2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Review: Improved Fuel Mileage But Some Drawbacks

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Review: Improved Fuel Mileage But Some Drawbacks 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid In Our Opinion: The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is an impressive car overall with excellent fuel economy and helpful technology. There are a couple of drawbacks with the Hybrid, however. We wouldn't consider those drawbacks to be deal breakers, but rather things to think about if you are looking for a new hybrid sedan. Exterior Styling 80Interior Layout 85Driving Dynamics89Safety & Tech Features 87Everyday Functionality90ProsFuel Economy Ride & Handling Safety TechnologyConsWind Noise Outward Visibility86Hyundai continues to impress with new SUVs and upgrades for its current models. The Sonata is one of the oldest nameplates in the South Korean automaker’s lineup, but it’s getting better with age. For the 2020 model year, Hyundai gave the Sonata a full redesign with a stylish new look outside and more technology on the inside. With the addition of the Hybrid trim, buyers have an even more fuel-efficient option.



Earlier this year, we drove the 2020 Hyundai Sonata. We were impressed by the fuel economy and the overall driving dynamics of the car. We wanted to see for ourselves how the Hybrid trim would drive in comparison. 



Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: What’s New For 2020?



The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is fully redesigned for the 2020 model year. The big news is the sleeker exterior with a .24 coefficient of drag and the Solar Roof System to increase the driving range. Hyundai says it offers up to 700 “free” miles per year. The Sonata Hybrid also has a coupe-like silhouette reminding us of the Kia Stinger. 



Sonata now comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a blind spot monitor, and Blue Link Connected car services. Blue Link is complimentary on the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid for three years and includes remote start with climate control, remote door lock/unlock, stolen vehicle recovery, and destination search by voice. According to Consumer Reports, it’s one of the infotainment systems customers are the most satisfied with. 



2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid MSRP



The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid starts at $27,750. Total MSRP, including destination, for our Sonata Hybrid Limited tester: $36,430. Here was how our tester was equipped.



Features & Options



The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited comes standard with LED headlights, keyless ignition and entry, and a hands-free trunk. Useful and convenient tech features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, heads-up display, and a wireless charging pad.



The top-trim Limited also comes with leather, heated and cooled front seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Every 2020 Sonata Hybrid is standard with the SmartSense driver safety package. These features include:



Lane Keeping Assist Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist Advanced Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go Highway Driving Assist is optional for the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.





Interior Highlights: Convenient Features



Hyundai did as good a job on the inside of the Sonata as they did on the exterior restyling. The cabin is modern looking with a luxurious feel in the top-trim Limited. Soft-touch materials are plentiful, and the leather from the seats to the door panels to the steering wheel is of the highest quality. The 10.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system is nicely positioned in the center of the dash. It blends in well with the driver’s digital cluster.



The climate controls are located on a separate panel just above the gear shift and are easy to operate. A wireless charger and two USB ports are conveniently located below. Our Limited tester came with a color heads-up display, heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, and a 360-degree camera. We used and took advantage of every feature this week except for the heated steering wheel. However, we could see ourselves using that once the fall arrives and winter starts to set in.



Related: The 2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line features a new fastback design. Interior Highlights: Cramped At Times



Overall, the cabin is a comfortable place to spend time. We cranked up the Bose premium audio system and shut out the world on our commute to Denver. As we drove, we enjoyed watching the fuel economy in real-time via the driver information display.



Our only issue with the Sonata Hybrid’s interior is in the back. In order to really make room for taller passengers, the front seats will need to be pulled forward as far as possible. While we like the design of the new Sonata Hybrid, it does have its drawbacks on the inside.



For example, rear legroom in the Sonata Hybrid is 34.8 inches, which is less than the Camry Hybrid (38 inches) and the Accord Hybrid (40.4 inches). However, the Sonata’s trunk capacity increased by 2.5 cubic feet, so perhaps that explains some of the loss in rear legroom.



2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Powertrain



The 2020 Sonata Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 150 horsepower and 139 lb-ft. of torque. The electric motor adds 51 horsepower for a combined output of 192 horsepower. A six-speed hybrid automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels.



The transmission uses a unique shift control technology to monitor gear shifts at a rate of 500 times per second. Hyundai says the technology reduces gear shifts by 30 percent while also increasing fuel economy.



The Sonata Hybrid’s solar panel roof (one of the coolest new features) directly charges the 12-volt and hybrid batteries and outputs 205 watts of electricity. According to Hyundai, this helps the Sonata Hybrid’s range increase by about two miles a day.



Fuel Mileage Improvements



The previous-generation Sonata Hybrid managed 39/44 city/highway and 41 combined. When compared to the competition, it was one of the least efficient choices at the time. The Sonata Hybrid’s fuel economy improves for 2020 to 45/51 city/highway and 47 combined.



2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Driving Dynamics: Fun & Sporty



Living in the high country west of Denver, we are used to an all-wheel drive SUV, so getting in a sedan is much different. But behind the wheel, the Sonata Hybrid offers an engaging driving experience. You can dial up four different driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Custom), depending on how you feel. We did experience all four, but we opted for Sport most of the week. It made for a more dynamic drive, especially in the mountains.



The hybrid system offers plenty of power for most driving situations. We pushed the sedan hard up I-70 leading into the mountains. The Sonata also does well in the corners as the MacPherson strut (front), and multi-link (rear) suspension keep body roll to a minimum.



