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The first-generation Hyundai Santa Fe launched nearly a quarter-century ago in 2000. The introduction of the ute was Hyundai’s first voyage into building and selling SUVs. The Santa Fe debuted to immediate success, quickly becoming the Korean brand’s best-selling car. Naturally, in the intervening years, the Santa Fe has undergone numerous mechanical and styling changes, entering its fourth generation in 2019. For the 2024 model year, the fifth-generation Santa Fe looks as different from the fourth as a square does to a circle. In fact, the new version looks more like a Land Rover Defender than it does its predecessor. Full Details and SpecsBecause they’re so visually divergent, we’ve compared the new Santa Fe to the old one to better understand the differences.Dimensions and DesignWhen it debuted, the fourth-generation Santa Fe brought handsome changes to the mid-size SUV. The grille’s polygonal design delivered a more modern look, while the interior had a simple, straightforward layout. While the inside wasn’t luxurious, it was comfortable and ergonomically friendly. It also brought rear glass that was more vertical than its predecessor, improving rear-seat headroom and cargo space. The new fifth-generation Santa Fe brings a much more in-your-face design that we find handsome. The rear window that became more vertical between the last two generations is once again more vertical. Hyundai claims the change helps improve rear-seat headroom and cargo space. The H-shaped elements in the Santa Fe’s headlights and taillights correspond with its boxy body, practically shouting “HYUNDAI!” Lest you forget what you’re looking at. HyundaiThe 2024 Santa Fe is 1.8 inches longer than the outgoing model and now measures 190.2 inches from tip to tail. The new version’s wheelbase also grows by 1.9 inches to 110.8 inches. Hyundai claims the longer wheelbase and squared-off rear end help provide better passenger space and cargo capacity. The redesigned tailgate is nearly perpendicular to the ground and provides a bigger opening than before.Both the new and old Santa Fe measure 74.8 inches wide, though the 2024 model measures between 1.1 and 1.8 inches taller. Adding roof rails adds an additional 2 inches of height. Inside, second-row legroom has improved too, growing by 0.8 inch for the hybrid model and 1.4 inches for the gas-only model. InteriorIf the new Santa Fe’s exterior looks like it was created by someone working from their memory of a Land Rover Defender, the interior looks like it was designed by someone sitting in an actual Defender. The Hyundai’s cabin is considerably more upscale than before, with a redesigned three-spoke steering wheel that looks like it may have been pulled straight off the Land Rover production line. Perhaps the most important distinction between the new Santa Fe and the last version is the inclusion of third-row seating. While models in other markets were offered with the extra row, those sold in the U.S. only had two rows of seats. With the new second- and third-row seats folded flat, there’s a continuous space for storage behind the front seatsHyundaiThe dash of the ’24 brings dual 12.3-inch screens under the same curved piece, matching other recent Hyundai models. The “H” design from the headlights and taillights is borrowed for the dashboard air vents and divides new upper and lower gloveboxes. The new Santa Fe also gets dual wireless charging pads for smartphones and a UV-C Sanitizer tray on top of the glovebox. Powertrain OptionsBoth the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 191 horsepower as well as the 260-hp plug-in-hybrid powertrain have been dropped in the U.S. in the transition to the new generation. Instead, the new Santa Fe that’s sold on our shores comes with two powertrain choices. There’s a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 277 horses and 311 pound-feet of torque. It mates to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. If that doesn’t sound suitable, Hyundai also ports over the hybrid powertrain with the turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder and six-speed automatic transmission. The company hasn’t revealed the official combined power output, but we were told to expect similar figures to the last version. That setup featured an electric motor working with the four-pot to generate a combined 226 horsepower.Expected PriceUnfortunately, the loss of the base engine, increased cabin flair, and growth of the vehicle conjure up a recipe for a more expensive mid-size SUV. The last model started a hair over $30,000, with the cheapest hybrid option starting in the $37,000 range. Our expectation is that the new version will start somewhere in that same ballpark, possibly around $38K. We think the rest of the trim options will follow up-market as well, topping out with the top-of-the-line Calligraphy trim likely starting somewhere near the $50,000 mark, which is about $6K more than that version of the outgoing Santa Fe. Hyundai says the 2024 Santa Fe will reach U.S. dealerships sometime in the first half of next year.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

