All New KIA

BMW has been busy updating its product lineup lately. On Wednesday, the automaker introduced the updated 2 Series, and if you can spot the changes, you'll Really Get to know your BMW. Sales begin in August, and a small price increase will take the entire lineup to more than $40,000.

As far as we know, there are no mechanical changes for the 2 Series, with the 230i’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the M240i’s 3.0-liter six-cylinder remaining as before. That means 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque for the former, and 382 hp and 369 lb-ft for the latter. Both come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with xDrive all-wheel drive a $2,000 option.

On the outside, the updated 2 Series isn’t too special. There’s a new optional “M Sport Professional” package with black trim and an additional spoiler. And BMW has added a few new color options, including the Vegas Red you see here, and Zandvoort Blue, which was previously exclusive to the M2 but is now available for the M240i.

The highlight of the interior is the infotainment system that runs BMW’s iDrive 8.5 system, which is a little easier to use than the previous version. There’s also new standard ambient lighting integrated into the climate control vents. That’s cool, I think. There’s also a new steering wheel design, including a flat-bottomed wheel for the sportier version, and heated seats are now standard.

So, there’s not a lot that’s revolutionary here, but the 2 Series isn’t lacking in much either. It remains the ideal entry point for classic BMW driving dynamics.

Kia has announced pricing for its new Carnival minivan. It’s significantly more expensive across the board. It’s expected to cost about $2,900 more on average, but the top-of-the-line SX Prestige will see a $3,900 price increase starting in 2024.

The least expensive Carnival now starts at $37,895. You’ll get the LX trim with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 287 horsepower, driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Seven-passenger seating is standard, as are a power-sliding rear door, three-zone climate control and 17-inch alloy wheels.

On the tech side, the entry-level LX has a 12.3-inch touchscreen and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Kia also includes a suite of driver-assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist, among others. So while it’s $2,900 more than last year, you’re getting a lot for your money.

On the other side of the equation is the SX Prestige, which is $3,900 more expensive than last year. At this level, you get standard heated and ventilated leather seats, dual 12.3-inch panoramic screens, LED headlights, larger wheels, more cameras, a head-up display, and more driver-assistance systems. The basic features—namely the V-6 engine and three-row seating—remain the same.

You’ll need to step up to the new hybrid model for 2025 for a much different experience. In place of the six-cylinder, there’s a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder connected to a 54-kW motor. The system produces a combined 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, which is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. This isn’t a plug-in hybrid, so there’s no electric-only range, and there are no fuel-mileage estimates available yet.

The standard model is available to order now. The Carnival Hybrid will be available at dealerships this fall.

Launched in 2018, the Palisade is already a bit of an oldie. Despite its age, Hyundai’s largest SUV is still a hot commodity. Deliveries through April were up 30 percent in the United States, reaching 34,394 units. If this spy video is any indication, the three-row family car will be retired in the near future to make way for the second-generation model.

Caught in an underground parking lot in South Korea, the next-generation Palisade is wearing heavy camouflage to hide what appears to be a production body. Knowing Hyundai isn’t afraid to make radical styling changes, we wouldn’t be too surprised if this is a complete redesign. We can already see glimpses of new headlights and a new grille peeking through the mesh camouflage. Additionally, the front fenders are partially open, revealing prominent creases above the wheel arches.

Those 18-inch wheels look a bit small for such a large body, but Hyundai will surely offer larger wheels on the production model. This is just a prototype; hence why not all the body panels are the same color. The bigger changes are likely at the rear, where Hyundai has taken the trouble to apply additional camouflage. The exhaust tips are sticking out, probably due to engine/emissions testing. The camouflage trim on the parking sensors suggests that the prototype is unlikely to be far from a production vehicle.

The car’s paparazzo also got a look inside, where Hyundai has covered up the dashboard. However, we can see almost everything else, including the rounded door handles, wood trim, and a few buttons mounted on the ceiling. The quality may not be up to par, but that’s to be expected in a pre-production prototype. The Palisade for customers will certainly have nicer materials, so don’t judge the interior’s fit and finish just yet.

About a year ago, reports emerged from South Korea that Hyundai was planning to launch the next-generation Palisade with a hybrid powertrain. Additionally, the naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V-6 was reportedly going to be replaced by a turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. The 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel currently offered in some global markets may be discontinued.

Engineers are believed to be extending the wheelbase compared to the current model, which measures 114.2 inches between the axles. That should allow for more legroom, especially for second- and third-row passengers. The new Palisade will carry the internal codename “LX3” and will be paired with the all-electric Ioniq 9. The two will not be related as the EV will use a dedicated E-GMP platform, the same one that underpins the smaller Ioniq 5 and 6 models.

The Palisade will likely go on sale next year and land in the United States in 2026MY.

Stanley Kubrick knelt at the pearly gates as a gleaming monolith rose from the desert of soulless crossovers. It was the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. Finally, an SUV that didn’t look like any other SUV. The crowd cheered and cheered.

Honestly, it’s ridiculous that we’ve had to wait this long for a modern, popular SUV that looks this good. Sure, there are exceptions, but the Santa Fe is the first SUV in a long time that really wows me.

The dimensions are Crazy straight up; Like, 'How did this get approved?!' crazy. The surface of every panel is flat and every corner meets at a near-perfect 90-degree angle, as if carved from a single piece of aluminum. Drop your bone-chopping bat and run your hairy monkey hands over the Santa Fe's metal surfaces. You'll be hard-pressed to find a crease.

The H-shaped, figure-of-eight headlights help define the front end while the flared, pentagonal wheel arches tuck the tires like finely crafted origami. The blacked-out C-pillars give the impression of a full-length greenhouse, and the Earthy Brass matte paint is a perfect complement to the brutalist aesthetic (+$1,000); you’ll never see this color on a Honda CR-V.

Of course, looks are subjective. My brothers have made fun of Hyundai’s “Minecraft-like” design. Not every line and detail in the Santa Fe is perfect, I’ll admit. The taillights should be a little higher on the tailgate (although, Hyundai says that’s mandatory for the larger tailgate support), and if you don’t get the largest wheel option, the Santa Fe looks like a block of cheese on Hot Wheels tires. Not good.

Pros: Bold design, Beautiful interior, Quiet cabin, Affordable price

While the exterior is controversial, the cabin is truly remarkable. In this Calligraphy model, there are more Nappa leather accents and aluminum trim pieces than most BMWs. In this case, matte, textured faux wood trim lines the dashboard, nestled amid more leather and unique H-shaped air vents—a nice homage to the headlights.

Two 12.3-inch touchscreens sit beneath a single piece of glass—one for the digital instrument cluster and one for the center display. Both are crisp and the infotainment system is smooth, easy to use, and quick to respond. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard.

There’s a third touchscreen below that center screen for managing the HVAC controls, and it works well enough. It’s still not as good as hard buttons—I definitely had to look down while driving to use them—but it works well. Above and below that screen are two rows of buttons for quick-access options like turning off auto stop-start, driving modes, and more. It’s handy.

The Santa Fe is full of features you might not have considered. There are two wireless chargers in front of the center console—one for you and one for your passenger. A novel concept. The center console itself opens traditionally for the driver and front passenger, of course, but it also has a rear-opening hinge so that those in the second row can access it. Another thoughtful idea.

The second row is a real treat. The Nappa leather captain’s chairs are very comfortable and the roofline makes it feel very roomy. There’s plenty of headroom and legroom up there. The third row is good for two adults on short trips, with 30.0 inches of headroom and 37.7 inches of legroom. Entry and exit are still tight, but the one-button fold-flat second row means you don’t have to wrestle with the captain’s chairs, at least.

You’ll also be very pleased with the way the Santa Fe drives. A turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder replaces last year’s non-turbo version. The upgraded motor produces 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission—a compelling choice for a three-row SUV.

Cons: Not Everyone Likes the Looks, Jerky Transmission

The turbocharged engine is actually quite powerful. It will hit 60 mph in about 6.6 seconds. There’s enough torque to move this big SUV around quickly and still have power at highway speeds. The dual-clutch transmission shifts nicely when you’re revving, but it’s not as smooth at lower speeds. It feels clumsy in the grocery store parking lot.

The Santa Fe isn’t keen on going fast in corners, which is fine, but the steering is still light and responsive—it’s easy to maneuver around town at low speeds. The suspension feels soft and absorbs bumps well. And even at highway speeds, the Santa Fe is very quiet. There’s no engine or road noise in the cabin.

In terms of fuel economy, the Santa Fe falls somewhere in the middle. It gets up to 24 miles per gallon when paired with front-wheel drive, but the all-wheel-drive Calligraphy model gets 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. That’s a bit worse than the Toyota Highlander (24 mpg combined) but better than the Jeep Grand Cherokee (22 mpg combined), Honda Pilot (21 mpg combined), and Chevrolet Traverse (20 mpg combined).

For an SUV this nice, $35,365 feels like a small price to pay. The Calligraphy model is the most expensive at $47,895, and the one I drove was $50,905 with upgraded paint and carpeted floor mats. Fifty grand for a near-luxury SUV is still a steal these days. The top-of-the-line Toyota Highlander Limited starts at over $50,000 (and isn’t nearly as nice), and the new 2024 Traverse is nearly $60,000 in RS guise.

The new Hyundai Santa Fe stands out in a segment filled with good but bland alternatives. Its bold exterior, beautiful interior, and reasonable price tag make it hard to pass up. Hyundai has nailed it—again.

Mini doesn't have an off-road vehicle, but that may change. Mini America Vice President Michael Petyon recently said CarBuzz that an off-road Countryman is coming soon. It’s not a full confirmation, but it does suggest that Mini is at least thinking about a version for exploring off-road.

There are plenty of reasons why Mini would make such a model. If nothing else, buyers seem to prefer SUVs with a little more aggression, even if their actual off-road capabilities are minimal. Vehicles like the Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Pilot have recently undergone surgery to get truly rugged makeovers, and most brands offer some sort of off-road-focused trim with their SUVs. The Subaru Forester Wilderness immediately comes to mind, so a Mini Countryman with off-road-themed enhancements seems logical, if not inevitable.

If an off-road Countryman does come to fruition, it probably won’t be what you’re expecting. It’s worth remembering that Mini has a very long history in stage rallying. The original Cooper was hugely popular in the early days of the sport, and the modern Mini entered the WRC—albeit briefly—in 2011 with the Countryman. Rather than something with hill-descent control and big off-road tires, a rally-themed version with extra ground clearance and a wing could be the way to go. Maybe a take on last year’s Countryman All4 Uncharted Edition?

Whatever the case, we can only speculate at this point. Mini has not responded to our request for comment, but the new Countryman is a great starting point for something more suited to off-road adventures. The 2025 model now comes standard with all-wheel drive, and there’s 241 horsepower from the base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Add a few inches to the suspension, throw on some skid plates, and Well that's itYou have an off-road Mini.

We will update this post if we get more information on the subject.

It’s been over a year since we got our first glimpse of the new Ford Expedition, and now we have a clear look at the updated SUV before you were supposed to see it. Aside from some camouflage, here’s a full look at the 2025 Ford Expedition and its gorgeous new face.

The prototype was caught out in the open in Ford’s hometown of Dearborn. The completely redesigned grille and front fascia are clearly visible here. The clean look is a stark departure from the current model’s rectangular design. Gone are the large C-bracket headlights, replaced by much smaller lenses that blend into a smaller egg-shaped grille. Tapered LED lights now adorn the corners, forming a basic C shape that slopes down toward the bottom of the grille in a style similar to the updated F-150. Camouflage hides the details on the lower fascia, but the corner vents are much smaller.

From a profile view, the Expedition doesn’t look like much has changed. However, take a closer look at the chrome trim around the rear window. It juts up slightly, adding a bit of character to the Expedition’s famously flat beltline. We can also clearly see the new wheels, identified as 24-inchers by our spy sources. At the very back, we see thinner taillights, and below them, there’s a slight change in trim on the fascia. Also interesting at the rear is an orange sticker that identifies this as a 2025 model year vehicle.

We’ve seen the exterior, but what about the cabin? We’re betting Ford will give the Expedition a major digital makeover, perhaps with a wide digital display that spans the dashboard like the Lincoln Nautilus. Under the hood, it’s possible Ford will add a hybrid option in addition to the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, though nothing has been confirmed.

The current Expedition entered production in 2017, but we’re hesitant to call it a new generation. Visual updates will certainly set it apart from the previous model, but the familiar platform should carry over with few—if any—changes. We’ll find out for sure later this year when the truck officially launches.

The Volkswagen Jetta has been around for a while. The seventh-generation model debuted in the U.S. in 2019 and received a minor facelift for 2022. Now VW is giving its entry-level sedan a more thorough update for 2025 that brings a new look and more features.

Starting with the exterior. The 2025 Jetta features a fresh front fascia design with two new grilles, slimmer LED headlights, and the option of a full-width light bar in the upper grille if you choose the Sport model or above. The rear of the Jetta also features a new full-width taillight bar. New 17-inch wheels are standard, while 18-inch wheels are available on the SEL and GLI trims.

VW updated the 2025 Jetta’s interior with a new “three-row” dashboard design and new color options like Seawall Blue and Storm Gray. An 8.0-inch touchscreen is now standard across the board and comes with features like SiriusXM satellite radio, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The much-hated capacitive touch controls on the GLI’s center console and steering wheel remain, but they’re finally illuminated, as they are on other updated VW models. And at least there’s some good news on the GLI side: “We’re in the process of switching to a regular steering wheel on the GLI,” a VW spokesman said.

What hasn’t changed is the drivetrain. The base Jetta still uses a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque—but you can only get it with a seven-speed dual-clutch. VW ditched the manual option on the base Jetta.

The beefier Jetta GLI also uses the same turbocharged 2.0-liter engine as last year, producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. You can also get the GLI with a good six-speed manual transmission, or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch. You also get bigger brakes, a limited-slip differential, and an adaptive suspension.

Every Jetta—including the GLI—comes standard with VW’s IQ.Drive suite of active safety technologies. That includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, among other things.

The 2025 VW Jetta and Jetta GLI go on sale in Q3 of 2024, and the base Jetta with the now-standard automatic transmission is slightly less expensive than the model it replaces. The 2025 Jetta starts at $23,295 including shipping. Further pricing details will be announced closer to the Jetta’s on-sale date.