2023 Kia Sportage v 2023 Mazda CX-30

The Kia Sportage has its fair share of competitors, but recently, the Mazda CX-30 has joined the party and provided some very worthwhile competition for many of the same reasons people like the Sportage – namely styling and handling.

And the CX-30 is a handsome car, to be sure but it doesn’t have quite the presence the Sportage does. A big part of what provides the Sportage with the presence it has is its front facia, whose ultra-unique vertical triangle DRLs are a true sight to behold, rivalled by few in the industry including the CX-30. Add the large blacked-out grille, and this is a front-end that’s as modern as it gets.

Around back, meanwhile, the Sportage has its taillamps connected via a full-length light bar, reminiscent of the look given to the all-new EV6 electric vehicle -- that’s not a bad look to mimic and once again, it’s more distinctive than what’s offered by the Mazda.

Inside, the modern theme continues with an optional digital gauge cluster matched by a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, dial-style gear selector and a digitized panel that can be swapped to either be your climate controls, or your multimedia controls for reduced cockpit clutter.

Even with all that tech and with an interior filled with flowing lines and rounded corners, there more space in the Sportage than there is in the CX-30, which is of utmost importance to many shopping in this segment.

Speaking of futuristic: the CX-30 gets a powerful turbocharged powertrain as an option, but the Sportage does, too – and more. It does get a turbo motor as an option but more than that, the turbo comes as part of a hybrid powertrain good for 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, all the while using just 6.2L of fuel per 100 km in the combined cycle, and 6.1 on the highway.

Two very good vehicles, to be sure, but it’s hard not to say that the Sportage makes the stronger case.