Honda has refreshed the CR-V with a totally new model and it is more powerful and fuel efficient than its predecessor. Then again, the same can be said for the all-new Kia Sportage. Between the two, which is better?
Looking at the design, we have to vote for the Sportage as the winner. The SUV from South Korea is simply more stylish than the Honda CR-V. The latter is simply too ugly and disproportionate to begin with.
Despite the many differences between the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, both vehicles are able to accommodate 5-passengers at one time as they run on the FWD system. Even the engine architecture is similar as both the CR-V and the Sportage are towed by a 2.4L Naturally Aspirated Gas Inline-4 motor.
The CR-V, in particular, has its own set of engine tunings to offer. The 2.4L mill it runs on generates 185hp and 163ft-lbs of torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission and it returns fuel consumption ratings of 23mpg in the city and 31mpg when on highways.
The Sportage, on the other hand, develops 176hp and 168ft-lbs of torque from its 2.4L engine that is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Fuel consumption figures stands at 21mpg on city and 30mpg on highway.
Judging from the specs above, it is pretty clear that the Honda CR-V is the better vehicle. However, we driven both of them and discovered that the CR-V is actually pretty boring since everything is automated. Nevertheless, we cannot deny it from being crowned the winner in this technical comparison.
