Genesis

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Autoblog's Editors' Picks: Our complete list of the best new vehicles

It's not easy to earn an “EditorsÂ’ Picks” at Autoblog as part of the rating and review process that every new vehicle goes through. Our editors have been at it a long time, which means weÂ’ve driven and reviewed virtually every new car you can go buy on the dealer lot. There are disagreements, of course, and all vehicles have their strengths and weaknesses, but this list features what we think are the best new vehicles chosen by Autoblog editors. We started this formal review process back in 2018, so there's quite of few of them now. So what does it mean to be an EditorsÂ’ Pick? In short, it means itÂ’s a car that we can highly recommend purchasing. There may be one, multiple, or even zero vehicles in any given segment that we give the green light to. What really matters is that itÂ’s a vehicle that weÂ’d tell a friend or family member to go buy if theyÂ’re considering it, because itÂ’s a very good car. The best way to use this list is is with the navigation links below. Click on a segment, and you'll quickly arrive at the top rated pickup truck or SUV, for example. Use the back button to return to these links and search in another segment, like sedans. If youÂ’ve been keeping up with our monthly series of the latest vehicles to earn EditorsÂ’ Pick status, youÂ’re likely going to be familiar with this list already. If not, welcome to the complete list that weÂ’ll be keeping updated as vehicles enter (and others perhaps exit) the good graces of our editorial team. We rate a new car — giving it a numerical score out of 10 — every time thereÂ’s a significant refresh or if it happens to be an all-new model. Any given vehicle may be impressive on a first drive, but we wait until itÂ’s in the hands of our editors to put it through the same type of testing as every other vehicle that rolls through our test fleet before giving it the EditorsÂ’ Pick badge. This ensures consistency and allows more voices to be heard on each individual model. And just so you donÂ’t think weÂ’ve skipped trims or variants of a model, we hand out the EditorsÂ’ Pick based on the overarching model to keep things consistent. So, when you read that the 3 Series is an EditorsÂ’ Pick, yes, that includes the 330i to the M3 and all the variants in between. If thereÂ’s a particular version of that car we vehemently disagree with, we make sure to call that out.

Cars with the most reckless drivers are full of surprises

Insurify is a site for comparing auto insurance quotes. Because insurance shoppers need to submit information like the vehicles they're driving and the infractions they've compiled while driving those vehicles, Insurify has quite the database of correlations tying certain models to a habit of breaking certain laws. When the site's data analysts decided to compile a list of the top ten models for reckless driving citations in the decade from 2010 to 2019, the ranking contained a few wild entries. The Dodge Challenger making the countdown will surprise precisely zero people. But the Saturn L200? First, a definition: USLegal.com defines reckless driving as "driving with a willful or wanton disregard for safety. It is the operation of an automobile under such circumstances and in such a manner as to show a willful or reckless disregard of consequences." So this list is a caution about particular drivers more than the cars. For a baseline, according to Insurify data, for any random model, 15 out of 10,000 people who drive that model have picked up one citation for reckless driving. Back to that Challenger, then. No shocker for being here, but it's actually number 10, with 44 out of 10,000 Challenger drivers nabbed for a willful disregard of consequences on the road. That's better than the first surprise entry, the Saturn L200, a sedan only on sale for six years, with the least horsepower on the list, and out of production since 2005. The data set put drivers of GM's extraterrestrial sedan at 45 reckless pilots per 10,000 drivers. There are two pickups on the list, the only modern one being the Ram 1500 at eighth, with a rate of 46 in 10,000. Somehow, drivers of the third-best-selling pickup in the U.S. outrun the overwhelming numerical superiority of the best-selling vehicle in the States, the Ford F-150. The other pickup is the Chevrolet K1500 at number five, with a rate of 56 in 10,000. This is not only the oldest vehicle on the list, it went out of production in 2002, before any other vehicle on the list. Between the trucks, the Volkswagen CC slotted in at seven with 47 in 10,000 reckless driving chits, the Cadillac ATS slipped into sixth with 48 in 10,000.  The top four is a bag of unexpected. The Nissan 370Z is the first hardcore sports car on the list at number four, with 61 in 10,000 Z drivers flaunting their Fairladys in the face of Johnny Law.

Genesis is reportedly turning the GV80 into a BMW X6-fighting fastback

Genesis will follow the path blazed by BMW and turn the GV80, its first SUV, into a high-riding fastback, according to a recent report. The model will land in the same arena as the X6, among other coupe-like SUVs. South Korea's members-only GV80 Club obtained this morsel of information from anonymous Genesis insiders. Its informants sketched the outline of an SUV that looks a lot like the GV80 from the rocker panels to the belt line. Above that, it stands apart from its more utilitarian sibling with a steeper windshield and a sharper-sloping roof line. The transformation brings bigger wheels, too, but we don't know if the front end has been tweaked. Much like the X6 is an evolution of the X5, the Genesis model will be closely related to the GV80 (pictured) under the sheetmetal. It'll be sportier and more expensive than the family hauler it's based on, so it might eschew the entry-level 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and hop straight to the turbocharged, 3.5-liter V6. If that's the case, all-wheel drive will come standard. If it gets a turbo four, rear-wheel drive might be the default configuration. Genesis hasn't commented on the rumor, and it hasn't signaled its intention to jump into a segment dominated by the X6. Assuming the report is accurate, we'll start seeing the first test mules racking up miles by the end of 2021. If it's indeed in the pipeline, the GV80 fastback — a name that certainly won't be retained for production — will compete against the aforementioned X6, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, the Audi Q8, and, at the top end of the range, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. Sales could start during the 2022 model year. Related video:

Genesis GV70e electric crossover spied testing for the first time

It’s only been a couple of days since a report broke previewing a legion of Genesis EVs to come, but one of our spy shooters has already captured one of those vehicles: the GV70e. Basically, this vehicle is an all-electric version of the GV70 crossover thatÂ’s already been revealed. A number of visual elements give this tester away as the electric GV70. For starters, thereÂ’s the solid grille. The heavy camouflage blocks off a grille that is shaped similarly to the normal GV70, but itÂ’s just a big shield in this case. You can see that a tiny slit was cut in the center for what looks like a camera. A criss-cross design is visible in the area immediately surrounding this camera, which is keeping with GenesisÂ’ latest design language. The only difference here is that the crosses are molded into a solid piece, and are not open for air to move through as they would be on the gasoline-engined version. The only spot in the front end with cooling capabilities appears to be a tiny opening at the bottom of the bumper, which is conveniently placed to be at the same level as a battery pack. Last on the EV checklist is the complete lack of exhaust outlets — the standard GV70 has two exhaust exits in the far corners of the rear bumper. There isnÂ’t even the hint of an exhaust tip anywhere on this tester. Instead, the rear bumper is all one piece, and itÂ’s covered completely by camouflage. Beyond these electric elements, this GV70e tester looks just like the standard GV70 — the signature Genesis dual-element lights are visible in front and back. ThereÂ’s a great deal of camouflage still all over the car, though, so Genesis could be cooking up a number of styling details to separate it from the gas engine model. This EV seems a good fit for the recently-announced E-GMP electric vehicle platform that will underpin a number of electric Hyundai products. The even-smaller electric Genesis crossover we spied the other day (and many others) will also take advantage of the platform. ItÂ’s still unclear when the GV70e will debut, but Hyundai has promised to launch 23 electric vehicles by 2025. Considering that Genesis is already on the road testing, this could be one of the earlier ones among the group. Related video:

Genesis files for trademarks on several EV model names, including GV90e

We've known for a while that Genesis, like many other carmakers, is moving towards an electrified lineup. Recently unearthed trademark filings, however, reveal just how big of a push the luxury marque is planning. A user at GVForums.com dug into the South Korean patent bureau's database and discovered Genesis filings for G70e, G80e, G90e, GV70e, GV80e and GV90e. Given Genesis's (thankfully still logical) naming conventions, the names points to three sedans and three crossovers all getting the electric treatment. The applications were all filed in late January. We've spotted a camouflaged electric G80 sedan undergoing testing at the Nurburgring and heard chatter about and even spied an electric crossover as well, but we didn't expect six EVs. Late last year, parent company Hyundai did confirm a global modular EV platform, the E-GMP. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be the first car to utilize it, but it'll provide the basis for Genesis and Kia models as well. Notably, the platform will be rear-wheel-drive biased, making it a good base for Genesis's luxury models. Another interesting revelation from the filings is the fact that Genesis may have plans to release a flagship crossover in the GV90e. Presumably, it will slot above what is currently its largest SUV, the GV80. What's not clear is whether a gasoline- or diesel-powered GV90 will also be sold alongside it. While it's possible Genesis will offer the GV90 in electric form only, the G90 sedan's 420-horsepower, 383 pound-feet, 5.0-liter V8 might be a good candidate for a gasoline variant. Genesis's corporate siblings have already detailed plans to move aggressively into the EV segment, with Kia leading the charge. It only makes sense that Genesis would follow suit. With a common modular platform underpinning all the cars, the company stands to benefit economically as well. Related Video:

Upcoming Genesis electric crossover caught in spy photos

When the Hyundai Motor Group revealed its E-GMP electric platform, the company made it clear that it would underpin vehicles from every brand. The Ioniq 5 will be the first, and we'll see it fully unveiled soon. We've also seen spy shots of the Kia crossover that will come soon after. Now we have spy photos of a Genesis testing that we believe also uses the platform. We suspect it's an E-GMP car based on its proportions. It's a bit tall with a relatively short length. It mirrors that of both the Ioniq 5 and upcoming Kia EV that we've seen. It's definitely a Genesis, though, and not one of the other brands. We can see the signature split headlights at the front, as well as the wide taillights at the rear. The detailed, flowing, spindly wheel spokes are very Genesis, too. We can just make out the tip of the pentagonal grille shared on all Genesis cars. That grille is positioned much lower in the front fascia than most of the brand's cars, though. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Genesis EV appears to have the crossover "coupe" shape that luxury automakers love. It's highlighted by the dramatically upswept window sills on the rear doors. We have no doubt that the vehicle will also have a hatchback rear opening, too. Also interesting are the mirrors, which are extremely thin. They may actually be camera supports like those used on the Audi E-Tron. We doubt they'll be offered as a standalone feature in the U.S., though, due to regulations here. With the Ioniq 5 being revealed very soon, and the first E-GMP Kia EV debut coming in a few months, we would expect the Genesis to be shown a little after the Kia. We could see its reveal coming in the fall as the 2021-2022 auto show season starts up. Because this Genesis will be using the E-GMP platform, it will likely have a pair of electric motors providing a rear-drive-biased experience. Hyundai has claimed that E-GMP cars could make enough power to provide 0-60 mph times of 3.5 seconds. The platform also supports 800-volt fast charging at a rate of 350-kW. Related Video:

CES 2021, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and driving the Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 PHEV | Autoblog Podcast #660

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by West Coast Editor James Riswick. They talk about driving Ford's Mustang Mach-E and F-150 plug-in hybrid, as well as the Ram TRX and Genesis GV80. They recap CES 2021, as well as the enormous display screens featured in new cars at the show. They also discuss the reveal of the new three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee L. Lastly, they reach into the mailbag to talk about vehicle comfort. Autoblog Podcast #660 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown What we're driving2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD 2021 Ford F-150 Platinum PHEV 2021 Ram 1500 TRX 2021 Genesis GV80 Other news CES 2021 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Mailbag Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video:

Hyundai Motor Group reveals the E-GMP modular electric platform

Just as Volkswagen has the MEB platform for its ID. line of electric cars, Hyundai Motor Group is launching a modular architecture of its own. It's called E-GMP for "electric-global modular platform," and the motor and battery powertrain is called PE for "power electric." These components will underpin models from Hyundai, Kia, Genesis and the new Ioniq brand. The first to launch with it will be the Ioniq 5. One of the interesting aspects of this platform is that it will be designed with rear-wheel drive in mind. Like VW's and Tesla's EVs, the basic layout will feature a rear-mounted motor powering those back wheels, and the battery pack fits in the floor between the wheels. All-wheel drive will be available on some of these models with the addition of a second, front-mounted motor. That front motor will be able to mechanically disconnect from the front drive axles when not needed, allowing for less mechanical drag and more efficient driving. Hyundai is promising impressive performance from the E-GMP and its batteries and motors. The company claims that a car built on the platform could be capable of 0-62 mph sprints of 3.5 seconds with a top speed of about 162 mph. This will vary depending on motors, and Hyundai Motor Group revealed that there are three outputs of motor in development. Maximum range is expected to be 311 miles on the WLTP cycle. Hyundai didn't give exact power outputs or battery capacity in kWh, though. The battery pack is made up of standardized modules that can be added or subtracted depending on the needs of the vehicle, and the individual cells are pouch-type, similar to what GM is using in its Ultium batteries. The E-GMP cars will also support fast charging up to 800V and 350kW, so an 80% charge from empty could happen in just 18 minutes. Two-way charging will also be supported, so your electric Hyundai or Kia could provide up to 3.5kW of power to various appliances or even to another EV. Hyundai says you could run a "midsize" air conditioner and a 55-inch TV for up to 24 hours with an E-GMP car. Hyundai 45 View 14 Photos We won't have to wait long to see the first car based on this platform. The Ioniq 5, which will take design inspiration from the Hyundai 45 concept, will launch next year. The Ioniq 6, based on the Hyundai Prophecy concept, will come in 2022 and the Ioniq 7 in 2024. The first Kia model will be a crossover revealed next year, and it will have a performance variant.

Hyundai, Kia, Genesis will get chip maker NVIDIA's infotainment in deal

Chip maker NVIDIA Corp on Monday announced that Hyundai Motor Group will use the NVIDIA DRIVE in-vehicle information and entertainment system for all its Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models from 2022. NVIDIA said the luxury vehicle division of Hyundai, Genesis, already uses NVIDIA DRIVE for its GV80 and G80 models. (You can read a bit about the Genesis infotainment systems in Autoblog's recent driving reviews of the G80 sedan and the GV80 SUV, and our buying guide for the latter.)  NVIDIA declined to say how many vehicles NVIDIA DRIVE would be installed in, but said it is a large number and pointed to the fact that in 2019 Hyundai Motor Group shipped over 7 million vehicles. Hyundai Motor Co is the flagship company of Hyundai Motor Group, and Kia Motors Corp is its sister company. NVIDIA DRIVE includes hardware and software components and uses artificial intelligence to improve the user's experience. The software can be "perpetually" updated, giving vehicles the latest AI cockpit features, said NVIDIA. NVIDIA said it has also been working with Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Honda on in-car entertainment and information systems. Related Video:    

Driving the 2021 Genesis G80 and Toyota Sienna | Autoblog Podcast #652

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder. They kick things off by talking about driving the all-new, 2021 Toyota Sienna hybrid minivan and Genesis G80 luxury sedan. Next, they talk about what of GM vehicles Autoblog staff members would like to restomod with the new Connect and Cruise eCrate motor and battery package. They also discuss the pros and cons of Ford CEO Jim Farley's decision to continue racing. Finally, they reach into the mailbag and help a listener pick a new car to replace a 2016 Mazda Miata. Autoblog Podcast #652 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Cars we're driving 2021 Toyota Sienna 2021 Genesis G80 We really want to use an eCrate to restomod an old GM car. Here's what we'd build Jim Farley allowed to continue racing his 1966 GT40 even as Ford CEO Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: