2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Volvo XC40

Introduced for the 2019 model year, the Volvo XC40 enters 2021 with one major change—the addition of an all-electric powertrain option. The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is the Scandinavian automaker’s first mass-market pure electric vehicle, in fact.

The Recharge will be sold alongside gasoline versions of the XC40, which carry over largely unchanged, and compete against small luxury crossovers like the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, and Lexus UX. With its electric powertrain, the Recharge is a de facto Tesla Model Y competitor. It’s also priced similar to high-end versions of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, although the two electric crossovers have somewhat different philosophies.

In addition to that zero-emission powertrain, the Recharge gets an Android-based operating system, over-the-air (OTA) software update capability for all vehicle systems, and some updates to driver-assist tech. These changes don’t apply to gasoline 2021 XC40 models, but Volvo does plan to add the Android operating system to more vehicles in the future.

Since the Recharge is the main new thing for the 2021 XC40, that’s what we focused on for this review. While the gasoline XC40 is available in three trim levels—Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription—with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada, the Recharge is only offered in a single trim level.

The 2022 Kia Sportage is a stylish, sophisticated, safe, and–with its available turbocharged engine–speedy SUV. Kia hasn't redesigned it since 2017, but that doesn't mean you should cross it off of your shopping list. Even the technology is up to date.

Compact in size, the 2022 Sportage comes in LX, LX Nightsky, EX, EX Premium S, and SX trim levels with front- or all-wheel drive. LX Nightsky trim is new, replacing the LX S version for 2022. The Sportage EX gains a standard panoramic sunroof for 2022.

In Canada, MSRP ranges from $25,995 to $40,195, plus a destination charge of $1,850. Our test vehicle for this review was an SX, which comes with the turbocharged engine and standard AWD and was also equipped with a cargo mat and a tow hitch. The sticker price came to $42,746, including destination (Canadian, estimated). (A U.S. model is shown; the exterior colour on the test unit is not available in Canada, where the SX comes only with red, white, grey, or black paint.)