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[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] If the world were perfect, wagon sales would be booming right now and consumers would recognize crossovers for what they truly are: worse handling, less economical, more expensive hatchbacks. The world’s not perfect, though. In our downtrodden reality, most consumers are crossover obsessed and avoid anything even vaguely wagon-shaped like the plague. For that reason, we won’t be getting the handsome new Kia Proceed wagon in the United States or Canada. SEE ALSO: New 2020 Kia Telluride 3-Row SUV Debuts Looking Big and Boxy While not nearly as handsome as the Proceed Concept, the production-ready Proceed is still quite a looker with a svelte ‘shooting brake’ silhouette, full-width LED taillights and available 18-inch wheels (17s are standard). Three gas engines are available in the wagon from launch: a 118 hp 1.0-liter turbo, a 138 hp 1.4-liter turbo or a 201 hp 1.6-liter turbo. There’s also a 134 hp 1.6-liter diesel. Two transmission options are also available: a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Kia Proceed will be manufactured in Slovakia and will go on sale in Europe in the first quarter of next year. Pricing has yet to be announced, but more information should come to light once the wagon makes its official in-person debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. Discuss this story on our Kia Forums. The post Kia Proceed is Another Handsome Wagon That America Can’t Have appeared first on AutoGuide.com. Lees volledige artikel

In a surprise move, the 2020 Kia Telluride has debuted four months ahead of schedule. The three-row, eight-passenger SUV was originally scheduled to debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January but made an unexpected debut at New York Fashion Week this weekend. The SUV that debuted has some rugged extras that obviously won’t come with the production model, as it was a bespoke creation influenced by fashion designer Brandon Maxwell’s Texas-inspired collection that debuted alongside the Telluride. ALSO SEE: Kia Telluride Three-Row SUV Caught Completely Uncovered We’re not sure which parts of this ranch-ready creation will make it to the production model (the snorkel, winch, off-road lights, ram bar, side ladder, luggage rack, and rear-mounted spare tire surely won’t), but the general boxy yet modern design is there for all to see. The big, rectangular upright grille uses a chrome mesh and Telluride is spelled out boldly on the hood and on the tailgate. Around back, it gets two-piece vertical taillights, while saddle-colored leather and natural wood finishes can be seen inside of this one-off SUV. When it debuts, the Telluride will be powered by a V6 (probably optional) and will be much bigger and more luxurious than the seven-passenger Sorento. A turbocharged four-cylinder is also likely to be offered as the base engine. The 2020 Kia Telluride, which was designed at Kia‘s California design studio and will be built in Georgia, is expected to land at dealerships in early 2019 and will compete with vehicles like the Honda Pilot, Volkswagen Atlas, and Subaru Ascent. It will share a platform with Hyundai’s upcoming three-row crossover, predicted to be called the Palisade. Discuss this article on our Kia Forum The post New 2020 Kia Telluride 3-Row SUV Debuts Looking Big and Boxy appeared first on AutoGuide.com. Lees volledige artikel

The upcoming Kia three-row SUV, which may be called the Telluride, has been photographed completely uncovered. Images of the largest Kia yet surfaced on social media this week, showing the SUV completely uncovered from its front, side and rear. It looks as though the production SUV will stay very true to the Telluride Concept first shown in 2016, sporting a similar rectangle grille and squarish headlights, along with the same L-shaped taillights. The full-size SUV is expected to utilize a larger version of the platform that underpins the new Hyundai Santa Fe. It may feature Kia’s 3.3-liter V6 engine or a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The Telluride Concept was powered by a 400 hp hybrid system consisting of a 3.5-liter V6 and an electric motor, although it’s not clear if Kia is considering a hybrid or plug-in hybrid version of the Telluride. SEE ALSO: Kia to Make Announcement on Production Telluride SUV Soon Speaking to AutoGuide at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, Kia product boss Orth Hedrick said the company would have an announcement to make in regards to the Telluride “soon.” We’re expecting it to debut sometime this year or early next year, but we think a debut at the 2018 LA Auto Show this fall is most likely. The SUV is also expected to spawn a Hyundai variant called the Palisade. More information on the Kia Telluride, or whatever the automaker decides to call the production version of the three-row SUV, should become available soon. In the meantime, check out the leaked photos embedded in the Instagram post above. Discuss this story on our Kia Forum. The post Kia Telluride Three Row SUV Caught Completely Uncovered appeared first on AutoGuide.com. Lees volledige artikel

Hyundai/Kia has filed a patent application for a sun visor with a small, built-in traffic light. The sun visor features a front-facing camera and a mini traffic light on the rear just to the right of the vanity mirror. The camera records the status of a traffic light, with a computer then processing the camera data and displaying the correct light on the back of the visor. The idea is that you’ll still be able to easily see if a light is red, yellow or green, even if your sun visor is down and obstructing your view of the light. The system would also use GPS and map data to locate traffic lights and ensure the vehicle is at an intersection with a traffic light. “When the sun visor is in use, the sun visor is located close to the eyes of the driver, thereby interrupting the driver’s visibility and, accordingly, the driver needs to bend his body or move to another location to verify a traffic light at an intersection,” the patent application says. As such, this technology will enable a driver to “determine a signal of a traffic light located in front of the vehicle without an effort, even when the visibility of a driver is interrupted by the sun visor while the sun visor is in use.” Such a system may seem like it has limited use, but in addition to helping to view the light with the sun visor down, it could also be useful in the event that a traffic light is out of the driver’s sight – like those that are mounted off to the side of the road or obstructed by an object. SEE ALSO: 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Review We think this system could be particularly helpful for those who are in their cars very frequently and who drive in cities often, so in other words, taxi drivers. Uber and Lyft drivers may also appreciate such technology – anything that makes the task of driving easier during those long workdays, right? This technology also seems as though it would be relatively inexpensive to implement, making it a realistic add-on for Hyundai and Kia’s budget-minded buyers. Whether or not it will ever see the light of day remains to be seen, though. Discuss this story on our Hyundai Forums. The post Hyundai Patents Sun Visor With Built-In Traffic Lights appeared first on AutoGuide.com. Lees volledige artikel

The 2018 J.D. Power U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study has been released. This year, the industry average APEAL score increased to 820 points from 810 a year ago, with significantly higher scores in all 10 vehicle evaluation categories. The study also found that 23 of the 31 automakers included made gains in their performance compared to 2017. Other key findings in this year’s study include mass market brands continuing to close in on the luxury segment, with the average APEAL score for mass market hitting 814, marking a 10-point improvement compared to 2017. The luxury segment, meanwhile, improved 6 points to 851. J.D. Power says the gap between the two segments has narrowed to an all-time low of 37 points. SEE ALSO: Most Dependable Vehicles of 2018: J.D. Power The annual APEAL Study examines 10 vehicle categories: driving dynamics; visibility and safety; engine/transmission; audio/communication/entertainment/navigation; seats; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; exterior; interior; storage and space; and fuel economy. The highest-ranked brand in this year’s study is Genesis, with a score of 884. Porsche came in second with 883 points, followed by BMW (863), Lincoln (861), and Mercedes-Benz (858). Among mass market brands, Chevrolet and GMC tied at the top with a score of 826. Ram came in third with a score of 825, followed by Dodge and Ford both scoring 824. The following vehicles earned rewards for being the most appealing vehicle in their segment. Small Car: Kia Rio Topping the small car segment is the Kia Rio, beating out the Chevrolet Sonic, Chevrolet Bolt, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, Mitsubishi Mirage, and Toyota Prius c. The Rio received high marks in overall performance and design, comfort, features and instrument panel, and style. Compact Car: Volkswagen Jetta Topping the compact car segment is the Volkswagen Jetta, which received high marks in overall performance and design, as well as comfort. The Jetta beat out the Volkswagen Golf, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Prius, Subaru WRX, Volkswagen Beetle, Nissan Leaf, Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Ioniq, Kia Forte, Ford Focus, Mazda3, Chevrolet Volt, and Subaru Impreza. Midsize Car: Honda Accord The Honda Accord takes home the award for the midsize car category, receiving top marks in overall performance and design, performance, comfort, features and instrument panel, and style. The Accord is the only vehicle in its class to receive top marks in all five J.D. Power factors, beating the Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Kia Optima, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat, Chevrolet Malibu, Subaru Legacy, Hyundai Sonata, and Honda Clarity. Large Car: Nissan Maxima In the large car segment, the Nissan Maxima tops the list while receiving highest marks in all five J.D. Power factors, just like the Accord. The Maxima is more appealing than the Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus, and Toyota Avalon. Small Premium Car: Audi A3 Not a crowded segment, but the Audi A3 beat out the BMW 2 Series and the Mercedes-Benz CLA to claim the small premium car category. The Audi A3 received highest marks in overall performance and design, performance, features and instrument panel, and style. Compact Premium Car: Kia Stinger With top marks in overall performance and design, comfort, features and instrument panel, and style, the Kia Stinger goes home with the award for the compact premium car segment. The Stinger beat out some serious competition including the Audi A5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 4 Series, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Lexus IS, Infiniti Q50, Lexus ES, Acura TLX, Lincoln MKZ, Cadillac ATS, and Volvo S60. Midsize Premium Car: Lincoln Continental Moving to the midsize premium car category, the Lincoln Continental stole the show with highest marks in overall performance and