Inside is the place the outgoing automotive is feeling its age, being only a bit plain. The new one addresses that. It nonetheless doesn’t really feel like an costly, upmarket automotive: it’s all exhausting plastic in right here, but it surely’s a bit extra designed. The exterior has Y shapes as a motif within the lights and that continues with the inside air vents. Cheaper trims could be greyer, however our take a look at automotive had a splash of color on the dashboard and I used to be actually charmed by the ‘jeans’ upholstery. There’s a wide variety of trays and cubbies too.
More digital tech has sprung up, one thing I’d argue the Duster didn’t want. Entry-level trims have analogue gauges with a small display screen between the dials, and a telephone holder as an alternative of a centre display screen. I believe that could be the perfect set-up. The take a look at automobiles on the launch occasion all had a digital gauge cluster and a ten.1in central touchscreen. Both of them look good and work tremendous, however the driver show doesn’t actually present a lot added worth other than trying extra trendy for the sake of it.
For the centre display screen, I anticipated to see a model of the Google system in current Renaults, however the Duster really makes use of a bespoke system as a result of it’s cheaper to make and doesn’t tread on Renault’s toes. It’s pretty primary and due to this fact straightforward to navigate but in addition fairly laggy. A deficit in processing energy might be the place the price saving comes from.
Dacia has caught with buttons the place it counts, although, and that deserves reward. A panel of bodily switches operates the local weather management and there’s one other financial institution of buttons to the left of the steering wheel. One of these units all the driving force help methods to a private preset, which is the way in which all trendy automobiles ought to work, actually.
You can sit comparatively low, on pretty supportive seats, however the placement of the steering column makes it extra pure to take a seat greater, as does the view over the flat bonnet that this offers you. In mixture with a barely pillboxy view out (blame the decrease roofline), it conjures up one thing of a child Toyota Land Cruiser vibe.
The engineers say that the swap to the brand new platform has allowed them to create extra inside area throughout the identical footprint. Indeed, rear passengers have a bit extra leg room and boot area has risen from 445 litres to 594 litres in front-wheel-drive fashions.
The new Kia K4 sedan is a pointy alternative to the outgoing Forte sedan. But one factor we did not count on to see throughout its New York Auto Show debut was a hatchback model, which Kia discontinued on the Forte (the Forte5) again in 2018.
And we have excellent news: The K4 hatchback is coming to America. Kia confirmed to Motor1 that it’ll arrive within the US “at a later date.”
Much just like the sedan, the hatchback seems sharp. The K4 five-door is “a practical vehicle that is aimed at a dynamic and urban lifestyle,” the corporate famous throughout its press convention. “The five-door shares the same front and rear design as well as the smooth elegance of the sedan.”
That means it most likely has the identical powertrain choices because the sedan, too. The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet. There’s additionally a extra highly effective turbocharged 1.6-liter engine making 190 hp and 195 lb-ft.
We’ll know extra in regards to the K4 nearer to the sedan’s on-sale date, which must be someday later this 12 months. The hatchback will go on sale someday after that.
Americans needed to accept an inferior product within the outgoing Passat. Europe and China acquired the up to date model in 2018, often known as the Magotan, and now the sedan is transitioning to its subsequent era. The midsizer has made an early look in pictures revealed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
The 2025 Magotan is mainly the brand new Volkswagen Passat sedan that will not be bought wherever else besides in China. In Europe and different areas, the Passat is now exclusively a wagon. However, the mechanically associated Skoda Superb remains to be out there as a five-door liftback alongside the long-roof mannequin. These revealing pictures present VW has made substantial adjustments to the automotive’s design in comparison with the worldwide wagon, presumably to higher cater to Chinese tastes.
For those that did not watch the “Shark Tank” episode when it aired, the jab that led outgoing shark Mark Cuban to sit down out the bidding for Ride FRSH was fairly private. It concerned the cache of air fresheners the Brown brothers chosen to point out off to the “Shark Tank” panel throughout their pitch. One that ended up within the fingers of Cuban was branded with the brand of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
Cuban is, in fact, the proprietor of the Dallas Mavericks NBA franchise. That very 12 months, Golden State bounced Cuban’s Luka Doncic-led Mavericks from the NBA Conference Finals. In a transfer that maybe unnecessarily salted the injuries for Cuban, one of many brothers even took a protracted sniff of a Golden State freshener earlier than declaring, “Smells like winning,” with Cuban advising the Browns they need to’ve learn the room higher earlier than bowing out of the bidding. Donavan and Trey Brown would later admit the jab was intentional and conceived as a promotional stunt.
As a number of main information retailers coated Cuban’s response, it proved a savvy transfer in addition, with the following protection serving to the Browns get their firm’s title out to of us who may’ve missed their primetime debut. Luckily, Barbara Corcoran wasn’t offended by the jab and struck what may very well be a doubtlessly profitable take care of the brothers.
The GTX+ variant of the Kia Sonet has received some styling tweaks and gear revisions over the outgoing mannequin, making it a extra feature-rich providing
Kia’s sub-4m SUV providing, the Sonet, has simply been unveiled in a facelifted iteration. It will likely be supplied in seven variants in whole: HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX, HTX+, GTX+, and X-Line. In this story, let’s see how the GTX+ variant (a part of the GT Line trim) of the Kia Sonet facelift seems to be like in the actual world:
Exterior
Front
Up entrance, the Sonet GTX+ will get a in another way styled grille than the opposite trims (HT Line and X-Line), that includes a honeycomb sample with silver inserts and the entrance digicam as properly. Its bumper is shared with the X-Line and sports activities the smooth LED fog lamps. That stated, the multi-reflector 3-piece LED headlights and the longer fang-shaped LED DRLs are widespread throughout the three trim strains.
The GTX+ variant of the Sonet now additionally sports activities 10 options of superior driver help programs (ADAS). Its ADAS works primarily based on the digicam mounted on the internal facet of the entrance windshield.
Side
The solely main adjustments made to the edges of the brand new Sonet GTX+ is the availability of freshly designed 16-inch alloy wheels and the ORVM-mounted digicam as a part of the 360-degree setup.
Rear
At the again, the up to date SUV’s GTX+ variant has a wiper with washer and defogger. With the facelift, the Sonet now will get a linked LED tail lamp setup as the brand new Kia Seltos.
Interior
Dashboard
Kia has retained the all-black cabin theme for the GT Line model of the SUV. Its steering wheel has the ‘GT’ moniker on the decrease portion, whereas the hotkey for ADAS is now a part of the steering-mounted controls that additionally contains the button for the cruise management.
It now additionally comes with a revised local weather management panel whereas persevering with to supply ventilated entrance seats as earlier than.
Front Seats
The 2024 Sonet’s GTX+ variant has been supplied with black and white seat upholstery with distinction white stitching. The height-adjustable driver seat now additionally has 4-way power-adjustment, which was launched on its sibling the Hyundai Venue in 2022.
This variant of Kia’s sub-4m SUV additionally will get a single-pane sunroof and a ten.25-inch digital driver’s show because the Seltos.
Rear Seats
At the again, the Sonet GTX+ comes with solely two adjustable headrests, which is lacking for the centre passenger however all passengers get 3-point seatbelts. That stated, Kia has offered it with a centre armrest with cupholders and rear AC vents.
We anticipate the Kia Sonet facelift to go on sale in early 2024, with costs prone to begin from Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom). Apart from the Hyundai Venue, it should additionally go up towards the Tata Nexon, Maruti Brezza, Mahindra XUV300, Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite. The Kia SUV can also be an alternative choice to the Maruti Fronx crossover.
The new Kia Carnival has undergone significant changes in its exterior design compared to the previous version
While we are waiting for the arrival of the fourth-generation Kia Carnival in our country, the MPV has already received an update in its home market. The car manufacturer has unveiled the updated exterior design of the premium MPV, with the interior and other details expected to be revealed in November. Our closest look at the current generation of the Carnival was at the Auto Expo in early 2023. In this article, let’s take a look at how its exterior design has evolved with the facelift:
Front
The majority of the changes in the facelift are concentrated on the front fascia of the MPV. With the refresh, the new Carnival features a revised grille with chrome accents, vertically stacked LED headlights consisting of four pieces, and sharper LED daytime running lights (DRLs). The bumper has also been updated, now incorporating updated fog lamps while still housing the radar for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Side
From the side view, the only noticeable difference is the new set of alloy wheels, which appear to have a more aerodynamic design. Additionally, a Gravity trim has been introduced, which offers design variations compared to the standard model. This includes a black grille with a fresh style, black ORVMs (outside rearview mirrors), and a different alloy wheel design featuring concentric rings.
Rear
At the rear, the Carnival now boasts a redesigned tailgate that showcases vertically stacked LED taillights, which run up to the Kia logo in the center, resembling the LED DRLs at the front. The design updates for the MPV’s rear end are completed by a revised skid plate and a chunky bumper. Overall, the facelifted MPV displays a sharper appearance compared to its predecessor.
