Reigning supreme in the compact crossover SUV segment, the Toyota RAV4 remains the undisputed champion. This iconic model not only holds the title of best-selling SUV of all time, but it also pioneered the entire crossover craze back in the mid-90s.
Since its debut, the RAV4 has seen five generations dominate the market, with the current iteration (XA50) continuing the legacy. Sales figures speak for themselves: a staggering 1,490 units were sold daily in the US just last September, contributing to a total of over 350,000 delivered year to date.
This dominance has naturally ignited a fire within competitors, all vying to dethrone the RAV4. One such challenger is Kia, a South Korean automaker whose Sportage has significantly evolved to compete in the compact crossover arena.
The Kia Sportage, a compact crossover SUV in its fifth generation, began its journey as a traditional SUV in 1993 before transitioning to a crossover lifestyle in 2004. The 2025 model year will mark the mid-cycle refresh of the current NQ5 iteration, teased by Kia with a design language reminiscent of the larger Sorento crossover SUV.
While the official launch date for the South Korean market is set for November, the digital car design has already envisioned the future of the Sportage. Giorgi Tedoradze, a Georgia based industrial designer, has presented a hypothetical design for the sixth generation 2027 Kia Sportage, comparing it to the iconic Toyota RAV4.
