2023 Kia Sportage vs 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

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 styling was a departure from previous models, featuring standout elements such as bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar. The Sportage was available in seven trim levels, including new options like the X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige. Inside, Kia opted for synthetic leather upholstery, which, while durable, didn't quite match the feel of genuine leather. The cabin boasted a large display dominating the dash, though it was offset by some hard plastic elements that detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, retained its iconic boxy design, reminiscent of its predecessors. Each of its three trims featured elements that paid homage to past models, such as the heritage grille and round headlights. The Land Cruiser was equipped with modern LED lighting and color-selectable fog lights on higher trims. Inside, the Land Cruiser offered a comfortable cabin with heated front seats across all trims and a focus on driver comfort with a lowered beltline for improved visibility. The interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring easy-to-reach controls for off-road features and a spacious center console.

The 2023 Kia Sportage was offered with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It was available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. While the engine was slightly more powerful and fuel-efficient than its predecessor, it lacked the punch of the previous turbocharged option, which had delivered 240 horsepower. The Sportage's off-road capabilities were enhanced in the X-Pro trims, which included all-terrain tires and specific drive modes, though the naturally aspirated engine struggled to keep up with turbocharged competitors.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery pack, and a 48-hp electric motor, delivering a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive. The Land Cruiser's off-road prowess was bolstered by features like the Multi-Terrain Select system, automatic limited-slip differential, and a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar. The updated CRAWL control function provided silent operation and precise speed settings for challenging terrain.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, as a compact crossover, offered increased interior space compared to its predecessor, with a longer body and wheelbase. Rear-seat legroom was a generous 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. The front seats featured ample storage options, though the touch-sensitive HVAC controls proved frustrating to use while driving.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, offered two rows of seating with headroom measuring 36.1 inches in the front and 35.3 inches in the back. Legroom was 33.0 inches in the front and 26.7 inches in the rear. The cargo area, with a raised load floor, provided 37.5 cubic feet of space and included a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims. The center console housed controls for off-road features, and the Premium Package added a center console cool box.

The 2023 Kia Sportage featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on EX and higher trims, paired with a panoramic driver information display on the SX trim and up. While the technology was impressive, the wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on higher trims were a point of contention. The Sportage offered wireless charging, rear USB-C ports, and a Harman Kardon stereo on select trims.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with the Multi-Terrain Monitor system on higher trims, enhancing the usefulness of the 12.3-inch center touchscreen display during off-road driving. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for both front and rear passengers. The middle trim offered a 10-speaker sound system, with an optional upgrade to a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system in the Premium Package.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of collision-avoidance tech and advanced driver assistance systems as standard, 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 Sportage had not yet been crash-tested by major safety organizations.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist and front cross-traffic alert. While the Land Cruiser had not been rated by safety organizations, Toyota's track record and the Tundra's Top Safety Pick award provided some confidence in its safety.