Driving Dynamics: Noise & Visibility



Admittedly, we pushed the 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid harder than most. Still, the wind, road, and highway noise will be apparent no matter what. To be fair, Hyundai did make improvements to the Sonata’s architecture (soundproof glass, for example) to reduce these types of unwanted noises. However, we still thought cabin noise was a bit high.



The coupe-like design also has drawbacks concerning outward visibility for the driver, and especially for rear passengers. The surround-view camera system is a must. It helped us see around the car with its top-down view, which helps for tight parking situations. This is the one drawback to driving the new Sonata Hybrid. It’s tough to see out of at times.



2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with the Solar Roof System.Conclusion: A Good Pick



The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is an attractive sedan, and you’ll get plenty of approving looks in the redesigned car. It now offers improved fuel mileage with plenty of new and helpful in-cabin technology. Hyundai also has an excellent warranty for the Sonata Hybrid as well.



Our only suggestion would be to check out the Accord Hybrid before making a decision. When you are ready to begin the process, we have helpful shopping tools that show you invoice pricing from dealers in your area. 



Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. All of his firsthand reviews are archived on our test drives page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy



2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Gallery



Photos: Hyundai Motor America.
Original article: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Review: Improved Fuel Mileage But Some Drawbacks



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2018 New York International Auto Show Roundup

2018 New York International Auto Show Roundup A New York tradition is the annual car show, always held during Easter week in the Big Apple. You may think of Manhattan and its surrounding boroughs as inhospitable to automobiles, but the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) still draws a crowd big enough to rival other U.S. shows.
In addition to my work with Automoblog, I am also a product trainer for CARiD. We had boots on the ground and were able to bring you first-hand coverage of what we found interesting.
It’s impossible of course to spend quality time with every single vehicle, so our focus was on the debuts, volume leaders, pickups, electric cars, and everyone’s favorite, performance cars, uh, vehicles.
Debuts
Numerous manufacturers used NYIAS to launch important new products. Here are some highlights:
ACURA RDX
Acura’s midsize RDX crossover is all-new. The redesigned sheet metal keeps Acura’s family resemblance. The previous generation’s V6 is gone in favor of a turbo four-cylinder, mated to a 10-speed automatic. Available SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) can send up to 70 percent of the available power to the rear wheels. The interior has the de rigueur 10.2-inch center screen.
CADILLAC XT4
It’s no secret that Cadillac’s sales are below their expectations. After huge investments in new sports sedans, the market ignored them and bought old-school Escalades. With crossovers hot, Caddy smartly decided they need more, hence the XT4, one size below the current XT5. It’s powered by a 237 horsepower turbo four, coupled to a nine-speed auto. If it’s priced right, it should help spark sales at Cadillac.
LINCOLN AVIATOR CONCEPT
Two years ago, I said Lincoln was dead, and predicted they would go the way of Mercury. I was wrong, thankfully. Lincoln is now officially back, and in a big way. The new Navigator is a smash, and this Aviator “concept” is a production vehicle in disguise. It’s drop-dead gorgeous and sized right. Perhaps best of all, it will be built on a new rear-wheel drive platform to be shared with the next-gen Explorer. Glad to have you still with us, Lincoln!





