2023 Kia Sportage
The Sportage Has Grown Up
The Sportage is Kia’s longest-running American nameplate, arriving in the mid-1990s before compact SUVs were really even a thing. Well, as we all know, the Kia brand has grown a lot since then, and so has the Sportage. So, let’s check out this 5th-gen Sportage, and see how much more it offers to reel in today’s savvy crossover buyers.
The Sportage has grown up. That’s the best way to sum up this 2023 Kia Sportage. It not only looks much larger than before, but every exterior dimension of this compact utility has indeed increased. It’s more than 7-inches longer than before, with a wheelbase stretch of 3.4-inches; height and width grow less dramatically, both by about half an inch. All helping it transform from one of the smallest vehicles in the compact utility segment to one of the largest.
It looks more mature too, with Kia’s tiger nose grille taking on a “floating” design, bookended by unique daytime running lights. Hybrids come with 17-inch wheels, but these 18s are an option. That larger size allows for 39.5 cubic-ft. of rear cargo space, which compares favorably with many midsize utilities; max capacity with seatbacks folded is 73.7 cubic-ft.
It also feels more stable too, with a ride quality that’s very smooth for a small SUV; quite comfortable as well; some staffers declaring it was even more comfy and spacious feeling inside than Kia’s midsize Sorento. Adding to the airy feel is an enormous panoramic sunroof.
There’s plenty of glass on the dash as well; side-by-side 12-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment. Just below the central screen is a panel with a mix of traditional and touch controls for climate and the radio, which in top SX-Prestige trim is a Harmon/Kardon 8-speaker premium system. Thoughtful placement of the multiple storage nooks with USB ports for charging adds greatly to overall usability. Rear seat passengers get some of the best legroom in the compact class, along with reclining seatbacks.
Standard engine for the new Sportage is a 187-horsepower naturally aspirated 2.5-liter I4. But we highly recommend stepping up to this Hybrid; its combined 1.6-liter turbo I4 and 44-kW electric motor are truly a best of both worlds scenario, delivering 40 additional horsepower, 80 more lb-ft. torque, and better fuel economy. Kia even gives you a tried and true 6-speed automatic transmission. On top of all that, the hybrid powertrain just feels much more responsive, and allows more than 500-miles of driving on a tank of gas.
You can still get all-wheel-drive too, which comes with tweaked suspension to add an additional inch of ride height; though it does impact fuel economy quite a bit. Government Fuel Economy Ratings with all-wheel-drive are 38 across the board for City, Highway, and Combined. We got close with a 36.5 miles-per-gallon average on Regular. The front drive version’s Combined rating is 43.
For numbers of a different kind, it was off to Mason Dixon Dragway.
After launching strictly on battery power, the gas engine quickly kicks in. The tach sweeps past 3,000 RPM, and you can really feel some power coming on. We hit 60 in 7.7-seconds, a quite acceptable result for a mainstream compact SUV.
That 6-speed transmission that we very much appreciated in daily use felt a little clunky here at the track; and this little turbo tends to sound more whiney than pleasing. But ultimately, the ¼-mile run is fairly smooth and uneventful; completed in a quite good 15.8-seconds at 90 miles-per-hour. Being based on Hyundai-Kia’s midsize N3 platform pays major dividends when it comes to handling.
The Hybrid adds $1,300 to a base Sportage LX, putting it at $28,585; all-wheel-drive adds $1,800 more. The Hybrid is only available in LX, EX, and SX-Prestige trims; topping out at $37,485. A plug-in hybrid with up to 32-miles of EV range will soon join the party.
The Sportage has played a major role in the Kia story from the very beginning; and it seems we’re really getting to the good part of the book where the main characters go through major transformations that impact where the story goes from here. The Chronicles of Kia are far from their conclusion, but the 2023 Kia Sportage is the plot twist we’ve all been waiting for, and will certainly have us anticipating what’s to come next.
Specifications
- Engine: 2.5L I4 | 1.6L Turbo-4
- Horsepower: 187 | 227
- Torque: 178 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 7.7 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 15.8 seconds at 90 mph
- EPA: 38 combined (AWD) | 43 combined (FWD)
- 60-0 Braking: 116 feet (avg)
2025 Audi SQ7
Audi…Still Bringing The V8 Power
Like every other luxury-minded European carmaker, Audi has a full portfolio of utility vehicles to choose from, including big ones like the Q7 and big fast ones like this SQ7. 2025 brings a host of updates for this still V8-powered prestige performer, and we can’t wait to check it all out.
Audi’s largest SUV, the seven-passenger Q7, launched way back in 2007; but it wasn’t until 2020, well into its second generation, that it got the proper high-performance treatment with an SQ7 version. Well, it’s time for the 2025 model year, and while the SQ7 is still rockin’ through its second gen, Audi is cranking it up when it comes to style and tech.
All Q7s get revised styling for 2025 with modernized front and rear fascias, along with updated and now customizable LED lighting. Up front, lower aero treatments are slightly reshaped, and Audi’s Singleframe grille gets new patterns that are unique for Q7 and SQ7. In back, there’s a more aggressive looking rear diffuser that better integrates some new exhaust tips. And rounding it out are some fresh color choices and five new wheel designs. In addition to the unique grille, SQ7s feature additional aero treatments throughout, quad exhaust tips, and larger brakes behind 21-inch wheels, which can be optioned up to these 22s.
Tech updates come by way of better smartphone integration into the MultiMedia Interface, with the ability to not only use more third-party apps but download them directly to the vehicle. It’s all done through Audi’s latest MMI setup which features an in-dash infotainment touchscreen, a smaller touch panel just below for climate controls and additional functions such as handwriting recognition, and, of course, a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit for the driver.
There are some minor material upgrades throughout, and more uniqueness to coincide with trim levels; plus, some new available packages to further customize the space. All Q7s are outfitted for seven passengers with plenty of adult-size room in the second-row bench; the third row, it’s best left to the kids.
This thing is quick, like EV quick, taking off much faster than you’re expecting.
All of that is indeed great, but the star of this show remains what’s under the SQ7’s hood. Oh yeah, Audi still believes in V8s, and this is a great one, the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo engine used by Porsche and even Lamborghini in their SUVs. Here in Audi tune, it delivers 500 horsepower along with 568 lb-ft of torque. And wow this thing is quick, like EV quick, taking off much faster than you’re expecting. At Mason Dixon Dragway it hooked up easily, pounced off the line, and pulled hard the whole way down the strip. We hit 60 in a mere 3.8 seconds.
Audi keeps the Tiptronic name alive for their eight-speed automatic transmission and it slams through the first few gears quite aggressively, easing off a little in higher ones. That V8 made all the right noises throughout the quarter-mile but without being too loud. 12.4 at 111 mph was our best time.
SQ7s get a unique sport-tuned adaptive air suspension, and it almost eliminated all body roll through our handling course, helping this big utility feel more like a small sports car. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard on all Q7s but there is unique tuning here in the S, and we really had to push it hard to initiate any understeer. The brakes came on strong as soon as we started to press the pedal in our panic braking runs, stopping us from 60 in an impressive 94 feet. There was some nosedive, but absolutely no discernable fade.
For all its performance, the ride quality is sublime, never harsh, making for a very enjoyable drive home from the track. It also feels built like a tank, weighing more than 5,000 lbs., though that substantial structure allows for towing up to 7,700-lbs.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 15 City, 21 Highway, and 17 Combined. We averaged a good 20.1 mpg of Premium in our driving loop. As far as high-performance SUVs go, the SQ7’s starting price of $92,095 for Premium Plus trim is not unreasonable. You can upgrade to Prestige trim for $98,195.
While not exactly commonplace, high-performance SUVs have seemingly been coming at us from all sorts of brands lately, from luxury to mainstream– which is the direction of choice for Audi, bringing the premium driving experience closer to attainable levels. So, if you’re looking for high levels of luxury, combined with raucous V8 performance, in a vehicle that can still comfortably haul the family, the 2025 Audi SQ7 is eagerly waiting to deliver.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 500
- Torque: 568 lb-ft.
- EPA: 15 City | 21 Highway | 17 Combined
- 0-60 mph: 3.8 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 12.4 seconds at 111 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg.): 94 feet
- MW Fuel Economy: 20.1 MPG (Premium)