design, features and instrument panel, and style. The Continental scored higher than the Genesis G80, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac CT6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Volvo S90, Lexus GS, and Audi A6. Midsize Sporty Car: Ford Mustang Only the big three American muscle cars competed in the midsize sporty car segment, with the Mustang leaving with the award despite only receiving highest marks in overall performance and design. The Mustang beat out the Camaro and Challenger. Minivan: Chrysler Pacifica Somehow there are more competitors in the minivan segment than there is in the midsize sporty car category. The Chrysler Pacifica, which received highest marks in overall performance and design, performance, features and instrument panel, and style, beat out the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, and Dodge Grand Caravan. Small SUV: MINI Countryman This segment is becoming increasingly more competitive each year and this year the MINI Countryman sits at the top. Receiving highest marks in all five J.D. Power factors, the Countryman is more appealing than the Toyota C-HR, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Niro, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Buick Encore, Jeep Compass, Chevrolet Trax, Ford EcoSport, Mazda CX-3, and Honda HR-V. Compact SUV: Chevrolet Equinox Another crowded segment, the Chevrolet Equinox takes home the award in the compact SUV category after receiving highest marks in overall performance and design, performance, and comfort. Competition in the segment includes the Volkswagen Tiguan, Honda CR-V, Buick Envision, Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, GMC Terrain, Mitsubishi Outlander, Jeep Cherokee, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, and Jeep Wrangler. Midsize SUV: Chevrolet Traverse One of the most competitive segments in this year’s APEAL Study is the midsize SUV category. The Traverse receives highest marks in all five factors, beating out 18 other vehicles in the segment: Buick Enclave, Nissan Murano, Volkswagen Atlas, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango, Kia Sorento, Nissan Pathfinder, GMC Acadia, Subaru Outback, Mazda CX-9, Ford Explorer, Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Pilot, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Highlander, Ford Flex, and Dodge Journey. Large SUV: Ford Expedition Another award winner for Ford is the Expedition in the large SUV category. It also received top marks in all five factors, beating out the GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, Toyota Sequoia, and Nissan Armada. Small Premium SUV: BMW X1 For now, there are only four competitors in the small premium SUV segment, but expect that number to grow in the coming years. The BMW X1 takes home the award this year, receiving top marks in overall performance and design, performance, and comfort. The X1 is more appealing than the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Infiniti QX30, and Audi Q3. Compact Premium SUV: BMW X3 BMW’s appeal continues in the compact premium SUV category, with the X3 taking home the award. It received highest marks in overall performance and design, performance, comfort, and features and instrument panel. Competitors in the segment include the Porsche Macan, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volvo XC60, Audi Q5, Range Rover Velar, Lincoln MKC, Lexus NX, Jaguar F-Pace, and Acura RDX. Midsize Premium SUV: Porsche Cayenne The popular Porsche Cayenne tops the midsize premium SUV segment, receiving highest marks in all five factors except for comfort. The Cayenne scored better than the Lexus RX, BMW X5, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, Lincoln MKX, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Cadillac XT5, Infiniti QX60, Lexus GX, and Acura MDX. Midsize Pickup: Honda Ridgeline This may come as a surprise to some, but a Japanese model is what’s most appealing in the midsize pickup category. The Honda Ridgeline scored highest marks in all five factors, besting the GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, and Nissan Frontier in this year’s study. Large Light Duty Pickup: Ford F-150 There’s several reasons why the Ford F-150 is a perennial best-selling vehicle. It is this year’s most appealing large light duty pickup truck, scoring highest marks in overall performance and design, and performance. Trailing behind the F-150 is the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra. Large Heavy Duty Pickup: GMC Sierra HD Ford doesn’t dominate large heavy duty pickup category however, as the GMC Sierra HD is the recipient for this year’s award. Scoring top marks in all factors except for comfort, the Sierra HD beat out the Ford Super Duty, Chevrolet Silverado HD, and Ram 2500/3500 models. The post Most Appealing Cars of 2018: J.D. Power appeared first on AutoGuide.com. Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] The Kia Niro EV will go on sale in the United States in early 2019, the Korean automaker has announced. The fully electric, front-wheel drive crossover has a 64 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 201 hp electric motor, which provide an estimated driving range of 239-miles, or 385 kilometers. Using the available 100 kW fast-charger, the battery pack will charge from flat to 80% capacity in around 54 minutes. A smaller 39.2 kWh battery pack is also offered, which has a max driving range of 153 miles or 246 kilometers. Pricing has not yet been announced, but you can expect the long-range version to come in at under $40,000 USD. SEE ALSO: 2017 Kia Niro Review Inside, the Niro EV also benefits from a 7.0-inch touchscreen with some EV-specific features installed. The operating system allows users to locate nearby charging points and easily monitor the battery pack’s remaining range and charge level. A 7.0-inch LCD driver’s display, which is also unique to the Niro EV, also allows the driver to easily check up on the driving range and other EV powertrain information while on-the-move. Other interior features include a wireless smartphone charger and a light on the dashboard that changes color when the vehicle is charging or fully charged when plugged in. The Niro EV is available to purchase in South Korea now. European sales will commence in Q4 of this year, with the vehicle arriving in the US in early 2019. Discuss this story on our Kia Forum. The post Kia Niro EV Sales to Start in the US Early Next Year appeared first on AutoGuide.com. Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] The 2020 Kia Soul Turbo has been caught undergoing hot weather tests in California. This marks the third time we’ve seen a pre-production 2020 Soul out in public. The first sighting came in February of this year when the vehicle was seen in the snow, perhaps testing out a new all-wheel-drive system. Later on in April, the vehicle was caught in a parking garage in Korea, revealing its sporty center exit exhaust. This prototype is wearing the same centrally mounted twin-pipe setup, but unlike the vehicle seen in Korea, this car has its unibrow LED headlights (headlight?) on full display. The front LED light bar is joined by a set of fog lights mounted halfway down the bumper and a set of smaller lights mounted lower down. SEE ALSO: 2018 Toyota C-HR vs 2018 Kia Soul The rear taillights are also clearly displayed on this prototype, which appear similar to the vertically-mounted lights on the current Soul. The new LED lights are a bit more stylized, however, with a ‘swoosh’ curvature that extends into the vehicle’s rear hatch. The prototype is also rocking a set of sporty-looking alloy wheels. The 2020 Soul is expected to ride on a new front-wheel-drive platform from Kia that is able to accept all-wheel drive – although it’s not yet been confirmed the new soul with be offered with AWD. Engine options remain to be seen, but Kia’s 201 hp 1.6-liter turbocharged engine should return for the Turbo model, perhaps in updated form. Look for the 2020 Kia Soul to debut sometime later this year or in early 2019. Discuss this story on our Kia Soul Forum. The post 2020 Kia Soul Turbo Caught Sporting a Unibrow appeared first on AutoGuide.com. Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] Police in the United States can sometimes be seen in some pretty fast cars, such as Mustangs, Camaros and V8 Chargers and Challengers, for example. Similarly, the Queensland Police Service in Australia have now taken delivery of their own sporty police cruisers: 2018 Kia Stingers . The Queensland Police will put 50 of the 365 hp 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 Stingers into service this year. The Korean sport sedans will replace the force’s aging Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores. “This is a very important day for us,” said QPS Commissioner Ian Stewart. “We needed a special product to do a job for us, and that is what we have here. A wonderful product.” SEE ALSO: 2018 Kia Stinger Review Kia was also rather happy about the QPS acquiring Stingers due to the exposure. “This level of public exposure and endorsement from a high profile government utility is something which wouldn’t have been on the radar just a few years ago,” said Kia Australia COO Damien Meredith. “It is just a beginning, but a very important one for us.” How long before we see a Kia Stinger police car put into service in North America? American police forces are loyal to American products for obvious reasons, but with a 365 hp twin-turbo engine, rear-wheel drive and a 0-60 mph time of just 4.9s, the Stinger would certainly be up to the task of patrolling the Interstate. Discuss this story on our Kia Forum. The post Kia Stinger Police Car Goes Into Service in Australia appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

Unveiled at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, the All-new Cerato (also known as Forte in some countries) has made a successful debut featuring its impressively enhanced exterior and interior design. Looking more dynamic and stylish, the All-new Cerato’s design has moved in a sportier direction while preserving the original design elements from predecessors. Let’s explore more of its eye-catching design updates. Sophisticated yet Sporty Exterior – the Mini Stinger The All-new Cerato maintains its sporty and youthful image while evolving a more sophisticated appearance that nods to a number of sleek and dynamic styling cues inspired by the Stinger fastback sport sedan. Kia Stinger & All-new Kia Cerato (from left to right) Like the Stinger, the Cerato’s long hood and short deck style built on a wider vehicle body platform recreate an overall fastback-like shape, fueling a sense of masculinity. The front end is more aggressive with a new sturdy version of the Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille and a Stinger-esque headlamp design, while the Cerato is the first model in its class to come equipped with full LED headlamps. The cowl point, base of the windshield, has been moved back to afford a more athletic and well-grounded stance. Around back, the rear bumpers are designed to look connected – Much like the Kia Sportage compact crossover, the Cerato now has a sleek horizontal trim piece that connects to the LED taillights. A Comfortable, High-tech Interior for Everyone As outstanding as its exterior design, the Cerato’s interior has been