2014 Hyundai Elantra on 2040-cars

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Redesigned 2019 Hyundai Tucson gets modest price bump

Hyundai says its refreshed 2019 Tucson is now hitting showrooms with a starting price of $24,245, including destination charge. That's a $700 bump up from the outgoing model, though Hyundai is currently offering a $2,500 discount on the 2018 model when purchased through Oct. 31, according to its retail website. For 2019, Hyundai gave the midsize Tucson crossover updates inside and out. There are redesigned front and rear fascias, including Hyundai's latest cascading grille, redesigned 17-, 18- and 19-inch wheels, and more advanced safety technology. All trim levels get Hyundai's SmartSense package, which includes forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist and driver attention warning. Electronic parking brake with auto vehicle hold and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are standard across all trim levels as well. View 14 Photos The optional 1.6-liter turbo-four engine is gone, replaced by a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter that makes 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque for the higher SEL, Sport and Limited trims. The base SE and Value trim models get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 164 hp and 151 lb-ft. Both are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Inside, there are new designs for the center stack, cluster, panel vent and leather seats. The range tops out at $32,595 for the Limited with the Unlimited package in front-wheel-drive, or $33,995 for all-wheel-drive. The package adds features including pedestrian detection safety technology, high-beam assist, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front and heated rear seats and smart cruise control with stop and go. Related Video: Image Credit: Hyundai Hyundai Safety Crossover hyundai tucson

Volvo leads and Mini fails in JD Power's Tech Experience Index

New cars are basically rolling computers. Everything from the engine to the infotainment runs on a series of ones and zeros, and a lot of that technology requires input from the driver. So it's no surprise that JD Power has a study designed specifically to discern which bits of tech drivers love and which bits they loathe. "New technology continues to be a primary factor in the vehicle purchase decision," says JD Power's Kristin Kolodge, executive director of driver interaction & human machine interface research. "However, it’s critical for automakers to offer features that owners find intuitive and reliable. The user experience plays a major role in whether an owner will use the technology on a regular basis or abandon it and feel like they wasted their money." The J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study found that Volvo owners are happiest with the technology packed inside their vehicles, followed by BMW and Cadillac, all brands that JD Power classifies as premium. The highest-rated mainstream brand is Hyundai, followed by Subaru and Kia. As was the case with the organization's Initial Quality and APEAL studies, Tesla's numbers aren't officially included because they are the only automaker that has not granted JD Power approval to contact its owners in states that require it. Tesla's projected score of 593 would have put it in second place, right behind Volvo's score of 617. The lowest-ranked brand in the TXI Study is Mini, with Porsche right behind. Diving a little bit deeper, JD Power's findings suggest that the technologies new car buyers care most about are related to helping them see their surroundings better. Camera systems, including rear-view mirror cameras and ground-view cameras, scored highest in five of the six satisfaction attributes measured in the study. The technology that owners could really do without? Gesture controls. Owners who answered JD Power's survey say they don't use gesture controls much at all after initially trying them, and they don't really care if their next vehicle has them. We have to wonder if those responses might be what kept BMW out of the top spot. The TXI Study also found that owners are split on automated driving helpers, like lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking. JD Power suggests that owners may need more training on those systems before they learn to trust them. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences.

Driving the Chevy Corvette Z06 and Porsche 911 Carrera T | Autoblog Podcast #551

On this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Green Editor John Snyder and Associate Editor Joel Stocksdale. We talk about the wide variety of the cars we've been driving, starting with the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Porsche 911 Carrera T. Then we discuss the more powerful 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata, our long-term Honda Ridgeline and our week with the Hyundai Ioniq PHEV. Finally with Pebble Beach on our minds, we preview the Concours d'Elegance.Autoblog Podcast #551 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 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2018 Porsche 911 Carrera T 2019 Mazda Miata 2018 Honda Ridgeline 2018 Hyundai Ionic Plug-In Hybrid Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: