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Hyundai Kona Electric SUV revealed

Recently, Hyundai hinted at some of the details of the all-electric version of its Kona subcompact SUV. The automaker stated that the EV crossover would be available with a pair of powertrain offerings, one of which being "one of the most powerful electric engines on the market" with a driving range of 292 miles. Now, the Korean automaker has revealed the Kona Electric in advance of the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The Hyundai Kona Electric looks like its hybrid siblings, with the biggest visual difference up front, with its closed grille. That's also where the car's plug resides. It features LED daytime running lights above its LED headlights. The Kona Electric offers a two-tone roof, and seven different exterior paint color offerings. On paper, at least, the Kona Electric is pretty compelling. The long-range, 292-mile version features a 64-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack supplying power to a 150-kW (201-horsepower) electric motor. It does 0-62 miles per hour in a respectable 7.6 seconds, with a top speed of 103 mph. The base version's 39-kWh battery offers 186 miles of driving range, and a 99-kW (133-horsepower) electric motor. It does 0-62 in a more leisurely 9.3 seconds. Inside the car, the Kona Electric features a pair of paddle shifters behind the steering wheel that allow the driver to dial in the preferred amount of regenerative braking force. A seven-inch digital display in the instrument cluster is accompanied by a head-up display providing key information directly in front of the driver. The car's infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless phone charging. The Kona Electric offers a number of driver assist features for safety and convenience. These include forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, intelligent speed limit warning and smart high. It also offers smart cruise control with stop-and-go capability to make those traffic jams a little more bearable. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric: Geneva 2018 View 10 Photos Related Gallery Hyundai Kona Electric View 9 Photos News Source: HyundaiImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2018 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com Green Hyundai Green Automakers Crossover SUV Electric 2018 Geneva Motor Show hyundai kona hyundai ev hyundai kona electric

Why Kia doesn't need a premium brand

Hyundai's creation of the Genesis luxury brand means it and fellow Korean brand Kia have finally hit the mainstream in the U.S. – as far as products are concerned – after nearly three decades of trying. Which is about as long as it took Toyota and Nissan to roll out Lexus and Infiniti, respectively. It's history repeating itself. Genesis is supposed to be the way Hyundai's premium models get the respect they deserve, without carrying the baggage of a name associated with frugality. Hyundai has, in fact, built up a reputation over the last decade or so for cars that compete head-on with class leaders, rather than aim to be 90 percent as good for 75 percent of the price. And because Kia shares a number of components with Hyundai, its vehicles have also steadily become not only better mainstream vehicles, but have continued to aim higher than their price points. Does Kia need to follow now in its parent's steps with a prestige brand to market its most expensive models? I'm aware of the Kia K900, the company's deepest foray into luxury territory notably occupied by Lexus. Kia, however, has consistently been pushing this $60,000 full-size luxury sedan along with $0 down, low monthly payment lease deals. Turns out there really aren't many people looking for a full-size Kia luxury sedan. Or maybe they're just waiting to get it for $20,000 in a couple of years. Consider the K900 and Genesis when I convince you Kia already makes upscale cars to rival those with premium badges. They just don't happen to be its most expensive model. Shortly after Hyundai's announcement it would spin its luxury models off into the Genesis brand, I spent a few days with a 2016 Kia Sorento SXL. And I'm willing to call it a more convincing attempt to get people out of luxury cars than the K900. Driving the Sorento is not an emotional experience. You feel parental driving it, thinking you might've forgotten to pick your kids up until you remember you don't actually have kids. But after settling into the nicely stitched and perforated leather seats, you respect its comfort, quiet and amenities. The headliner is soft, the stitching on the dash top is convincingly real and everyone is impressed by the sharp graphics on the touchscreen and the slick powered shade that reveals an expansive glass roof. A Kia Sorento costing more than $46,000 sounds absurd until you wonder how much better an Acura MDX or Lexus RX350 is when those cost as much as $10,000 more.

Coronavirus blues, and the 2021 Hyundai Elantra debuts | Autoblog Podcast #619

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and News Editor Joel Stocksdale. Get a behind-the-scenes look at life for Autobloggers during the coronavirus outbreak, as they talk about how it's not only affecting the automotive industry at large, but the people who cover it as well. Amidst the chaos, Hyundai unveiled the 2021 Elantra, and out editors opine about the new small sedan. They briefly discuss what cars they'd want to drive cross-country if they had a flight that had been canceled, before talking about the cars they've actually been driving, including the Mercedes-Benz GLS 580, Jeep Renegade and Lincoln Corsair. Finally, they reach into the mailbag and help a listener pick a new car. Autoblog Podcast #619 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 The coronavirus is affecting the auto industry, and those who obsessively cover it 2021 Hyundai Elantra has been revealed Poll: Your flight's canceled. What car do you drive cross-country? 2020 Chevy Corvette orders end Cars we're driving: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 2020 Jeep Renegade 2020 Lincoln Corsair Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: