As SUVs continue to rule the road, Kia is one of the few car brands still offering a compact sedan offering that remains affordable for buyers on a budget.

New for 2025, the Kia K4 (an updated version of Kia’s previous compact sedan, the Forte), shows that a small vehicle can still have a lot to offer.

Here are 5 key things to know if you are considering taking home the Kia K4.


1.  Sharp design

Design is a strong point of the Kia K4 — which offers a wide build, sharply designed front end, and standout lighting designs, plus an attractive sloping roofline. It’s unique enough that you won’t mistake the K4 for any other compact sedan offering.

Opting for the GT-Line trim level also adds gloss black exterior accents.

Interior design is modern and highlighted by a futuristic dashboard, and a sport style steering wheel with paddle shifters.

You won’t get luxury level seating materials at this price point, but it’s a higher quality than you might be expecting. All five passengers in the K4 will be traveling in comfort, with plenty of head room and leg room.

Cargo space is also respectable, with 14.6 cubic feet in the trunk area.

If you like the styling of the classy Range Rover, but don't want to pay the extravagant prices required for the full-size model, the two-row Range Rover Sport is aimed squarely at you.

With a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version available, which extends range and will help limit time at the gas station, the Range Rover Sport aims to court those seeking not just an upscale SUV, but one with green credentials.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2025 Range Rover Sport PHEV, which battles an increasing number of luxurious vehicles (from the likes of Porsche, BMW, Lexus, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Audi) entering the space of plug-in power, and I’m back with a full report.

In addition to revealing the long-awaited Cup series schedule, NASCAR also recently unveiled its schedules for the 2026 calendar year in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly known as Xfinity Series), and Craftsman Truck Series. Here are my takes on the best and worst changes made in those schedules. 

Xfinity schedule changes

GOOD:

IN THE NAVY NOW: All three series will be racing at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego in June, which should be an amazing location for the race. Assuming the track design allows for competitive racing, this is an event that should be a home run all weekend, and it’s nice to see NASCAR introducing these new locations instead of the copy/paste schedules we had for so many years. Whether it’s a one-year deal or multiple years, I am circling this on the schedule for all three series.

MORE DARLINGTON, PLEASE: Like most racing fans with half a lick of sense, I love to watch NASCAR racing at Darlington. The Lady in Black delivers every time in my book, so adding a second O’Reilly race at Darlington in 2026 is a no-brainer to me. It's an old-school track that is one of few I would argue deserves two dates.

After much anticipation and details trickling in about impending changes, the 2026 Cup series schedule is finally official.

Let’s dissect the good and the bad to come out of next year’s schedule updates. 

First, here are the positive takeaways:

• GOING BACK TO CALI: Exciting addition of San Diego street race to the schedule, bringing all three of NASCAR's top series back to the important California market. It will take place at the Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, which should be an awesome backdrop. Chicago's street race had run its course, and I’m glad to see other exciting new additions to the schedule. Should be a fun weekend for fans and a popular one with drivers as well.
  
  
• AND BACK TO JOLIET: While I didn’t like Chicagoland back when NASCAR had races there years back (the final one was in 2019; all I remember from the years at the track was the giant orange bouncing down the track in qualifying). I always thought it was a bit of a bore with previous generation Cup cars. But, this Next Gen car races extremely well on the 1.5-mile tracks, so maybe it’s the right time to bring it back.
  
  
• NORTH WILKESBORO POINTS RACE: People wanted more than an All-Star race at North Wilkesboro, and they got it. I just hope it delivers and isn’t a snoozefest due to this car’s struggles on short tracks. The solid Bristol race this past weekend gives me some hope.
  
  
• EXTRA WEEK OFF: Drivers and teams will appreciate this. A second off weekend (in addition to Easter) lands in early August.
  
  
• HOMESTEAD FINALE: As we know from the many years we ended the season there, Homestead is a great finale location with tremendous racing. It’s only for 2026, as we’ll start a finale rotation for the years ahead, changing locations each year. I’m curious how the rotation goes moving forward. It’s nice to know it’s not locked in long-term at one place, as there are plenty of deserving tracks. Phoenix has run its course as the finale location and we needed a shakeup.

Among the Subaru lineup, the Forester SUV consistently ranks as a top seller each year — in large part due to its utility and off-road friendly design.

For 2025, something brand new has come to the Forester lineup to bring in even more interest — a hybrid offering.

This was missing in past years — as many rivals had a hybrid version to offer buyers who wanted better fuel mileage — and now will be an enticing offer to many Subaru fans who want that improved fuel economy.

Boasting higher horsepower numbers than the non-hybrid version, and roughly 40 percent better fuel economy, it should have a positive impact on the Forester’s popularity.

I recently tested a 2025 Forester hybrid (Touring trim level), and I’m back with a full report on this new offering from Subaru — which will face off against hybrid SUV offerings from Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai and more.