
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid & 2023 Genesis GV60
Season 42 Episode 4 | 26m 49sVideo has Closed Captions
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid & 2023 Genesis GV60
Join us this week as we’re on point in Kia’s all-new Sportage crossover. Then we’ll share car care tips that mean real savings at the pump. And gallop back to the past for a ride in an iconic V8 Ferrari. Finally return to the present in the lavish and electric Genesis GV60.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
National corporate funding for MotorWeek is provided by Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper (Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper are two brands owned by the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.), Tire Rack, and Hagerty Insurance, LLC.

2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid & 2023 Genesis GV60
Season 42 Episode 4 | 26m 49sVideo has Closed Captions
Join us this week as we’re on point in Kia’s all-new Sportage crossover. Then we’ll share car care tips that mean real savings at the pump. And gallop back to the past for a ride in an iconic V8 Ferrari. Finally return to the present in the lavish and electric Genesis GV60.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch MotorWeek
MotorWeek is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Buy Now
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !
We're on point in Kia's all-new Sportage crossover... We'll share car care tips that mean real savings at the pump... Gallop back to the past for a ride in an iconic V8 Ferrari... Then, return to the present in the lavish and electric Genesis GV60...
So, come drive with us, next!
Closed Captioning provided by Maryland Public Television.
* ANNOUNCER: MotorWeek : television's original automotive magazine.
Brought to you by... ANNOUNCER: For more than 30 years Lucas Oil products has helped people tackle mechanical problems in the automotive, marine, and industrial fields.
From our original four core products... Lucas Oil has developed over 400 custom products to help both professionals and do it yourselfers.
To learn more visit Lucasoil.com.
Lucas oil, keep that engine alive!
TireRack.Com is proud to support MotorWeek .
First, there was the wheel.
Then, the tire.
"We'll call it TireRack."
Forty years later, we're not slowing down.
JOHN: 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 7.0 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-feet of rear cargo space, which compares favorably with many midsize utilities; max capacity with seatbacks folded is 73.7 cubic-feet.
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 kilowatt electric motor are truly a best of both worlds' scenario, delivering 40 additional horsepower, 80 more pound-feet 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 quarter-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.
* It's hard to imagine, but there was a time when Ferrari didn't have a single V8 in its lineup.
In fact, for many purists, anything but a V12 was simply unthinkable.
But that all changed more than 40 years ago when Ferrari unveiled a mid-engine V8 car that would forever alter the company's future and fortunes, while displacing the V12 as the company's marquee power plant.
Our Roger Mecca takes a look back at the prancing horse that enshrined the 8-cylinder in Ferrari history.
* ROGER MECCA: When you envision an exotic mid-engine V8 supercar, the brand that usually comes to mind is Ferrari.
Technically, the company's first mid-engine V8 debuted in the lackluster 308 GT4, but that began its life wearing a Dino badge, not Ferrari.
Ferrari's true V8 connection really began in 1975 when the 308 GTB was unveiled at the Paris Auto Show.
Recently, Ferrari announced that they were no longer accepting orders for their V8 powered F8 Tributo, stating that they had sold out that car for the next two years.
And with the launch of the new SF90 hybrid V8, well, it looks like the days of the non-hybrid V8 engines at Ferrari could be coming to an end.
So, it seems appropriate to spend some time with the Ferrari V8 that, for all intents and purposes, started it all.
John Lyon is the owner of this stunning euro-spec 1984 Ferrari 308 GTB QV.
Like, so many other enthusiasts, the 308 is a car John has obsessed over since being a kid, when his bedroom wall was plastered with its image.
And since, fulfilling the dream of ownership, he's had zero regrets.
JOHN LYON: It exceeds my expectations.
They often say, you shouldn't meet your heroes; that's not the case with this car.
ROGER: Propelled by a transversely mounted 2.9 liter, 32 valve V8 pushing out 240 horsepower, it takes just under 7.0 seconds to hit 60, on your way to 150 miles an hour.
But numbers aren't everything, and the 308 is a perfect example of why more power isn't always better.
JOHN L.: You can actually use a much higher percentage of its performance envelope, and as any true gearhead car guy will tell you, it's much more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
ROGER: And because exotic car makers need to appeal to a wide range of buyers, just about anyone can get in a modern supercar, push the start button, put it in drive, and go.
Well, that's not the case with the 308.
Every aspect of this car, from shifting to turning, requires your attention and at no point can you let the car simply drive you.
And it's because of this direct and engaging connection, that the 308 feels so much more exciting and visceral than the speedometer may actually say.
And it goes to show you that you don't need a 0-60 time of under 3.0 seconds or 700 horsepower to have an incredible time driving!
The gorgeous Pininfarina-styled body surrounds what is actually a relatively light 3200 pound car.
So, even with the modest power, the 308 feels beautifully quick and agile, all while making a wonderful sound.
Though, the 5-speed open-gate gearbox doesn't like to be rushed, it's surprisingly smooth.
The brakes have great feel and are nicely linear, making the overall experience even more welcoming.
And no, you can't zone out like you would in something made today, but it's also not overly demanding or as exhausting as other exotics from this time period.
Inside, the driving position is quite comfortable, the beautiful leather seats are supportive, and visibility is excellent.
And as with other older exotics, pedals are off center and to the right, but not annoyingly so, and though the steering wheel doesn't move, the somewhat odd tilted position actually feels fine after a while.
But you don't own a 308 for the interior.
You get one for a special driving experience that's hard to find today.
JOHN L.: There's no traction control, there's no stability control, there's no ABS, there's no power steering.
It's a totally analog, uh, driving experience, which means...the car talks to you in a way modern cars do not.
ROGER: Over its 10 year run, Ferrari made more than 12,000 308's, making it a massive sales success for the company.
The GTS version, made internationally famous in Magnum PI, was especially popular, outselling the hardtop GTB by a 5:1 ratio.
By the time 308 production ended in 1985, Ferrari and the mid-engine V8 were forever linked, all because of the incredible impact this icon left on the car world.
And after spending the day behind the wheel, I can confirm that it's still making a lasting impression.
JOHN: Even when prices at the pump aren't too bad, it doesn't hurt to know how simple car care can pinch pennies.
Well...now, that the cost per gallon is way up, Audra Fordin has some advice on how to keep the dollar signs down.
It's less money at the pump and more money for "Your Drive."
* AUDRA FORDIN: There are a lot of simple, common sense things that you ought to know about when it comes to maintaining your car and saving money at the pump.
Here with us today is our online parts expert Tom Taylor.
Welcome Tom.
TOM TAYLOR: Thanks for having me.
AUDRA: I'm so glad you're here and I'm excited to learn about some money saving tips.
TOM: Yeah, if you-uh, if your fuel economy has declined by 10 percent and you're putting $100 worth of gas in your car every time you fill up, that's, that's $10 you're, you're wasting every time you fill up.
And that's enough to pay for the parts you need to maintain your vehicle, to, uh, make it...the vehicle last longer, make it perform better.
Um, the first one is just the engine air filter.
Those still, like in old cars, they need to be replaced every 30,000 miles or so, depending on your how dusty and how many-how buggy your environment is.
And then, the old trying to do the spark plugs, instead of 30,000 miles the owner's manual may recommend 100,000 miles, and that's certainly possible.
These, these examples here, do have 100,000 miles on them.
The gap isn't too far out of spec; but, there's other parts that need a repla-be replaced along with the spark plugs which may wear out sooner, and that's these, um, boots and these seals and these springs.
Those parts that replace the spark plug wires, they used to be...they're in older cars, and those, like spark plug wires, those can, um, crack over time and start arcing and, um, causing misfires and such.
AUDRA: I remember, maybe 20 years ago, when spark plugs used to need to be replaced every 30,000 miles; and now they put platinum tips on them and dual tips so they don't need to be replaced, like you said, for 100,000 miles.
But from my experience, I have seen spark plugs, because of heat in the engine, that actually seized in there, which cause a whole other set of problems for the consumer.
TOM: Uh, another part that may not be in the owner's manual surprisingly, it really should be there, is the oxygen sensor.
Those need to be replaced typically every 60,000 miles or so because bringing signals from the exhaust that tell the computer what the fuel/air ratio is, do I need to add more air or add more fuel?
And if those aren't working, then the computer loses track of how the engine is running.
The computer can compensate for a while, if one of these parts is worn out or a signal's off, but you'll immediately start losing fuel economy, if the computer is, like, ignoring a few misfires here and there.
And that sort of thing.
AUDRA: Sure, that's a cause and effect right there.
If you get contamination, there's a carbon build up and that causes some fuel economy problems as well, and that air filter can cause you up to 10 percent in fuel economy.
TOM: Yeah, so one tank of gas you've saved enough.
If you stop wasting that $10, you have enough money, more than enough money to buy a new air filter.
AUDRA: Exactly.
Well, thank you so much, Tom.
And if you have any questions or comments, reach out to us, right here at MotorWeek .
(closes car door) JOHN: The tanks are topped off and the keys are in-hand for another QuickSpin!
* JESSICA RAY: Honda's most popular SUV, the compact CR-V, is all-new for 2023, packing in some exciting enhancements for its 6th-Generation.
The longer and wider CR-V is served up in four trims, including the hybrid-based Sport and Sport Touring.
They use a refined 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors.
Combined, that's 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque.
The EX and EX-L are internal combustion only: The Civics' 1.5 liter turbocharged inline-4 but rated to 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque.
All-wheel-drive is standard on the Sport Touring and available on every other grade, which come standard front-wheel-drive.
It's pretty obvious when you look at the exterior of this new CR-V that it's larger than the previous generation, but it's not so obvious sitting in the driver's seat.
I feel like, I'm just driving a compact crossover.
Certainly doesn't feel bigger.
It's still very comfortable, very smooth on the road.
Wrapped up in a much bolder, chiseled new body, the CR-V is now 2.7 inches longer and 4/10ths of an inch wider.
This leads to more room inside; better legroom and eight angles of recline in back.
This new gen also boasts the most cargo space of any CR-V: 36.3 cubic-feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 76.5 cubic-feet thanks to the 60/40 folding second-row.
Standard tech and convenience features in and around the Civic-inspired I.P.
include Honda Sensing, a 7.0 inch driver interface screen and a 7.0 inch infotainment touchscreen with wired smartphone integration.
The EX-L and Sport Touring add a 9.0 inch touchscreen with wireless phone integration and charging.
Destined for three North American assembly plants, the 2023 Honda CR-V should reach consumers with ease starting about now; hybrid models will follow closer to year's end.
We'll have more on the 2023 Honda CR-V and more QuickSpins soon!
JOHN: Now, it's time for some breaking MotorNews from Lauren Morrison.
* LAUREN MORRISON: After a two-year hiatus, the North American International Auto Show has made its way back to Detroit, and with it some once in a generation reveals.
Make that the 7th-Generation of America's original pony car as the 2024 Mustang was publicly unveiled in Detroit's Hart Plaza.
Good news for fans, Mustang continues the V8 legacy by offering the most powerful 5.0 liter GT yet, still with a manual transmission standard, as well as a stronger EcoBoost turbo 4-cylinder.
Aside from the new looks inside, the cabin has also been revamped; big screens, tech-savvy and with enhanced materials throughout.
The 2024 Mustang is expected to go on sale Summer 2023.
Jeep introduced two new 2023 models, each pulling from the automaker's rich heritage.
The Grand Cherokee 4xe 30th Anniversary Edition and the Wrangler 4xe Willys silently crawled up onto the Jeep stage.
As the names suggest, both utilize the brand's plug-in hybrid system along with special appearance accents.
The Grand Cherokee will arrive in dealers early 2023 in limited quantities, whereas the Willys will arrive late 2022.
Chevrolet charged forward with an electrified showcase and one showing internal combustion is far from history.
That reveal was the 2023 Tahoe RST Performance Edition.
Its 6.2 liter V8 rates 433 horsepower and 467 pound-feet of torque; a slight increase over the regular RST.
Other components were taken by the pursuit-rated police Tahoe.
Alongside it the Equinox EV, with its recently confirmed starting price of "around $30,000" and a standard range of 250 miles.
The upcoming Blazer EV and Silverado EV were also on display.
And that does it for this week's MotorNews!
JOHN: Genesis' first foray into the world of battery electric vehicles was a modified version of their G80 sedan; and while it was a fantastic effort, getting the full benefits of an EV requires a dedicated EV chassis.
So, you can probably see where this is going, this GV60 is their first to ride on Hyundai's electric global modular platform, yet another new beginning for Genesis.
* The 2023 Genesis GV60 may be the brand's first dedicated BEV, but it's not entirely new to us, as it's based on the Hyundai IONIQ5 which we tested a few months back and were quite impressed with.
And like the IONIQ5, the GV60 is a capable handler, has good overall balance, a smooth ride, and swift acceleration; all things that help you enjoy driving, no matter what the power source.
The interior is uncluttered and modernly simple, due mostly to the open floorplan, but still highly luxurious; though the tall floating center console keeps it from feeling as roomy as it could.
Materials are a mix of sustainably sourced plant-based leather and fabrics made from recycled plastic.
A 12 inch high-def touchscreen for infotainment is standard, as is a 17 speaker B&O sound system and a fixed glass panoramic roof.
Just an LCD panel for gauges, which is typical these days, as are the touch-sensitive controls; but there are some unique features and controls to be found, like a boost button on the front of the steering wheel and brake regen paddles behind.
We're generally not fans of rotary style shifters, but when its disguised as a crystal ball, well it's hard not to be entranced or look for answers.
Will this car get to 60 in less than 4.0 seconds?
Well, all signs point to yes, as this all-wheel-drive GV60 Performance features a 160 kilowatt electric motor for each axle; outputting a total of 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
The standard Advanced edition has a smaller 74 kilowatt motor up front for a 314 horsepower output, but gets the most range, at 248 miles.
Our Performance tester is rated for just 235 miles, but there was an indicated 257 available at 100 percent.
We drove conservatively, doing our best to drain lithe battery, and were indeed on pace to get 259 miles before needing to plug in.
No surprise, the GV60 Performance also has a good efficiency rating of 36.8 kilowatt hours per 100 miles.
Now, few would call the IONIQ5 gorgeous, but Genesis has certainly taken it in a new direction; with a smooth and purposeful design that showcases the "athletic elegance" side of the brand.
Genesis hallmarks such as the barely there parallel lines for headlights and Crest grille remain; but the jagged-line chrome trim, rear spoiler, and color highlights, clearly take it in a sportier direction.
Less obvious, is the new wing logo, made thinner to enhance aerodynamics, along with the pop out door handles.
And if you happen to forget your key fob, you can access the car and get moving simply with facial recognition.
Since the crystal ball didn't provide any answers, it was off to the track to get some hard numbers.
And there was a tremendous amount of power delivered at launch, with a unique spaceship-like soundtrack along for the ride as we sprinted to 60, taking that full 4.0 seconds.
Hitting that boost button on the steering wheel gives you max torque and the sensation that you just engaged warp speed.
Power delivery stayed pretty intense until we hit 80 miles-per-hour, at which time, it leveled off for a more serene finish to the quarter-mile.
Our best time was 12.4 seconds at 112 miles per hour.
The GV60 Performance clearly lives up to its name there, but a little less so when it comes to handling.
We could really feel this utility's weight through the cones, and it doesn't seem to carry that weight as low as most EVs.
For now, all GV60s are all-wheel-drive, with the base Advanced starting at $59,985; the Performance at $68,985.
So, while the Genesis brand hasn't been around all that long, big changes are already taking place.
Jumping into the EV world with their G80 sedan was a fantastic start, and following it up with this 2023 GV60 utility seems to be the right vehicle at the right time.
And, even in the automotive world, timing is indeed everything.
Well, that's our show, I hope you enjoyed it.
Now for more MotorWeek , including daily news updates, podcasts, and even complete episodes, cruise on over to PBS.ORG/MOTORWEEK.
And I hope you'll join us next time.
We're soaring under the clouds in the all-electric Lucid Air.
Then, come back down to Earth in the Volvo V90 Cross Country.
We'll have tips on how to keep your turbos spooling smoothly, and another QuickSpin!
Until next time, I'm John Davis.
We'll see you right here on MotorWeek !
ANNOUNCER: To learn more about MotorWeek , television's original automotive magazine, visit To order a DVD of this program, call... MotorWeek has been brought to you by... For more than 30 years Lucas Oil products has helped people tackle mechanical problems in the automotive, marine, and industrial fields.
From our original four core products... Lucas Oil has developed over 400 custom products to help both professionals and do it yourselfers.
To learn more visit Lucasoil.com.
Lucas oil, keep that engine alive.
TireRack.com is proud to support MotorWeek .
First, there was the wheel.
Then, the tire.
"We'll call it Tire Rack."
Forty years later, we're not slowing down.
* This program was produced by Maryland Public Television, which is solely responsible for its content.
(car engine revving) * You're watching PBS.
Support for PBS provided by:
National corporate funding for MotorWeek is provided by Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper (Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper are two brands owned by the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.), Tire Rack, and Hagerty Insurance, LLC.