Few model-year changes reshape a vehicle as completely as the Kia Sportage’s did between 2022 and 2023. The 2022 is the final year of an older, more compact generation, while the 2023 arrived as a ground-up redesign that grew substantially in size, changed its styling, and updated its powertrain. For anyone shopping a used 2022 kia sportage, that split is the whole decision, because you are not comparing two versions of the same SUV so much as two different vehicles wearing the same badge. The gap shows up in price, interior space, and available features, and it directly affects how much you spend and what you get. This comparison lays out where each year has the advantage, whether the redesign’s higher used price is justified, and which buyer, especially in a snow-belt state like Ohio, is better served by each.
How the two generations actually differ
The clearest way to understand these two is to treat the 2023 as a new-generation SUV and the 2022 as the polished end of the previous one. The 2023 stretched roughly 7.1 inches longer, and most of that length went into rear-seat legroom and cargo room. Behind the second row, the 2022 offers 30.7 cubic feet; the 2023 expands to nearly 40.
Under the hood, the base engines are closer than the size gap suggests. The 2022 uses a 181-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic, while the 2023 switched to a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter paired with a smoother 8-speed. The 2022 also offered a 240-horsepower turbocharged SX Turbo, and the 2023 later added a hybrid option the older car never had.
Where the 2022 Sportage still wins
The 2022’s strongest argument is cost. As the older, smaller, pre-redesign model, it consistently lists for less on the used market, which frees up budget for a lower-mileage example or a better trim.
Its more compact footprint is an advantage in its own right for some drivers. A shorter SUV is easier to park in tight spots and maneuver in city driving, and buyers who found the redesign larger than they need may prefer the older dimensions.
There is also the SX Turbo. Its 240-horsepower engine outmuscles the 2023’s base powertrain, so a shopper who wants stronger acceleration for less money can find it in a used 2022 that a comparable non-hybrid 2023 will not match.
Where the 2023 redesign pulls ahead
The 2023 wins decisively on space and cabin technology. The added rear legroom and larger cargo hold make it the better hauler, which matters most to growing families and anyone who regularly carries taller passengers or bulky gear.
The redesigned interior is more modern, with available larger displays and a more contemporary dashboard layout. Styling is subjective, but the 2023’s bolder exterior is a genuine departure that many buyers prefer.
Efficiency tilts slightly its way too. The 2023’s base engine and 8-speed transmission edge out the 2022 on fuel economy, and its available hybrid sits in a different league entirely for anyone prioritizing mileage.
Is the redesign worth the extra money?
This is where the decision gets practical. Both model years depreciate at a similar five-year rate, so neither dramatically out-holds the other in percentage terms; the 2023 simply starts from a higher used price. That means the premium you pay for the redesign buys size, styling, and updated tech, not better long-term value retention.
So the honest answer depends on need rather than prestige. If you will actually use the larger rear seat and cargo area, the extra spend is justified because those are real, everyday benefits. If your loads are modest and rear-seat passengers are occasional, you are paying more for space that mostly sits empty, and the 2022 delivers the same core reliability and safety for less.
What matters most for Ohio buyers
For drivers dealing with lake-effect snow and salted roads, drivetrain outranks generation. Both years offer available all-wheel drive across most trims, so you do not have to buy the pricier 2023 just to get winter traction. Prioritize finding an all-wheel-drive example in whichever year fits your budget.
Condition matters just as much here. Road salt attacks the undercarriage, brake lines, and frame, so inspect underneath any used Sportage regardless of year, and confirm the heater, defroster, and battery are sound before winter. A well-maintained 2022 AWD in clean condition is a smarter Ohio buy than a neglected 2023, generation advantage notwithstanding.
Both years also carry strong crash-test safety ratings and remain eligible for Kia’s long powertrain warranty coverage when within its limits, which adds a useful cushion on a used purchase.
Matching each year to the right buyer
The 2022 suits budget-focused commuters, small households, and anyone who wants a compact, easy-to-park SUV or the extra punch of the SX Turbo without paying redesign prices. It is the value pick for drivers whose space needs are modest.
The 2023 fits growing families, buyers who want the newest styling and cabin tech, and anyone drawn to the hybrid option. Its larger dimensions earn their keep when the space gets used regularly.
For a broader sense of where the Sportage sits against Kia’s other crossovers and three-row options, the Kia SUV lineup is a useful reference before you commit.
Buy the 2022 to save money on a proven, right-sized SUV; buy the 2023 if added space, modern tech, or a hybrid justify the higher price. In Ohio, weight all-wheel drive and honest condition above the model year itself, and either generation can be the right call.
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