This model year’s Tucson has undergone a complete overhaul. Its technology is more up to date, as expected, and some changes to the powertrain have improved both performance and fuel efficiency. However, the Sportage is a fantastic car with a strong available engine and a stellar safety record.
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What Kia model matches the Hyundai Tucson?
Hyundai and Kia both offer compact SUVs in the Tucson and Sportage models. Both SUVs share many of the same parts, making them remarkably similar even though they appear to be very different from one another from the exterior.
Styling and Presence
Hyundai and Kia have extremely comparable vehicle lineups. Though it’s important to note that Hyundai has established a luxury branch named Genesis that largely addresses those gaps, Kia does provide a few vehicles that Hyundai doesn’t. Hyundai’s aesthetic is generally much more restrained and understated, with slender curves and unobtrusive round forms making up the majority of the design elements. However, compared to their Hyundai cousins, Kia vehicles have sportier style that gives them a more aggressive and dynamic appearance. In a similar vein, compared to the Hyundai model, Kia SUV vehicles have a more robust, off-road oriented look. In general, Hyundai automobiles are more likely to blend in with the crowd, but Kia styling is more angular and futuristic, designed to grab attention and make a statement.
Performance and Handling
Although Hyundai and Kia share platforms and drivetrains, we already established that each company maintains its own independent engineering divisions. This is significant because it enables individual ride and handling characteristics to be tuned for each brand of car. It’s risky to generalize given the large range of vehicles available, including hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers, and vans. In contrast, a comparable Hyundai vehicle is probably going to prioritize a smoother, but disconnected-feeling ride, whilst you will probably find that Kia vehicles provide more dynamic, engaging handling qualities. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but in our opinion, Kia automobiles’ special chassis tuning significantly increases fun.
Price and Value
Kia automobiles are typically less priced than their Hyundai counterparts. The comparable Hyundai Elantra starts at $19,850, while the Kia Forte starts at $17,890. Although the Forte is less priced, Kia didn’t scrimp on quality or features. Like Hyundai, Kia provides one of the best warranties in the industry, which is ten years and 100,000 miles. Both companies offer quality that is unmatched in the industry and stand behind their products. In the J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study*, Kia placed third for 2021, ahead of brands like Toyota, Chevrolet, and even Mercedes-Benz. Even Hyundai’s luxury division, Genesis, ended behind Kia. Only Porsche and Lexus were ranked higher among mass market brands in terms of quality than Kia. At the top of that list, Kia is, in our opinion, in good company. It’s also important to note that J.D. Power named the Kia Optima, Sorento, and Sportage as the top models in each of their respective classes.
The Kia Advantage
In conclusion, Kia cars offer greater value and better quality, with bolder style and a more dynamic driving experience, even though Kia and Hyundai offer comparable vehicles. Simply put, no matter what you value most in a car, Kia automobiles are better overall. Of course, it is ultimately up to you to decide. We recognize that purchasing a new car is a significant investment. We advise you to test drive both brands since we are certain that you will ultimately decide on a Kia. Any way you look at it, it’s unquestionably the better option. Please forgive me, Hyundai.
What does the Hyundai Sportage resemble?
You would never suspect that the 2023 Kia Sportage and 2022 Hyundai Tucson have as much in common as they do because of their utterly dissimilar designs. The two five-passenger SUVs are mechanically similar and provide the same engines and significantly more interior capacity than their forerunners. However, there is much more to these two SUVs than just the fantastic warranties that most customers anticipate from both companies. How then do you even know where to begin? Here are their advantages and disadvantages.
Power and Performance
Both the 2022 Hyundai Tucson and the 2023 Kia Sportage’s base engines aren’t recognized for their lightning-fast performance. Sports-car acceleration isn’t typically at the top of the list for buyers in this market, but if they periodically drive up a hill with a car full of passengers or need to overtake on a two-lane road, an extra surge of speed will suddenly be a significant benefit. In this instance, the 187-hp 2.5-liter normally aspirated inline-four engines of the SUVs only provide acceptable acceleration, an experience we have previously referred to as unrefined.
However, there is a simple fix: buy a hybrid. Try the quieter hybrid, which will seem a little faster, if you can tolerate the tiny price increase. You can get 226 system horsepower with the 2022 Tucson Hybrid and 227 system horsepower with the 2023 Sportage Hybrid with that more economical option. A plug-in hybrid is an option for both SUVs if that isn’t enough power, but the price climbs by thousands of dollars to the mid- to high-$30,000 range for base models.
