technology in the 2024 CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions with a rotary control knob and hard buttons. While the intention was to enhance safety, the system's quirks often led to frustration. However, the CX-90's personalization software, which used facial recognition to adjust settings, was a standout feature. The vehicle also offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on higher trims, providing a more familiar and user-friendly experience.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. However, the blind-view monitor and highway driving assist were only available on the most expensive trims. The Sportage had not yet been crash-tested by major safety organizations.

Mazda's i-Activsense suite of safety features was standard on the 2024 CX-90, offering advanced driver assistance systems like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The CX-90 also included lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist. While it had not been crash-tested, the CX-90 was expected to perform well, given the strong safety ratings of its predecessor, the CX-9.