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Hyundai says, maybe driverless cars won't be so bad

The allure of autonomous driving for many people is the tech's ability to free up their time behind the wheel from paying attention to the road. However, the driverless future might also increase the mobility of folks all over the world. Toyota's recent billion-dollar research investment aims to tackle both of these questions, and Hyundai now has a moving commercial that offers a glimpse at some of these possibilities. Hyundai also used a clever approach to show off its driver assistance systems in an ad last year, but this time it took a more emotional style to demonstrate the future. We don't want to spoil the optimistic spot's hook, but the video stars a little boy who just wants to drive. The way that he does it is heartwarming and beautifully shot. The commercial is in Korean, but like any good piece of marketing, the visuals break down the language barrier.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe production version shown in first photos

Hyundai is continuing to trickle out information about the redesigned 2019 Santa Fe crossover, this time releasing exterior and interior images that give us a good sense of the production version. It'll get its world premiere later this month before making its official bow in Geneva in March. Hyundai had previously released a darkened teaser photograph that showed the profile of the three-row crossover, its largest passenger car, then last week a pair of official renderings that showed a hulking, muscular SUV. The new exterior image shows the Santa Fe from virtually the same angle, and it reveals a few differences from the most recent renderings. For starters, the greenhouse is more generous, not as narrow as in the rendering. The massive wheels have been brought down to a less aggressive size, and the production version isn't quite so bulging down the flanks. But it keeps the Cascading grille, the upright fascia, twin headlights and the prominent crease along the profile just below the windows. The fourth-generation SUV also grows in size, with a length of 187.8 inches, width of 74.4 inches and a longer wheelbase, giving it a wide, athletic stance. Inside, Hyundai says there's more room for passengers, with enhanced visibility and a horizontal layout, with a center touchscreen atop a relatively uncluttered console. The Santa Fe will come equipped with Hyundai's new rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, which helps warn of approaching vehicles when the driver reverses out of areas with poor visibility and apply the brakes automatically when an oncoming vehicle is detected. It also gets safety exit assist technology, which Hyundai says temporarily locks the doors when it detects vehicles approaching from behind — presumably meaning in those situations where you're about to open your door in a parking space as a car pulls into the spot next to you.Related Video:

Hyundai prices Nexo FCEV crossover within dollars of Toyota Mirai sedan

CarsDirect got hold of order guides for the 2019 Hyundai Nexo, revealing the price for the base Blue trim as $59,345. That includes the $1,045 destination fee. The Limited trim adds another $3,500, for $62,845. Since the Nexo is the only crossover FCEV in the segment, two sedans represent its closest competition, only one of which can be bought at all and is on sale right now. The Toyota Mirai costs $59,285 after destination, $60 less than the Nexo. The Honda Clarity FCEV is lease-only, and Honda's site says the fastback won't arrive until mid-2019. Hyundai won't offer any options for either trim, but both trims get generous spec. The Blue version has LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, synthetic leather, heated seats, and a bundle of driver assistance tech. The Limited bumps up to 19-inch wheels, plus a hands-free liftgate, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, eight-speaker Krell audio, a power sunroof, and niceties like remote parking assist. A couple of months ago, Hyundai announced three dealers in California, the only state where it will be sold: Van Nuys and Tustin in Southern California by the end of the year, and San Jose in Northern California getting inventory early next year. The crossover will be eligible for the California Clean Vehicle Rebate of $5,000, and perhaps more important, the HOV sticker that allows travel in carpool lanes regardless of the number of vehicle occupants. The Nexo uses a 95-kW fuel cell to recharge a 40-kW battery. A single electric motor produces 161 horsepower and 291-pound-feet of torque, pulling the Nexo from 0-60 in 9.5 seconds. The two trims are rated for two different ranges, the Blue going up to 380 miles, the Limited getting up to 354 miles. Broken down, the Nexo Blue returns 65 mpg-e in the city and 58 mpg-e on the highway, the Limited makes slightly smaller returns of 59 city and 54 highway mpg-e. The range numbers beat the 312-mile range of the Toyota Mirai and bracket the 366-mile range of the coming Honda Clarity FCEV. Based on our first-drive review, what the Nexo lacks in gusto and driving dynamics it makes up for in interior room, a huge bonus considering the overall industry. Even so, while the price and the specs aren't out of place for the market at the moment, probably the best the Nexo can do is make a huge splash in an infinitesimal pool. And provide HOV stickers. Related Video: