The 2023 Kia Sportage Will Come With a Hybrid and PHEV Option

by Gabrielle DeSantis

For the 2023 model year, the Kia Sportage will go from a budget crossover to a sleek and stylishly sporty SUV. It promises to be a head-turner with the new redesign. 

According to RoadShow, many changes are coming for the 2023 model. What changes are planned, and what do we know about the new Sportage so far?

How is Kia planning on improving the Sportage?

Kia logo | Getty Images

Currently, the Sportage boasts a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 181 hp and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The combination is enough to get you an overall 23 mpg rating when it comes to fuel economy. 

For the upcoming 2023 model, two new motors are on the ticket. You can choose a 1.6-liter turbo-four or a 2.0-liter diesel engine. The diesel option is said to get around 183 hp and 307 lb-ft of torque. The 1.6-liter will be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

According to Autoblog, the exciting powertrain changes are the two EV options coming for the newer model. You can get a hybrid and plug-in hybrid with a four-wheel drive as an available feature. Keeping in step with the redesign, Kia plans to roll out a set of driver aids as well, including automatic emergency braking, highway driving assist, and blind-spot monitoring. 

Anything new in the Kia Sportage’s interior?

Inspired by the all-electric EV6, the Sportage will get a muscular body, and a distinct grille, which is shared with the Kia Seltos and the Sorento. According to Car and Driver, another exterior feature is the alien-styled headlights. But, the interior promises more surprises. 

On the inside, the Sportage offers a large digital display on the dash containing its infotainment system. Some snazzy touches can be seen throughout as well, such as the distinctive air vents, two-tone color scheme, and a center console with a rotary shift knob and push-button start. 

As far as cargo space, you won’t be disappointed. It’s slated to offer even more than its predecessor, which is saying a lot. Currently, it has about 60.1 cubic inches of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. 

What plans does the company have for future Sportage Hybrids? 

Kia’s master plan is to build 11 electric vehicle models by the year 2025. The hybrid version of the Sportage and the introduction of the EVE6 definitely send it on its way to that goal.

This goal is part of the automaker’s Plan S, shifting from creating gas-powered vehicles to electric ones. Kia hopes to invest a few billion to convert to electric powertrains and sell a good number by the end of 2026.  They also hope to create at least seven different electric cars by the year 2027.  The first electric vehicle from the projected 11 they have in the works, is set to come out soon. 

However, they don’t just want to convert to electric. They plan to create stylish vehicles by adding luxury features to make them enticing to consumers looking for an electric SUV. 

The 2023 Kia Sportage reportedly will show up in early 2022 with plenty of changes to entice many consumers, especially since there wasn’t any for the 2022 model. 

RELATED: Kia Sportage, From Crap to Competitor: A History

The post The 2023 Kia Sportage Will Come With a Hybrid and PHEV Option appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Subaru Has Made Its 20 Millionth AWD Vehicle

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are some automaker milestones worth celebrating. Some manufacturers share exciting news about recent award achievements, industry nominations, and sales numbers. Subaru has a number worthy of its own ticker-tape parade. 

The Japanese carmaker officially produced its 20 millionth all-wheel drive vehicle. Can you imagine? When you make that many vehicles, it means you’re also selling them. Here’s a look into Subaru’s latest announcement and high-five moment. It seems Subaru’s all-wheel-drive approach to vehicle design is growing more popular among consumers and in terms of sales figures.

Subaru has some pretty impressive sales numbers

2021 Subaru Ascent | Subaru of America, Inc.

The pandemic put car buying on hold for all automakers. However, what matters is how well sales have rebounded throughout the end of 2020 and this year so far. As Subaru shares news of having produced its 20 millionth AWD vehicle, it also had some sales figures worth toasting to, as well. 

Nearly 98 percent of all Subaru’s global sales are vehicles with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive core technology. PR Newswire shared Subaru’s 8.8 percent increase in sales this May from last May. The automaker’s year-to-date figures are already 278,373, more than 30 percent above where sales were in 2020. 

Additionally, the sales numbers according to GoodCarBadCar suggests Subaru has the highest growth of all “mainstream brands” in the U.S., from roughly 200,000 sales in 2009 to 700,000 in 2019. Breaking its annual sales records proves consumers certainly love their AWD Subaru models. It’s a feature the brand continues to lead across more than just a few vehicles in its lineup.

