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The Kia Sportage received an impressive redesign for the 2023 model year. This overhaul makes it more competitive against other compact crossover SUVs, including the best-selling Toyota RAV4. Here are four reasons to buy a 2023 Kia Sportage, not a 2023 Toyota RAV4.

2023 Kia Sportage has more interior space than the 2023 Toyota RAV4

Front angle view of green 2023 Kia Sportage
2023 Kia Sportage | Kia

The first reason to buy a 2023 Kia Sportage instead of a 2023 Toyota RAV4 is the Sportage has more interior space than the RAV4. While both crossover SUVs can seat five people, the Sportage has a total passenger volume of 108 cu-ft, compared to 98.9 cu-ft for the RAV4. The biggest beneficiary of the additional passenger space is the rear-seat passengers. For rear legroom, the Sportage provides 41.3 inches, compared to 37.8 inches for the RAV4.

Also, the Sportage provides more storage space. It has a rear cargo capacity of 39.6 cu-ft and a maximum cargo capacity of 74.1 cu-ft. In comparison, the RAV4 has a rear cargo capacity of 37.6 cu-ft and a maximum cargo capacity of 69.8 cu-ft.

2023 Sportage has a more high-tech interior than the 2023 RAV4

Side view of Midnight Black Metallic 2023 Toyota RAV4
2023 Toyota RAV4 | Toyota

The second reason to buy a 2023 Kia Sportage instead of a 2023 Toyota RAV4 is the Sportage has a more high-tech interior than the RAV4. A good example of this is the panoramic curved display, which features a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. In comparison, the RAV4 doesn’t offer a panoramic curved display. Also, while it offers a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, the largest infotainment screen available is 8.0 inches.

Plus, the Sportage has many standard and available driving assistance technologies that are not available for the RAV4. This includes safe exit warning, highway driving assist, speed limit assist, and driver attention warning.

Kia Sportage has better warranty coverage than the Toyota RAV4

Dashboard and front seats in 2023 Kia Sportage
2023 Kia Sportage | Kia

The third reason to buy a 2023 Sportage instead of a 2023 RAV4 is the Sportage has better warranty coverage than the RAV4. All Sportage models have the backing of a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. In comparison, the RAV4 has 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

2023 Sportage has a more modern design than the 2023 RAV4

The fourth reason to buy a 2023 Sportage instead of a 2023 RAV4 is the Sportage has a more modern design than the RAV4. The Sportage greatly benefits from its redesign. Notable design elements include the unique boomerang daytime running lights, futuristic notch-shaped taillights, and a “floating design” for the tiger nose grille. The RAV4, which hasn’t had a redesign since the 2019 model year, has a more outdated look.

The 2023 Kia Sportage has advantages over the 2023 Toyota RAV4 for interior space, a high-tech interior, warranty coverage, and a more modern design. These advantages give the 2023 Sportage an edge for crossover SUV shoppers to buy it instead of the 2023 RAV4.

For reasons to buy the Toyota RAV4 instead of the Kia Sportage, continue reading below.

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2023 Kia Sportage: Price, New Features, and Overview