Low-priced, high-value rides: Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue

Finally, car buyers are paying less than the sticker price for a new car

By JOE PHILLIPS

Hallelujah For the first time in two years, car buyers are paying less than the sticker price on a new car. After a years-long economic rollercoaster driven by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and a gaping shortage of microchips needed to produce cars and trucks vehicle inventory is finally up. And automaker incentives those much-touted discounts and cash-back offers are back, too.

But lest you think we’ve returned to the days of pre-COVID pricing, here’s a reality check The average price for a new vehicle in 201 was just shy of 3 ,000, while this year it is expected to top yikes 50,000.

That’s why the two compact crossovers reviewed here are so appealing. Both look sassy, handle sharply and are chock-full of standard gear. Best of all, sticker prices on these rides start below 30,000.

KIA SPORTAGE

$28,000

MPG: 25 city/32 highway

0 to 60 mph: 9.3 seconds awake. There are also a dozen trim levels, with three priced below 30,000. This includes a fuel-friendly hybrid, with up to 44 miles per gallon on the highway. My test vehicle was the -Pro Prestige, which was fully decked out. My only complaint was the tepid engine, which is pokey compared with the hybrid and some other highly competitive crossovers. Luckily, I really enjoyed the capable handling and braking. And overall, it would be hard to resist the class-leading warranty and passenger room in the Sportage, as well as that tantalizing design.

Nissan Rogue

$28,000

MPG: 30 city/37 highway

0 to 60 mph: 8.4 seconds

Think of the Kia Sportage as Dorian Gray an alluring crossover that never gets old. The popular Sportage is the automaker’s longest-running nameplate in America, arriving here in the mid-1 0s. But this fifth-gen version completely redesigned for 2023 mirrors the edgy, come-hither look of a luxe-laden Lexus N . There’s a slightly obnoxious, wraparound grille, which caused more than a few raised eyebrows each time I zipped around town. And don’t ask me why, but the design of the hiked-up rear-end reminded me of a buff Tom of Finland character wearing spikey heels those would be Jimmy Choo or Christian Louboutin pumps, of course, not any of that clunky Naturalizer stuff. In other words, the Sportage could easily set tongues wagging at your next drag story-time event. Inside, the hedonism continues, with an obscenely wide digital monitor that stretches almost fully across the dashboard. This includes a 12.3-inch instrument panel and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Even the base model gets heated seats, and the rear seats both slide and recline. Remote keyless entry, smartphone integration and Wi-Fi hotspot are standard. So are various safety features, such as forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist and a driver-attention system that can sense if you are getting drowsy. But trust me, with all the sybaritic delights including heated steering wheel, premium stereo, panoramic sunroof, and satin chrome accents there is plenty here to keep you

ROGUE

The iconic Nissan Rogue was completely redesigned in 2021. As with the Kia Sportage, this means snazzier styling inside and out as well as improved handling and a uieter interior. But there also are some key differences. The Sportage aunts a more in-yourface exterior, has better towing capacity, and is available as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Kia also offers a better warranty, and its vehicles have higher reliability ratings. Yet while the Sportage has more rear-seat legroom, the Rogue boasts more front-seat legroom and headroom. The Rogue also has a larger fuel tank, so fewer stops at the gas station, as well as better horsepower and tor ue. And the Rogue is a bit narrower and has a smaller turning radius, which makes it somewhat easier to maneuver. I enjoyed testing the Sportage, as noted above. But the Rogue was just as delightful in its own way. While the exterior design may be more sedate on the Rogue, it is still beguiling. Yes, the interior is low-key, but it echoes the restrained cabin of a sporty BMW. This included a simple-yet-refined dashboard, upscale trim and pleasing soft-touch materials throughout. There is no ginormous, IMA -like digital display as in the Sportage, but the sleek easy-to-use infotainment touchscreen does sit prominently atop the dash. Acceleration, cornering and braking were all sure and capable, and standard safety features included automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection as well as blind-spot monitor with rear cross-tra c alert. Choosing either the Sportage or the Rogue is like choosing between, say, the sparkly RuPaul or the spellbinding actress Daniela Vega. Personally, it would be a thrill to drive anywhere with either one.