redesigned to provide an enhanced sense of spaciousness. In order to treat both driver and passengers to a more comfortable ride, the overall length, width, and height of the Cerato have been increased to allow for more head and legroom, as well as cargo room in the trunk. Simplicity is the key to the luxuriousness of the Cerato dashboard. Again drawing inspiration from the Stinger, the horizontal layout of the dashboard paints a picture of a wider interior. Minimizing clutter with clean lines and minimal buttons that are intuitively placed below an 8-inch touchscreen adds a sense of openness to the Cerato’s high-tech look. Sophisticatedly Built for Your Versatile Lifestyle A more versatile, high-end sedan with eye-catching design, the third-generation Cerato is more attractive to drivers seeking a compact sedan that can accommodate a versatile, active lifestyle. Thanks to a number of visual enhancements inside and out, the All-new Cerato is geared up to make any journey – whether a short commute or long haul – a more rewarding and decidedly upscale experience while providing a higher level of comfort. Hop in an All-new Cerato – every minute you spend in the dynamic and upscale Cerato is unquestionably quality time. Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] The latest sighting of the 2020 Kia Telluride has revealed the full-size SUV’s production grille and other parts of its front end. Kia is hoping the Telluride can help it to retain customers that want a crossover or SUV but have been forced to shop elsewhere due to its lack of large vehicle offerings. Seen here wearing less camouflage than ever before, the Telluride will stay true to the Telluride Concept with a boxy shape and a wide, upright grille. The rear is entirely covered, but like the front end, we’re not expecting a large departure from the design study. The full-size, three-row SUV is expected to share a platform with the new Hyundai Santa Fe and will likely feature Kia’s 3.5-liter V6 engine or 2.0-liter turbo. The Telluride Concept was powered by a 400 hp hybrid system consisting of the 3.5-liter V6 and an electric motor, but it’s not clear if Kia is seriously considering a hybrid powertrain for the production Telluride or not. SEE ALSO: Kia to Make Announcement on Production Telluride SUV Soon With three-rows and eight-seats, the Telluride will be focused on families and should have plenty of convenient features such as an abundance of cupholders, plenty of cargo space and USB ports in both the front and rear. It will have the recently released Subaru Ascent in its crosshairs when it arrives – another three-row offering that puts an emphasis on family-friendly functionality. The 2020 Kia Telluride, or whatever the production model ends up being called, will make its debut sometime later this year or in early 2019. Discuss this story on our Kia Forum. The post 2020 Kia Telluride Shows Off Production Grille in Spy Photos appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“Those two features – the loaded interior and the unique driving dynamics combine to make the Kia Niro Touring a great option for someone who wants a hybrid that stands out in that segment.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

The 2018 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study has been released and here are the top performers for each segment. The annual study examines problems experienced by original vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership, with initial quality measured by the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). This year, the study found a four-percent improvement in quality, with Korean automakers Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis leading the way. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Best Car Brands in Initial Quality for 2018 Along with ranking all the automakers, J.D. Power has awarded the highest quality cars by segment. Small Car: Kia Rio The Kia Rio performed the best in the Small Car segment, earning top ratings in overall quality, body & interior quality – mechanical, overall quality – design, body & interior quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. It’s one of two vehicles from Kia that made this year’s list, helping the Korean automaker rank second overall among nameplates. The Rio beat out the Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Bolt, Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Sonic, Honda Fit, Toyota Prius c, and Mitsubishi Mirage. Small Premium Car: Acura ILX Topping the Small Premium Car segment is the Acura ILX, which earned top ratings for overall quality, but only has about average reliability. Hurting the ILX in J.D. Power’s evaluations were powertrain quality – design, overall quality – mechanical, features & accessories quality – mechanical, and body & interior quality – mechanical. Still, owners aren’t find many issues with their vehicles, helping the ILX rank best in the 2018 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study. The entry-level luxury sedan scored better than the BMW 2 Series, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and Audi A3. Compact Car: Toyota Corolla The popular Toyota Corolla is highest quality in the Compact Car segment, earning high marks in overall quality, overall quality – mechanical, body & interior quality – mechanical, overall quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. The Corolla competed in a crowded segment, besting the Chevrolet Cruze, Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Beetle, Nissan Sentra, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Mazda3, Hyundai Ioniq, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Golf, Subaru Impreza, Chevrolet