Bugatti has revealed this ornate one-off Chiron Super Sport ahead of Monterey Car Week called the “Golden Era.”The Golden Era is a celebration of Bugatti’s greatest hits as the company winds down production of the W-16 engine and transitions to an electrified future under new parent company Rimac.Hand-drawn sketches of legendary Bugattis cover the car’s sides; they took more than 400 hours to produce.It’s become a cliché to call a sleek supercar a “work of art,” but in the case of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport “Golden Era,” that title is particularly apt. This exquisite machine has been revealed ahead of its official in-person debut at the upcoming Monterey Car Week, sporting beautiful murals on the car’s flanks that celebrate Bugatti’s heritage.The one-off creation emerged from Bugatti’s Sur Mesure division, which handles the most outlandish and creative customization projects ordered by Bugatti’s ultra-wealthy clientele. This project began when a passionate Bugatti collector approached the company with the idea to honor Bugatti and its W-16 engine, which will end production after the final 2024 Mistral roadster leaves the factory. The process of designing the Golden Era took two years, with the company describing it as “the most challenging bespoke project that Bugatti has ever undertaken.”The Golden Era uses a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport as its base, which packs an 1578-horsepower version of the quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W-16 and the special long-tailed carbon-fiber bodywork from the 300-mph Super Sport 300+. In our hands, the Super Sport shot to 60 mph in a blistering 2.2 seconds and only needed 14.8 seconds to crest the 200-mph mark.While the W-16 that has been Bugatti’s hallmark only arrived in 2005 with the record-breaking Veyron, the customer wanted his masterpiece to feature important vehicles from throughout the brand’s 100-plus-year history. The images emerge on the front fenders and doors as the paint fades from the metallic Nocturne Black color to a light golden hue called “Doré” that is unique to this vehicle. On the passenger side, the 26 hand-drawn sketches include iconic cars like the Type 41 Royale and Type 57 SC Atlantic. There are also depictions of planes, a train, the company’s chateau headquarters in Molsheim, and signatures from Jean and Ettore Bugatti.The driver’s side displays 19 sketches detailing Bugatti’s history since its revival by Romano Artioli in 1987 and subsequent purchase by the Volkswagen Group in 1998. Here we see stunning hypercars from the EB110 to the Veyron and Chiron, as well as the side profile of the one-off La Voiture Noire and the W-16 engine. The limited-production Divo, Centodieci, and Mistral, as well as the track-only Bolide, also make appearances. Bugatti says the drawings were made using the same pens used for sketching designs on paper and were applied directly onto the body by hand. The painstaking process took more than 400 hours, and Bugatti described the procedure of hand-drawing on a one-off bespoke Chiron as “intimidating.”Museum-Quality InteriorThe interior mirrors the look of the body panels, with three legendary Bugattis emblazoned on each leather door panel. The driver’s side focuses on the modern Bugatti hypercars—the EB110, Veyron, and Chiron—while the passengers side features iconic pre-war cars, the Type 35, Type 57SC Atlantic, and Type 41 Royale. The hand-painted images are accompanied by stitching reading “Golden Era” on the headrests (with the same phrase appearing on the underside of the rear wing) and a “One-of-One” badge on the center console. The driver’s-side doorsill marks the modern era of Bugattis with the dates “1987–2023” while the passenger’s side sill reads “1909–1956” for the life span of the original Bugatti company.The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport already costs nearly $4 million, and while Bugatti didn’t detail the price for the Golden Era, we imagine its dedicated owner paid a significant amount more for this special Super Sport. The owner will pick up his unique Chiron at Monterey Car Week, and while we hope the Golden Era gets driven, this is one hypercar that would be just as much at home in a museum as it would on track. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

Kia has revealed a new model called the K3. It’s a small sedan that will be built in Mexico.It’s powered by either a 1.6-liter four-cylinder or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.The K3 is slated to go on sale by the end of the year, making us think it could arrive in the U.S. for the 2025 model year.Kia has revealed a new small sedan that looks like a replacement for the subcompact Rio. But because of its name, K3, we think that it might also be replacing the compact Forte—which is currently sold in Korea under the K3 nameplate.KiaWhile we don’t yet have confirmation that this model is coming to the U.S., we do know that the new K3 will be built in Mexico at the same plant that currently builds the Rio and Forte. Kia has also already filed a trademark for the K3 name in the U.S. This name change would