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“However Kia decides to pitch it and wherever the market chooses to place it, the Stinger GT is already a success. Kia has proved it can step outside of its comfort zone and build unfamiliar cars as well as its stalwarts. Moreover, Kia has proved it can build a sports car good enough to take on the world, on its first try, no less.” Lees volledige artikel

Get the Flash Player to see this player. Welcome to AutoGuide.com’s weekly news roundup, where we take a look at the week’s most interesting automotive news stories. This week, the 2018 Kia Stonic made its debut, Volvo turned Polestar into a standalone brand for electric performance cars, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE made a stunning Nurburgring lap, the Jaguar E-Pace was confirmed and teased, spy photographers caught the 2018 Nissan Leaf testing, Dodge trademarked the Cuda nameplate, and JD Power release the results of its Initial Quality Survey. Some headlines in this week’s roundup include: Kia Stonic Crossover Arrives Hot On The Heels Of Hyundai Kona Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Might Be the Fastest Car GM Has Ever Made Polestar to be Dedicated Performance Brand for Electric Volvos FCA Files Trademark Application For ‘Cuda’ Name 2018 Nissan Leaf Spied Looking Almost Production Ready Kia Edges Out Porsche to Top 2017 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study Here are some features you can’t miss: Everything We Know About the 2018 Nissan Leaf 5 Impressive Cars the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Killed at the Nurburgring Here’s Why People Are So Excited About the Honda Civic Type R What It’s Like to Stay Awake for All 24 Hours of Le Mans We Take 3 Sexy Cars on a Raucous Road Trip to the Canadian Grand Prix Top 10 Features New Car Buyers Want Some new car reviews we published this week: Get the Flash Player to see this player. 2017 Honda CR-V vs 2017 Subaru Forester 2018 Toyota Camry Review 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Review 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport Review The post 2018 Kia Stonic Debuts, Dodge Barracuda, Jaguar E-Pace Teased, New Nissan Leaf Spied and More: Weekly News Update appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

The all-new Kia Stonic image renderings released ahead of its official unveiling! It’s always exciting when car rumors that have been swirling around for a while are finally confirmed. That is what has happened today, with the automaker announcing that … Continue reading → Lees volledige artikel

By now, everyone knows that the Kia Stinger is being put through the paces at the infamous Nurburgring circuit in Germany for fine tuning prior to entering mass production for overseas markets later this year. To prove the prowess of our prized gran turismo, Kia invited guests from the global media to this legendary driving course to test drive the Stinger for themselves. The Nurburgring – considered a Mecca for racing and car enthusiasts – is famous for its rigorous and merciless Nordschleife race track, also known as “The Green Hell”. Over a span of three days, influential automotive journalists and industry insiders were given the opportunity to experience the excellent driving dynamics of the Stinger first hand. Albert Biermann, Head of Vehicle Test & High Performance Development at Kia, was present on the scene to oversee the test drive and provide insight on the Stinger’s performance. Albert Biermann greets members of the media at the Nurburgring circuit. As expected, our treasured fastback did not disappoint. “I was surprised to attend an event by Kia at Nurburgring and even more surprised at [the] ride & handling,” one guest remarked. The experience did not end there. Along with the exciting day of race track-paced driving, Kia facilitated a visit to the Kia Motors Europe headquarters and design center to learn about the design process of the Stinger. Peter Schreyer, Chief Designer of Kia Motors, and Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer of the Kia Europe Design Center, led the event and guided visitors through the Stinger’s conception and development. Peter Schreyer (left) and Gregory Guillaume (right) present their philosophies about the Stinger design. From the racing track to the design facility, the event attendees were thoroughly impressed by the Stinger and had many wonderful things to say about their experience. Journalists praised the Stinger as a well-designed and well-rounded model with equal merit for its powerful performance. Some even went on to say that it may be Kia’s best creation yet! Check out the Stinger’s impressive performance capability as it tears through the Nordschleife! The Stinger is Kia’s most ambitious project to date and we are pleased that it has been well received by top automotive journalists around the world. As the Stinger prepares to launch worldwide, we cannot wait for global customers to meet and try out our new sports sedan. Kia Stinger is coming to you soon. Stay tuned for more news about our long-awaited gran turismo! Lees volledige artikel

New vehicle quality is at an all-time high according to the 2017 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study. The J.D. Power study measures the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the first 90 days of ownership. Along with ranking each automaker based on their performance, J.D. Power also recognizes the highest initial quality cars based on their segments. SEE ALSO: Kia Edges Out Porsche to Top 2017 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study Here are the highest quality cars of 2017 based on J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study. Small Car: Chevrolet Sonic Leading the small car segment this year is the Chevrolet Sonic. Also recognized were the Toyota Yaris and the Honda Fit. Small Premium Car: BMW 2 Series For the small premium car segment, the BMW 2 Series edged out the BMW i3 and Lexus CT. Compact Car: Kia Forte This year, Kia had numerous highest ranked vehicles, with the Kia Forte taking the crown for the compact car segment. Tying for second place are the Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla, and Volkswagen Jetta. Compact Sporty Car: MINI Cooper There wasn’t much competition in the compact sporty car segment this year, with the MINI Cooper being the only model recognized in the 2017 study. Compact MPV: Kia Soul Same goes for the compact MPV segment, where the Kia Soul was the only model recognized. Compact Premium Car: BMW 4 Series A competitive segment, the BMW 4 Series edged out the Lexus ES and Cadillac ATS for top honors. Midsize Car: Toyota Camry There’s plenty of reasons why the Toyota Camry is America’s best-selling car, and one of those reasons is its lack of issues within the first 90 days of ownership. Also being recognized this year is the Kia Optima and Nissan Altima. Midsize Sporty Car: Ford Mustang It appears Chevrolet Camaro owners are running into issues with their sports car, with the Ford Mustang claiming top honors in the midsize sporty car category. The Dodge Challenger is also recognized, leaving the Camaro the odd sports car out. Minivan: Chrysler Pacifica With so few minivans left in the market, it’s no surprise the new Chrysler Pacifica was named the highest quality minivan. Also being recognized is the Dodge Grand Caravan. Midsize Premium Car: Lexus GS In the midsize premium segment, the Lexus GS beat out the Lincoln Continental and Audi A7. Midsize Premium Sporty Car: Porsche 911 The only vehicle recognized in the midsize premium sporty car segment is the Porsche 911. No other midsize premium sporty car performed above segment average. Large Car: Kia Cadenza The competitive large car segment has the Kia Cadenza rising above the competition. Also recognized is the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima. Small SUV: Kia Niro Owners of Kia’s newest crossover are finding little reasons to complain, with the Kia Niro named best small SUV. The Kia Sportage came in second, while the Buick Encore and Volkswagen Tiguan tied for third. Small Premium SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLA In the small premium SUV segment, the Mercedes-Benz GLA beat out the BMW X1. No other model in the segment performed above segment average. Compact SUV: GMC Terrain American automakers ruled the compact SUV segment, with the GMC Terrain sitting on top. Coming in second is the Ford Escape, while the Chevrolet Equinox finished third. Compact Premium SUV: Porsche Macan In the compact premium SUV segment, the Porsche Macan received top honors over the BMW X3 and BMW X4 models. Midsize SUV: Kia Sorento Another winner for Kia, the Sorento is the highest quality midsize SUV, beating the Toyota Highlander and Buick Enclave. Midsize Premium SUV: BMW X6 Although the Porsche Macan beats BMW’s models in the compact premium SUV segment, the BMW X6 beats out the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne in the midsize premium SUV category. Midsize Pickup: Nissan Frontier There’s a lot to like about the Chevrolet Colorado, but the Nissan Frontier is the midsize pickup that has the highest initial quality. The Colorado however, does finish second, with the Honda Ridgeline coming in third. Large SUV: Ford Expedition The Ford Expedition finished on top of the large SUV segment, beating out the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia. Large Premium SUV: Infiniti QX80 There might be a new Infiniti QX80 on the way, but the current-generation model is doing just fine. The QX80 edges out the Lincoln Navigator and Mercedes-Benz GLS in the large premium SUV segment. Large Light Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado When it comes to large light duty pickup trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado stands over the Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra. Yes, the popular Ford F-150 doesn’t perform above segment average. Large Heavy Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado HD Which is little surprise to hear the Chevrolet Silverado HD also claims the large heavy duty pickup category. But Ford does show up in this segment with its Super Duty in second place. The post Highest Quality Cars of 2017: J.D. Power Initial Quality Study appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

Korean automakers top this year’s J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study. New vehicle quality hit an all-time high this year, improving eight percent compared to last year. The annual study measures the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100) during the first 90 days of ownership, with a lower score reflecting higher quality. Quality improved across seven of the eight categories measured, with 27 of the 33 automakers in the study improving their quality compared to last year. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Worst Automakers in Initial Quality: 2017 This year’s study is based on responses from nearly 80,000 buyers and lessees of new 2017 model year vehicles. They were surveyed after 90 days of ownership and the study was fielded from February through May 2017. This year’s industry average improved from 105 to 97. Here are the top 10 automakers that have the best initial quality score. 10. Nissan Nissan once again finishes in 10th place, after scoring 93 in this year’s study. Last year, the Japanese automaker scored 101 compared to the industry average of 105. 9. Lincoln Like Nissan, Lincoln stayed consistent year-over-year with a ninth place finish in 2017. This year, Ford’s luxury division scored 92 compared to last year’s 96. 8. Hyundai / Chevrolet / BMW (tie) Hyundai saw a drastic drop after rising to third in last year’s study with a score of 92. This year, the Korean automaker finishes in eighth place after owners reported 88 problems per 100 vehicles. In Hyundai’s defense, however, the company is actually tied with two other automakers. Chevrolet, which also scored 88 this year is tied with Hyundai and one other automaker. Last year, the American automaker landed in sixth place with a score of 95. The third automaker with a score of 88 is BMW. In 2016, the German automaker finished in fifth, ahead of rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi. This year, it does the same. 5. Ram / Ford (tie) One of the most improved automakers on this year’s list is Ram, rising to fifth place with a score of 86. Last year, Ram performed worse than the industry average with a score of 114. Ford also improved from last year’s study, where it finished 11th overall with a score of 102. This year, the American automaker rose to fourth place with a score of 86. 3. Porsche Porsche slips a spot to third place this year, after finishing second in 2016 with a score of 84. The German automaker, known for its sports cars, scored 78 in this year’s study. 2. Genesis Hyundai’s new luxury brand is off to a hot start. Genesis wasn’t represented in last year’s study, but this year it quickly rose to second place with a score of 77. The separation of Genesis models from Hyundai’s lineup likely explains why Hyundai dropped a few spots this year. 1. Kia For the second year in a row, Kia takes top honors in the J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study. This year, the Korean automaker scored 72 compared to last year’s 83. The post Top 10 Best Automakers in Initial Quality: 2017 appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

The results of J.D. Power’s annual Initial Quality Study are in and for the second year in a row Kia has come out on top. Kia owners reported 72 problems per 100 vehicles sold, less than any other automaker in the survey. Kia took the top spot by quite a wide margin, with the runner-up, Hyundai’s Genesis luxury brand, having 77 problems reported per 100 vehicles. Impressively, the two Korean brands beat out Porsche for the top two spots – the German manufacturer was ranked third with 78 problems per 100 vehicles. Ford and Fiat Chrysler’s Ram truck brand complete the top five, each returning an average of 86 problems per 100 vehicles. The research firm notes this is a strong result for both brands, with neither Ford nor Ram having ranked that high in the study since 2011. SEE ALSO: The Best Automaker in Initial Quality is a Big Surprise The biggest gains in regards to initial quality were related to in-car infotainment systems. Ford, for example, worked its way from 11th in last year’s study to fourth in this year’s, with its gains largely chalked up to its new Sync3 infotainment system. Automakers still have a long way to go in regards to technology, however, with active safety systems such as adaptive cruise control and forward collision alert proving to be consistently buggy. That’s not to take away from the quality of new cars in 2017. This year’s study showed the highest average levels of initial quality in the study’s 30-year history – this despite the fact that cars are more tech-laden and advanced than ever before. This year’s industry average was 97 problems per 100 vehicles, down from 105 a year ago. “Automotive manufacturers are responding to consumer feedback and producing vehicles of the highest quality,” said Dave Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power. “The industry has improved significantly in each of the past three years. Today’s vehicles have more things that could go wrong but fewer things that actually do go wrong.” The full results of the survey are below. The post Kia Edges Out Porsche To Top 2017 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

We are excited to report some good news from down under, where Kia Australia have made it known that they underestimated the demand for the new Stinger sports sedan! Chances are it may be tough to get your hands on … Continue reading → Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] The all-new Kia Stonic subcompact crossover has made its debut, arriving hot on the heels of the related Hyundai Kona. The Stonic follows the automaker’s corporate design blueprint, sporting sculpted surfaces, sharp lines and the automaker’s recognizable ‘tiger nose’ grille. A unique two-tone exterior paint scheme helps set it apart from other entries in the segment and will be offered in 20 different color combinations from launch. Available engines include Kia’s 118-horsepower 1.0-liter T-GDI turbocharged three-cylinder engine, 1.25- and 1.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines and a 1.6-liter diesel, all of which come standard with a manual transmission. A variety of advanced safety systems are also offered including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Departure Warning. SEE ALSO: 2018 Hyundai Kona Quick Spin Kia says the Stonic’s cabin “places technology and ergonomics at its heart. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard, while optional extras include heated front seats, cruise control and keyless entry. Kia also claims the cabin offers class-leading shoulder room, “generous” leg and head room and a sizeable 352-liter two-step trunk floor. Customers will have the option to personalize the interior similar to the exterior, with Kia offering a wide variety of bright color packs. “The Kia Stonic will be one of the most compelling new cars in this rapidly expanding class, backed by Kia’s unique warranty, and the brand’s reputation for reliability, quality and contemporary design,” said Kia Motors Europe boss Michael Cole. As the segment expands, the Stonic looks set to become one of our best-selling cars.” As with all other Kia vehicles, the Stonic will be backed by the automaker’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. The crossover will arrive at dealers in the third quarter of this year. Pricing has yet to be announced, but details should become available as its arrival nears. The post Kia Stonic Crossover Arrives Hot On The Heels Of Hyundai Kona appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

Among all the details that make a car look great, one of the most dominant visual features of a car is its color. The color of your car can be an outlet to express yourself and Kia likes to provide customers with a wide spectrum of shades so that every option can be a distinctive statement. Many of the special colors that are available are showcased on our global Instagram channel (@kiamotorsworldwide) in a series we like to call ’Kia’s Color Grid.’ Check out some of our colorful offerings and the fun names that go with them! Red Red is one of the most popular colors in the automobile industry and Kia has rolled out diverse variations of this classic hue to match the varying preferences of drivers. Kia pro_cee’d stands out in its Track Red color while the Niro has enticed a number of drivers with its deeper wine-like Temptation Red. Kia Soul, one of the Kia models with the most color options, offers a bright crimson paint hue called Inferno Red. Our handsome Sportage in Fiery Red is also a popular choice among global drivers. Very recently, the Kia Stinger showcased the intense and vivid High Chroma Red as its signature color. Yellow If vivid and golden hues are more to your liking, take a look at Kia’s warm and vibrant shades of yellow. Yellow is a bolder choice that definitely makes your car pop and draws attention on the road. Kia’s yellows come in shades like Picanto’s energetic Honey Bee and pro_cee’d’s brighter Urban Yellow. The tech-savvy subcompact Rio is offered in a richer hue called Digital Yellow while the Soul is available in Mustard, a shade that evokes thoughts of the well-known condiment. Brown There is an emerging worldwide trend towards neutral colors that blend well with both urban and natural surroundings. Earthy shades like brown are at the center of this new trend, and Kia offers our customers a wide selection to choose from. A shimmery brown shade named Patina Gold is featured on the Sportage while the Sorento stands out in a soft and sleek Imperial Bronze. The Niro and Quoris (K900) ooze a bolder and sturdier appearance in Rich Espresso and Titanium Brown. Silver Silver is a classic and sophisticated shade that brings understated elegance to your vehicle. Bring some chic into your life with Kia’s range of silvers. The Sportage and Quoris shine in luxurious light silver tones called Sparkling Silver and Mineral Silver. The Cerato (also known as Forte in some markets) bursts in style with the Silky Silver option. Last but not least, the Niro is offered in a deep and bold Metal Stream. With Kia’s very own color team constantly at work to produce cars with distinctive colors for both the exterior and interior, we are expanding our range of fun and interesting shades and continuing our efforts to ‘color the roads.’ Our ‘Kia’s Color Grid’ series will continue to be updated on our Instagram channel, so follow us (if you already haven’t) to add a splash of color to your day. What are your favorite shades by Kia? Lees volledige artikel

“The Cadenza is primarily a cruiser, and no driving mode actually adjusts the firmness of the suspension. This big Kia glides over imperfections, swallowing bumps large and small with aplomb.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

Kia Stinger is a product of passion. Designed and engineered to head-turning perfection, the Stinger represents the realization of a longstanding dream for Kia’s design team. With an eye-catchingly stunning design and groundbreaking performance, the Stinger marks a turn in design direction that Kia has never taken before. World renowned Kia big names including Peter Schreyer, Gregory Guillaume and Albert Biermann have labored over the vehicle’s conception for years and there is no doubt that the final outcome of their collaboration has painted big smiles on each of their faces. Peter Schreyer, Chief Design Officer of Kia Motors, enjoying the Kia Stinger’s European debut at the Kia Media Lounge event in Italy Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer of Kia Motors Europe, introducing the Stinger at the Kia Media Lounge event in Italy Albert Biermann, Head of Vehicle Test & High Performance Development at Kia, behind the wheel during Stinger winter testing in Sweden An Iconic Gran Turismo With an unparalleled level of elegance and athleticism, the Stinger channels the spirit of the gran turismos of the 1970s. Taking inspiration from those icons of the past, the design team placed a strong emphasis on the balance and proportions of the Stinger’s body. True to form, the Stinger sports sedan has been designed with wind flow in mind. The width, height, and even the individual panels have been intricately shaped and refined to achieve optimum performance. The low height and long wheelbase even takes inspiration from air crafts while the rear of the car is designed to serve as a rear wing to boost aerodynamic performance by reducing drag. Even the proportions of the model’s greenhouse have been shifted to create a leaner and roomier body. With these functional but stylish design decisions, the Stinger boasts a broad stance and sleek fastback silhouette, striking the desired balance between elegant luxury and aggressive dynamism that is crucial for a sports sedan. Unique Kia Accents A fresh and modern take on the gran turismo, the Stinger is not without stylistic elements that make the model unique and recognizable. The windshield of the Stinger is marked by a ridged cut line where it meets the roof. This design detail comes from Peter Schreyer’s idea to make Kia vehicles recognizable even when looking top down at the roof. The notched cuts also appear on other areas of the car including on the tiger-nose grille and rear bumper. Gregory Guillaume also notes that his very own favorite Stinger design detail is the voluptuous ‘coke-bottle’ shaped flank. Inspired by the bottle of the famous cola brand, the hind curves draw the eyes to the Stinger’s shoulder lines and fastback rear. Meanwhile, the uniquely shaped LED headlights and flag-type side mirrors are design accents that make the Stinger stand out from all others. Vivid Hues One of the first things that people notice about the Kia Stinger is the vivid and vibrant color options. Already, High Chroma Red is a popular choice among fans who are drawn to the intense saturation of crimson paint. The secret behind the popular color is the addition of a silver powder coating that reflects light for a deeper looking color. The paint job is also finished with a red clear coating instead of the usual transparent coating to make the color even more saturated. A New Paradigm Upon its debut at the 2017 NAIAS, the Stinger stole the spotlight amongst a sea of new production cars. As the first fastback sedan made by a Korean manufacturer, the model has stood out as an intriguing outlier receiving great praise from industry professionals for its excellence in design. The Kia Stinger ushers in a new paradigm that is sure to Kia brand to another level. Stay tuned as we continue to bring you more delightful surprises about the Kia Stinger! Lees volledige artikel

Kia’s well-praised, family-like customer service care is not an overnight achievement. In order maintain our high quality of service, Kia holds a biennial competition that encourages Kia service representatives to hone and improve their customer service skills while awarding our best service advisors worldwide. Once every two years, top Kia service advisors from all over the world gather in South Korea to showcase their skills. This year, the 4th Kia World Service Advisor Competition took place from May 15th to May 19th. Fifty-seven service advisors from 47 countries arrived for the final round in Seoul after making it on the final nominee list following regional competitions. The final competition consisted of two parts — a written test and an interview. The test examined their understanding of their roles as service advisors and the customer care process. In the interview portion, the participants watched a case video and were asked to pick out the areas that required improvement. Later on, they took part in a role-playing exercise to demonstrate their service aptitude for a case selected at random. Despite the stiff competition, 12 top performing service advisors were awarded with trophies and prizes. The grand gold prize went to Dilmurodjon Juraev, the representative from Kia Motors Turkey. “It’s an honor to be chosen as the winner among all the prestigious Kia personnel worldwide,” Dilmurodjon said. “I will continue to serve customers with ‘Family-like Care’, and let the world know about the quality services Kia Motors provides.” The competition wasn’t the only part of the event. Participants were invited to the Kia Hwasung production plant to see the manufacturing process firsthand. Our guests also visited famous tourist landmarks in Seoul to rest and relax after the competition. We at Kia strongly believe that better customer care makes for happier drivers. Our goal is to make sure our customers feel like part of the Kia family and that is why our efforts to better serve you will continue onwards! Lees volledige artikel

There are plenty of affordable crossovers and SUVs available in today’s market. It has become the fastest growing segment in the U.S., and automakers around the world are quickly introducing cheaper crossovers and SUVs to stay competitive. If you’re in the market for an affordable crossover or SUV in the U.S., there are numerous options to choose from, all priced under $25,000. Here are the top 10 cheapest crossovers and SUVs of 2017. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Cheapest Cars of 2017 10. Chevrolet Trax Priced from $21,000 including destination in the U.S. and $19,995 in Canada, the Chevrolet Trax received a facelift for the 2017 model year. Along with the new front end featuring the American automaker’s dual port grille, Chevrolet also outfitted the updated Trax with a revised instrument cluster and new safety technology like side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning. In our review of the Chevrolet Trax, we praised the crossover’s engine, transmission, and surprisingly roomy interior, while we weren’t huge fans of its interior finish and seat comfort. Read our Chevrolet Trax Review 9. Jeep Compass Jeep actually offers a few affordable options, with the Compass being its most expensive on the list. It starts from $20,995 in the U.S. and $24,900 in Canada, and like the Chevrolet Trax, it recently received an update for the 2017 model year. Recently we had a chance to get behind the wheel of the Trailhawk version and came away impressed with its approach angle and how comfortable it was to drive on the road. It does however, lack cargo space and if you’re planning to go off-road, don’t expect it to be a smooth ride. Read our Jeep Trailhawk Review 8. Nissan Juke If you’re a fan of the Nissan Juke’s funky styling, you better act quickly. Recent reports say the crossover will be discontinued in North America after entering the market in 2010. Priced from $20,250 in the U.S. and $20,698 in Canada, there’s a good chance you can come away with a deal if Nissan is discontinuing the model. It is believed the Juke will be replaced with the Nissan Kicks. There’s also a NISMO version of the Juke, which we recently reviewed. We enjoyed its all-wheel-drive performance and engine power, but were not impressed that it’s only offered with a continuously variable transmission. Read our Nissan Juke Review 7. Fiat 500X Not everyone is a fan of the styling found on the Fiat 500X, but if you like its quirky style, its pricing will surely be attractive to you. Starting from $20,000 