We expect the facelifted fourth-generation Kia Carnival to be launched in India sometime in 2024, with an estimated starting price of Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom). While it won’t have any direct competitors, it will be positioned higher than the Toyota Innova Hycross in the Indian MPV segment.
Although it’s only the beginning of September, the current BMW X3 entered the 2024 model year a few weeks ago. This means that the next-generation luxury crossover will be available in the United States as a 2025 model. However, there are still some final tests that need to be completed. Our spies had the opportunity to closely analyze two prototypes, both of which had less camouflage than previous sightings, revealing the production body.
It’s important to note that the two test vehicles were equipped with combustion engines, as the future iX3 will have a substantially different appearance. The iX3 will switch to the Neue Klasse platform, as mentioned here. Currently, the electric crossover shares the same design as the conventionally powered X3, using the CLAR platform. However, this will change in 2025 with the introduction of a dedicated electric architecture.
The Toyota Sequoia has been in production for over two decades, and the third-generation model was unveiled in 2022. The new Sequoia has been completely redesigned with the new TNGA platform used by the new Lexus LX600, Toyota Tundra, and Toyota Land Cruiser.
The flagship model in the Toyota lineup is the Sequoia Capstone, which is currently the most expensive new Toyota on sale today. Let’s see what Toyota has done to their most luxurious offering yet.
What Is The Toyota Sequoia Capstone Edition?
Toyota
A front 3/4 shot of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone
The Capstone trim is the most luxurious version of the new Toyota Sequoia. It is the most expensive new Toyota you can buy, with a starting price of $78,460 and can go as high as $83,000 fully equipped.
The Capstone exterior features lots of chrome on the grill, bumper, mirrors, door handles, window trim, and roof rails. It also has power running boards, big 22-inch wheels, and Capstone logos on the front doors.
The Capstone Has A More Luxurious Interior
Toyota
Interior shot of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone with ambient lighting
The Sequoia Capstone has a more luxurious two-tone semi-aniline leather interior. It also features Dark American walnut wood-grain trim with backlit “CAPSTONE” on the passenger dashboard. The center console has wood trim, and there is a 14-inch center touchscreen with a 14-speaker JBL sound system.
The front and rear seats are heated and ventilated, and the interior is quieter thanks to the new double-pane acoustic glass. The Capstone also comes with a full panoramic roof and exclusive Capstone floor mats.
In the second row, you have captain’s chairs as standard, and you can easily access the third row from the second row. The third row can be folded down for more cargo space.
Twin Turbo Hybrid V-6
Toyota
Twin Turbo hybrid V-6 in the Toyota Sequoia Capstone
The Capstone is powered by a 3.4-liter twin-turbo hybrid V-6 engine that produces 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The Capstone has a maximum towing capacity of 9,000 pounds and offers great fuel economy at around 20 MPG combined.
The Capstone also comes with active dampers and optional rear leveling air suspension to enhance the ride quality.
Is The Capstone Worth It?
Toyota
Rear 3/4 view of a pearl white 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone
The Sequoia Capstone offers exclusive features and improvements over other trims, making it a great choice for those seeking luxury. However, it may fall short in terms of offering true luxury compared to its competitors. Nevertheless, it combines Toyota’s reliability, three-row seating, and massive towing capacity, making it a compelling option for buyers in search of a luxurious SUV.
Believe it or not, the outgoing Lexus GX had been in production for 14 years which is a long time. This may come as a surprise with the previous SUV receiving so many updates, but it was fundamentally the same vehicle from 2009.
The third generation GX was just unveiled, and it is an all-new vehicle built from the ground up. There have been significant changes made to make the GX competitive in today’s market. From a new platform and engine to better technology and safety features, the GX is setting up to be one of the best new vehicles in its segment. This GX may be around for a long time since Lexus/Toyota doesn’t introduce new models so often. Let’s take a look at what we get with this new model compared to the old one.
The new GX rides on an all-new TNGA-F platform introduced on the current LX600 and Toyota Land Cruiser. This is the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) that will be used on all upcoming Lexus/Toyota models. It is still a body-on-frame chassis but it is lighter, stronger, and still maintains its off-road capability.
New double wishbone suspension is used in the front with independent multilink rear suspension. Gone is the old hydraulic unit which is now replaced with Electronic Power Steering. These changes help improve on-road handling and off-road capabilities. Towing capacity has also increased with a max capacity of up to 8,000 pounds, the old GX had a max towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.
A New Rugged Design
Lexus
A front-facing shot of the 2024 Lexus GX and 2023 Lexus GX
Without a doubt, you can tell this is a different vehicle from its exterior design. While the outgoing SUV was getting more aggressive with its facelifts, the initial platform could only allow for limited changes. The new GX has become very boxy and aggressive, it looks like a merger between a G-Wagon, Jeep Wrangler, and the Land Rover Defender.
The aforementioned SUVs look great since they’ve had the same shape since inception and have aged very well. This is a good thing as we expect the GX to be around for a long time and will probably age well too. Its new muscular look also makes it imposing and emphasizes its off-road capabilities. No one will make any mistake about the intent of this car.
Despite its rugged look, there are many modern design elements in the new GX. While the spindle grill is still huge, it has been raised slightly with a shorter front overhang to improve front clearance. The triple-beam LED Headlamp is also integrated seamlessly into the grill giving it a cleaner look. The overall width of the vehicle has also increased by 3.74 inches to achieve a more stable stance. Its wheelbase is now 2.36 inches longer than the previous vehicle which means a bit more room inside the cabin.
Lexus
Rear 3/4 shot of the 2024 Lexus GX Premium
Adding to the boxy stance of the GX are 32-inch tires with the option of either 20 or 22-inch wheels which will complement the aggressive looks very well. Although they may be bigger, the designs of these new wheels look very similar to the ones used on the previous-gen, but those only went up to 20 inches. There are eleven exterior colors available but are dependent on the Premium, Luxury, or Overtrail trims.
At the rear, there’s nothing much to talk about except that it looks taller since the tailgate is completely flat. Light bars are the new trend and the new GX has a full-width rear tail light. Due to customer feedback, the new GX now has a pop-out window, power liftgate, and kick sensor for ease of use especially when your hands are full.
But this engine seems to be detuned for this application as it makes 400 horsepower in the LX 600 but maintains the same torque figure. The transmission is also a new ten-speed automatic sending power to a standard full-time four-wheel drive system.
Fuel economy would also improve with this new GX since the old V-8 model was a gas guzzler at 15/19 MPG city/highway. The new GX will offer an estimated 17 mpg combined. Lexus has also announced that there will be a hybrid model to join the lineup later which will further increase fuel economy.
Updated Lexus Interior And Features
Lexus
Interior shot of the 2024 Lexus GX dashboard
Despite looking like a bully on the outside, let’s not forget the GX is a luxury vehicle and has a new interior with updated features for added safety and comfort. Right in front of the driver is a new 12.3-inch full gauge cluster. The all-new instrument panel is now lower which makes the controls easy to reach.
A new 14-inch center touchscreen is now standard with physical climate control knobs, the outgoing GX only had a 10.3-inch center screen. It’s also equipped with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto where the previous-gen used a wire. You still get a gear selector stick with a knob to switch between different drive modes.
Lexus
Interior of a 2024 Lexus GX Premium
Three-row seating is still available with the option of captain’s chairs or bench seat configuration in the second row. Getting into the third row is also made easier with a one-motion tumble system. Six illuminated charging ports are available throughout the interior with a wireless charging pad in the center console and 12 cupholders.
Music lovers will be treated to crisp music from the optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system, but the 10-speaker surround system comes as standard. Additional options include Heads Up Display, Traffic Jam Assist, and a digital key that can be given to friends and family to access your car through their smartphones. Equipped with Lexus Safety System+, new active safety systems include Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Proactive Driving Assist.
Front 3/4 shot of the 2024 Lexus GX Overtrail on a hill
Just like Toyota has the TRD and TRD Pro trim, the new GX has a new Overtrail and Overtrail+ trim which adds some off-road features to the GX. The GX is the first vehicle to receive this trim as part of the “Overtrail Project” which will appear on other vehicles. Lexus also plans to sell factory parts and accessories as well as off-road experiences to support this trim. Black roofs are available with four exterior colors to create a two-tone effect.
33-inch all-terrain tires are standard with 18-inch wheels, black over fenders instead of body-colored, and aluminum skid plate as standard. These are only available on the Overtrail and Overtrail+ trim. Off-road systems include Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, Downhill Assist, and 3D Multi-Terrain Monitor systems which are standard on the GX Overtrail. You also get an Electronic-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for improved wheel articulation and an E-locking rear differential exclusively on the Overtrail for maximum traction.
The old GX has been a favorite for people who wanted a rugged Luxury SUV with off-road capabilities. Its old V-8 may be gone, but the new V-6 offers more torque necessary for towing and better fuel economy. The new GX offers a completely new design with a new powertrain and a host of new technology and safety features. It has been improved in every aspect and is already a better vehicle than the old one. Lexus doesn’t change cars often, but when they do, they do a great job.
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