2023 Land Rover Defender 130 & 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV

Hi, I'm John Davis and this is MotorWeek !

We're pacing a British castle on wheels, the Land Rover Defender 130... Then, we'll crack open our caps for a fluid top-off... We'll welcome warmer weather at an all-out car show and swap meet... And then, we'll get the plug-in on the Kia Sportage PHEV...

So, come drive with us, next!

Closed Captioning provided by Maryland Public Television.

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JOHN: It's not a stretch to say that the newest Land Rover Defender is the best Defender ever.

But, Land Rover has a different kind of stretch in mind for their latest Defender, the kind that enables you to bring more people along for the ride.

So, join us for an adventure in the new Defender 130.

♪ ♪ No doubt this latest 2nd generation Land Rover Defender is more refined than ever; but for 2023, it's also bigger than ever with a new Defender 130.

Working with the same 119 inch wheelbase as the 5-door 110, there's more than 13 inches of overall length added, and to be honest, stretching strictly the rear body like that does make it look a little awkward, but certainly no less ruggedly appealing.

For now, buyers can choose between one of two turbocharged inline 6-cylinder options, the base 296 horsepower P300, and our mild hybrid P400 with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque.

A 493 horsepower P500 supercharged V8 will be available in '24.

Regardless of which route you take, there's more than enough grunt to move this longer 130, which is heavier than the 110 by only a couple of hundred pounds.

Power delivery is smooth and steady, aided by the mild-hybrid system which is primarily in place for stop/start, but can add a little extra oomph at launch to cancel turbo lag.

But it's really all about adding more space inside; so, a 3rd row is standard, featuring belts for three, providing seating for a total of 8-passengers relatively comfortably.

There's more cargo space behind that 40/20/40 third row, 13.7 cubic-feet, up from 10.5 on the 110.

Behind the 2nd row, 43.5.

While, all seats down yields 80.9 cubic-feet.

Of course, one thing that doesn't change no matter how much it has grown is off-road ability.

And indeed, like every other Land Rover, it's so capable that it's mostly boring in rugged terrain situations, as the only hard work comes in selecting the proper terrain response mode; the Defender takes it from there.

We felt much more involved at our Mason Dixon test track where the 130 left the line more in a smooth and steady fashion than overly aggressive, but power built rapidly as we got moving, hitting 60 in 6.3 seconds.

The engine whines more than growls, but the 8-speed automatic transmission keeps things right in the heart of the power band with timely and smooth shifts.

Quarter-mile completed in 14.6 seconds at 97 miles per hour.

On the braking end, there was a soft pedal and a good bit of nosedive, but a very solid overall feel and short stops from 60 of just 115 feet.

The standard air suspension delivers a ride that's more firm than floaty, but when it comes to handling, it felt a little lethargic through our cone course, with nowhere near the amount of precision we experienced over on the Range Rover side.

Though, steering was quick and light, and there's wasn't too much body roll, but that's mostly because we had to keep speeds very low to prevent stability control systems from shutting down our efforts.

The 130's interior environment and seat comfort, however, are not far off the Range Rover's luxury experience.

Even if you opt for the synthetic leather, now available across the Defender line, for those wanting to avoid true cow hide.

The 11.4 inch Pivi Pro touchscreen mounted in front of the dash looks fantastic, but it's still not the greatest to use, with very small print and lots of menu diving that requires much attention to navigate.

There's also new 4-zone climate control, along with plenty of storage nooks for all seating positions.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 17-City, 21-Highway, and 19-Combined.

We averaged 19.7 miles per gallon of Premium.

Still, it's just slightly below average on Energy Impact Score, burning through 15.7 barrels of oil yearly with 7.9 tons of CO2 emissions.

With numerous trim levels and multiple powertrain options, there are an enormous number of Defenders to choose from.

Just know the 130 starts at $70,575 and tops out with the V8 at $118,075.

Bigger isn't always better, but if you've got a large family full of adventure seekers, the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is clearly a better option for spending some quality time well off the beaten path.

And it's not too big as a daily driver either.

The 130 truly does deliver more, and does it without compromise.

♪ ♪ Car collectors tend to be the hands-on type.

So, it's no surprise that, despite what the Internet has done for the buying and selling of car parts, many deals are still done at good old fashioned swap meets.

And this week our "Over the Edge" guy Greg Carloss checks out one of the world's largest.

