A New York Motor Show under the sign of the SUV

SUVs were in the spotlight at the New York Auto Show, which was making a comeback this year after several editions were canceled due to the pandemic. Without concealing major unveilings, it was the scene of presentations of rather popular models which were refreshed. Here are a few.

Charles Rene
The Press

Kia Telluride

The spearhead of Kia’s SUV lineup, the Telluride is getting a mid-term update. The front headlights and the shield are redesigned, as is the rear bumper. The passenger compartment receives the latest generation of the manufacturer’s multimedia interface integrating the instrumentation and the infotainment system in a block of two screens edged in glossy black. The 3.8 L V6 (291 hp) also remains in the catalog.

Jeep Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L

For the – rare – passengers who were a little too cramped aboard the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, the American brand unveiled stretched versions of these. Benefiting from an increased length of 30.5 cm, their interior can no doubt now compete with certain condos in volume with 5077 L of space for passengers. The biggest advancement remains the arrival of the new 3.0L twin-turbo straight-six in its first application with 420 hp for the Wagoneer L and 510 hp for the Grand Wagoneer L.

Hyundai Palisade

Like its cousin, the Kia Telluride, the Hyundai Palisade receives some tweaks to ensure its pace in the race for midsize SUVs. The front part is completely revised with new cascading headlights and a more imposing grille. Inside, it’s the new configuration of the infotainment system that catches the eye, which ensures a greater modernity to the model. The 3.8 L V6 (291 hp) remains unchanged.

Subaru Outback

Subaru invites us here to play the differences with its Outback, which will mark the 2023 model year with slight retouching to its front end and matte plastic moldings. Technologically, the wagon gains an updated version of the manufacturer’s interface as well as active driving assistance. Mechanically, it’s the same with a choice of two four-cylinder, atmospheric 2.5 L (182 hp) or turbocharged 2.4 L (260 hp).

The Civic Hybrid will return

A few months after announcing the abandonment of its Insight, its compact hybrid that has sunk into oblivion, Honda revealed last week its intention to revive the hybrid version of its Civic. No doubt in order to meet the new consumption standards that will soon come into force in the United States, the compact will revive “in the near future”, an announcement that comes seven years after its abandonment.

The manufacturer said in a brief press release that “the hybrid played a major role in Honda’s strategy to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions”. Nothing has filtered about the engine that will be used. Note that the hybrid CR-V, currently offered in the United States, will soon be offered in Canada. The Japanese automaker had also said the previous week that it intended to work with General Motors to ensure the development of more affordable electric SUVs that will see the light of day in 2027.

For now, the mid-size Accord sedan is the only model detailed by the brand with an optional hybrid engine. In its case, consumption is lowered to 5 L/100 km, a substantial gain of 2.5 L/100 km compared to the standard 1.5 L four-cylinder.

The next Mazda MX-5 will stay true to its origins

Despite an increasingly strong wind of electrification, Mazda intends to keep the recipe for its MX-5 faithful to its illustrious lineage for as long as possible. At least that’s what emerged from an interview given to the magazine Coach by European Director of Product Development and Engineering, Joachim Kunz.

“She’s our brand icon and she’s always been treated very specially,” Kunz said. Currently, we intend to keep it in this format, and with a combustion engine forever. Obviously, we will have to electrify it eventually, but we still want to keep the concept as pure as possible. »

The roadster, which blows 33 candles this year, is an endangered species in the face of the influx of SUVs that populate all of the manufacturers’ ranges as well as the growing interest in autonomous driving and electrification. .

Kunz also pointed out that the life cycle of this MX-5 can stretch for 10 years without concern for upper management. This suggests the possible arrival of this new cuvée in 2024, a full decade after the first presentation of the current generation (ND).

One thing is certain, let’s hope that these words translate into a real sensitivity to driving pleasure in its design. The latest iteration remains an example to follow in this area while taking care of financial accessibility.