Hybrid Value
The fact that the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is available with front-wheel drive is one of the main distinctions between the two SUVs. This lowers the barrier to entry for hybrid-interested purchasers and enables Kia to vie for the title of most efficient compact SUV hybrid. The problem? Only the Sportage LX version of the hybrid is offered by Kia; once you desire upgrades above the LX, AWD is standard.
The least cheapest 2022 Tucson Hybrid costs around $2,500 more than a 2023 Sportage LX Hybrid (with standard AWD). Efficiency ratings for the FWD Sportage Hybrid are 42/44 mpg city/highway and 38/38 mpg for AWD versions like the EX trim presented below. The lowest trim (Blue) of the Tucson Hybrid equals that economy, however other trims only get 37/36 mpg. Both SUVs’ non-hybrid fuel efficiency isn’t as competitive as that of the class leaders.
Please, Let Us Pay For That
Not just the five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty (like Kia’s) but also the free maintenance are some of the biggest benefits of purchasing a new Hyundai. All brand-new Hyundai vehicles come with free basic maintenance visits for three years or 36,000 miles, which is a neat perk you might overlook until it’s time for an oil change.
Off-Road Appeal
It seems like we learn about a new off-road-oriented SUV every month. There are many of vehicles available today that have off-road appeal, including the Subaru Wilderness series, the new Honda TrailSport, the XRT line from Hyundai, and the X-Pro models from Kia. This is an easy victory for Kia, at least right now. Because Kia has something to offer, whether you’re looking for off-road styling with on-road driving manners (X-Line) or a little bit of actual capabilities (X-Pro). The X-Pro model really offers greater capability than the other trims, which lends the line’s overall legitimacy a little bit more. Try the Kia in the X-Pro model instead of the Ford Bronco Sport or Jeep Wrangler if you really want an off-road vehicle.
Sporty Styling
If sporty, street-ready appeal is more important to you, the Hyundai might be a better option. Of course, neither the 2022 Hyundai Tucson nor the 2023 Kia Sportage are sporty to drive, but some customers are content with how they look. The Tucson N Line, which modernizes the SUV’s exterior appearance and adds complex 19-inch wheels, would be a good option in such situation. The inside is dark with red elements throughout, including the gear stalk. The 187-hp engine, though, remains, so it’s all show and no go.
Technology
Have you heard of Hyundai’s excellent Smart Park feature? The function, often referred to as Remote Start Parking Assist, enables you to reverse your automobile out of a small parking place without ever leaving the vehicle. This technology is now available in the new Kia Sportage as well, although only on fully loaded hybrid variants. Top Tucson models built by Hyundai include that technology.
However, Hyundai’s screen size falls short of that of the Kia. In comparison to the Hyundai’s still-huge 10.3-inch touchscreen, the Kia’s 12.3-inch screen is situated higher on the dashboard. Nevertheless, there is more to life than large screens, and we appreciate how both companies utilize infotainment. We salute both brands for providing digital instrument clusters on the majority of trim levels. Although the screens can’t be customized as much as we’d want, the cabin feels more contemporary right away.
Interior and Cargo Space
Both SUVs were on the tiny side of the segment in their previous iterations, but that is no longer the case. Both the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson now have spacious cargo spaces and incredibly comfy back seats. The Hyundai has a non-hybrid capacity of 38.7 cubic feet and a normal hybrid capacity that is only a little bit more. That is only slightly less than the 39.6 cubic feet standard version and 39.5 hybrid variant of the Kia. Compare that to the roomy 37.5 cubic feet of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 and you’ll see why the Kia and Hyundai both impress us in this regard.
Controls
Although the controls in the new Sportage and Tucson have previously annoyed us, we wish we had better news. There are a few knobs and screen controls on the Sportage that switch between the HVAC and audio functions. It reminds us of a mechanism in the electric Kia EV6 that we didn’t care for. This is avoided by the Hyundai, which instead chooses touch-sensitive controls that look fantastic (image) but don’t perform as well as, say, the large, bulky knobs in the RAV4.
Sportage or Tucson: Which Is Better?
