Kia Sportage

HOW IT LOOKS WHEN YOU SEE IT ON THE STREET: Crisp angles and expressive panels give the Kia Sportage unique character in the crossover segment where so many vehicles look the same. The diamond shaped head lamps pop and seem to be a carryover from the logo. It’s a fresh look for the newest generation of Sportage.

How it drives: Sportage handling is steady and sure. Sportage’s various offerings are also its downfall: there are 12 different configurations to choose from which is confusing for shoppers. The 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a hybrid and plug-in hybrid option, which doesn’t have huge impact on the core driving experience. The park system is a helpful tech option.

Space for people and things: Give the people what they want — more room. The new gen delivers additional legroom and 40 cubic feet of cargo spaces for storage.

What should you compare it to: Mazda CX5, Honda CRV.

How much is it: The Sportage starts at $27,615. Our souped up jungle green test vehicle, a 2023 Sportage XPro Prestige complete with all-wheel drive was $38,000. The model we drove is near the top-of-the-line.