Volt, and Subaru WRX. Compact Premium Car: BMW 4 Series There’s a good reason the BMW 4 Series is a perennial best-seller in the Compact Premium Car segment. Receiving high marks in overall quality, overall quality – mechanical, body & interior quality – mechanical, and features & accessories quality – mechanical, the BMW 4 Series not only did well against its German competitors, but Japanese also offerings. Models the 4 Series beat include the Infiniti Q60, Lexus ES, Infiniti Q50, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus IS, Acura TLX, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac ATS, Kia Stinger, Lincoln MKZ, Audi A4, Audi A5, and Volvo S60. Midsize Car: Nissan Altima Nissan performed well in this year’s study, with the Altima wining an award for the Midsize Car category. The Altima received high marks in nearly all categories that were rated: overall quality, overall quality – mechanical, powertrain quality – mechanical, body & interior quality – mechanical, features & accessories quality – mechanical, body & interior quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. Other vehicles in the segment include the Kia Optima, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen Passat, Toyota Camry, and Honda Clarity. Midsize Premium Car: Lincoln Continental Topping the Midsize Premium Car segment is the Lincoln Continental, which received top marks in overall quality, powertrain quality – mechanical, overall quality – design, powertrain quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. The American automaker’s luxury sedan scored higher than the Genesis G80, Lexus GS, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac AT6, Audi A6, Cadillac CTS, and Volvo S90. Midsize Sporty Car: Ford Mustang There aren’t very many entries in the Midsize Sporty Car category, with the Ford Mustang taking home the award. The Mustang received highest marks in overall quality, features & accessories quality – mechanical, overall quality – design, body & interior quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. Its only competitors are the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro. Large Car: Nissan Maxima Another offering from Nissan, the Maxima is the highest quality Large Car in this year’s study, scoring higher than the Ford Taurus, Chrysler 300, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger, and Toyota Avalon. Like the Altima, Nissan Maxima also received highest marks in various categories: overall quality, overall quality – mechanical, powertrain quality – mechanical, body & interior quality – mechanical, overall quality – design, body & interior quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. Large Premium Car: Genesis G90 The Genesis brand actually ranked highest among all automakers with an IQS PP100 score of 68 in this year’s study. Helping lead the way is the Genesis G90, which took him an award in the Large Premium Car category. Top marks were received in overall quality, features & accessories quality – mechanical, overall quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. Competitors within the segment include the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Porsche Panamera. Minivan: Dodge Grand Caravan Surprisingly, the Minivan segment actually has more competitors than the Midsize Sporty Car category. This year, the award goes to the Dodge Grand Caravan, which received top marks in overall quality, overall quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. The Grand Caravan beat out the Kia Sedona, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, and Honda Odyssey. Small SUV: Hyundai Tucson The Small SUV segment is growing and the Hyundai Tucson experiences the last number of problems, according to this year’s study. The model received top marks in every category except for powertrain quality – design. It outperformed the Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Chevrolet Trax, MINI Countryman, Kia Niro, Buick Encore, Ford EcoSport, Jeep Compass, Subaru Crosstrek, Mazda CX-3, Toyota C-HR, and Honda HR-V. Small Premium SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLA/BMW X1 Two vehicles claimed awards in the Small Premium SUV category this year, the Mercedes-Benz GLA and BMW X1. The BMW X1 scored well on overall quality, overall quality – mechanical, body & interior quality – mechanical, features & accessories quality – mechanical, powertrain quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. The GLA meanwhile, received high marks in overall quality, features & accessories quality – mechanical, overall quality -design, and body & interior quality – design. Both crossovers beat the Audi Q3 and Infiniti QX30. Compact SUV: Buick Envision Another crowded segment, the Buick Envision went home with the award in the Compact SUV category. The model received highest marks in all ratings except for features & accessories quality – mechanical and design. Still, it holds bragging rights over the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Jeep Wrangler, Volkswagen Tiguan, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, and GMC Terrain. Compact Premium SUV: Lincoln MKC Lincoln MKC owners are experiencing the least amount of problems in the Compact Premium SUV category. The model scored high marks in overall quality, features & accessories quality – mechanical, overall quality – design, powertrain quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. What’s more impressive is the MKC’s competition, which includes the Porsche Macan, Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, Lexus NX, Acura RDX, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, Jaguar F-Pace, and Range Rover Velar. Midsize SUV: Kia Sorento In the Midsize SUV segment, the Kia Sorento ranked highest in initial quality. The Sorento received high marks in overall quality, powertrain quality – mechanical, overall quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. It also beat out an impressive list of competitors including the Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Explorer, Nissan Murano, Toyota 4Runner, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Edge, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, Ford Flex, GMC Acadia, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Buick Enclave, Dodge Durango, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Atlas, and Dodge Journey. Midsize Premium SUV: BMW X6 Sitting at the top of the mountain in the Midsize Premium SUV segment is the BMW X6, which received highest marks in all categories except overall quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. The Midsize Premium SUV category is getting crowded, with the X6 besting the Lexus RX, Porsche Cayenne, Lincoln MKX, Cadillac XT5, Infiniti QX60, Lexus GX, Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5, Audi Q7, Acura MDX, and Volvo XC90. Large SUV: Ford Expedition Not as competitive of a segment, but the Ford Expedition did take top honors in the Large SUV category. The model beat out the GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Tahoe, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia, and Chevrolet Suburban. It received highest marks in overall quality, overall quality – design, body & interior quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. Midsize Pickup: Nissan Frontier The Midsize Pickup category goes to the Nissan Frontier, which received highest marks in overall quality, features & accessories quality – mechanical, overall quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. The Frontier competed against the GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, Chevrolet Colorado, and Toyota Tacoma. Large Light Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado The Ford F-150 might be the best selling light duty pickup, but Chevrolet Silverado owners are reporting less problems. Claiming the award for the Large Light Duty Pickup category, the Silverado beat out the F-150, Ram 1500, GMC Sierra, and Toyota Tundra. J.D. Power gave it high marks in overall quality, overall quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. Large Heavy Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado HD and Ford Super Duty There is however, a tie in the Large Heavy Duty Pickup category, with both the Chevrolet Silverado HD and Ford Super Duty taking home awards. That left the Ram 2500/3500 and GMC Sierra HD on the outside in this year’s ratings. The Chevrolet Silverado HD received high marks in overall quality, overall quality – mechanical, body & interior quality – mechanical, features & accessories quality – mechanical, overall quality – design, and body & interior quality – design. Meanwhile, the Ford Super Duty performed well in overall quality, overall quality – mechanical, powertrain quality – mechanical, overall quality – design, powertrain quality – design, and features & accessories quality – design. The post Top 20 Highest Quality Cars by Segment: 2018 appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

J.D. Power has released its Initial Quality Study for 2018. The annually conducted study examines problems experienced by original vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership, J.D. Power says. The ‘initial quality’ is determined by recording the number of a certain model experiences per 100 vehicles (PP100). The lower score, the higher the vehicle’s initial quality is. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Vehicles with the Highest Three-Year Depreciation While not an indicator of long-term reliability, a vehicle’s initial quality is a good measure of how many small issues and problems it may experience over its lifetime. It’s worth noting that J.D. Power’s study takes into account tech-related issues, which account for many of the vehicle’s problem’s in the first 90 days of ownership. Problems related to infotainment systems were down in frequency compared to last year, although active safety systems, which are becoming increasingly popular in new vehicles, still proved to be a bit finicky on many new vehicles. Let’s take a look at the best automakers for initial quality for the 2018 model year. 10. Nissan Nissan was tenth in initial quality with 85 problems per 100 vehicles. This is a big win for the brand, which beat out Toyota, Honda and Mazda in initial quality. 9. Ram A surprising appearance in the top 10 was Ram with 84 problems for every 100 vehicles. 8. Lexus Lexus vehicles recorded 84 problems for every 100 vehicles, netting them eighth position. 7. Lincoln In seventh was Lincoln with 83 problems for every 100 vehicles. 6. Chevrolet Chevrolets experienced 82 problems for every 100 vehicles, landing them in sixth position. 5. Ford Ford performed well in the study, with J.D. Power recording 81 problems for every 100 vehicles. 4. Porsche Porsche, as always, ranks well in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality study with 79 problems experienced per 100 vehicles. 3. Hyundai Hyundai recorded 74 problems for every 100 vehicles, netting them the first available podium position in the study. 2. Kia Kia vehicles had just 72 recorded problems for ever 100 vehicles, landing them second in the rankings. 1. Genesis With just 68 problems recorded for every 100 vehicles, Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand, Genesis, tops this year’s J.D. Power Initial Quality Study. It was a clean sweep of the top three for the Korean brands. The post Top 10 Best Car Brands in Initial Quality for 2018 appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

