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 Q6 e-tron
New Platform, New Level Of Tech…Still Feels Like An Audi
The Q6 e-tron is not Audi’s first EV; they’ve been in the game since the original e-tron arrived for 2019. But it is the first one to arrive on an all-new premium platform electric architecture. So, time for us to get to work and find out if it’s a foundation that Audi can truly build on.
It’s an interesting time in the auto biz, that’s for sure, as no one is really certain what the future holds for internal combustion engines or even EVs at this point. Audi is of course part of the Volkswagen Group who made a massive investment in BEVs as they emerged from Dieselgate. We continue to enjoy driving the results, the latest of which is this 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron.
Even though it shares Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric basics with the Porsche Macan EV, the overall driving experience is similar to the rest of the Audi utility lineup, more so than any previous e-tron EV. Next-gen electric motor design means the standard rear-drive setup gets 302 horsepower from a permanently excited synchronous AC motor. All-wheel drive add an asynchronous AC motor up front for a total 422-horsepower output. Both motors are about 30% smaller and weigh around 20% less than previous e-tron motors.
Range estimates are as high as 321 miles. Our dual-motor setup with 20-inch wheels and 100-kWh battery is rated for 295 miles. A test loop found 260 miles to be more realistic. 800-volt architecture and 270-kW fast charging can fill the battery to 80% in just over 20 minutes. And using 35-kWh of electricity per 100 miles earns a good efficiency rating.
While 422 horsepower is the official rating, there’s a peak of 456 horsepower on hand when using Audi’s launch control. And launch is the appropriate term, as we blasted to 60 in just 4.6 seconds at our Mason Dixon test track. After a big jolt off the line, power continued to build going down the track, with no signs of it tapering off before we finished the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds at 108 mph.
We also got a chance to hit the track with the Q6’s swole sibling, the SQ6. It cranks out 509 horsepower with launch control, and ripped to 60 in just 3.9 seconds and through the quarter in 12.4 at 112 mph.
Bargain hunters have long known that many Audis unlock Porsche-style high performance for less, and that surely feels like it here. Both the Q6 quattro and the SQ6 felt incredibly nimble in our handling course, with minimal understeer and tremendous grip. Steering was quick and responsive. The SQ6 comes with an adaptive air suspension that can also be added to the Q6 quattro. The biggest benefit seemed to be more away from the track, feeling smoother over irregular pavement. During panic braking runs in the Q6 quattro, there was a nice firm pedal, and quick stops in just 100 feet from 60. There was a good bit of nosedive and be prepared for the seat belt to squeeze you like an anaconda.
As more and more EVs arrive, we also see lots of new active and ambient lighting setups, something that Audi was pioneering before the EV revolution. And if nothing else, the Q6’s can keep you and others entertained while you’re sitting at the charging station. And of course, you can monitor charging status and everything else through Audi’s latest virtual cockpit.
Interior dimensions have the Q6 falling firmly in the midsize luxury segment, though it doesn’t feel that much smaller than the Q8. Audi owners will definitely notice the all-new Digital Stage infotainment setup. This Android-based system is part of a new E3 1.2 electronic architecture that will be used in all future Audis. It’s fully integrated with all vehicle functions, boasting more computer power than ever, along with the ability to seamlessly update just about every electronic function of the vehicle over the air. Here in the Q6, there’s a central 14.5-inch touchscreen for driver interaction, along with an available 10.9-inch display for the front passenger.
Pricing starts with the rear-drive Q6 at $65,095, quattros just two-grand more at $67,095; with the SQ6 quattro starting at $74,195.
The 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron is more than just another great EV from Audi. It’s truly a next level BEV that not only sets a new benchmark for the Audi brand, but sets them up nicely going forward, as this new platform provides a highly flexible high-tech launching pad for more great Audis to come.
Specifications
Q6 e-tron
- Motor Setup: Dual Motor
- Battery Size: 100-kWh
- Horsepower: 422
- EPA: up to 295 miles
- Peak Charging: 270-kW
- 0-60 mph: 4.6 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 13.2 seconds at 108 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg.): 100 feet
- EV Test Loop: ~ 260 miles
SQ6 e-tron
- Horsepower: 509
- EPA: 273 miles
- 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 12.4 seconds at 112 mph