2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh. Its styling, characterized by a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, maintained the subtle allure that Mazda vehicles have been known for over the past decade. However, the CX-50 introduced a ruggedness with its blistered fender swells and bold lower body cladding. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually overwhelming. When combined with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels, the CX-50 presented an appealing exterior. The introduction of the CX-50 Meridian Edition later in the model year promised even more with exclusive wheels and all-terrain tires.

Inside, the CX-50 continued Mazda's tradition of driver-focused design. The interior, dressed in black leather with caramel-colored stitching, featured quality materials and polished metallic trim. The dashboard, however, had a lone off-center vent that seemed out of place. Despite this, the overall look was cohesive and attractive, making the CX-50 a good-looking compact crossover both inside and out.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, built on the N3 platform, was larger than its predecessor, offering increased rear-seat legroom and a slightly taller and wider stance. Its styling took bold risks, especially with the angular LED headlights and "boomerang" LED daytime running lights, giving it a distinctive face. The Sportage Hybrid LX came with standard 17-inch alloy wheels, while other models featured 18-inch wheels. The hybrid models had unique wheel designs and subtle badging, but lacked the rugged styling of the non-hybrid X-Pro version.

Inside, the Sportage Hybrid's design centered around its large optional infotainment display, flanked by large air vents. The minimalist interior was more elegant than some competitors, with SynTex artificial leather upholstery that felt somewhat cheap. The SX-Prestige test car featured gloss black plastic trim, which quickly showed fingerprints, and a silver metallic finish that added glare. Despite these drawbacks, the interior was clean and modern, offering a sharp contrast to more rugged competitors.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model featured a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Mazda estimated a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg for this model. For those seeking more power, the 2.5 Turbo variant provided between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel type, with torque ranging from 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft. The turbo model had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and was expected to achieve 25 mpg in combined driving, though real-world tests showed an average of 23.4 mpg. The CX-50 Turbo delivered smooth acceleration and a firm ride, with minimal turbo lag and a driving experience reminiscent of a sporty station wagon.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid combined a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a single electric motor, producing 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The base LX trim offered front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, while the EX and SX-Prestige trims were all-wheel drive only. The powertrain, shared with the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, provided smooth and predictable acceleration, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The Sportage Hybrid's transmission was well-tuned, offering smooth shifts and quick responses. While not a driver's car, the Sportage Hybrid delivered a comfortable ride, though its steering felt artificially heavy in Sport mode. It had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, slightly less than the non-hybrid version.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered a range of comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were particularly useful in warmer weather. The front seats were comfortable for long drives, though they could benefit from more side bolstering. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, with nearly 90-degree opening rear doors for easy access. Cargo space was 31.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, slightly less than the CX-5 due to the CX-50's lower roofline.

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 dual-level cargo floor added flexibility, offering 39.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and 73.7 cubic feet with them folded. The Sportage Hybrid's interior featured a rotary shift knob, freeing up space for a large bin with USB ports and optional wireless charging. The cupholders had adjustable rings to accommodate different cup sizes, and the center console storage bin offered decent space.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with a Mazda Connect infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The base model had an 8.8-inch display, while higher trims offered a 10.25-inch display. Mazda Connect's interface was not touchscreen-friendly, relying on center console buttons and knobs, which could be distracting. However, the CX-50 allowed touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose sound system provided a satisfying audio experience, and the Active Driving Display offered useful information within the driver's line of sight.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid featured 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 combined it with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The panoramic display was visually impressive and user-friendly, though Android Auto didn't utilize the entire screen. Kia included touch controls below the screen, which could switch between audio and climate functions. Hybrid models had four standard USB-C ports, with additional rear ports, wireless charging, and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system available on higher trims.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to perform well in safety tests, though ratings from the IIHS were not available at the time of review. It offered a comprehensive package of standard driving assistance systems, with additional features like Traffic Jam Assist and a surround-view camera system available on the top trim. The driving assistance systems generally worked well, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize vehicles cutting in.

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid's safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were also unavailable due to its recent redesign. The base LX trim included standard forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the SX-Prestige offered advanced features like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, a blind-spot view camera, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. These features set the Sportage Hybrid apart from competitors, though some rivals offered adaptive cruise control as standard.