align this new entry-level model with the nomenclature for the larger K5 mid-size sedan.KiaThe K3 adopts some of Kia’ latest design cues, such as LED accent lights that extend below the headlights as on the EV9 electric SUV, and features a modern-looking dashboard setup with large digital gauge cluster and infotainment screens. The steering wheel is taken from the EV6 and there are interesting-looking patterns on the door panels and dashboard trim.Kia says that the standard powertrain will be a 1.6-liter inline-four with 121 hp, which is currently the Rio’s standard engine in the U.S. The GT Line model will have a 150-hp 2.0-liter inline-four, and a 1.4-liter engine will be offered in certain markets. We think the 2.0-liter powertrain is the most likely option for the U.S.-market K3.KiaThere’s no word on U.S.-specific timing, but we think we will hear more about the K3 soon. Kia says that it will go on sale in some markets in the fourth quarter of this year, which suggests that it could arrive in the U.S. as soon as the 2025 model year.More on Kia Small CarsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

The first electric version of the Cadillac Escalade starts around $130,000 and goes on sale in summer 2024. Clean-sheet design means this Escalade is not based on the Chevrolet Tahoe or Suburban. Standard features include rear-wheel steering, 24-inch wheels, and a 55-inch touchscreen display. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ looks different, doesn’t it? The change is fitting considering this is the first all-electric Escalade model, denoted by the “IQ” suffix the brand has been bolting to its EV models such as the Lyriq and Celestiq. Hey, just be glad they didn’t call it the “Escaladiq.” The Escalade IQ continues the design theme of those vehicles, both in the italic L-shaped motif ahead of the D-pillar and in how its fascia and rear do a little light show as you approach. Being an Escalade, though, the IQ isn’t about subtlety or restraint. Consider that it will have upward of 750 horsepower, an estimated 450 miles of range, and a price of around $130,000 when it goes on sale in summer 2024. Size and Platform Details The design represents freedom from the constraints imposed on the regular Escalade by its being based on the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. Instead, the IQ is built on similar fundamentals as the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV. That means GM’s Ultium 24-module battery pack sits underneath, with a usable capacity of over 200.0 kWh and the ability of adding 100 miles of range in 10 minutes at a properly functioning DC fast-charger (emphasis on “properly”). At home, where most people charge most frequently, the IQ supports 19.2 kW AC, which adds around 37 miles of range in an hour. Raise (or Lower) Your IQCompared to the Escalade ESV, the IQ is longer both in terms of wheelbase (136.2 inches) and overall length (224.3 inches). It’s wider too, at 85.3 inches. The overall size increase is such that the standard 24-inch wheels look deceptively small. Those wheels match the size of those offered on the upcoming Silverado EV RST, and they’re wrapped in 275/50 tires; that’s 35 inches of rubber. That presumably substantial mass is controlled by MagneRide dampers and air springs that can raise and lower the IQ by one and two inches, respectively.Many More DetailsDespite the similarity in size, the IQ’s rear-wheel steering enables a 39.4-foot turning diameter, which is slightly less than that of the standard, short-wheelbase Escalade, at 39.7 feet. For comparison, the long-wheelbase ESV’s turning diameter is 43.3 feet. Also cribbed from the Hummer EV playbook is CrabWalk, where the rear wheels turn in phase with the fronts to move the vehicle diagonally. Here, the feature is dubbed Cadillac Arrival Mode, and its intention is mostly to show off at the valet. Power and Acceleration A drive mode called Velocity Max enables 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque. Cadillac reps say this remains active and the power stays available until you change modes or turn the key off, a welcome change from automakers with vehicles that only provide peak power momentarily. In the regular drive mode, output is 680 horsepower and 615 pound-feet of torque. With front and rear motors powering all four wheels, Cadillac claims 60-mph acceleration of less than five seconds in Velocity Max. We’re guessing the time is not likely so much less as to challenge the 4.3-second result we recorded from the Escalade V, since the IQ will assuredly weigh substantially more than that vehicle’s 6290 pounds. Cadillac reps wouldn’t say how much more, but we figure somewhere between the 9640-pound GMC Hummer truck and 8660-pound SUV. The IQ will also have an 8000-pound tow rating, but we suggest reading up on the perils of towing with an EV, as we’ve tested. Interior Of course, a six-figure Escalade wouldn’t be complete without some showmanship inside. What appears to be a single display that stretches 55 inches diagonally across the entire dash is actually two screens: one 35-inch display for the driver and a 25-inch screen for the passenger, partitioned