♪ ♪ GREG CARLOSS: Nothing rejuvenates the soul quite like springtime.

Yeah, it's the sound of the birds and the smell of the flowers and all that.

But here in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Spring...means cars!

♪ ♪ MIKE GARLAND: Spring Carlisle is an automotive flea market event at the Carlisle, PA fairgrounds.

It draws 100,000 guests to the facility every April.

They're here to buy, sell, and trade all things automotive, whether it's a-- a tool, a part, a collectible, or even a collector car for sale within the car corral.

It's-- it's all happening over the span of the five days.

GREG: Spring Carlisle's popularity is due, in part, to the weather.

But as they say in real estate: location, location, location.

MIKE: The Carlisle PA fairgrounds are centrally located to many major cities in-- in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region.

Less than four hours from New York City, close proximity to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington DC as well.

GREG: Josh Carr drove three hours from Binghamton, New York, in search of adventure...and Mustang parts.

JOSH CARR: We started down at the far end and we're about a quarter-way through, so we're going aisle by aisle until we find, see everything.

It's gonna be a long day.

GREG: While, he enjoys the thrill of the hunt, Josh also comes to Carlisle for things he can't buy.

JOSH: Size of it and the history.

It's been here for a long time in doing this and we come down every-- almost every year.

MIKE: So, the company history is that in 1974 two friends who happen to share the same last name, but a mutual passion for all things automotive-- Bill and Chip Miller-- launched an event called "Post War '74."

That event is now what everyone calls "Fall Carlisle."

Then, they branched out to add the sister event in "Spring Carlisle" in 1977.

GREG: Spring Carlisle is one of the biggest automotive flea markets in the world.

And with literally thousands of vendors, if you can't find what you're looking for here, then you don't belong near a car.

MATT MURRAY: So, we're here for Spring Carlisle.

Uh...we always have a big booth here.

We buy and sell at the show.

It's always a great place to find stuff that we need and it's also a great place to sell.

Our stuff is more geared towards the hardcore builder.

So, we have a lot of body panels for hard-to-find cars.

So, we travel all over finding those special pieces, so a guy that's building a truly nostalgic car can buy it from us.

GREG: Sure, people come here for things.

But the process for buying those things is just as satisfying.

JOSH: Well, we come down to get the parts, we can't get online and stuff that we actually want to put our hands on and just seeing how nice some of the stuff is... And if I can cut a good deal, I will.

MATT MURRAY: We're finding actually a lot of guys will just walk up and say, "I'm gonna buy it" because they know that there's not a-- we may have the only one of those grilles here in the whole place.

So, if a guy walks away another might buy it behind him.

GREG: And it's not just parts being sold.

There are whole cars for purchase too.

MIKE: The 2023 Spring Carlisle collector car auction, brings us a 1953 Corvette and of course, the uniqueness is there were only 300 '53s ever produced this is car #100 that rolled off the assembly line.

GREG: And by the time it rolled off Carlisle's auction line, this ultra-rare Corvette sold for a show-record $324,000.

MIKE: People go to concerts, people go golfing.

People come to Carlisle for a unique form of entertainment and it's-- it's really cool to be part of a team that can deliver that year in and year out.

JOSH: Carlisle is absolutely wonderful; the people here are great... Everyone's just been really nice even with that many people.

MATT: It's still old school.

You can look at a part, negotiate, do the handshake and that's why we still think it's important to do, you know, physical swap meets.

GREG: Take THAT, Internet!

♪ ♪ JESSICA RAY: Did you know... electric vehicles have some of the best factory warranties in the business?

Federal law requires automakers to cover both EV and hybrid batteries for up to eight years or 100,000 miles.

California takes it to another level, requiring up to ten years or 150,000 miles.

But not all warranties are created equal.

Some automakers will replace a battery pack only if it's a total failure, while others will replace it if it falls under a certain capacity percentage like 60 to 75 percent during the warranty.

So, be smart, informed, and always read the fine print.

JOHN: Whether, it's topping off your windshield washer fluid or doing a full coolant flush, it's important to keep your car's fluids fresh.

So, we've brought in Logan McCombs to give us an easy rundown on MotorWeek's "Your Drive."

♪ ♪ LOGAN MCCOMBS: Maintaining your car or truck means working with a number of different fluids and chemicals, and to do that safely, there are a few things you need to know.

