2005 Hyundai Elantra Gt Hatchback 5-door 2.0l on 2040-cars

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Rivian R1T, Mini Cooper Electric owners happiest with their EVs

The J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study is out, and there's change at the top. With the swelling adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S. over in the past two years especially, the third year of the EVX study changes focus to first-time EV buyers. Those two factors encouraged change at the top of both premium and mass-market segments. Among premium EVs, the Rivian R1T pickup scored overall victory in its first year of eligibility with a satisfaction score of 794 out of 1,000. The Tesla Model 3 takes second place with 759 points. Tesla had won the top two premium spots in the study in 2021 and in 2022. The average score in the premium segment was 756. The Tesla Model Y (754), Audi E-Tron (735), and Polestar 2 (724) filled out the list of the five eligible models this year. Among the ten eligible mass-market vehicles, the Mini Cooper Electric nabbed the overall win by scoring 782. The Kia EV6 came second with 762 points, keeping Kia in the top two; the Kia Niro EV won the mass-market segment the previous two years. The Ford Mustang Mach-E (742), Hyundai Ioniq 5 (738), and Volkswagen ID.4 (735) completed the top five, the Niro EV (733) in sixth. All were above the segment average of 730. The four models fell below the segment average were the Ford F-150 Lightning (723), Chevrolet Bolt EUV (716), Chevrolet Bolt (711), and Nissan Leaf (698). How are the scores derived? J.D. Power worked with EV app maker and research firm PlugShare to get owner responses in ten areas: accuracy of stated battery range; availability of public charging stations; battery range; cost of ownership; driving enjoyment; ease of charging at home; interior and exterior styling; safety and technology features; service experience; and vehicle quality and reliability. Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power, said, "Recent vehicle launches from both new brands and traditional automakers have had a profound effect on what factors are most important in the ownership experience. Today’s EV owners are looking for quality, reliability, driving enjoyment, safety and technology features." The Mini, in fact, scored highest of any premium and mass-market EV in the studyÂ’s highest-weighted index factor, quality and reliability.

2018 Hyundai Kona pricing announced: Compact SUV starts at $20,385

We've already had a brief first drive in the 2018 Hyundai Kona, and although associate editor Reese Counts didn't get a lot of time behind the wheel, he walked away generally impressed. The surprisingly sharp driving dynamics and interior quality were especially noteworthy. Here's everything we know about the U.S.-spec Kona. We still need a far more thorough drive of Hyundai's new sub-compact SUV, but at least we know how much one will set you back. Pricing starts at $20,385, including $885 destination, for the base front-wheel-drive SE trim level. That trim, along with the SEL, come with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic. The Limited and Ultimate get a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual. Pricing for the entire lineup is below. The 2018 Hyundai Kona goes on sale in March. All prices include $885 destination charge. SE FWD: $20,385 SEL FWD: $22,035 SEL FWD w/ Contrast Roof: $22,185 Limited FWD: $25,585 Ultimate FWD: $29,585 Adding all-wheel drive adds $1,300 to each price. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2018 Hyundai Kona - U.S. Spec View 34 Photos Hyundai SUV hyundai kona

Ward's releases 10 Best Interiors list for 2014

While we're still a ways off from the automotive awards season proper, where things like North American Car and Truck of the Year, Motor Trend's Car of the Year and Car and Driver's Ten Best are named, that doesn't mean there aren't trophies being handed out to deserving automakers. Ward's 10 Best Interiors being one of them.
As the name might imply, the magazine focuses on the very best interior treatments in the US market. Whereas some awards purposely exclude extreme, high-dollar offerings, Ward's considers them - the only requirement is that a vehicle has a "new or significantly redesigned interior."
Ward's offered up the list of winners in simple, alphabetical order, and it only seems fair to do the same: