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By: Willy Xceed · 03/02/2021 -
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2021 AutoGuide.com Utility Vehicle of the Year: Meet the Contenders
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By Jelleuuh
Hallo allemaal
Ik beschik sinds 1 week over de nieuwe Kia Picanto versie 2021. Ik heb de auto full option genomen met het nieuwe infotainmentsysteem. Dit systeem zou Wi-Fi aan boord moeten hebben om mijn android auto draadloos te gebruiken, echter: hier loopt het mis.
De functie Wi-Fi is nergens te vinden in de instellingen van het infotainmentsysteem. Ik kan wel bluetooth vinden, en KIA live services + uvo connect. Dat heb ik ook allemaal geactiveerd. Ik heb begin deze week mijn verdeler gecontacteerd die me bevestigde dat het op de nieuwe picanto + nog 2 andere modellen inderdaad ingebouwd zit sinds dit jaar. Hij heeft het bekeken met alle 3 de modellen in zijn garage maar hij kan zelf ook nergens toegang tot de Wi-Fi instelling krijgen. Het icoon ontbreekt volledig. Hij heeft me gezegd dat hij verder navraag ging doen bij KIA om tot een oplossing te komen, maar in de tussentijd informeer ik me toch eens hier. Ik ben nu toch al een goede week aan het wachten op een antwoord dat hopelijk snel komt.
Kan het zijn dat de nieuwe wagen uit de fabriek toch nog een software update nodig heeft? Is er nog iemand die dit probleem heeft gehad? Ik ben blijkbaar de eerste klant bij de dealer die deze vraag stelt maar misschien kom ik via jullie wel sneller tot een antwoord.
Verder ben ik enorm tevreden van mijn nieuwe picanto
Groetjes
Jelle
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By Kiaclub Nieuwsrobot
Both General Motors and Kia presented new brand logos this week—but which is best?
It’s not often car manufacturers tinker with their badge. This week we saw two. We’ve broken down the redesigns for both General Motors and Kia down below, and we pose the question to you, dear readers: which one did it better?
General Motors
Earlier today, General Motors unveiled its latest logo, only the fifth time the company has significantly changed it in 113 years. It’s a familiar evolution of the previous badge: it’s still roughly square-shaped, and the two initials remain in place. The General has gone for lowercase lettering this time though—think “i’m loving it” from McDonald’s. GM has also switched to a softer, curvier font, for what it says is a “modern, inclusive feel.”
Loading … The bounding box is now a curved-corner square, similar to app icons on an iPhone. GM’s thrown a blue gradient on the whole package, which has evoked more than a few comparisons to ’90s WordArt across Twitter. The underline moves over to just the m, with the negative space between it and the letter meant to show a plug. The American company isn’t being coy: this rebrand is all about its Ultium battery tech, and a heavy push towards EVs that will see 30 new models across its brands by 2030.
SEE ALSO: 2020 Cadillac CT5-V Review: My Name is My Name
The redesign coincides with the brand’s new tagline, “Everybody in.” GM is very specifically tying the rebrand to its massive $27-billion investment in EVs, and believes now is the tipping point for the technology.
Which vehicles will lead GM into the electric future? Right now we’ve seen the Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer EV, and both will touch down within the next year or two. We’ll find out more at GM’s virtual CES showcase, and the restyled corporate website will go live on Monday, January 11.
Kia
Kia has gone a very different direction for its new identity. Debuting on Wednesday, it ditches the staid oval badge of before for an angular wordmark. The old logo was in use since Kia began selling cars on this continent a quarter-century ago.
Loading … The Korean automaker used hundreds of firework-launching drones to show off the logo—enough to earn it a Guinness World Record, in fact. Kia says the edgy new look symbolizes the brand’s “confidence and commitment to customers.” We’ll leave you to decide that one. Kia’s cars have changed drastically since the ’90s, and we’d argue this new badge should look right at home in the Tiger Nose grille of the new K5 or Sorento. Unlike GM, Kia has only shown off the new logo in flat black; not counting the fireworks display, anyway. Kia also hasn’t tied its design so closely to its electric future, which will focus on the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP platform.
SEE ALSO: 2021 Kia Sorento Review: First Drive
Kia has a new slogan as well: “Movement that inspires.” The tagline, logo, and what’s sure to be cars featuring the latter will feature on a digital “New Kia Brand Showcase” event Friday, January 15.
Which of these two redesigns do you think is more successful? Sound off in the comments.
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The post Who Has the Better Logo Redesign: GM or Kia? appeared first on AutoGuide.com.
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By Kiaclub Nieuwsrobot
[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] Kia is looking to satisfy every crossover buyer’s needs with its lineup of “just-right” models, the latest of which is this, the 2021 Sorento.
Last year, it was the Seltos‘ time in the spotlight. That little high-rider split the difference between sub-compact and compact SUVs. The Sorento has been pulling off a similar feat a size up, offering three rows of seating in a footprint more compact than the Telluride. It was very much part of the “old Kia” lineup however, lacking the clever details and eye-catching styling of models like the Telluride, Seltos, and (especially) the new K5 sedan.
Not anymore. Kia has given its semi-mid-size crossover a makeover for 2021, with a more assertive look outside, a clever interior, and more modern conveniences. It packs in a whole lot of content for the money, and could be just the right choice for those looking for more space than the two-row crew can provide.
A look all its own
As this Aruba Stone X-Line model landed in front of my building for the holidays, it served as the latest reminder that Kia’s current design language is as great as it is adaptable. The Tiger Nose grille makes it immediately recognizable as part of the Korean brand kin, yet the front-end treatment follows its own path. The LED headlights blend into the grille a la K5, but it’s a taller, more upright nose suitable for a crossover. The grille insert is an angular one, a theme you find mirrored in the somewhat-fussy rear end.
SEE ALSO: 2021 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD Review: A Covetable Mainstream Sedan?
There are a lot of competing angles on the tailgate, but overall I’d say it works. The X-Line avoids the big fake exhaust trim of higher models too, which is nice. At least the flanks are clean of slashes and vents. A little shark fin just behind the rear doors is a funky touch, and something the Sorento will share with the 2022 Sedona when it drops later this year. Wheel sizes range from 17s to the 20-inchers you see here.
Like its big brother, the Sorento comes across as more expensive than it really is.
An interior made for family use
It’s here that I need to stick a disclaimer: trim levels for the Sorento are quite different between Canada and the US. In America, the X-Line is a $2,000 package in addition to the range-topping SX-Premium trim for a total of $43,765 including destination. The package includes AWD, an additional inch of ground clearance (for 8.3 total), a center-locking differential with hill descent control, and more robust roof racks.
Loading … The Great White North takes a different angle. The X-Line you see here is a mid-level trim on its own: it keeps all the goodies mentioned above, but sticks to cloth seats, and eschews all the fancy tech you’ll find higher up the range. It’s closest to the EX trim in the US. In this case, I’m happy to test what is a lower-spec trim, as it’s likely more representative of most consumers’ experiences. Alright, that’s sorted.
Kia’s interior designers have given the Sorento a much-needed refresh. Strips of textured metal-effect trim brighten up the dash and doors, and a quartet of vertical air vents look plucked straight out of the Death Star. The big slab of piano black that joins the instrument panel to the infotainment screen lacks the subtle three-dimensional curving of the one in the K5 I tested last month, making it feel less integrated. Plastics are generally of the soft-touch variety, with the brittlest being the door cards and their grab handles. It’s not Ford Escape levels of cheap, though. The front doors feel strangely soft to close too.
SEE ALSO: 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Review: Friendly Fuel-Sipper
The cloth seats are comfortable and come heated as standard on all trims save the base US LX. There’s plenty of room to stretch out in any of the front four seats; space in the way-back is understandably less generous. It isn’t quite what I’d deem claustrophobic, at least from someone around my 5’10” build. The cushions are naturally very low, so you’ll be knees-up as an adult, but kids won’t have an issue. Storage cubbies and cupholders abound everywhere.
With all the seats up, you’re looking at just 12.6 cubic feet (357 liters) of storage space—the price for carrying three rows. Pull the simple straps on the rear seats and space expands up to 45 cubes (1,274 L); fold all but the front and you’ve got an ample 75.5 (2,139) to play with.
Tech game strong
There are USB chargers in every row, ensuring no device goes without juice—I especially like the ones built into the front seatbacks. Plus there’s a wireless charge pad up front.
An 8.0-inch version of Kia’s UVO system is present here. What it lacks in real estate (a 10.25-inch unit is also available), it makes up for with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. UVO is an intuitive interface, with fast responses and clear graphics.
A comprehensive active safety suite is standard across the range. Every Sorento includes forward collision avoidance, three kinds of lane assist (keep, departure, follow), auto high beams, and rear occupant alert. Rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring join the list from the second trim on up, while Safe Exit Assist, Highway Drive Assist, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera are all available depending on trim.
Kia’s adaptive cruise control is a great system, so it’s disappointing that it only appears on the top two trims in Canada. If only the X-Line were available higher up the walk…
Strong performer on road (and off)
Mid-level Sorento trims gain access to the group’s excellent 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. Under this SUV’s bluff nose, it produces a stout 281 horsepower and—more importantly—311 lb-ft of torque across much of its rev range. It has plenty of power for everyday needs, and there’s little in the way of turbo lag. I found the eight-speed dual-clutch auto to be jerkier around town than the last car I drove with this combo (the Hyundai Sonata N-Line), however. Beyond the first-second swap it was smooth sailing, but it was noticeable nonetheless.
A non-turbo 2.5-liter is also available. You might consider it under the pretence of better fuel efficiency, but don’t: with all-wheel drive, both engines post the same 24 mpg (9.9 L/100 km) average. The base engine works a lot harder to maintain highway speeds, scoring just 25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km). As both will happily sip regular fuel, the turbo is the easy choice. My tester was a little thirstier, averaging around 22.5 mpg (10.5 L/100 km) over the week. Admittedly, it did more city work than anything else; normally I’d be pulling mega highway miles over the holiday season, but well, you know.
There’s also a hybrid, which seems like the best compromise, at least on paper. It promises a 37 mpg average (6.4 L/100 km), with a healthy 227 combined horsepower.
The Sorento rides with the sort of smoothness that would make long-distance trips easy-peasy. It’s well-damped, smothering bumps with no more than a muffled thud from within the cabin. Feedback from the steering wheel is expectedly light, but it is smooth and consistent in its weighting.
X-Line models gain a dedicated snow mode for their drive-select system. While I didn’t get to take the Sorento down any gnarly trails, I did have to navigate a long, twisting, unplowed dirt road, and the Kia didn’t disappoint. Switching over to Snow (and switching out to Mud when things cleared up), the Sorento always felt in control, using hill descent to keep the speeds in check as I’d round another blind downhill corner.
Loading … Verdict: 2021 Kia Sorento First Drive Review
Kia can’t miss these days, and the Sorento is another win for the team. The assertive new styling distances it from the quasi-minivan look of the last model, but its beauty is more than skin deep. A thoughtfully-designed interior makes it great for hauling families, and those rear-most seats allow for more people to come along for the ride. Crucially, it doesn’t drive that different from the normal compact crossovers out there, either.
My main quibble with the Sorento centers on the limited availability of the X-Line goodies on both sides of the border, and the thirstiness of the turbo engine. Beyond that though, this is a great compact-plus crossover. Regardless of trim, the new Sorento stands out as a genuine deal for SUV shoppers.
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The post 2021 Kia Sorento Review: First Drive appeared first on AutoGuide.com.
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By Kiaclub Nieuwsrobot
Our annual awards are back, with a new format and more categories!
After what felt like the longest year ever, it’s time to separate the merely good from the great. Yes, it’s time for our 2021 AutoGuide.com Car of the Year Awards.
For more 2021 AutoGuide.com Awards information, check out the other categories:
2021 AutoGuide.com Car of the Year: Meet the Contenders 2021 AutoGuide.com Utility Vehicle of the Year: Meet the Contenders Cars are still a big deal for a lot of consumers. They’re more fuel efficient, lighter—meaning less wear and tear on parts—and generally more affordable than their crossover siblings. While we said goodbye to a lot of models in 2020, there were also plenty of bright new additions to the humble three-box segment.
We saw both the Nissan Sentra and Hyundai Elantra debut in the compact segment. The Mazda3, new for last year, gained a more powerful turbo engine, further emphasizing its march upmarket. A size up, two very different takes on the same essential mid-size sedan platform appeared in the Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5. Both feature plenty of tech, consumer-friendly pricing, and smooth driving experiences. Hyundai went a step further and produced a sportier N-Line model, with a full 290 horsepower funnelling through the front wheels.
As always, this isn’t a direct comparison. What matters here is fit for purpose: how each car accomplishes its goals in its respective class, and how much they raise the bar there. Ideally, they even advance the industry standards across the board, be it in value, styling, technology, or performance. Most importantly, we’ve only included cars our team has actually driven. 2020 delayed a lot of product roll-outs, and while that’s unfortunate, it meant cutting a few models we might’ve initially planned to include earlier in the year.
For Car and Utility of the year, we’ve split the award into Overall, Mainstream, and Luxury sub-categories. You’ll find the eight Car of the Year finalists below, in alphabetical order. Our team will vote on each category over the coming weeks, and we’ll announce the winners early February. Stay tuned!
Car of the Year (Mainstream)
2021 Hyundai Elantra
All new for 2021, the Elantra is aiming for no less than class leadership. Longer, lower, and wider than the car it replaces, the Hyundai’s fractal-like styling won’t please everyone, but the ample space it offers inside sure will. The interior is light and airy, and top models feature a combined digital instrument panel and infotainment screen, like a Merc A-Class for 40 percent less cash.
SEE ALSO: 2021 Hyundai Elantra Review: First Drive
In regular gas-engined trims, the Elantra offers a smooth ride with a big-car feeling. Those wanting even more fuel efficiency can opt for a hybrid model. Rather make performance a priority? A warmer, turbocharged N-Line is available, and a raucous full-on N model will touch down some time next year. The Honda Civic should watch its back.
Loading … 2021 Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai introduced the new Sonata late last year as a 2020 model, and during the calendar year, continued to flesh out the mid-size lineup. What hasn’t changed are those dramatic looks: like the Elantra, they’re not to everyone’s tastes. It’s certainly distinctive though, with the clever hidden DRLs in the chrome strips on the hood making this an easy car to spot at night.
SEE ALSO: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Review
It’s this year’s new models that really set the Sonata apart in its class. The Hybrid (as seen above) offers a stellar 47 mpg average, a theoretical range over 600 miles, and a very cool solar panel roof. Contributor Chris Tonn called it “one of the best cars I’ve driven for a long day in the saddle.” On the other end of the spectrum is the naughty N-Line model. With 290 horsepower sent through only the front wheels, it’s shockingly fast for what looks, essentially, like a regular sedan. N-Line drivers can revel in one of the year’s most understated performance models, and as ever with Hyundai, it’s a deal, too.
Loading … 2021 Kia K5
There’s another Korean car standing in the way of the Sonata’s run for the crown, however. It’s the Kia K5, which shares the same platform. Despite that, the K5 feels completely different from its sibling, in no small part thanks to its unique drivetrain. Kia offers the K5 with AWD (standard in Canada), something the Sonata doesn’t do, which should please those in colder climes.
SEE ALSO: 2021 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD Review: A Covetable Mainstream Sedan?
The Kia’s daring exterior looks are arguably more appealing to more people, too. There’s a hint of Stinger here, from the low nose to the quasi-fastback profile. Inside, K5 passengers are treated to a stylish, well-thought-out interior with practical solutions to everyday issues and solid quality. A big 10.25-inch touchscreen is as easy to read as it is to use.
Just one engine option exists for now: the ubiquitous 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. That changes early next year, when the K5 GT touches down, packing the same 2.5-liter turbocharged four as—yep, you guessed it—the Sonata N-Line.
Loading … 2021 Mazda3 Turbo
The Mazda3 has felt like a car trying to live two lives since the fourth-gen model debuted last year. It’s incredibly stylish, and the interior does a better job of feeling premium than most actual luxury marques. But even with the top 2.5-liter engine, it didn’t have the power to compete. That changed this year, when Mazda dropped the turbocharged version of the engine in the 3’s low, low hood. Hello 250 horsepower, and a stout 320 lb-ft of torque when running on the premium drink.
SEE ALSO: 2021 Mazda3 Sport 2.5 Turbo Review: First Drive
Long-time Mazda fans may cry foul here, as the Turbo isn’t a proper follow-up for the wild Mazdaspeed3 of yesteryear. That’s not the 2021 Mazda3 Turbo’s jam: it’s a more mature approach, with stable AWD instead of the torque-steering front-drive setup. It’s composed, yet still entertaining on a backroad, and feels every inch a viable option for those not satisfied with the Audi A3 or BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.
Loading … 2021 Nissan Sentra
We’ll be straight with you here: the previous Sentra was the butt of a lot of jokes around the office halls. It had few redeeming qualities: it was dull, underpowered, felt cheap, and looked awkward. That’s what makes the new car so impressive: it’s a huge leap forward, and we can actually see ourselves recommending it beyond a massive end-of-year discount.
SEE ALSO: 2020 Nissan Sentra Review: Big Car Feel, Small Car Price
For starters, the Sentra looks great now. Nissan dropped the roofline and stretched the car’s length and width, resulting in strong proportions. Space is ample front and back, and there’s an enormous trunk out back. A 2.0-liter engine provides a fine amount of thrust (149 hp and 146 lb-ft), with a CVT ensuring high fuel efficiency in the city and on the highway. Higher trims bring in quilted leather seats, which are a rarity in the compact car segment.
Loading … Car of the Year (Luxury)
2021 Acura TLX
Acura promised a return to fun with the second-generation TLX. While the real fun will arrive next year, with a high-performance Type S, it was important the Japanese luxury brand get the fundamentals right here. Mission accomplished, then. Starting under $40,000 (or around $45,000 CAD), the new TLX has a stronger dynamic profile than before, in large part thanks to its updated SH-AWD system. A standard 2.0-liter turbo engine is par for the class, but it’s a stronger four-pot than most out there, putting out a healthy 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
SEE ALSO: 2021 Acura TLX A-Spec Review: Making the Grade
Luxury buyers demand more than good handling, however. The TLX has a roomy interior—though maybe not as much as its larger exterior dimensions suggest—positively stuffed with high-quality materials. A dramatic new center console makes the car’s mission clear right from the get-go, prioritizing a drive mode select system over pretty much everything else. Fun is back at Acura, and we couldn’t be happier about it.
Loading … 2021 Cadillac CT5-V
Cadillac is in the midst of (another) revamp, and that includes a new sedan lineup. There’s the smaller CT4, meant to take on the luxury sub-compact crowd, and this, the CT5. We’ve put forward the CT5-V here, a different, more sedate take on the V sub-brand. “Sedate” is a relative term: it’s not packing a fire-breathing supercharged V8 from the CTS-V this car ostensibly replaced, but the CT5-V still has a strong (and sweet-sounding) turbocharged V6.
SEE ALSO: 2020 Cadillac CT5-V Review: My Name is My Name
At 360 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, the new engine blends more naturally with the rest of the CT5-V’s package. It allows the chassis more opportunity to shine, with a balance that allows drivers to get more out of the car without travelling at extra-legal speeds. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but Cadillac offers both V-Series sedans with AWD as well. Inclement weather won’t get in the way of having fun in these four-doors.
Loading … 2021 Genesis G80
The G80 is the car that launched Genesis. So it’s a big deal that now, four years later, we’re getting a second-generation model. A clean-sheet design, this svelte four-door also adopts the brand’s new styling language, with a swanky, swooping roofline and that unmistakable quad-bar face.
Buyers have two engine and drivetrain options for the G80, like its platform-mate the GV80, the brand’s first SUV. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6, both turbocharged, hook up to an eight-speed auto, with power going to either the rear axle or both. Both engines put out competitive power figures (300 hp in the four-pot, 375 hp for the V6), but we’re fans of the bigger engine. It suits the big G80, gifting it with effortless passing power and lots of low-down grunt.
SEE ALSO: 2021 Genesis G80 Review: First Drive
Arguably the G80’s best features is its interior. Boldly styled, it’s a luxurious place to be for front- or back-row occupants, with acres of leather and open-pore wood. A whole new infotainment system is pretty and easy to use, thanks to multiple input options and snappy responses. And instead of only offering black, gray, or beige, Genesis includes actual color options for the interior. More cars should have blue leather.
Loading … Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
The post 2021 AutoGuide.com Car of the Year: Meet the Contenders appeared first on AutoGuide.com.
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By Kiaclub Nieuwsrobot
Initially shown of in Europe earlier this year, the 2021 Kia Sorento has now officially been announced in the U.S....
The post 2021 Kia Sorento X-Line & Hybrid Launched In U.S. appeared first on theKEEA.
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