Volume Leaders
Sports and exotic cars are fun, but vehicle manufacturers make their profits from volume. Among the many mainstream cars and trucks on the floor, these stood out:                                    
TOYOTA RAV4
Toyota practically invented the CUV segment with the first RAV4 in 1994. This all-new fifth generation version dwarfs the original, but Americans love them, making the RAV4 one of the U.S.’s best-selling vehicles after pickups.  To differentiate it from its CR-V and CX-5 competitors, the optional Adventure trim looks more like a truck than a Cute Ute. A hybrid version is also available.
SUBARU FORESTER
“Don’t fix what ain’t broke” could be Subaru’s motto. The Forester is completely redesigned but looks almost the same. Turbos and stick shifts are gone; all Foresters have a 2.5-liter flat-four, CVT transmission, and all-wheel drive. The big news is inside: material quality and fit and finish rival near-luxury cars in the next price bracket. If the standard 6.5-inch touchscreen is too small, opt for the eight-inch one.
Subaru Forester Sport on display at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
Pickup Trucks
A uniquely American tradition, the three best-selling vehicles are full-size versions. The midsize truck market is about to get very exciting again, and never rule out the import brands:
FORD RANGER
The Ranger nameplate, gone since 2011, will be back in 2019. Ford had abandoned the midsize pickup segment only to see GM, Honda, and Toyota gladly step in. The new Ranger will have one drivetrain for now, a 2.3-liter turbo four tied to a 10-speed auto. With the regular cab gone, buyers must choose between an extended “SuperCab” or full “SuperCrew.” Expect the competition to answer in kind.
VW ATLAS TANOAK CONCEPT
Officially, this is a design study. Given that it’s built on the existing Atlas SUV platform, bringing it to production should be a no-brainer. It’s a big truck, 16-inches longer than its SUV brother, but looks sharp. Instead of competing with the domestic Big Three, expect it to go head-to-head with the Honda Ridgeline. VW needs this truck if they are serious about increasing U.S. sales volume.
VW Atlas Tanoak Concept on display at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
CHEVY SILVERADO & RAM 1500
Ford put its F-150 on a crash diet by making it all-aluminum, so both Chevrolet and Ram knew they needed to lose weight. The Silverado is up to 450 lbs. lighter, with aluminum doors, hood, and tailgate. The 1500 will have an optional 3.0-liter Duramax diesel for those who need the torque. Sheet metal is all-new but still a Chevy.
Ram’s redesign moves it away from the “mini-Peterbilt” look it had for 25 years. Rams drop around 225 lbs. and it’s more aerodynamic. If you need to save even more fuel and increase torque, there’s a mild hybrid system available, but regular cabs are gone, so pick either a quad or crewcab. Pickup trucks are proof that competition in this segment is healthy.
Performance Vehicles
“Fast cars” used to be limited to cars. The four that rang our bells this year included a convertible, a four-door sedan, and not one but two SUVs. Who would have ever guessed?
ALFA ROMEO STELVIO QUADRIFOGLIO
The Stelvio is Alfa’s new SUV, and while normal versions have turbo fours and start in the $40,000 range, the top-shelf Quadrifoglio uses a Ferrari-derived V6. Is it fast you ask? It beat the Porsche Cayenne and now holds the world’s record for fastest SUV on the Nürburgring. Bring $82,000 with you and they’ll let you pick the color. I suggest red.
BMW X4 M40i
Car makers keep inventing new segments. Case in point: the X4. Is it a sports sedan or an SUV? It’s both. Jacked up like a truck, but swoopy like a four-door coupe, the top-line M40i gets motive power from a turbo 3.0-liter six, and mixes that with bigger brakes, stiffer suspension, and sportier seats. Sales start this summer at around $61,000.
CORVETTE ZR1
Every American boy fantasizes about a Corvette. Those boys grow into men and many eventually have the disposable income to fulfill the fantasy. While I do know plenty of female Vette fans, this latest ZR1 with its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 and boy-racer wing big enough to serve as a spare couch plays right into the dream. At $120,000 and up, Chevy will sell every one they build.
KIA STINGER
Back on planet earth, Kia, maker of boring econo-boxes, has taken a shot across the bow of BMW and anyone else who thinks they build sports sedans. The new Stinger, in rear or all-wheel drive, has either a turbo four or twin-turbo V6. It can accelerate, it can handle, and did I mention that it’s also good looking? Let’s throw in hatchback versatility for good measure. If I were at BMW, I’d be losing sleep.





Hybrid & Electric Cars
Gas is still cheap, and big trucks still rule the sales charts, but that could change tomorrow. Hybrids have been around for a while but keep improving. And the all-electric segment, at less than 1 percent of sales, has some new entries at various price points.
HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC
Tesla has gotten lots of (mostly good) press, but Elon Musk is learning that the competition never sleeps. Hyundai’s new Kona CUV starts in the $20,000s for a gas engine version. There’s also the new Kona Electric, with a range of over 250 miles, and available recharging in under one hour. Pricing is not finalized but is expected to start around $40,000. It’s not a stretch to imagine those unwilling to wait for a Tesla Model 3 will check this one out.
BMW i8
This was a personal favorite just for its outrageousness. Not a hybrid, the i8 is an all-electric supercar, and it looks the part. The coupe model has been out for a while, but the roadster is new. What’s better than going green and having the wind in your hair? With batteries providing the push, the wind is likely all you’ll hear.
LEXUS UX
Another CUV from Japanese giant Toyota, this one wears its Lexus family styling well. Lots of choices here: front wheel or all-wheel drive, gas or hybrid powertrains, with the hybrid expected to get up to 55 mpg. It’s also expected that this could be the first Lexus available “by prescription” as opposed to purchase or lease. You avoid the commitment but get into the brand.
2019 Lexus UX on display at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. Photo: Katelyn Barone for Automoblog.net.
In Person
Sure, you can do all your shopping online these days. But there’s nothing like an auto show to give you a taste of everything that’s out there without the hassle of visiting multiple dealers. Browsers can kick tires; serious shoppers can engage with staff in a no-pressure environment. The New York International Auto Show delivered on all counts for 2018!
Richard Reina is a Product Trainer at CARiD.com and lifelong automotive enthusiast.
Additional Photos: Chevrolet, FCA US LLC., Kia Motors America, Newspress USA.



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Chapter 1: Setting Off From Sierra Vista

Chapter 1: Setting Off From Sierra Vista I’m in the middle of the southern Arizona desert blasting north at 75 miles an hour. I’m at that rise, just beyond the Boarder Patrol checkpoint, when I glance in the rearview mirror and see it all laid out before me.
“Back there,” I think, “is everything I know in a certain sense.”
Memory Reflector
Recently both my parents died, and I have just (finally, finally) settled up everything, and have gotten my ass out of what I can only relate to as being a horrid place to live. Back there, in that rearview mirror is the past. Not just the literal past, where I was driving a few moments before, but my past. My parents house where they retired. Three bedrooms and two baths of stuff neither me nor my brothers really wanted, but a house that now, in my mind’s eye, is some sort of strange reflector of memories on top of memories on top of memories.
It hits me that I am not driving a car, and a limited-run racing special with a “significant” competition history at that. No, I’m not driving a car, I’m driving a time machine. In here, it’s the present. In the rearview mirror, it’s the past. And out there, on the other side of that windshield, is the future.
Cars are interesting things. They’re more than art objects or a way to get dates; or a way to show off or a way to get you from point A to B. Cars are, in their own way, time machines.
And the future is roaring more than a mile a minute.
The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me is a gasoline-fueled narrative by automotive journalist Tony Borroz. It details the joys, thrills, and even the uncertainties of the car-obsessed lifestyle. In advance of the book’s release, we are previewing the first few chapters here on Automoblog.
Farm Boy
In a lot of ways, this was a (lower case r) revelation that was a long time coming. This is not about the passing of my parents, although, in almost every way imaginable, this is all my dad’s fault. Thanks to my father, I grew up in a car-oriented family. The garage – there was always a garage – was packed full of sports cars, antique cars, sensible work cars, and tools, literally thousands of tools.
By the time I knew my father, he was a tool and die maker at an aluminum factory. Before that, his job was killing Germans, and before that he was a coal miner. Before that, he grew up on a farm in rural Illinois in a town that literally disappeared during the Great Depression. In other words, he found himself in a lot of situations where he had to work with a lot of mechanical things and, even more to the point, he had to be able to fix them. So, being a tool and die maker was a natural fit for a farm kid who was, for a time being, a drill sergeant who, for a time being had to Make It Work, no matter what a bunch Fascists thought.
Or, as my dad once put it, “It’s a great job. I get to make stuff out of metal and no one is shooting at me.”
He loved working in aluminum, or ‘luminum, as he said it in his Colorado cowboy twang. “It’s soft, easy to work, and if you know what the metal is doing, it can take really high loads with out deflecting an inch. You can work it to really high tolerances and it cuts like butter.”
Obsessions & Passions
And of course there were cars. Everybody, and I mean literally everybody in his family was seriously obsessed with cars. Partially I figured it was a genetic thing. Italians have this odd fascination with speed that a lot of other cultures lack. We invented circuit racing, for example. All that Ben-Hur chariot racing stuff? The Italians were running chariot races for centuries before that movie was set.
The odd thing here is sports cars. Unlike a lot of Americans, and especially the ones where I grew up, my father had little to no interest in hot rods and muscle cars. He liked sports cars. Cars that could not just go, but go, turn, and stop. Cars that were no bigger and no heavier than they had to be.
Ergo, when my oldest brother, Terry, turned 16 and got a car, it was a Triumph TR-4 (red with the dog dish hubcaps). When my other older brother, John, turned 16 and got a car, it was an MG-B (antique white). When I turned 16, I got a Mercury Capri II with the 2.8-liter V6 engine. The biggest you could get. As my dad always said, “If you’re going to get a car, get the one with the all the hot options.”
My dad seemingly had thousands of those little truisms, some coming from the Army, some coming from the Farm, but the vast bulk of them coming from direct experience.
“You can find lots of idiots that can hold their foot down. That’s not being a race car driver. Knowing when to hit the brakes and turn, that makes you a race car driver.”
“You can never have enough tools.”
“Any oil leak is a problem,” said over my brother’s TR.
And my personal favorite: “Finding interesting cars is easy. Finding garage space, that’s the problem.”
Borroz often recites his father’s sayings in conversation, especially when asked about the mythical “Tony’s Lottery Garage.” While there are many cars in Tony’s Lottery Garage and new ones can be added at random, the one guarantee is available space.
Family Dynamics
My being a gearhead was foretold even before I was conceived. It wasn’t just cool cars in the garage and talk of new limited slip differentials at the dinner table. If there was racing coverage on TV, it was on. If the new Autoweek & Competition Press showed up in the mailbox, hierarchical birth-order and body size clashed against cunning and desire. Before dad got home. Precisely at 4:50 to be followed by dinner precisely at 5:00. Then that week’s copy of Autoweek & Competition Press was his.
And the same went for Road & Track, Car & Driver and any other thing in print that found its way into our home. Did I mention that my dad was a (precise) tool and die maker? Did I mention that my dad was a (by the book) drill instructor? Did I mention that my dad was sort of an anal retentive jerk? He was.
Racing on TV was watched in reverent silence balanced with barely contained contempt for the commentary crew. “These idiots excel at telling ya somethin’ ya already seen.” My dad, of course. The quiet only being broken by the occasional “Uh-oh!” when someone uncorked it. Post race after action reports could sometimes last for weeks. “Yeah, but if Mario didn’t break-” “Yeah, but he did! And the whole point being that Unser-” “Oh screw Unser! That guy’s never turned a wheel in a sports car, let alone a Grand Prix car.” “Yes, but we weren’t watching the Grand Prix, were we? No. We were watching the USAC race at Ontario.” “Which just proves my point . . . ”
And on it went.
I swear my brothers would still devolve into an argument about whether Richie Ginther really was robbed at that race at Torrey Pines that one day.
Remarkable Parallels
I realize, of course, this is not all that different from baseball families (“Oh Lou Gehrig my butt!”) or basketball families (“Yeah, but Bill Russell was playing against little white guys!”) or, perish the thought, families who were sadly obsessed with [shudder] golf.
Years ago I had the great opportunity to work on some pre-packaged TV coverage of formula racing. One of the racers involved in Formula Atlantic at that time was a guy named Mark Dismore (who was having a knock-down-drag-out championship battle with Hiro Matsushita). Finished with his interview, we were hanging out with Dismore back at the transporter in the paddock. The show’s producer, this really nice guy named Tommy Coggins who worked as a shooter with me on many a gig, asked Dismore, “So how did you get into doing something like racing?”
Tommy was a baseball guy. He had never really watched racing on TV, let alone been to a race, let alone seeing how close to unmitigated disaster these guys worked. It pretty much put the zap on his head, seeing it in person. His question was more akin to, “You go out and face off against a bull with a piece of cloth?!”
“Oh, you know,” Dismore said with a resigned smile. “Family. My dad raced. My uncle ran a machine shop. You know. Some people grow up in baseball families, and some people grow up in basketball families, I grew up in a racing family.”
Dismore delivered it with that “it’s kinda obvious” tone.
Tommy Coggins didn’t get it right away, but I did.
The Road Ahead
My predilections were pre-ordained, but my future was not. Indeed our future, the future of the gearheads and automotive enthusiasts of this world, are seemingly more and more in doubt with every passing day. Gearheads in the 50s had a secure gearhead future to look forward to. “20 years from now? Well shoot, cars will be powered by jet engines and cruising at a hundred miles an hour on pool-table-smooth superhighways!” That’s what we, the gearheads, would have been saying in 1958.
Now? In 2018? You tell me where cars will be by 2038? Will there still be cars? If there are, will we be allowed to drive them?
That . . . this . . . all of this, my father, my family, where cars and racing were, where cars and racing will be . . . all of this washes through my mind as I blast through the desert at 80, one eye in the rearview mirror, one eye on the road ahead.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 



