2015 Kia Sorento Limited on 2040-cars

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How the Koreans are cracking the luxury market

South Korea's two largest automotive brands are no longer the same companies they were when they first entered the world stage.
Anyone who visits Seoul after a few years absence is likely going to be in for a shock. What was, not that long ago, a decidedly third-world city is today a thriving, sprawling metropolis increasingly on a par with the world's most modern cities.

Hyundai/Kia's Prius rival to arrive by 2017

The Toyota Prius is the undisputed king of the hybrid market, but Hyundai and Kia are hoping to challenge its reign in the coming years with their own dedicated model. However, in all likelihood this is the same technology being shared between them. "We will take the lead in the future by raising the competitiveness of our environment-friendly cars like hybrid-only cars, plug-in hybrid cars and fuel cell hydrogen cars," Hyundai Motor CEO Kim Choong-ho said to Reuters, during the launch of another vehicle in South Korea.
While Kim didn't say when the model would be ready, Autocar in Europe spoke to people at Kia, who said that the company's own hybrid was two years away and codenamed the DE. The initial vehicle is reportedly a five-door hatchback that's about 169-inches long, with more conventional styling than the Prius. Its powertrain is reportedly based around a 1.6-liter engine with electric assist. A plug-in version might follow later, and other bodystyles on the platform are possible. A recently spotted test mule might show the current state of development on the project (pictured above).
According to Reuters, the decision for the new vehicle comes in order to meet tighter emissions in some markets. However, it seems like a challenging move for the US market. Hyundai already sells its Tucson fuel cell in limited quantities and the Sonata hybrid, and Kia has the Optima hybrid and Soul EV. Industry analysts are also predicting that hybrids might have a hard time versus internal combustion engines in the coming years. In addition, Toyota is rumored to get fuel economy close to 60 miles per gallon for some versions of the next Prius. All of these factors make selling the models here a potentially difficult undertaking.

2021 Kia Seltos officially costs $23,110; trim features detailed

Kia has broadcast the Seltos' arrival in a Super Bowl commercial, but the South Korean automaker has done its usual stealth reveal of pricing, quietly uploading trims and MSRPs to the build site. Turns out the prices leaked to Motor1 last month are all correct. Including the $1,120 destination and handling charge, here are the Seltos trim steps and prices: LX AWD $23,110 S FWD $23,110 S AWD $24,610 EX AWD $26,410 S Turbo $26,610 SX Turbo $29,010 The base LX packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque running power through a CVT to all four wheels. EPA-rated mileage comes in at 27 city, 31 highway, 29 combined. Standard features include keyless entry, 8-inch touchscreen-based infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and 17-inch wheels. The S, with the same engine but front-wheel drive, ups gas mileage to 34 highway, 29 city, and 31 combined. Features get a boost, too, with a different grille and LED DRLs and taillights, mixed Sofino leatherette and cloth surfaces, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift, roof rails, and heated outside mirrors. Standard driver safety kit bundles automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. Blind spot detection is an optional extra. Requesting all-wheel drive with the center-locking differential costs $1,500. The EX comes with AWD, as well as all of the S features plus full Sofino leatherette seats, heated front seats and a power driver's seat, keyless entry, push-button and remote start, climate control, power sunroof, wireless phone charging, and a USB port for rear passengers, and upgraded 17-inch wheels. Safety tech includes blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and avoidance. The S Turbo is based off the S trim but fits the a 1.6-liter with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft that shifts through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and only comes in AWD. The $3,500 premium over the S pays for the AWD, the superior engine, and much of the feature set from the EX trim except the seats; the S Turbo sticks with the synthetic leather and cloth seating. The top-tier SX Turbo goes beyond the S Turbo with LED headlights and fog lights, full Sofino leatherette, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bose premium audio and "Sound Connected Mood Lamp, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and Safe Exit Assist. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.