Finding an interesting vehicle in the compact SUV segment is an easy task; the category is full of relevant models. Choosing between two of the best players, the 2021 Kia Sportage and the 2021 Toyota RAV4, is more difficult.
In fact, both are packed with qualities. However, when you take the time to analyze a few important elements, you realize that the Kia model has a little je-ne-sais-quoi that is more appealing. Let's take a look.
The style
The Toyota RAV4 offers harmonious and well-proportioned lines, but the model does not stand out on the road. With the Kia Sportage, the opposite is true. Both the front and the rear have very strong lines and when you look at the vehicle, one word comes to mind: character. So if you want to find yourself behind the wheel of a vehicle that stands out on the road, the choice is easy here.
Value for money
Kia has always been known for offering well-equipped vehicles at a good price. That tradition has continued with the current generation Sportage, introduced for 2017. The competition has adjusted, so when you look at what Toyota offers in base configuration with its RAV4, it looks like Kia's offering. The difference? The price. On a similar model, you'll save a few thousand dollars at Kia.
Power
Leaving aside the hybrid versions of the Toyota RAV4, which are in a different price range, Kia has a more interesting powertrain choice. Like the Toyota RAV4, Kia offers a base engine that consists of a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder. This 2.4-litre engine offers 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. That's a little less than the 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque of Toyota's 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, but the RAV4 is heavier than the Sportage, so in use, it's as good for Kia as it is for Toyota.
Where the Sportage stands out is that it can be delivered with a turbocharged engine, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder offering 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.
Driving a Sportage equipped with this engine is unparalleled at Toyota. In fact, if you compare the driving experience of the two vehicles, it's not even close; the dynamism is found in Kia.
In short, if you're looking for an SUV that offers something more than just utility, you'll find it at Kia with the 2021 Sportage.