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2019 Hyundai Kona Electric: Compact, Efficient & Strong

2019 Hyundai Kona Electric: Compact, Efficient & Strong There’s no word on how much Hyundai will ask for their new 2019 Kona Electric, but you have to guess it would be cheaper than a Tesla Model X. The Model X runs for around $110,000 on average, and I bet for that price you could buy three, maybe four 2019 Hyundai Kona Electrics. Consider that, and also consider that Hyundai, as a company, isn’t going away any time soon.
I know that might not be all that fair, given Tesla’s preeminence in the EV world, but you have to keep in mind that Tesla is a very new company. And even if it was started with the best of intentions, no shortage of cash and ground-breaking technology, the road to competing in the car market is littered with other such noble failures from Tucker up to and including Elio.
Platform & Technology
The new Kona Electric is, apart from the EV drivetrain, just like a regular Kona. It rides on the same long wheelbase with short overhangs and wide track underpinned by a MacPherson strut front suspension, a multi-link rear suspension, and standard 17-inch alloy wheels. The Kona EV uses the same hot-stamping methods to produce lightweight, ultra-strong structural elements to maximize the cabin’s central safety cell. It has the same active safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, and Driver Attention Warning.
And the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric also has all the standard infotainment one would expect: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM Radio, HD Radio, and Blue Link LTE-powered connectivity. The standard seven-inch color LCD display includes auxiliary inputs, voice recognition, and a Rear View Monitor. The available eight-inch touchscreen navigation display includes traffic flow and incident data via HD radio, Infinity premium audio, Clari-Fi music-restoration technology, and smartphone integration.
These “Blue Link” services are a big deal to Hyundai and all Kona Electric models include a complimentary three-year term. Blue Link has enhanced safety, diagnostic, and remote and guidance services, along with a list of connectivity tech: Google Home, Remote Start with Climate Control, Destination Search by Voice, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Car Finder, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, and Stolen Vehicle Recovery. The Kona Electric adds exclusive EV-oriented features such as Remote Charge Management, Charge Scheduling, EV Power History, and EV Range.
Hyundai anticipates some Kona Electric buyers will be downsizing from larger and/or higher-end vehicles. That said, the Kona Electric offers premium options, like a larger gauge cluster, heads-up display, power driver’s seat, and heated leather seats. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Power & Performance
But it is, naturally, the EV features that will set the Kona Electric apart. The powertrain employs a high-efficiency 150 kW permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor supplied by a high-voltage 64 kWh lithium-ion battery. That’s good enough for 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft. of torque delivered to the front wheels. The battery system is liquid-cooled and operates at 356 volts. Battery pack energy density is 141.3 Wh/kg (greater than a Chevy Bolt Hyundai notes) with a total system weight under 1,000 lbs.
The Kona Electric utilizes a Level-II on-board charging system capable of a 7.2 kW rate of charge for rapid recharging. The estimated range of the Kona Electric is a – “generous” according to Hyundai – 250 miles. Not as good as a Model X, but still pretty good. Eighty percent charge can be had in 54 minutes with a Level-III quick charge. The 100 kW DC fast-charging capability is standard all Kona Electrics and for your charging convenience, the port is located in the front grille area.
The new Kona Electric employs a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension designed for agility and comfort on a variety of surfaces. The rear control arms are designed to minimize camber and toe changes throughout the suspension. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.
Handy Tools
The other interesting thing found on the Kona Electric is the MyHyundai with Blue Link app. With this nifty little gizmo you can manage and monitor the Kona Electric remotely.
If you live in an area with different electric rates at off-peak times, you can schedule the Kona Electric to charge to reduce cost and peak demand on the electric grid based on time and date. For example, you could set up a charging schedule to start at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays on a weekly basis. Handy! Blue Link again for the win.
Manufacturing & Availability
The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric will be produced in Ulsan, Korea and will arrive in the fourth quarter of this year.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 
Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.



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2019 Toyota Yaris Sedan: Mid-Premium Goodness

2019 Toyota Yaris Sedan: Mid-Premium Goodness Here is the 2019 Toyota Yaris sedan . . . wait, they make a Yaris sedan? Why would you make a Yaris sedan? At this point, why would you make a Yaris? I keed! I keed! The Toyota Yaris is a perfectly serviceable car. No, it does not take you in Rolls-like comfort. No, it does not have Ferrari-esque power and agility. But it is a Yaris.
And at a certain point in time, maybe a Yaris is what a person needs. If you can get past the looks – and you’re going to have to, because this thing is gruesomely unattractive – but the Yaris is as dependable as, well, as a Toyota.
Mid-Premium Design
The Yaris sedan will come in three grades for 2019: L, LE, and XLE. The XLE is said to be more of a premium grade, although we here at Automoblog might call it “mid-premium.” The XLE offers up leatherette-trimmed front seats, which Toyota describes as “sporty” along with a leather-trimmed steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake. The HVAC system has automatic climate control; there are automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and illuminated entry on the mid-premium Yaris XLE.
There are newer styling touches to be found on the 2019 Yaris, like the front grille with a honeycomb insert, “upscale” piano black accents, and chrome trim. Fog lights are standard on the LE and XLE, and there’s also a new rear lip spoiler and a color-keyed shark fin antenna for the satellite radio. Power outside mirrors are standard on the L, and the LE and XLE get power outside heated mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators. And all this inexpensive yet practical goodness will come painted in seven colors.
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Power & Performance
As you would expect, the 2019 Yaris sedan is as efficient as any other Toyota out there. It’s powered by a direct-injected, 1.5-liter engine mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Those equal up to 32 mpg in the city, 40 on the highway, and 35 combined. Nice! But if you opt for the six-speed manual box, those figures turn into 30 mpg in the city, 39 on the highway, and 34 combined, but you do get the fun and enjoyment of stirring your own gears. Which actually should be fun thanks to the compact, lightweight design, and short-throw shift changes.
That 1.5-liter DOHC four-banger pumps out 106 horsepower and 103 lb-ft. of torque, or about what a first gen GTI put out. So the Yaris should have some semblance of fun about it.
Chassis & Suspension
There’s a lot of high-tensile strength steel in the body and frame, so the chassis of the Yaris sedan should make for a rigid suspension platform. The ride is controlled via stiffer springs paired with MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam suspension in the rear, and all you gearheads know: torsion beam rear suspension = three-wheeled corning around the AutoX course – yee-HAW!
The steering is provided by the now nearly-completely-ubiquitous electronic power steering unit. There’s a Sport mode for improved torque feel at the flip of a switch. Stopping is taken care of by ventilated discs up front and drum brakes in the rear. No, really: drum brakes and a torsion beam suspension out back. Ha!
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Tech & Safety
The interior falls into the “modern car manufactured to a price point” category. Every Yaris has a seven-inch touchscreen multimedia system with voice recognition, remote interface, steering wheel controls, Bluetooth connectivity, and a standard backup camera. The speedo is analog, the tach digital, and cruise control comes standard. Every Yaris is standard equipped with an Active Safety System: Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control System, Brake Assist, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, Anti-Lock Brake System, and a Brake Over-Ride System.
The Low-Speed Pre-Collision System scans the road ahead for potential collisions. If the system sees something is up, an audio/visual alert and braking assistance are designed to automatically trigger. Should you be a complete dolt and fail to respond, this system may automatically apply the brakes.
Pricing & Availability
The new Yaris will hit Toyota dealerships this fall with pricing information due closer to that time.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Photos & Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.



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2018 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Arrives: What You Need To Know

2018 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Arrives: What You Need To Know The 2018 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is now at select Honda dealerships in California. The Clarity Fuel Cell joins a growing lineup of Honda electrified vehicles, including the 2018 Accord Hybrid and the recently announced 2019 Insight. The automaker says their goal is to have electrified vehicles represent two-thirds of their global sales by 2030.
Power & Performance
The Clarity series, which includes the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, Clarity Fuel Cell, and Clarity Electric, each have a low, wide aerodynamic body. The Clarity Fuel cell features a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell, 346-volt lithium-ion battery, and an AC Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Electric Motor. Honda classifies the transmission as a fixed, single-speed, direct-drive transmission with Sport mode and shift-by-wire technology.
The EPA miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) ratings come in at 69 city, 67 highway, and 68 combined, with a refueling time of approximately three to five minutes when using 70 MPa stations. Driving range is estimated between 360 and 370 miles on average. The Clarity Fuel cell produces 174 horsepower and 221 lb-ft. of torque.
The Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features is standard.
2018 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. Photo: Honda North America.
Pricing
With $2,868 due at signing, drivers receive their new Clarity Fuel Cell on a 36-month lease for $369 per month. While lease terms can vary, Honda is advertising a generous mileage allowance of 20,000 miles per year. The lease also includes roadside assistance, up to $15,000 of hydrogen fuel, and up to 21 days of access to a luxury vehicle from Avis, although the rental is only good in California. Golden State residents are also eligible for an additional $5,000 rebate.
Availability
Retail leasing of the Clarity Fuel Cell is available through a network of 12 approved Honda dealerships in select California markets, including six dealerships in Southern California, five in the San Francisco Bay Area, and one in the Sacramento area. Honda says as the network of public hydrogen fueling stations expands, the Clarity Fuel Cell will be more readily available.
The Automoblog Staff contributed to this report and can be reached anytime.
2018 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Gallery








Photos & Source: Honda North America.