Hyundai and Kia have filed a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a high-compression, twin-supercharged four-cylinder engine. The patent, which was first filed on June 19th, 2017 and published this week, is for an engine “including one or more cylinders for generating a driving torque, a plurality of intake lines for supplying external air to one or more cylinders and one or more electric superchargers disposed on, or in, the plurality of intake lines.” The description of the engine goes on to explain the drawbacks of a traditional turbocharger, such as turbo lag, weight and limited compression ratio. By comparison, the twin electric supercharger setup is lighter and allows for increased responsiveness and higher compression, it says. The patent also explains how the output of the electric superchargers is limited to the “low and middle-speed region” and how they can help provide strong low-end torque. Hyundai also says it is “possible to increase design freedom of a vehicle and reduce manufacturing costs of the vehicle by removing a mechanical turbocharger having a relatively high volume and weight.” The engine described and shown here incorporates cylinder deactivation as well, which would operate in low-speed and low-load conditions in order to save fuel. SEE ALSO: Hyundai Grandmaster SUV Concept Previews its Future Designs It sounds as though Hyundai is looking to achieve a similar goal to what Mazda is with its supercharged spark compression ignition SkyactivX engine – providing a fuel efficient four-cylinder with a lean burn and high compression ratio that is fun to drive. There’s no guarantee this engine will ever see the light of day, but it’s interesting to see Hyundai taking an interest in internal combustion engine technology as the rest of the automotive industry focuses intently on hybrids, plug-ins and pure EVs. Discuss this story on our Hyundai Forum. The post Hyundai Working on Twin Supercharged Four Cylinder Engine appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

The classic story of Peter Pan has been revived as a Sci-Fi blockbuster with Kia. Kia Motors has launched a new global advertising campaign featuring characters from the beloved story of Peter Pan, with the goal of conveying sophisticated future technologies in an easy-to-understand and friendly way. The three-minute film, entitled Peter Returns, is a re-imagining of the world-famous Peter Pan fairy tale and offers a futuristic take on Peter’s ongoing conflict with Captain Hook. In 2030, the not-too-distant-future, Peter Pan returns as a righteous hero, joined by trusted companions Wendy and Tinker Bell, to defend Neverland from the nefarious Captain Hook, who has been monopolizing the fruits of technological progress. This short film is part of Kia’s ‘Boundless for All’ vision, in which opportunities for mobility are limitless, and where everyone can enjoy the infinite value that future transportation will bring. This is Kia’s manifesto for its role as a mass mobility provider in the future, with a thoroughgoing commitment to provide broader solutions to mobility. Under the direction of award-winning French filmmaker Philippe André, Kia’s own brand identity is naturally reflected in this delightful film. Bringing this futuristic dream to life whilst capturing Kia’s unique spirit of challenge and passion for innovation, the film boasts an impressive production scale. About 200 actors, actresses and production staff members joined the project, while about 100 different costumes and a wealth of props were created. It also took around a year to make sketches of the imaginary Neverland and the future city and turn them into computer graphics (CG). “Kia is on a journey to become one of the leading mass mobility providers in the future… Much like the people of Neverland in ‘Peter Returns’, everyone deserves to benefit from technological progress, not just the few.” – Yong Won Cho, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Brand & Marketing Division at Kia Motors Corporation Throughout the film, viewers are invited to a fun-filled experience of the multiple autonomous and advanced technologies featured in the Kia Proceed Concept, which was previously unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2017. Kia’s Smart Biometric Access System recognizes Peter just by his facial features and gait, the Dynamic Wireless Charging System automatically charges itself while running on the road, and the Valet Parking Pilot allows the vehicle to park on its own to help Peter and Wendy infiltrate Hook Tower. For boundless communication, Smart Pixel Light technology sends messages to other drivers or pedestrians such as, “Your Lights are on” or “Watch Out!,” to help clear up confusion on the roads. Sound Focusing allows the vehicle to target sound at a specific person to alert them of the car’s presence, while Intelligent Agent is able to understand the driver’s voice commands and respond accordingly. The technologies seen in the film are not just imaginary, but are actually being developed by Kia. Under the ‘Boundless for All’ thesis, Kia plans to commercialize Level 4 autonomous driving technology, with ‘Smart City’ autonomous vehicle testing due to commence in 2021. Kia always considers people first and is highly dedicated to developing automotive technologies that provide a safe, convenient and limitless mobility experience for all. Future technologies are coming your way very soon, so stay tuned for more surprises brought to you by Kia and share your thoughts about the film! Lees volledige artikel