The 2020 Karma Revero GT is a major remake that delivers a new model substantially more refined than the original Karma Revero, which evolved from an existing series hybrid sedan. Externally, all of the Revero GT’s body panels have been restyled, including the doors. Most noticeable are the new grille and front fascia that present quite a departure from the Revero’s original and rather massive grillework.
Besides a more modern look, weight has been reduced by more than 500 pounds, an important move since this is one heavy grand touring car weighing in at some 5,050 pounds total. Optional carbon fiber wheels shave off an additional 55 pounds. Inside, there are new seats, center console, and an all-new infotainment system.
There are also big changes in the drivetrain. A turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, sourced from the BMW i8, replaces the previous GM-sourced 2.0 liter engine originally used in the Revero series hybrid. Two electric motors drive the rear wheels through a single speed transmission. Combined power output has noticeably increased from 403 to 535 horsepower, with a beefy dose of 550 lb-ft torque at the ready. All this brings an impressive 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.5 seconds. In a departure from the norm, the exhaust for the Karma GT’s three-cylinder engine is located behind the front wheels.
A lighter 28-kWh battery pack is configured to run down the spine of the car. This nickel-manganese-cobalt lithium-ion pack provides a battery electric range of up to 80 miles, an impressive gain over that offered by the 2019 Revero. With the 280 mile range afforded by electricity from the car’s gasoline engine-generator, overall driving range comes in at 360 miles. EPA rates the 2020 Karma Revero GT at 26 combined mpg and 70 MPGe when driving exclusively on battery power.
Drivers can choose between Stealth, Sustain, and Sport modes to tailor the driving experience. Stealth is for all-electric driving. Sustain mode uses the BMW range-extender engine to supply electricity to the rear motors, preserving power from the battery pack for later use. Sport mode maximizes performance by combining the power from both the engine-generator and battery pack. Three levels of regenerative braking can be selected using steering wheel paddles.
A Karma Revero GTS is planned for introduction later in 2020. Here, torque will be increased to a massive 635 lb-ft for even greater performance. The GTS variant will also feature electronic torque vectoring and Launch Control to handle all that torque. In addition, a planned battery upgrade is expected to provide up to 80 miles of all-electric driving.
Porsche has entered the electric vehicle market in a big way with its long-awaited Taycan, known for some time by its concept name, the Mission E. While Porsche has had plug-in hybrids in its model line for some time, this is the marque’s first all-electric vehicle.
Taycan comes in three versions to fit varying desires – the Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo, and Taycan Turbo S. All variants feature all-wheel-drive using two electric motors, one driving each axle. The three Taycan versions differ only in battery capacity and horsepower, with each featuring varying levels of performance and driving range.
The point of entry for the model is the $103,800 Taycan 4S, which features a 79.2 kWh battery pack and 522 horsepower from its two motors. The $150,900 Taycan Turbo is energized by a 93 kWh battery and delivers 616 peak horsepower. This same 93 kWh battery pack is optional on the Taycan 4S. At $185,000, the Taycan Turbo S shares the same powertrain as the Turbo model but is tuned to deliver an even greater 750 horsepower when using launch control. Launch control power lasts for short bursts of 2.5 seconds. After that, all models reduce output slightly to protect the drivetrain from heat.
EPA rates the Taycan Turbo at a 201 mile driving range. That breaks the 200 mile barrier perceived by many as necessary for next-generation electric vehicles, but it is lower than some other electrics like the Audi e-tron and Tesla Model S. EPA fuel efficiency for the Taycan Turbo is a combined 69 MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent). Efficiency and range ratings for the Taycan 4S and Taycan Turbo S have not yet been released.
Porsche’s Taycan is the first electric vehicle to use an 800-volt electrical architecture. This allows more powerful 270 kW charging that enables recharging the battery from 5 to 80 percent in about 22 minutes. This requires an 800 volt DC public fast charger that is still quite rare. More common 400 volt DC fast-charging is limited to 50 kW, with some 150 kW chargers available that triple maximum charging power at 400 volt DC fast-charging stations. These can bring an 80 percent charge in 90 minutes or less. Charging the Taycan using a widely-available 240-volt Level 2 public or home charger takes 10 to 11 hours.
All Taycans come with a 10.9-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, navigation, Bluetooth, HD and satellite radio, four USB ports, panoramic sunroof, and adaptive air suspension. Among the model’s standard safety equipment is a rearview camera, parking sensors, forward collision warning with brake assist, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive LED headlights. Optional safety items include blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, night vision camera, and a surround-view parking camera system. Adding the optional performance package brings four-wheel steering and active anti-roll bars.
Lincoln’s new Aviator comes in two versions, the conventionally-powered Aviator and the Aviator Grand Touring plug-in-hybrid. Both luxury SUVs feature a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, which in the Aviator is rated at 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft torque. The Grand Touring adds a 101 horsepower electric motor and a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Adding the electric motor to the V-6 increases output to a combined 494 horsepower and 630 lb-ft torque.
That kind of power means the Aviator Grand Touring has V-8 big block-like performance, with acceleration coming on strong courtesy of an electric motor that deliver loads of torque from zero rpm. Hybrid power also means better fuel economy than a conventionally powered model, with the Grand Touring variant offering an EPA combined fuel economy rating of 23 mpg, compared to 20 mpg for the all-wheel-drive version of the conventional Aviator. The Aviator Grand Touring comes only with AWD while the conventional model has the option of rear-wheel drive.
The Aviator Grand Touring uses Ford's innovative new modular hybrid transmission that’s also used in the Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid and Ford Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid It was created by essentially inserting an electric motor and disconnect clutch between the engine and torque converter on Ford's 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. The MHT shares about 90 percent of its components with Ford’s conventional 10-speed automatic.
Drivers are afforded 21 miles of all-electric driving in the plug-in hybrid for typical around-town needs. The Aviator Touring’s 13.6 kWh battery pack features under-floor packaging that does not infringe on interior space, so this 7 passenger SUV’s cargo-carrying capacity is not compromised when the third row seating is folded flat. Charging a depleted battery takes three-to-four hours using a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
All Aviators have five Lincoln Drive Modes that change the suspension settings, steering, shift points, and ride height with the optional Air Glide Suspension. The Aviator Grand Touring has two additional modes – Pure EV for all-electric driving and Preserve EV to save stored electrical energy for later use. The Aviator can tow 6,700 pounds while the Aviator Grand Touring can tow 5,600 pounds.
Lincoln's all-new Aviator offers a point of entry at $51,100 for the base rear-drive model, with the Grand Touring plug-in hybrid variant coming in at $68,900.
First making its appearance in 1966, the Corolla has proved to be a serious mainstay for the Toyota brand. To date it has sold over 46 million copies worldwide, along the way becoming the best-selling nameplate in the world. Its sales have far surpassing that of the original Volkswagen Beetle, the ubiquitous everyman’s car that was seemingly everywhere for years on end, but in actuality sold less than half the number achieved by the Corolla. Unlike the Beetle that remained true to its unmistakably simple form over its lifetime, Corollas have seen many major redesigns over the years and this year’s 2020 Corolla sedan features the model’s most compelling redesign in decades.
As with previous models, the 2020 Corolla’s strengths are its affordability, reliability, and notably high fuel economy. Now, it can add style to that list of strengths…along with the title 2020 Green Car of the Year®.
The latest Corollas use Toyota's New Global Architecture (TNGA). This brings a stiffer platform with an independent multilink rear suspension that replaces the previous torsion beam setup. The standard base engine on lower-end L, LE, and XLE trims is the long-used and dependable 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 139 horsepower. Stepping up to SE and XSE trims bring a 169 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder powerplant to bear. Both are quite fuel efficient, with the 1.8-liter delivering 30 city/38 highway mpg and the 2.0-liter 31 city/40 highway mpg.
Power is delivered to the road through a 6-speed manual on the SE and an electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission on lower end models. Upper trims get a continuously variable transmission with intelligence. Shift Mode starts out with an actual first gear and then shifts to a CVT operation. Paddle shifters allow selection of 10 simulated gear ratios.
For optimum fuel economy there’s the new Corolla Hybrid LE model that features a 121 horsepower, 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle four cylinder and a pair of electric motors. This highly efficient hybrid system achieves an impressive, Prius-like EPA estimated 52 combined mpg. Energy is provided by a 1.3 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack positioned under the rear seats, so trunk capacity is not compromised. Importantly, the Corolla Hybrid LE is priced at just $23,100, about $3,500 more than the base gasoline-powered model. Its high fuel efficiency, affordability to the masses, and huge worldwide sales means this model has an outsized impact on decreasing gasoline use and carbon emissions reductions.
In addition, this affordably-priced car offers a a full complement of driver assist systems that rivals those found in much more expensive vehicles. All versions have Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard equipment. This package includes Toyota’s Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Road Edge Detection and Sway Warning, Automatic High Beams, Lane Tracing Assist, and Road Sign Assist. Full-Speed Range Dynamic Cruise Control and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist are also part of the package.
Our time behind the wheel of a Corolla Hybrid LE proved this vehicle to be a great daily driver. It’s roomier than you would expect, quite comfortable, and delivers a satisfying driving experience while achieving its pretty amazing fuel efficiency. Acceleration is decent though not particularly quick, but then, buyers of the Corolla nameplate in its many forms are not shopping for high performance. They are shopping for value, durability, connectivity, safety, and efficiency, and with the 2020 Corolla they get all this in abundance.
Plus, of course, they now get an all-new Corolla with surprisingly attractive styling. While that might not have been the tipping point for buyers looking for top value and efficiency over the years, it’s sure an important addition that will draw even more interest in this enduring nameplate. And let’s not forget that with today’s greater interest in environmental performance – including significantly lower carbon emissions – the Corolla Hybrid becomes even more compelling as a champion for the cause, all the while sporting more mainstream appeal than many hybrids that came before it.
The BMW 7-Series gets a facelift for 2020, and without a doubt its most notable styling change is a more massive twin kidney grille. Importantly, BMW’s 745e xDrive sedan gets a new and improved plug-in-hybrid powertrain to bolster its environmental credentials. This flagship BMW sedan is now powered by a six-cylinder, 3.0 liter TwinPower Turbo engine that replaces the previous version’s 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine used in its 740e predecessor. Engine output is now 286 horsepower and the electric motor is rated at 113 horsepower.
Lithium-ion battery output has also improved with battery pack capacity increased from 9.2 to 12 kWh. This provides a bit more all-electric range –16 versus the earlier version’s 14 miles. Total driving range with electric and hybrid drive is 290 miles. The high-voltage battery is positioned underneath the rear seats so luggage compartment volume is about the same as in the non-hybrid 7-series sedans. Importantly, this plug-in hybrid also delivers much better performance when running on the gasoline engine alone or when driving in hybrid mode with both the engine and electric motor supplying power.
The 745e’s electric motor is integrated in the model’s 8-speed Steptronic transmission. As xDrive implies, the 745e features BMW's xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive. The BMW 745e xDrive is equipped with a hybrid-specific version of the eight-speed Sport Steptronic transmission that incorporates both the electric motor and an improved separating clutch that acts as the link to the engine. The extremely compact design is only about 0.6 inches longer than the Steptronic transmissions in the non-hybrid models.
Drivers are provided an array of selectable driving modes. In default Hybrid mode, the 745e runs on electric power with the combustion engine kicking in only after the car reaches 87 mph. This mode provides an optimized balance between the combustion engine and electric motor. Hybrid Eco Pro mode is biased towards reduced fuel consumption with enhanced coasting. Electric mode provides all-electric driving.
By selecting the Battery Control mode, charge state of the high-voltage battery is maintained at a level determined by the driver, enabling battery power to be used later for emissions-free driving in town, for example. Sport mode combines both engine and electric motor output to provide a total 389 horsepower for maximum performance. Adaptive mode is geared towards relevant driving styles and situations.
BMW is a pioneer in using carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) in production vehicles. The 7-series’ A, B, and C pillars, as well as the roof, are made of CFRP to reduce weight and the car’s center of gravity. The price of entry for the 745e is $95,550.
Many of us use inductive wireless charging to recharge our cellphones and other electronic devices. Now, some lessees of new BMW 530e iPerformance plug-in hybrids will be able to recharge their batteries using inductive charging as well. Initially, 200 BMW 530e lessees are participating in a global Induction Charging Pilot Program that began in Germany and is expanding to include 13 California counties.
BMW Wireless Charging consists of a GroundPad and the CarPad affixed to the vehicle’s underside. A contactless transfer of energy from a home’s power supply occurs between the GroundPad and CarPad through induction over a distance of about three inches. The GroundPad generates a magnetic field that induces electrical current in the CarPad, which then charges the car’s high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.
The system helps a driver maneuver the 530e into the correct position over the GroundPad with the help of a WiFi connection between the charging station and the vehicle. An overhead view of the car and its surroundings is displayed in the car’s center Control Display with colored lines that help guide the driver into the correct spot. Charging starts as soon as the 530e is in position over the GroundPad and a Start/Stop button is pressed. The system's 3.7 kW output can charge the batteries in about 3 1/2 hours with about 85 percent efficiency. It switches off automatically once the car is fully charged.
All components that conduct electricity are protected from rain and snow. Driving over the GroundPad will not damage it in any way. During charging, ambient electromagnetic radiation is limited to the vehicle undercarriage. Foreign Object Detection and Living Object Detection are part of the certified induction charging system. If something is detected within the gap between the GroundPad and CarPad, charging will be turned off.
To participate in the Induction Charging Pilot Program, participants must lease their 530e from 33 participating dealers in San Francisco, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Alameda, Sonoma, Orange, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Ventura, Riverside, or San Bernardino counties. An online questionnaire is submitted to help determine location suitability, which includes the ability to charge inside an enclosed garage space. A 530e Readiness Survey determines garage and local electric grid suitability. All costs associated with the initial installation, maintenance and deinstallation of the Ground Pad are covered by BMW.
In today's direct fuel injected, overhead camshaft engines, valves driven by belt- or chain-driven camshafts control the amount of air flowing in, and exhaust gases flowing out, of the cylinders. Timing, lift, and duration of intake and exhaust valve opening have significant impact on engine performance, emissions, and efficiency. Today's engines use variable valve control to manage timing of the valve’s opening and closing. Until now, variable valve control techniques could not regulate valve duration, as the valve’s closing timing was subordinate to opening timing and could not respond to diverse driving situations.
Hyundai addresses this with its new Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology that optimizes engine performance and fuel efficiency while reducing emissions. CCVD stretches or shortens the time intake valves are open, depending on engine speed and load. When the vehicle maintains a constant speed requiring low engine output, CVVD opens the intake valves from the middle to end of the compression stroke, improving fuel efficiency by reducing the resistance caused by compression. When high engine output is needed, intake valves are closed at the beginning of the compression stroke to maximize the amount of air for combustion.
CCVD brings a 4-percent boost in performance, a 5-percent improvement in fuel efficiency, and reduces emissions by 12 percent. It works as a complement to existing variable-valve-timing systems, not as a replacement. Hyundai is currently using CVVD on intake valves, but the technology can be used on exhaust valves as well. Hyundai's Smartstream G 1.6-liter engine is the first to feature the technology.
The Hyundai Sonata is all-new for 2020 and emerges slightly larger than the previous generation. A product of Hyundai’s new ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language, this advanced four-door sedan exhibits the sleek look of a coupe and a more sophisticated overall persona, showing Hyundai’s commitment to offering more compelling passenger cars in an era where many automakers are abandoning cars in favor of crossovers and SUVs. This all-new sedan’s availability in the U.S. will include two gasoline-powered models and a hybrid, though a plug-in hybrid is said to be in the works. It’s offered in S, SE, SEL, SEL Plus and Limited trims.
The Sonata’s two engines include a new naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder making 191 horsepower, plus the carryover turbocharged, 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower. The new 2.5 liter four has features like split cooling circuits, an exhaust manifold integrated with the cylinder head, and both port and direct fuel injection, resulting in somewhat higher fuel economy than the turbo four-cylinder engine. Both drive the front wheels through a new eight-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddles.
The Hyundai Sonata hybrid is powered by a new 150 horsepower, 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine and a 51 horsepower electric motor. This gives a combined output of 192 horsepower. It uses a new six-speed automatic transmission with Active Shift Control that aligns engine and transmission speeds, improving both acceleration and fuel efficiency. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid will be the first Hyundai to feature a solar panel roof.
An 8-inch touchscreen is standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen available. A 12.3-inch virtual instrument cluster is standard on the Limited and SEL Plus and optional on the SEL. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard and Bluetooth pairing allows phone use while streaming music. A head-up display is optional.
Sonata is outfitted with three radar sensors, five cameras, and 13 ultrasonic sensors to enable the latest advanced driver assist systems. All models come with forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, driver-attention monitor, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and lane-follow assist.
Also available is blind spot warning, which displays an image of the left rear side of the car when the left turn signal is activated, and the right side when the right indicator is activated. These images appear in place of the speedometer or tachometer display, respectively. Also available is reverse automatic braking and a 360-degree camera system. Remote Smart Parking Assist is used to guide the car into, or out of, a tight parking space and is remotely controlled by a driver outside the car via the key fob.
The price of entry for the 2020 Sonata is $23,400 with the top-of-the-line Limited commanding $33,300. Hyundai has not yet announced cost for the Sonata Hybrid that will be coming soon.
The 2020 Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid, 2020 Ford Interceptor Utility Hybrid, and 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring will be the first Ford products to feature an efficient Modular Hybrid Transmission (MHT). Developed by Ford supplier Schaeffler, it was created by essentially inserting an electric motor and disconnect clutch between the engine and torque converter on Ford's 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission.
The addition of the motor unit adds just 6.3 inches to the transmission’s overall length, which is accommodated by shortening the driveshaft on rear- and four-wheel-drive vehicles. It uses the same lug spacing as the non-hybrid transmission. The MHT is built alongside the regular 10-speed automatic since it shares about 90 percent of its components.
Many hybrids do not use a torque converter since the torque of an electric motor is sufficient to get the vehicle moving and help smooth shifts. Ford kept the torque converter mainly to maintain the excellent towing, hauling, and maximum-performance capabilities found in its non-hybrid siblings. The MHT's electric motor provides low-speed torque, an extra boost of power, and regenerative braking with improved fuel economy.
The Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid uses a 44 horsepower electric motor with a 3.3-liter naturally-aspirated V-6. The electric motor can provide 221 lb-ft of additional torque. The MHT system's 1.5 kilowatt-hour liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery is about 33 percent smaller than the first generation battery that debuted in the 2005 Escape hybrid. It is packaged beneath the Explorer's second-row seats so it doesn't compromise cargo space.
The third-generation Nissan Versa is 2.3 inches lower, 1.8 inches wider, and 1.6 inches longer than the Versa it replaces and styling is definitely more handsome. It is available in S, SV and SR levels. With prices starting at $14,730 and fully loaded SRs coming in under $20,000, the Nissan Versa represents great value.
All Nissan Versas continue to be powered by the same 1.6-liter, four-cylinder DOHC engine with Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) as used in the outgoing model. However, it is a bit more powerful this year with 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft torque. A five-speed manual continues to be the standard transmission for the S grade, while the SV and SR trims only come with an Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The CVT is optional on the base S trim. Manual gearbox-equipped 2020 Versas get 27 city/40 highway mpg while CVT versions net 32 city/40 highway mpg.
The S, SV, and SR each offer a slightly difference appearance beyond their 15-, 16- and 17-inch wheels, respectively, with the upper two alloys. Headlights on the S and SV are halogen, while the SR has LEDS. Interiors also get better as you go up in trim levels. SV and SR trims feature a 7-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These trims also get a 7-inch instrument cluster. S trims get a 7-inch display, but without the Nissan Connect infotainment system or Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. All trims have three USB ports, pushbutton start, and Bluetooth for calls and audio streaming.
Even at these budget prices, the Versa has many driver-assist aides. All trims get standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, and Lane Departure Warning. SV and SR trims add Blind Spot Warning, Intelligent Driver Alertness, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Cruise control is standard on all trims. However, Intelligent Cruise Control that maintains a set distance to the vehicle ahead is only optional on the top SR trim. All trims get auto on/off headlights and high-beam assist.
Nissan strives to ensure a driver never leaves a child in a Versa SV or SR with the model’s standard Rear Seat Alert system, which reminds drivers to check the back seat when exiting by sounding the Versa’s horn.
The ever-popular Mazda 3 is available as both a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback to fit differing tastes. Completely redesigned last year and built on an all-new platform, the sedan and hatchback have distinctly different rear side profiles and rear styling.
The Hatchback is available in Standard, Preferred, and Premium packages, with the sedan adding a Select package at the lower end. Both variants feature a prominent grille accented by slim LED headlights and daytime running lights. Adaptive headlights are offered on the top Premium package. All models are available with either two-wheel- or four-wheel-drive.
Power is delivered by an efficient 2.5-liter, 186 horsepower SKYACTIV-G2 engine featuring dual overhead valves, variable valve timing, and cylinder deactivation. This four-cylinder engine connects to a SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission with sport mode. A 6-speed manual is available only on the hatchback with the Premium package. All-wheel-drive models use Mazda's i-ACTIV AWD all-wheel drive system. The model also offers the automaker’s latest-generation G-Vectoring Control Plus system that slightly reduces engine torque to sharpen steering feel.
Mazda's long-awaited SKYACTIV-X spark-controlled compression ignition (SPCCI) engine is now available in Mazda3 models Europe and expected to be offered here later in the model year. This innovative engine combines the best features of spark-ignition (gasoline) and combustion-ignition (diesel) engines without either of their disadvantages, while offering greater horsepower, torque, and fuel efficiency.
All 2020 Mazda trim levels now come standard with i-ACTIVSENSE driver-assist features that were previously standard only on higher trim levels. These include Lane Departure Warning, Lane-Keep Assist, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Driver Attention Alert, Blind-spot Monitoring, and Automatic Emergency Braking.
The Mazda3’s driver-focused cockpit includes a 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A head-up display is optional. The Mazda3 offers an entry price of $21,500 for the sedan and $23,700 for the hatchback variant.
The Toyota Highlander family-size, three row SUV is a new, fourth generation model based on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA-K). It's available in both gasoline and hybrid versions. The highly-efficient hybrid edition is available in front- or all-wheel-drive and in LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum trim levels.
Highlander Hybrid uses a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder DOHC engine and a pair of electric motors to deliver a total system output of 240 horsepower. The rear-mounted electric motor distributes torque to the rear wheels when slip is detected, while the all-wheel version uses this same motor to drive the rear axle. Normal, Sport, and Eco drive modes can be selected.
A sequential shifting switch controls regenerative braking to allow ‘downshifting’ in steps to maximize regen efficiency. Information from the navigation system anticipate traffic conditions ahead, enabling the Highlander Hybrid to coast longer distances when the driver’s foot is off the throttle.
New computer integration and a smaller, lighter power stack installed directly above the transaxle reduces energy transmission losses. The battery pack is installed under the rear seats without compromising cargo or passenger space. Highlander Hybrid's Predictive Efficient Drive system analyzes a driver’s habits, routes, and road conditions, then uses this data to charge and discharge the battery most efficiently.
Toyota expects the Highlander Hybrid to deliver a combined EPA fuel efficiency rating in the mid-30s, a significant efficiency bump up from the 29 combined mpg rating for the previous generation’s AWD version.
The Highlander Hybrid's standard Safety Sense 2.0 suite of active safety systems includes adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high-beams, and pre-collision with pedestrian detection. Two new features are lane-tracing assist and road sign assist. Lane-tracing assist recognizes lane strips to keep the SUV centered in its lane, while road sign assist recognizes road signs and notifies the driver to pay attention via visual or audible alerts. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automated parking with brake assistance are available depending on the trim level.
All trim levels get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa, along with Waze, Wi-Fi, and Sirius XM. Infotainment is controlled on a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen, while the Platinum trim has a 12.3-inch screen. Starting price for the Highlander Hybrid is just over $38,000.
Based on the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep's long-awaited Gladiator is a five-passenger, four-door crew cab Jeep with a five-foot long pickup box. This required the wheelbase to be extended 19.4 inches to 137.3 inches and the overall length by 31 inches to 218 inches. Not only does this provide more rear legroom, but also improves ride quality. The Gladiator is available in four trim levels – Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon. A soft top is standard with a three-piece hardtop optional. Body and roof panels can be easily removed, but these have to be stowed before you leave home.
The Gladiator is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 that makes 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with an eight-speed automatic optional. An engine stop/start system helps save fuel. EPA estimates fuel economy at 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway for the manual transmission and 17 city/22 highway mpg for the automatic. With the Max Towing package, the Gladiator can tow up to 7650 pounds and carry a 1600 pounds payload. A 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel producing 260 horsepower and a mighty 442 lb-ft torque is another option for those seeking even higher fuel efficiency and greater power.
The Gladiator’s Rubicon variant comes with 4:1 Rock-Trac heavy-duty 4WD, while other trims feature Command-Trac 4WD. An anti-spin rear differential, skid plates, rock-crawling axle ratios, and all-terrain tires are available for serious off-roading. The Gladiator can ford up to 30 inches of water.
Available driver assist features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, advanced brake assist, cross-path detection, rear park assist, and blind-spot monitor. The Rubicon model has a front-facing camera that’s great while blazing trails or crawling over rocks. A rear back-up camera is standard on all trims.
Every Gladiator has a standard touchscreen. A 5-inch display is standard on the Sport and Sport S while the Overland and Rubicon get a standard 7-inch display. An 8.4-inch display is optional on the Rubicon. The larger touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Front-seat passengers get two USB ports, a USB-C port, and a 115-volt AC outlet.
The base Jeep Gladiator Sport offers a $33,545 price of entry. The Sports S is priced at $36,745, the Overland $40,395, and the top-of-the-line Rubicon $43,545.
Hyundai’s new 2020 Venue 5-door SUV is aimed at city dwellers. With an overall length of about 13 feet, it is the smallest vehicle in the Hyundai lineup. It can seat four, or five in a pinch. In addition to a 60/40 split, flat-folding rear seat, the Venue offers a convenient dual-level cargo floor. The Venue will be available in SE and SEL trim levels.
Power comes from a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 130 horsepower. A six-speed manual is available on the SE while the SEL comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is not available. EPA estimated fuel economy numbers are not out yet, but it’s expected the Venue will deliver somewhere in the range of 33 combined mpg.
For a very affordable vehicle, the Hyundai comes with a host of driver assist systems either as standard or optional equipment. These include Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Collision Cross-Traffic Warning, Active Lane Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Auto Headlight Control. In addition, Standard Driver Attention Warning detects driver fatigue or carelessness.
A standard 8-inch touchscreen located in the center of the dashboard provides infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Bluetooth connectivity is also provided along with a USB port. Hyundai’s Blue Link connected car system also features integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Most remote features, including remote car start, are also available via an optional Hyundai’s Blue Link mobile app and MyHyundai.com. Navigation with real-time traffic is optional.
Arriving at dealer showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2019, we expect it to offer a very attractive price-of-entry between $17,000 to $18,000.
Sport-utility vehicles have been popular for some time, although you wouldn’t know it by reading all the hype these days about their new-found domination of the market. Yes, SUVs are trendy, they’re spacious, and their functionality can’t be overstated. But we’ve known that for years, ever since the Jeep Cherokee of the 1980s enjoyed widespread success and pretty much defined the modern SUV.
But this is a new day and SUVs have transformed. While some full-size SUVs continue to be body-on-frame models with legendary hauling, towing, and off-roading capabilities, most are not. They defer instead to the lighter and smoother-riding unibody construction common to passenger car models.
Today’s SUVs, or crossover SUVs like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Hyundai Kona Electric shown here, have become car-like in most respects. Some, like the four-wheel drive Outlander PHEV, continue to offer the off-road capabilities we’ve come to expect from SUVs over the years. Others often provide more sedate off-road capabilities if they embrace off-roading at all. The tradeoff is a comfortable ride and a highly desired car-like experience, even as they continue to offer SUV styling, functionality, and carrying capacity.
Is it a wonder that crossover SUVs are being offered as plug-in hybrids or all-electric vehicles by a growing number of automakers? Nope. In fact, it’s entirely predictable. Vehicle manufacturers recognize the growing desire for these high-functionality vehicles combined with greater efficiency and electrification. Enter the world of plugin SUVs and crossovers that are here now in growing numbers, with a virtual wave of new plug-in SUV models coming. Here's a look at what's in the pipeline:
AUDI will be bringing a plug-in hybrid version of its Q5 crossover to the U.S. sometime in 2020, It will not carry ‘e-tron’ badging since this is reserved for Audi’s fully electric models. The Q5 PHEV will use a turbocharged direct injection engine that works together with an electric motor integrated in the transmission. A 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery beneath the floor is estimated to provide about 25 miles of all-electric driving on the European WLTP cycle, with a lower projected range here under EPA’s tougher test cycle.
BMW will now build electrified versions of its mainstream models, not unique electrics like the i3 and i8. Thus, the iX3 will be based on BMW’s conventional X3 SUV with an electric drive system under the hood and batteries beneath the floor. The iX3 will use the company’s fifth generation electric car architecture with motors that don’t require rare-earth metals, making them cheaper and likely easier to produce. More densely constructed battery packs with increased capacity will also be used to save cost and weight. The new motor develops 270 horsepower and is powered by a 70-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a range of 249 miles on the European driving cycle that will be less when tested on the EPA cycle here. Since conventional X3s are already built in the U.S. it’s likely the iX3 will be sold here as well.
The plug-in BMW X3 xDrive30e compact SUV will arrive in the U.S. sometime in 2020 as a 2021 model. This AWD crossover combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 107 horsepower electric motor, offering a total output of 293 horsepower. Also coming is the X5 xDrive45e iPerformance plug-in hybrid. It uses a 112 horsepower electric motor integrated into the car’s eight-speed automatic transmission and a 3.0-liter, 286 horsepower turbocharged inline-six engine. Its 24 kWh lithium-ion battery is expected to provide about 40 miles of electric-only range. BMW’s iNext is still in concept form so details about this electric crossover are scarce. It will also use the BMW fifth-generation battery design and a 120 kWh battery pack for more than 400 miles of range.
FISKER is planning an electric SUV for introduction in late 2021, although details are slim at this point. The effort is headed by Henrik Fisker, who designed and sold a luxury plugin sedan through the former Fisker Automotive earlier this decade. Fisker Inc. says it will offer an advanced SUV with a range of 300 miles on lithium-ion batteries. That it will offer a futuristic, elegant, and muscular look as claimed by the company is no surprise, considering Henrik Fisker previously designed such iconic cars as the Aston Martin DB9 and BMW Z8. The Fisker SUV is projected to have a base price under $40,000.
FORD will offer standard hybrid and plug-in-hybrid versions of the new 2020 Escape SUV. Both will use a 2.5- liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. The hybrid will use an underfloor 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack while the plug-in will integrate a 14.4 kWh pack, with the latter providing an electric range of 30 miles. The Escape hybrid goes on sale this year with the plug-in hybrid arriving in 2020. While Ford will be producing a 2020 Explorer PHEV, it’s for Europe only and at this point there are no plans for it to join the hybrid in the U.S. An electric crossover with styling inspired by the original Mustang is expected to appear in late 2020.
The automaker’s Lincoln luxury brand will be offering a 2020 Aviator PHEV here that’s built on the same platform as the Explorer. It will share that model’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and 99 horsepower electric motor to provide a combined 450 horsepower and 620 lb-ft torque. The 2020 Lincoln Corsair, replacement for the MKC, is also offering a plug-in hybrid version at launch. Given Lincoln’s plans for electrification, there’s a decent chance that full-electric variants will be added a few model years down the road. The Corsair shares many parts with the new Escape PHEV, but its styling is unique with distinctively Lincoln DNA. Lincoln is also planning an electric crossover based on Ford’s Mustang-inspired EV.
GM’s star in the electric crossover field is it Chevy Bolt, a winner of Green Car Journal’s 2017 Green Car of the Year®. Since its introduction, the Bolt has provided an impressive 238 miles of battery range at an affordable price, with better battery chemistry now increasing the 2020 model’s range to 259 miles.
Moving forward, GM is looking to its luxury brand Cadillac to take a higher profile in the company’s upcoming electric vehicle efforts in the U.S. While the General has only provided a glimpse of its developing electric vehicle program, we know it will include a 5-passenger electric Cadillac SUV with a range greater than 300 miles. Slated to appear in Cadillac dealerships around 2022, it will be the first built on GM’s new BEV3 platform that’s adaptable to front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive, plus vehicles of various dimensions. GM has conceptionally shown 11 possible vehicles, from seven-passenger SUVs to small crossover utilities, that could be built on the BEV3 platform.
JEEP will offer plug-in-hybrid versions of the Renegade and Compass as 2020 models. Both will use a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine and an electric motor to produce a combined 240 horsepower, offering an electric-only range of about 31 miles. The electric motor powers the rear wheels, so a driveshaft is not needed for 4WD. In addition, Jeep is likely to offer a PHEV version of the Wrangler at some point, though it’s not known if this will make it to American roads.
MERCEDES-BENZ will be introducing its new EQC, the first in a growing family of all-electric vehicles to be produced under the EQ brand. The crossover features two electric motors, one at each axle, providing the EQC an impressive 402 horsepower and 564 lb-ft torque that’s delivered to the road through 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Along with standard 240-volt Level 2 charging, the model’s 80 kWh lithium-ion battery is capable of DC Fast Charging from 10 to 80 percent state-of-charge in 40 minutes. Rated at an estimated 220 mile range, it will be sold next year as a 2020 model with an estimated price of around $70,000.
RIVIAN, a new brand on the scene, says it will begin production of its seven seat R1S electric SUV in 2020. Rivian’s ‘skateboard’ architecture locates its battery pack in the floor at the middle of the vehicle. The all-electric SUV is powered by four motors, two per axle, with each providing torque to a wheel. Three battery pack and electric motor configurations will be offered. The 180 kWh battery variant is mated to motors with a total output of 700 horsepower, delivering a claimed range of over 400 miles. A 135 kWh variant with 754 horsepower will provide a range of about 300 miles, with the base 403 horsepower, 105 kWh model delivering 250 miles. The R1S SUV is expected to start at $72,500.
TESLA already offers the Model X electric SUV and plans to supplement this with a more compact Model Y variant. It will be built on the same platform as the existing Model 3 sedan and available as a seven-seater. Standard and Long Range versions of the rear-wheel drive SUV are planned, plus a base Dual Motor model and a Performance model with all-wheel-drive. A 230-300 mile range is promised. While we’ve found Tesla to offer only higher-priced, higher content new models at launch, the company says its Standard version will cost $39,000, the Long Range $47,000, the Dual Motor AWD $51,000, and the Performance variant $60,000. Tesla says the Model Y may appear as a late 2020 or 2021 model, but since the company has a history of launching models later than promised we’ll just have to wait and see.
VW will offer a production version of its ID Crozz concept as the first of several new battery-electric vehicles to sold in the U.S. The ID Crozz is powered by a 200 horsepower electric motor located between the rear wheels with another 100 horsepower motor between the front wheels, providing all-wheel-drive. An 83 kWh lithium-ion battery pack beneath the floor is expected to provide up to 300 miles of driving range. Fast-charging with a commercial 150 kW charger will take just 30 minutes to regain 80 percent battery capacity. The model is expected to go on sale in 2020.
Of course, other automakers are fielding plug-in SUV concepts and there will surely be additional production models announced in the near future. This field is fluid and automakers are responding to plug-in SUV demand in real time, so stay tuned.
Aston Martin Lagonda's production-ready Rapide E, the marque’s first all-electric production car, is on its way to market. The first car built at Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art St Athan production facility – the brand’s Home of Electrification – Rapide E represents a pioneering first step towards achieving the company’s more comprehensive electrification strategy and the successful fruition of Lagonda, the world’s first zero-emission luxury brand.
Inside and out, Rapide E is equipped with the materials and technology befitting of the marque’s first EV model. Gone are the analog displays of the past. A 10-inch digital display now sits in their place, delivering all essential information to the driver including the battery’s state of charge, current motor power levels, regenerative performance, and a real-time energy consumption meter. Swathes of carbon fiber have been deployed throughout, assisting in delivering the strict weight targets set by Aston Martin’s engineering team.
A redesigned underfloor streamlines airflow from the front splitter all the way through to Rapide E’s new more massive rear diffuser, a feature now wholly dedicated to aero efficiency due to the removal of the exhaust system required in the past. The model’s forged aluminum aerodynamic wheels, which are shod with low rolling-resistance Pirelli P-Zero tires, have also been redesigned to provide further efficiency without compromising brake cooling capability. The sum of these changes gives Rapide E’s aerodynamic package an 8 percent improvement over the previous internal combustion model.
An 800-volt electrical architecture battery powers Rapide E – encased in a carbon fiber and Kevlar casing – with a 65 kWh capacity using over 5600 lithium-ion cylindrical cells. This bespoke battery pack lies where the gas model’s 6.0-liter V-12, gearbox, and fuel tank were located. This battery system powers two rear-mounted electric motors producing a combined target output of just over 600 horsepower and a colossal 700 lb-ft torque. Top speed for Rapide E is 155 mph with a 0-60 mph time of under 4 seconds.
A special edition with a production run strictly limited to 155 units, Rapide E has been developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering.
Lou Ann Hammond is CEO and editor-in-chief at drivingthenation.com
Start-up electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian is on a roll. The company plans to offer the five-passenger R1T electric pickup in late 2020, built on its innovative electric ‘skateboard’ platform. Now it has 500,000 more reasons supporting its success with a half-billion-dollar investment from Ford. This strategic investment buys Ford the ability to build its own electric models – presumably pickups and SUVs – on the Rivian ‘skateboard’ platform. Rivian received an earlier $700 investment from Amazon and others.
Rivian’s skateboard architecture locates the battery pack in the floor in the middle of the vehicle. The R1T has four motors, two per axle, with each motor individually controlling a wheel to provide precise control. These are not hub motors since each motor is mounted in the body. The skateboard chassis also includes braking, suspension, and cooling systems.
The R1T will be offered with three different battery packs and electric motor configurations. A 180-kWh battery pack version energizing motors with a total of 700 horsepower and 823 lb-ft torque is expected to deliver a range of over 400 miles. Another powertrain option is a 135-kWh pack model with 754 horsepower and 823 lb-ft torque provided by four motors, featuring a range of about 300 miles. The base R1T will come with a 105-kWh battery and motors delivering 403 horsepower and 413 lb-ft torque, with a range of more than 250 miles.
A substantial 14 inches of ground clearance plus the ability to wade through three feet of water and climb a 45-percent incline makes for some serious off-roading capability. In addition, the R1T has a payload capacity of 17,600 pounds and can tow 11,000 pounds. It’s smart, too, offering Level 3 autonomous driving capability, a suite of active-safety features, an adjustable air suspension, and automated trailer backup.
The cost of entry for Rivian’s R1T pickup is an expected base price of $69,000 before a federal tax credit and possible state incentives. It will be produced at Rivian’s manufacturing facility at a former 2.6 million square-foot Mitsubishi facility in Normal, Illinois. The company employs more than 1,000 people at development centers in Irvine and San Jose, California, and in Surrey, England. Along with the R1T pickup, Rivian is also developing its R1S SUV based on its skateboard chassis.
The iconic, box-like Kia Soul gets a redesign for 2020, sporting styling changes that include a more aggressive front end with horizontal strips containing daytime running lights. Headlamps are integrated in the bumper while taillights now practically encircle the rear window. The third-generation model rides on a 1.2-inch-longer wheelbase and is 2.2 inches longer, and while this really doesn’t translate into additional usable space, the doors do open a little wider and the rear hatch is a bit larger. Folding down the back seats expands cargo capacity from 24 cubic feet to 62 cubic feet.
Soul is available in base LX, X-Line, S, EX, GT-Line, and GT-Line 16T trim levels plus the all-electric EV. LED projector headlights are standard on the both GT-Lines and are optional on the EX. The X-Line gets tougher-looking bumpers and plastic fender flares. GT-Line has a center exhaust, monochromatic bodywork, and a sportier suspension tune. The GT-Line 16T also gets wider tires on 18-inch alloy wheels and larger front brakes.
Except for the GT-Line 1.6T and EV, all Soul variants are powered by an Atkinson-cycle, 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft torque. The GT-Line 1.6T features a turbocharged 1.6-liter DOHC four-cylinder boasting 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft torque. All 2.0-liter engine cars except the base LX use a new continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The LX has a standard six-speed manual with the CVT optional. GT-Line 1.6T shifts through a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. All-wheel drive is not available on the Soul. EPA estimated fuel economy numbers are 29 city/35 highway for the 2.0-liter engine with CVT and 27 city/33 highway mpg for the 1.6T.
Forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, blind spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane change assist, smart cruise control, and a head-up display are available as standard or optional equipment, but not on an all trims. A 7.0-inch color touchscreen is standard with a new 10.3-inch widescreen unit available. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trims. The controls on the steering wheel almost rival those on a F1 race car.
Making the 2020 Soul EV more competitive in the electric vehicle space is a driving range more than double that of its predecessor, with the distance traveled between charges EPA rated at 243 miles. This dramatic increase from the EV’s earlier 111-mile range is made possible with a new 64 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with DC fast-charge capability, quite a step up from the previous 30 kWh pack. A single-speed transmission delivers electric power to a 201 horsepower, 291 lb-ft torque permanent-magnet AC motor driving the front wheels. With max torque available from 0 to 3600 rpm, it’s not hard to squeal the tires. This same drivetrain is used in the Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona EV. The 2020 Kia Soul model has four drive modes including Eco, Eco+, Normal, and Sport. EPA rates the Soul EV’s efficiency at a combined 114 MPGe.
Soul EV is differentiated from its internal combustion cousins by a painted plastic insert in place of a front grille, a lower set of LED lights, and restyled fascias at both ends. The Soul EV gets its own version of Kia's UVO infotainment system and a 10.3-inch touchscreen. It includes information on charging and battery status, charging station updates, and scheduled charging functions. Drivers have the ability to remotely plan a trip and send the information, including waypoints, to the car's navigation system.
The gas-powered 2020 Soul’s base price starts at $17,490 for the LX and tops out at $27,490 for the GT-Line 16T Turbo. Available in late 2019, the new Soul EV will be offered in California EV compliant states at a price to be determined.