While we adore the Hyundai Tucson’s eye-catching design, we think the Kia Sportage’s screens are superior. If you’re willing to consider a hybrid SUV, we’d suggest the Kia. Nevertheless, the Hyundai offers many benefits, including the N Line model that is an option and three years of maintenance-free service. What we like best about these new models is their roomier interiors, which immediately make them more competitive whether you’re looking at just the Hyundai and Kia or the whole segment.
Is Hyundai more dependable than Kia?
According to Amodeo, “automakers are increasingly considering how closely customers’ interactions with their vehicles resemble those of other consumer electronics.” “For instance, cell phones often receive over-the-air software updates, and as a result, automakers are increasingly required to use this strategy to address issues, enhance features, and add capabilities in order to maintain customer satisfaction. The best automakers at this will have a tremendous edge.”
Seven of the top 10 issues identified by the study are infotainment-related: voice recognition, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, Bluetooth, insufficient power outlets or USB ports, confusing or challenging navigation systems, infotainment touch screen or display screen, and inaccurate/outdated maps.
For the second year in a row, the Porsche 911 received the top rating for overall vehicle dependability. The 911 has received this distinction three times in the last four years.
The highest-ranking brand was Kia, which improved from third place in 2021. Buick, Hyundai, Toyota, and Dodge are other popular mass market brands that score highly for reliability of their vehicles, placing second, third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.
Genesis ranked first among luxury vehicles, followed by Lexus, Porsche, Cadillac, and Lincoln.
On average, mass market brands like Kia and Hyundai experienced less issues than their premium competitors. More technology is frequently found in vehicles from premium manufacturers, which raises the possibility of issues.
The survey also discovered that the quality of mass-produced cars has greatly increased recently and is now on par with that of premium manufacturers.
Is Tucson a good investment?
The Hyundai Tucson’s major differences between the 2021 and 2022 models are listed below. To start, the 2021 has a 2.0-liter engine, whereas the 2022 has a 2.5-liter. In addition, the horsepower has increased from 161 to 187. Despite having so much more power, the gas mileage rises from 23/28 mpg to 26/33 mpg.
The 2022 Tucson has more legroom and cargo room than the 2021 Tucson did. There was 61.9 cubic feet of cargo space in 2021. The Tucson in 2022 has an 80.3. From 38.2 inches in 2021 to 41.3 inches in 2022, the leg room has increased.
If you’re debating whether to purchase the 2022 Tucson, it appears to be worthwhile. It has a lot going for it, and you’d be in great shape if you could order it and actually receive it by the end of 2021. The 2022 Tucson should be a reliable SUV thanks to its improved fuel economy, larger size, and the availability of a hybrid option.
What distinguishes a Hyundai from a Kia?
Hyundai delivers a more opulent and flowing style, whereas Kia creates cars with a sportier look. With a little more varied selection of cars, Kia’s lineup includes the Sedona minivan, which reaches a wider target population. Hyundai, meantime, sells a line of high-end vehicles under the Genesis brand.
Is the Kia Sportage a trustworthy vehicle?
With a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5, the Kia Sportage is ranked sixth among 26 compact SUVs. It offers great ownership costs with an average annual repair cost of $462. The Sportage is one of the more dependable automobiles on the road since its repair needs are less severe and less frequent than those of other vehicles.
Cost
Compared to an average of $521 for compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle types, the total yearly cost of repairs and maintenance for a Kia Sportage is $462.
the typical annual sum for unplanned maintenance and repairs for all model years of a car. A vehicle’s greater average cost alone does not imply that it is less dependable. For instance, your car’s parts and labor may be pricey, especially if it’s a European luxury model, but if there are few serious problems and frequent service visits on average each year, that’s a sign of a dependable vehicle.
The typical annual frequency at which a vehicle is taken in for unplanned maintenance and repairs. This metric is produced by monitoring millions of distinctive automobiles over a number of years to ascertain the typical yearly visits for each make and model. Controls were included to prevent small, routine shop visits, such those for oil changes.
The severity element of dependability calculates the likelihood that a repair will cause a significant problem. The cost of a repair is assessed to be excessively expensive given the unscheduled nature of the repair if it is three times the average annual repair cost for all models. Due to their more expensive labor and component expenses, premium and luxury brands have a higher barrier.
Frequency
Owners of Kia Sportage cars must take them into a shop for unplanned repairs on average 0.2 times a year, as opposed to 0.3 times on average for compact SUVs and 0.4 times on average for all vehicle models.