because the passenger’s side is polarized so the driver can’t be distracted by it when the vehicle is out of park. While the prototype build we saw wasn’t fully functional, the screen and its Google Built-In integration looked nice. Alas, Apple CarPlay is not supported, which is a major mistake from our perspective. Also disappointing is the absence of physical switches. Beneath that 55-inch screen combination sits yet another display. This 11-inch touchscreen is where you adjust things like the five-zone climate controls and ambient lighting—the doors too, if they’re equipped with the power open-and-close feature. When enabled, this system can automatically open the driver door when it senses your approach, and a radar system in the door reduces the chance of its touching another vehicle or the wall in your garage. All Escalade IQ models will come with second-row captain’s chairs and a 60/40-split power third row. An available Executive Second Row adds a rear center console with yet another touchscreen display, storage, 12.6-inch rear headrest monitors with HDMI inputs, and captain’s chairs with heating, ventilation, and massage. There are even storable tray tables. So equipped, the number of AKG-branded speakers reaches 40. A simply enormous sunroof reaches the back of the second row. While the tinted glass is treated with UV-filtering film to reduce heat transfer, you’ll have to order a shade as an accessory if you want one—we would.Storage and Other Tech As with many EVs, the IQ takes advantage of not having an engine or transmission. A front storage area (which Cadillac really wants you to call the “eTrunk”) holds more than 12 cubic feet of stuff, and an available accessory tray slides forward and rearward for easier access. Instead of a transmission tunnel underneath the center console, there’s a sizable bin. You can also expect a bevy of other Cadillac features, from Super Cruise hands-free driving, a comprehensive exterior camera system, a parallel parking assist feature, and even an alphanumeric code on the rear (“1000E4” in this case) that continues the brand’s silly trend of badges that convert a vehicle’s torque from pound-feet to newton-meters and then rounding to the nearest 100. The “E” is for electric, the “4” for the number of driven wheels. Surely, this information will amaze the crowd at the valet after you’ve Cadillac-Arrival-Mode-ed sideways into place. More Big SUVs from GMDeputy Editor, VideoFrom selling them to testing them, Carlos Lago has spent his entire adult life consumed by cars. He currently drives the creative behind Car and Driver video. More

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle is the latest in the growing Chevy police lineup with 498 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque.Based on the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV, the PPV has all-wheel drive and will be available for GM fleet buyers early in 2024.The Blazer EV PPV joins the Silverado 1500, Tahoe, and 2023 Traverse and Malibu as options for law enforcement needs.Except for its red and blue lights, the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) is nothing like the Tahoe that delivered your last speeding ticket. Based on the Blazer EV for us law-abiding citizens, the PPV is an all-wheel-drive crime-fighting machine with 498 horsepower. For 12 minutes of pure EV police-car glory, watch GM’s video on the Blazer EV PPVs.Super Troopers:GM says the Blazer EV PPV has an estimated driving range of 250 miles, and we’d guess its “105.0-kWh battery” is a similar unit used in the Cadillac Lyriq 450E with a capacity of 102.0 kWh. The 400-volt architecture means the police can DC-fast-charge their patrol vehicle at a rate of up to 190 kW, which GM says can deliver as much as 71 miles of range in 10 minutes. The cost of installing a dedicated DC fast-charger at a department could be deemed both cruel and unusual, so we expect state police, sheriffs, and municipalities to use 80-amp Level 2 chargers for a slower 19.2-kW refill, or begin patrolling the public charging network. Regenerative braking is standard on the Blazer EV PPV.With all its emergency lights, radio equipment, and computer, a cop car’s rap sheet of electrically demanding tools can be lengthy. GM says the Blazer EV PPV could idle for 20 to 50 hours on a single charge, which sounds like one helluva story, should an officer need that much time to write an incident report. Top speed is limited to 130 mph, but GM indicates that could be increased with aftermarket equipment. This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate EditorYes, he’s still working on the 1986 Nissan 300ZX Turbo project car he started in high school, and no, it’s not for sale yet. Austin Irwin was born and raised in Michigan, and, despite getting shelled by hockey pucks during a not-so-successful goaltending career through high school and college, still has all of his teeth. He loves cars from the 1980s and Bleu, his Great Pyrenees, and is an active member of the Buffalo Wild Wings community. When Austin isn’t working on his own cars, he’s likely on the side of the highway helping someone else fix theirs. More