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Can The 2019 Kia K900 Compete Against The Europeans?

Can The 2019 Kia K900 Compete Against The Europeans? Here it is, the 2019 Kia K900. A car that un-ironically uses words like “classically drawn exterior” and “gravity of prestige” to describe itself. For more than four-thousand words, the Kia press release drags on and on, blah-blah luxury this, flim-flam high-tech that, worry-worry safety stuff over there. All that stuff is beside the point when you get to the part about the new K900’s powertrain and chassis.
You know what words I noticed? Albert Biermann. Yup, that Albert Biermann. The BMW tuner guy.
Kia states very flatly that the whole point of the K900 is to compete against its premium European competitors. And that phrase becomes more than marketing horse manure when you realize that Albert Biermann is the President of Kia’s Vehicle Test and High Performance Development. Yeah, the former Chief Engineer for BMW’s M performance cars with over 30 years of experience.
“The goal for the K900 was to achieve ‘confident comfort’ on the road,” he explained. “To deliver this result, we focused on four main categories: drivability, NVH, comfort, and steering precision.”
Power & Performance
The 2019 K900 is powered by a 3.3-­liter twin turbo V6, the same engine found in Kia’s much ballyhooed Stinger fastback. In the K900, it cranks out 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft. of torque, with the twin, single scroll turbos integrated directly into the exhaust manifold; Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing broadens out the power band. A cooling system described as “robust” is there to handle the increased thermal loading with a wider radiator and 600-watt fan motor.
This plant is mated to a second-gen, in-house built eight-­speed automatic operated by a Shift­-by-­Wire gear selector that allows for quicker shifts during more spirited driving. And on top of all that is full-­time “Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control,” or a standard all-wheel drive system in other words. It is electronically biased towards the rear but freely distributes torque to any and all four corners as the system sees fit. Up to 50 percent of the torque can be sent to the front and up to 80 percent of the power can be routed to the rear in Sport mode. The K900 is the second application of this in-house system with the Stinger being the first.
2019 Kia K900 on display at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
Ride & Handling
The wheelbase is longer and the stance wider for greater control and stability; the chassis was strengthened over the previous K900 with increased front and rear lateral stiffness thanks to a greater use of structural adhesives. Torsional stiffness is up by 33 percent over the outgoing K900; the new model has four times more hot stamping than before to give the vehicle a more solid and premium feel.
The K900 utilizes a wheel air curtain to minimize vortices inside the wheel arches by introducing air from the bumper. The full underbody panels reduce drag as does an active air flap. The bottom line: a drag coefficient of .27 Cd. Noise, vibration, and harshness reduction measures are positively euro-like with enhanced insulation throughout the vehicle structure, including the firewall, under floor cover, and vibration pad behind the headliner. There’s even an acoustic film on the windshield for a quieter cabin.
A new “Quadric pattern” grille is found on the 2019 K900. There are 176 “jewel-like cells” within the grille that visually represent ripples that would result from the impact of a splash. Photo: Kia Motors America.
Steering & Suspension
The steering itself is an electro-mechanical, rack­-mounted power assembly designed for increased agility and comfort. There’s “slower” off-center feel, which provides a better sense of stability, especially during high-speed driving. And for anyone who has ever driven a BMW, this will feel quite normal. Huh, I wonder where Kia came up with that notion?
The four-wheel independent suspension delivers tighter and quicker turns via a new front multi-link design, and by increasing the stiffness of the front and rear axle assembly. An Electronically Controlled Suspension is available to boost ride comfort. The system reduces things like chassis motion using an internal damper system to modulate the suspension accordingly.
“Although the K900 prides itself as not being overtly luxurious, the one nod to the haute lifestyle is an analog clock specially designed and co-branded by Maurice Lacroix,” reads a statement from Kia. Photo: Kia Motors America.
Pricing & Availability
The new K900 will be built in Kia’s Sohari facility in South Korea, the same plant where they build the Stinger. Kia didn’t give any definite word on price but it will hit dealers in the fourth quarter of this year. In the meantime, it’s on display at the New York International Auto Show, now through April 8th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
I’d love to get my mitts on one of these and a good, used M3 and see what the similarities are.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz. 
2019 Kia K900 Gallery

















Photos & Source: Kia Motors America.



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Lamborghini Delivers New Huracán To Italian Police