in the U.S. and $22,995 in Canada, the Fiat 500X features a decent engine and the UConnect infotainment system boosts its appeal, but don’t expect it to have the same charm as the smaller Fiat 500 compact car. And that’s unfortunate, because the Fiat 500X doesn’t drive like a larger version of the Fiat 500, instead we came away feeling it had “wonky driving dynamics,” a stiff suspension, and poor fuel economy. Read our Fiat 500X Review 6. Mazda CX-3 In recent years, Mazda has been impressing the industry with its latest models, especially in the crossover and SUV segment. The compact Mazda CX-3 may be one of the cheapest crossovers available, starting from $19,960 in the U.S. and $20,695 in Canada, but you’ll come away impressed with what you get. In our review of the Mazda CX-3, we praised its looks, handling, comfort, and efficiency, while we did wish it had more power and cargo space. Read our Mazda CX-3 Review 5. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Mitsubishi is making a real strong push in the crossover and SUV segment, and the Japanese automaker looks to be focusing strictly on those segments for the coming years. In the U.S., the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport starts from $19,795, but in Canada it’s known as the Mitsubishi RVR and has a $19,998 starting price. It was very recently updated for the 2018 model year with new exterior and interior enhancements and will arrive in dealerships this fall. That means dealers are likely willing to slash prices to get rid of the remaining 2017 units. While we won’t get our hands on the refreshed model for a few more months, the last time we reviewed the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, we enjoyed its smooth-running engine, budget-friendly pricing, and responsive paddle shifters, but couldn’t get past its atrocious steering feel, sluggish acceleration, and small interior volume. Read our Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review 4. Honda HR-V Honda‘s compact crossover is priced from $19,465 in the U.S. and $21,150 in Canada and comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, push-button electric parking brake with Automatic Brake Hold, rearview camera with guidelines, and an infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and Pandora support. In our review of the Honda HR-V, we summarized it by comparing it to buying term life insurance in your 20s: It’s not the most stylish thing to do with your money, but the premiums are relatively cheap and it’s a sensible choice that’s likely to be beneficial in the long run. We enjoyed the HR-V’s cargo versatility, affordability, fuel economy, and LaneWatch camera, but had to give it a negative for its middling power and driving engagement. Read our Honda HR-V Review 3. Jeep Patriot The Jeep Patriot has been left mostly unchanged for years now, and it’s not long for this world. In fact, the 2017 model year is the last of its kind as both the Compass and Patriot will be replaced by a single model. The last bid towards a Jeep Patriot starts from $18,040 in the U.S. and $20,045 in Canada, but there are some deals to be had that are already being advertised online. But unless you’re a real fan of the Patriot and want one before they’re discontinued, we’d advise waiting since the model hasn’t been significantly updated in years. Read our Jeep Patriot Review 2. Jeep Renegade One of Jeep’s newest models, the subcompact Renegade, is its most affordable with a starting price of $17,995 in the U.S. and $21,745 in Canada. The compact crossover is surprisingly worthy of the Jeep nameplate, as we came away impressed by not only how great it drives on pavement, but how reasonably capable it is off-road in Trailhawk trim. In addition, the Jeep Renegade makes good use of its interior space and of course, it has a low starting price. It does however, have a slightly awkward driving position and we found the “My Sky” sunroof a bit silly. Read our Jeep Renegade Review 1. Kia Soul Currently, the cheapest crossover or SUV you can get your hand on is the Kia Soul, with a starting price of $16,100 in the U.S. and $17,395 in Canada. The boxy crossover is arguably Kia’s most iconic model, filling a void left behind when the Scion xB and Nissan Cube were discontinued. When we last reviewed the Kia Soul, we came away surprised by its sporty driving dynamics and premium interior, but was disappointed by its somewhat noisy engine. The good news is, buyers can pay a bit more this year for a turbocharged engine featuring 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Read our Kia Soul Review The post Top 10 Cheapest Crossovers and SUVs of 2017 appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“The wide range of vehicles offered by Kia is a source of optimism for Sprague, who believes that the division has the ability to change its mix to match current market trends.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel