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Kia’s mid-sized Telluride crossover is made in the USA

In the land of Route 66

LIVING Although a good deal of our readers are US-based, our car reviews haven’t typically been written for that market. Lola Cristall redresses the balance with several luxury models available Stateside

 

 

 


Inside the Kia Telluride, with up to eight seats


Lola Cristall is Paris editor of Lucire.

 

What do North American buyers want from a big SUV? They probably include luxury, convenience and capability, as they go on city streets, vast countryside roads or even open-air mountain sides. Kia’s 2020 Telluride might be the ticket: it seats up to eight, including extensive legroom for the extra touch of comfort. They have the details right: there are hooks inside to hang your belongings, and HVAC-diffusing ceiling vents ensure proper air circulation. Available in four trims, you can get particularly lavish with your Telluride: heated and ventilated first and second row seats or a heated leather wrapped steering wheel are among the options. The fuel tank is 71 ℓ (18·8 US gallons).

And if SUVs aren’t your thing, there’s the supreme luxury found in the second-generation Kia K9, called K900 in the US (they like big numbers). With 365 hp from its twin-turbocharged V6, the K900 can be relatively economical, with fuel economy ranging from 18 to 25 mpg (US); fuel capacity is 77 ℓ (20·3 US gallons).

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Kia’s global flagship, the K9 (K900 in the US)

 

Available in four classic exterior colours, with either black, beige or sienna brown nappa leather interiors, the full feel of refinement resonates. Features include heated and ventilated front seats, a sunroof, a 12·3-inch touchscreen display, lighting that illuminates as one's hand approaches thanks to Intelligent Lighting Control, as well as wireless phone chargers in the front and back. Overall, Kia has proven to what extent luxury walks hand-in-hand with technology.

For an electric vehicle ready to conquer the roads, the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV certainly bolts through traffic and amongst the bustling streets. The compact automobile, available in shades of Oasis Blue and metallic Cayenne Orange, provides plenty of convenience and durability. The current model has a 21-mile increase, with a drive range of 259 miles. Ten hours’ worth of charging time provides a full charge. There’s a rear-vision camera and surround vision, as well as heated front and rear seats.

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Thank goodness Chevrolet is sticking with some EVs, for those who simply don’t want a gas guzzler

 

Land Rover is spot on when it comes to eye-catching off-road vehicles. A sophisticated interior, advanced tech, and, of course, æsthetically lavish interiors are what you’d expect from its Range Rover line, and the 2020 Range Rover Sport MHEV is no exception. This is a mild hybrid, which means it has some electrification to help with fuel economy: the tank is a decent 104·5 ℓ (27·6 US gallons), and nets 19 and 25 mpg (US) in the city and highway respectively. It’s sleeker than the full-size Range Rover, and has a smooth ride. Dual touchscreen, rear-view camera, push-button ignition, suede steering wheel, a rotary gearshift, and heated seats are among its interior features. There’s a specious trunk, too. It’s the the envy of the road.

For its compact crossover segment, the 2020 Lexus UX is opulent, and features a 10-speed direct-shift transmission (a sequential gearbox, combining automatic and manual). It’s driveable, and the Lexus spindle grille is arguably more stylish here than on some of their larger SUVs. •

 

Range Rover HST and Lexus UX

 

 

 



 

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