Lamborghini Delivers New Huracán To Italian Police

Somehow, the Italian police have gotten their hands on a brand new, Lamborghini Huracán to use as a police car, and for the first time in my life, I’d seriously like to be a cop. Normally, being a cop in Italy is 90% low-key and 10% life threatening (when you’re seeing to Mafia-related activities), but you know, I’d definitely put up with those numbers.
Automobili Lamborghini (that’s the official name of the Sant’Agata Bolognese builder of exotic cars) just delivered the police version of its Huracán supercar, dubbed the Huracán Polizia, to the Italian Highway Patrol in Rome.
Passing The Keys
This might come as a surprise to many, because 1 – Italy actually has highways, and 2 – Italy actually has an Italian Highway Patrol. The keys to the Huracán Polizia (which has got to be the coolest name for a cop car, ever) were handed over to Interior Minister, Senator Marco Minniti by Stefano Domenicali, Chairman & CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. Wait, Stefano Domenicali? The same Stefano Domenicali that ran Ferrari’s Grand Prix team? No wonder Lambos have been working so well lately.
The Italian Police Huracán (which is the way Italians say hurricane and is pronounced huruhKAHN) has been assigned to the Highway Patrol in Bologna. Bologna, the ancestral home of both Fascism and probably the best red sauce on the planet – hey, you gotta take the good with the bad, y’know? Bologna is also situated on one of Italy’s main Autoroutes, their version of highways, and like most other Italian Autoroutes or American highways, is chocked full of half-crazed speed freaks flogging all sorts of inappropriate vehicles (e.g. Fiat delivery vans) at velocities you’d think were suicidal.
Emergency Situations
Or, to put it another way, Bologna is a great location for the Huracán Polizia; it’s a big city without being too big, there’s lots of potential “customers” and most importantly, the lunch options are superb and numerous. The Huracán Polizia will be used both in normal police operations and for the urgent transport of blood and organs. Which, c’mon, sounds like the cherry on top for becoming an Italian cop. “You need me to get this kidney down to the hospital in Forli as quick as I can? Si comendatore! Si!”
This is not the first time Lamborghini has provided the Italian cops with cars. There’s another Huracán Polizia that has been operated by the Highway Patrol in Rome since 2015, in case you’re looking for office locations of a more cosmopolitan nature. In 2009 Lambo gave (sold?) the Roman police a Gallardo Polizia. That car is on permanent display at the Highway Patrol Auto Museum in Rome.
An essential task of the Huracán Polizia is to provide medical assistance. To this end, the front luggage compartment features a special refrigeration system for the urgent transport of organs. To provide emergency first aid, the Huracán is also equipped with a defibrillator, which can save lives by inducing targeted electric shocks that restore normal heartbeat in case of serious arrhythmia or ventricular fibrillation. Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.


Special Treatments
The Huracán Polizia sports the official colors of the Italian Police: A two-tone Police Medium Blue with a broad white area and lettering “specially executed to match the Huracán’s dynamic look.” What, you were expecting them to just slap on some decals that say “Polizia.” This is Italy. Have some style. Whattaya think this is, Germany? The livery is finished off by a tricolor stripe running along both sides of the Huracán Polizia.
Like all Lamborghinis, the Huracán Polizia is equipped with Pirelli P Zero tires, but with the added touch of the sidewalls tinted in Police Medium Blue especially for the occasion.
The Huracán Polizia comes standard with the normally aspirated V10 that produces 610 horsepower. It puts all that power to the strada via an all-wheel drive system. Just like the Huracáns you or I could buy (snicker) the chassis is made of aluminum and carbon fiber. The inside features a whole buffet of cop-related gear. An integrated tablet and computer, recording equipment, and a video camera used to document police operations on the road. There is also a Nuova Simonelli Aurelia Ii Semi 2 Group Espresso Machine and a six capacity doughnut warmer. C’mon, who am I kidding? That was a joke. There’s no way Italian cops would stoop to eating doughnuts.
So, if you are a slow-witted American tourist (is that redundant?) moseying around Rome or Bologna in your rental Fiat Punto and you see a blue and white Lambo blast up onto your tail, do not get all uppity or, even worse, take this as an invitation to race. You will lose and soon be seeing the inside of Regina Coeli, where the red sauce is as mediocre as the espresso.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photo: Automobili Lamborghini.
Photos & Source: Automobili Lamborghini.



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Report: Mercedes-AMG is developing a new line of performance EVs and hybrids

Report: Mercedes-AMG is developing a new line of performance EVs and hybrids The instant power delivery of electric motors should find themselves at home in Mercedes-AMG models known for power.

What’s going on?
More electrification!
“Oh jeeze, this really is the end of the internal combustion engine, ain’t it,” you might think. That seems true for the beloved Mercedes-AMG brand as Automobile reports Mercedes-Benz’s performance division seeks to shift its focus to electrification and hybridization.
Despite what seems like the end of the EPA, automakers still insist on moving forward towards EVs and hybrids to continue reducing its carbon footprint.
What can we expect from this new push?
According to the article, AMG plans to develop new high-voltage batteries, fast charging, and stronger motors, all with performance and efficiency in mind. From that, a total of four performance electric vehicles will join the AMG lineup. We can expect some models to sport as much as 612 instant horsepower from two motors powering all four wheels. Juice should be supplied by a 105-kWh battery.
When should we expect some electrified AMG awesomeness?
Probably sometime around 2020 to 2022. Two will be sedans while the remaining two will take form as crossovers.
On top of the complex power- and drivetrain technology, other features such as rear-wheel steering and uniquely tuned Airmatic dynamic suspension should be included.
What about the hybrid front?
All is not lost with the internal combustion engine just yet. Since AMG is all about power, its hard to deny that there will be many customers still longing for that classic AMG V8 burble.
What’s in store for the hybrids? Details are sparse, but more plug-in hybrids will arrive in the future both in Mercedes-Benz’s and Mercedes-AMG’s future.
Hints and rumors imply Mercedes will utilize the technology developed on earlier hybrid models. On those models, Mercedes mounted the electric motors into the transmission housing, assisting the cog swapper with power. This is a more ideal hybrid system overall since the car can still use a traditional transmission rather than the off-putting CVT that other hybrids use.
Other plug-in hybrid cars could include an electric rear-drive system with a separate power pack for front-wheel drive models.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: Automobile
Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ Concept Gallery












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