A look at Subaru’s AWD model vehicles

In 1996, the automaker decided to incorporate the Subaru Symmetrical AWD as a standard feature across its entire portfolio. This design may be Subaru’s calling card, with its distinctive symmetrical drivetrain married to the longitudinally-mounted Subaru BOXER® engine. This design offers a lower center of gravity, lending more stability, traction, and safety to the AWD feature. To this day, every Subaru model, including cars and SUVs alike, comes standard with Subaru Symmetrical AWD.

However, not all AWD designs are created equal. Among the lineup of Subaru vehicles, you can expect a different ratio of torque when you consider older variations. For example, the Subaru Outback, Tribeca, and Legacy have a drivetrain distribution of 45:55. The Crosstrek, Legacy, and Impreza WRX models older than 2015 will have the CVT version of the AWD. 

What’s new for Subaru’s AWD fleet? 

Subaru continues to evolve its designs and performance features, including a refined version of its AWD to incorporate in the upcoming all-electric SUV, the Solterra. The popular Subaru Forester is expecting a mid-cycle refresh in 2022. Furthermore, there are also talks of the Impreza getting a much-needed, complete redesign next year. 

Meanwhile, the 2022 Subaru Outback will get a few upgrades and remained the top-selling model for the automaker through 2019 before the Forester surged ahead in sales in 2020. However, the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is the model to really keep an eye out for, as reports suggest it may be getting a 1.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine. According to Torque News, consumers can also expect redesigns for the performance models of the BRZ, the WRX, and the WRX STI in 2022. 

Congratulations are in order for Subaru with its recent milestone achievement. Producing 20 million AWD vehicles is quite the victory lap. The company’s dedication to improving its already popular AWD standard fleet only spells success with future introductions. It also means consumers who drive Subaru models won’t likely face any inclement weather conditions they can’t navigate.

RELATED: Is It Worth It To Buy a Subaru in an Area Where It Doesn’t Snow?

The post Subaru Has Made Its 20 Millionth AWD Vehicle appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Critics Just Called the 2022 Kia EV6 a Loser

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Whoa, some critics are being a little savage toward Kia. At the 2021 Chicago Auto Show, vehicles were named as winners and losers. The 2022 Kia EV6 was placed in the loser category, but that could be a little unfair! Let’s give it a fair shot. 

Is the 2022 Kia EV6 a good EV? 

2022 Kia EV6 | Kia

Yes, the 2022 Kia EV6 is an excellent electric SUV to consider. It should have a targeted 300-mile range, accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 18 minutes with the 350-kWh fast charger. 

However, the folks at Cars.com decided to call the Kia EV6 a loser while attending the 2021 Chicago Auto Show. The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning and 2022 Ford Maverick were the winners they mentioned. Along with the Kia EV6, the 2022 Jeep Compass and 2023 Nissan Ariya were placed in the loser category.  

They called the EV6 a loser because it has an odd shape like a blended wagon and SUV. The backseat feels a little tight when EVs are supposed to offer more space. Taller people may notice that the EV6 has a tall floor, so your knees may sit at an uncomfortable elevated position. 

The cabin relies on capacitive-touch controls, but physical knobs are included too. Also, the final range hasn’t been released. The targeted 300 miles doesn’t provide enough information to keep the Cars.com team happy. 

Does the Kia EV6 have any wins? 

Yes, there are plenty of positive things to mention about the 2022 Kia EV6. It can be equipped with rear or all-wheel drive with plenty of power. The base rear-drive model has a single electric motor and a smaller battery with 167 hp. Opting for the larger battery with the rear-wheel drive model increases the hp to 218. 

With the all-wheel drive models equipped with an electric motor on each axle, you get 313 hp. Adding the larger battery will increase this figure to 576 hp. With the 313 hp model, the EV6 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. 

The 58.0-kWh battery is the smaller size, and the 77.4-kWh battery pack provides more range. With the 350-kWh fast charge, you can add 70 miles of juice in under five minutes. Plus, the Kia EV6 comes with an 11-kW onboard charger that can recharge the battery from 10 to 100 percent in about seven hours with a Level 2 outlet. 

What features does the EV6 include? 

2022 Kia EV6 interior
2022 Kia EV6 interior | Kia

The 2022 Kia EV6 is expected to begin around $45,000 when it arrives at dealerships soon. This price feels high initially, but it includes premium features and luxurious materials for an attractive and futuristic design. 

There is tons of cargo space thanks to a floating center console with a large bin under it. There are 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat with 54 cubes total. Also, the front trunk or frunk provides even more room. 

The 12.0-inch touchscreen extends from the 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster. It can carpet over-the-air updates and responds to voice commands. Features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot are included. Standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance. You can add remote parking assistance. 

We think it’s a little too early to determine if the 2022 Kia EV6 is a loser or a winner. We need the chance to see how it drives and performs on the road. So, for now, it’s not a loser, and we will keep you updated as we learn more. 

RELATED: The Kia EV6 Proves Americans Are Ready to Buy Wagons Again

The post Critics Just Called the 2022 Kia EV6 a Loser appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Is the Jeep Wrangler 4xe a Hybrid or an EV?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most popular models today, and Jeep has quite a few Wrangler options available for customers to choose from. There are Wranglers for everyone, including folks who are looking to go a bit green. That environmentally-friendly Wrangler is called the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, but there’s been some confusion about whether it’s a hybrid or an EV.

Introducing the Jeep Wrangler 4xe

Jeep Wrangler 4xe | FCA US LLC.

Some Jeep fans may not have heard too much about the 4xe, which became an option for the Wrangler in the 2021 model year. Like other Wrangler options, the 4xe has a pretty steep price tag compared to the standard Wrangler. But that extra cash is paying for some upgrades that are unique to the Wrangler 4xe. 

Those upgrades, primarily in the Wrangler’s powertrain, make it an eco-friendly option for Wrangler fans, and, as it turns out, despite the extra costs, it’s worked out for Jeep. The Wrangler 4xe was named the Green SUV of the Year by Green Car Journal. This is a pretty big achievement for Jeep, which is not known for making eco-friendly SUVs to begin with. 

In any case, it’s natural to wonder about whether the Wrangler 4xe is a hybrid or an EV. After all, the Wrangler 4xe beat some solid competition from other eco-friendly SUVs to win that award. 

Is the Jeep Wrangler 4xe a hybrid or an EV?

The answer to that question is simple, but it’s a bit complicated too. The Wrangler 4xe model debuted in the 2021 model year, and as new as it is, it may be the first of many eco-friendly options in Jeep’s lineup. Like many automakers that have started making eco-friendly cars, Jeep did not go all-in immediately. Instead, the 4xe is a Wrangler, but with a hybrid powertrain rather than a true EV like a Tesla.

With that being said, it might be normal to be a bit confused about the Wrangler 4xe’s true nature. After all, Stellantis wrote that the Wrangler 4xe joined Jeep’s “global electric vehicle lineup.” Stellantis is the name of the company that owns Jeep, so that messaging may confuse some people. The Wrangler 4xe is absolutely not an EV, but it has a few similarities with a true EV since it’s a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle).

That’s because PHEVs are hybrids that have a battery-only mode. In the Wrangler 4xe’s case, it can go 25 miles on only electricity alone. Furthermore, PHEVs like the Wrangler 4xe can be recharged as a real EV can. However, hybrids like the Wrangler 4xe will also have a regular engine that a real EV won’t have.

An overview of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe

According to Stellantis, that regular engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4. When combined with the Wrangler 4xe’s two electric motors, the Wrangler 4xe gets a total of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. On top of that, while the Wrangler 4xe’s 17-kWh battery can allow it to travel 25 miles on only electricity, it’s also very fuel-efficient in hybrid mode. In hybrid mode, the Wrangler 4xe can get about 50 MPGe, which is significantly more than what a non-hybrid SUV usually gets.

Of course, other than that fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain, the 4xe is still a Wrangler. As Stellantis wrote, it’s still designed to off-road, but unlike other Wranglers, the Wrangler 4xe’s battery-only option gives drivers a great option that’s unique to the model. Since electric motors are silent, using battery-only mode while off-roading will allow drivers and their passengers to experience nature without the loud hum of the engine. 

RELATED: The Interior of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Separates It From Its Siblings

The post Is the Jeep Wrangler 4xe a Hybrid or an EV? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by