First off, whenever you're in the garage working on your car, it's a good idea to wear gloves.

These disposable ones are cheap and easy to use.

Not only will they keep your hands clean, but they can prevent injury and chemical burns as well.

Keep all aerosol cans, fluid bottles, and dispenser tubes in a secure cabinet or shelf out of reach of children and pets.

Some may require a cool or ventilated area.

Read the label of any chemical you are unfamiliar with.

Some epoxies, paints, solvents, and fuels may emit harmful odors that require the use of a respirator.

You may not realize it, but brake fluid begins absorbing water from the air as soon as the container is unsealed.

And even if the bottle is closed, it should be discarded after a year... Those big bottles may look like a bargain, but unless you do frequent brake repairs or system bleeds, keeping a small bottle on hand for top offs is usually enough.

Most any fluid or chemical used for your car can be harmful for you and the environment, if not stored and disposed of properly.

When it comes to trans fluid, power steering fluid, oils, and antifreeze, they can all be and recycled into new fluids.

So, check with your local city or county recycling program for specifics on how and where to drop them off.

In general, fluids must be kept separate and not mixed, and they must be stored in proper containers.

For used oil, this might be the bottle your new oil came in, or an oil change catch pan that drains into a sealable jug.

Fuel and other flammable liquids are considered hazardous and must be handled differently, but many of them can be recycled into alternative fuels.

Milk bottles and other lightweight plastic or cardboard containers are generally not suitable for flammables.

Be safe when handling automotive fluids and chemicals, read and heed the labels, and please, put waste in its proper place!

And if you have a question or comment, reach out to us, right here at MotorWeek !

JOHN: Let's put the pedal down and get right to it with this week's QuickSpin!

♪ ♪ GREG: With trucks and off-roading as popular as ever, it's no surprise to see the GMC Canyon return for 2023, and this next-generation mid-size pickup puts out some serious off-road vibes.

The new Canyon is built in one configuration: crew cab, with a five-foot short box.

It's grown in almost every dimension, including a 4.0 inch wider stance.

But beyond the rugged bodylines and muscular sculpting, standard is an off-road suspension package lifting the Canyon to at least 9.6 inches of ground clearance and improving important off-roading angles.

Consistent for all trims is a turbocharged 2.7 liter inline-4, rated at 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, sent through an 8-speed automatic.

Tow rating, however, is trim dependent, but expect up to 7,700 pounds.

Four-wheel-drive capabilities can be optioned on the base Elevation trim, but come standard on the AT4, Denali, and all-new AT4X.

This is the first time the AT4X treatment has found its way to the Canyon.

Expect an additional inch of ground clearance, Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear e-lockers, and plenty more.

Spring for the AT4X Edition 1 and you'll get even more, like a COMEUP winch, safari bar, and beadlock-capable wheels.

ALEXANDER KELLUM: Now, despite its off-road abilities and us hitting the trail here, I'm still moderately comfortable.

I mean, of course, I'm getting thrown around a little bit-- that's just the nature of the beast, right?

Uh, but this is an elevated interior.

It has really nice leather appointments, it has the nice screens and everything-- you really do feel like you're in a premium truck.

So, despite having all the off-road abilities, you don't feel like you're getting beat up.

Uh... You can have a lot of fun out here and then when you're commuting most of the time in this, you know, you'll still be comfortable, and you've got room to take people along for the ride.

GREG: The 2023 GMC Canyon is available this spring, starting around $40,000 and topping-out around 60-grand for the AT4X-- near 64-grand for the Edition 1.

It just goes to show that midsize trucks can pack a big punch, and this new Canyon is a real contender.

We'll flex its muscles in a full Road Test soon.

JESSICA: The 2024 Subaru Impreza heralds in a 6th generation for this world-renowned compact hatch and some noteworthy shake ups.

Starting with what is lost, the sedan is no more.

The Impreza is now a 5-door hatchback-only.

There's also no longer a manual 6-speed option, now replaced by a standard CVT automatic.

But it's not all doom and gloom; under the hood of this rally-inspired hatch is one of two powertrains.

The Base and Sport trims receive a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder BOXER, good for 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, same as last year.

For a little extra spice, the new RS trim gets a 2.5 liter flat-4 dishing out 182 ponies and 178 pound-feet of torque.

