2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known for its iconic boxy design, was a vehicle that combined ruggedness with luxury. Its straight-edged, two-box design was a nod to its military origins, yet it had become a status symbol among the elite. The G-Class was hand-built in Graz, Austria, and offered extensive customization options through the G Manufaktur Program, allowing for over a million possible combinations. Inside, the G-Class featured a sophisticated design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel, creating a modern and immersive driving environment. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class retained its off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for those seeking both style and substance.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Sportage presented a more contemporary and stylish design, albeit with a grille that some found less appealing. The Sportage's design was otherwise well-executed, with elements reminiscent of high-end brands like Porsche and Volkswagen. The SX Turbo trim added a sporty touch with 19-inch wheels and a planted stance. Inside, the Sportage adopted Germanic design cues, featuring a black dashboard with metallic accents and a high-contrast interior available in various colors. The cabin was user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy control of the infotainment system and climate settings, offering a sense of quality and sophistication.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was a powerhouse, particularly in its G550 variant, which boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive, allowed the G550 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. The G-Class featured a robust suspension system, including a double-wishbone independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle, providing a smooth ride on various terrains. For those seeking even more power, the AMG G63 variant offered 577 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Despite its size, the G-Class was surprisingly agile, though its fuel economy was less impressive, with ratings of 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway for the G550.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, while not as powerful as the G-Class, offered a competitive performance in its segment. Most Sportage models were equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The SX Turbo variant, however, featured a more potent 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 240 horsepower (237 with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided quick acceleration, especially beneficial at higher elevations. The Sportage's six-speed automatic transmission and optional Dynamax all-wheel-drive system with a locking center differential ensured a balanced power distribution. The Sportage's ride was smooth and compliant, with a suspension system that offered a sophisticated driving experience, though it lacked the refinement of some competitors.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was not only luxurious but also practical, offering 38.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. It had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The cabin was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and featured numerous storage options. However, some luxury features, like ventilated front seats, were only available as part of expensive packages. The G-Class also lacked some modern conveniences, such as hands-free access to the tailgate.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite being a compact crossover, offered a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim featured perforated leather upholstery with power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated for added comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and amenities like air conditioning vents and a USB charging port. While interior storage was ample, the Sportage's cargo capacity was limited, with 60.1 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. The Sportage's smart liftgate technology provided hands-free access, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was equipped with advanced technology, including twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system. These screens were customizable, allowing drivers to tailor the display to their preferences. The G-Class featured the latest COMAND system, with unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel for easy navigation. A Burmester Surround Sound system provided an immersive audio experience, while standard connectivity features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the G-Class lacked wireless device charging.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Higher trims, like the SX Turbo, included wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, and logical onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system was somewhat outdated, lacking a WiFi hotspot and offering wired smartphone mirroring.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a range of safety features, including a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, traffic-sign assist, attention assist, active lane-keeping assist, active brake assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the G-Class had not been rated for crash-worthiness by the IIHS or NHTSA. The active lane-keeping assist could be intrusive, requiring drivers to understand its operation fully.

The 2022 Kia Sportage was equipped with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver monitoring system as standard. Higher trims included blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received favorable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.