Both RS and Sport ride on sport-tuned suspension, but all models benefit from a 10 percent stiffer chassis and steering upgrades-- things we felt during our Wine Country First Drive.

STEPHANIE HART: The Impreza is more playful and capable when it comes to holding a line in the corner.

The dual pinion steering rack is similar to the one in the WRX, which means a better steering wheel feel.

JESSICA: Standard is the latest Subaru EyeSight safety suite.

Stepping up to the Sport or RS brings a tablet-style 11.6 inch STARLINK infotainment system, new to the Impreza.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza is crossing onto dealer lots soon, starting around $24,000 and kicking close to 29-grand for the RS.

So, while we've lost a few things, the Impreza's gains point at a very promising future.

And speaking of the future, we'll have more QuickSpins, soon!

JOHN: With the slow but steady transition to full battery electric vehicles, long-running nameplates like the Kia Sportage are proving to be an integral part of that evolution.

Infusing more and more battery power into what they do, without sacrificing what they are.

All that to say, this Kia Sportage now has a plug!

♪ ♪ Kia has been rapidly spreading electric power throughout their lineup, and the latest vehicle to get the plug-in treatment is this 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV.

After going through quite a growth spurt, the 5th generation Sportage remains one of the roomiest in the compact crossover class, and its available turbo-hybrid powertrain delivers above average response and driving experience.

This PHEV makes it even more so, with an additional 90 horsepower thanks to a 66.9 kilowatt electric motor added to the Hybrid's 1.6 liter turbo-4, bringing totals to 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

It really makes this Sportage feel like a whole different vehicle.

Indeed, some of the hardware is already used on the Sorento and Hyundai Tucson PHEVs.

There is heaps of power, smoothly delivered through 6-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive.

A 13.8 kilowatt hour battery delivers 34 miles of strictly EV range, about the same as fellow newcomer Dodge Hornet R/T, but well shy of the Toyota RAV4 Prime's 42.

Though, the Sportage can be fully charged on Level 2 in just 2-hours.

There are no major departures when it comes to exterior design, though PHEVs are available exclusively in X-Line and X-Line Prestige trim, which means rugged styling cues, satin chrome trim, and 19 inch wheels for the outside... ...and more of a premium mindset for the interior.

The great materials throughout the cabin reinforce that, as does the available panoramic dual screen display, that merges a pair of 12.3 inch screens for driver info and infotainment.

Prestige level adds full LED lighting, surround view monitor, alloy pedals, Harmon Kardon Premium Audio, and additional safety features.

Seats in both front and rear are very comfortable, and there really is lots of rear legroom.

UVO infotainment remains intuitive, but we are still not fans of Kia's multipurpose touch panel for audio and climate controls.

Batteries and hybrid hardware are stored in back, limiting the Sportage's dual level cargo area to just the higher floor position.

Though, space remains quite good at 34.5 cubic-feet, down from 39.5.

Max remains a generous 65.5 cubic-feet.

At the track, there was a little hesitation off the line, and a clear transition of power, as the electric motor gets things rolling with the turbo-4 kicking in shortly thereafter for full speed ahead.

Once that happens, speed builds quickly, hitting 60 in 7.0 seconds flat; 7/10ths quicker than we saw in the standard hybrid.

The automatic transmission's 1-2 shift is fairly aggressive, and has you looking forward to what's to come, but as we worked our way down the track, the 2-3 shift was very lethargic, killing momentum that it never seemed to be able to regain for the rest of the quarter, which ultimately ended in 15.2 seconds at 93 miles per hour.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 35-Combined for gasoline only, a number we agree with, and 84-Combined MPGe.

PHEV pricing begins with X-Line at $40,015; adding Prestige takes it to $44,515.

That's obviously a significant amount of money for a small crossover, so it's really only your best choice...f you can take full advantage of this PHEV's EV miles as much as possible, though having all of that extra power always on tap will surely appeal to many.

Regardless, the 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV is another example of Kia's forward thinking, and results delivering.

The Sportage was already a great compact crossover option.

Now, the PHEV just makes it one that is totally up, and even a bit ahead, of its time.

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'll live the lux life in the BMW X7, then sail forward in Mazda's new flagship, the CX-90.

Until then, 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... 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!

MotorWeek is proudly sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper To Bumper, featuring major brand auto and truck parts, and service from coast to coast.

Learn more at AutoValue.com and BumperToBumper.com.

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.