Hyundai Plans To Go Big At The 2019 LA Auto Show With 18 New Cars

The wait is almost over with less than three days to go for the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show that is set to be packed with a variety of manufacturers and tech companies around the globe showcasing their latest offerings. Hyundai Motor is one of the manufacturers which has a variety of models expected, ranging from recent production models to brand new debuts. Here’s a look at the SUVs, sedans, electric vehicles (EVs), and hybrid cars that Hyundai is packing in its arsenal at the 2019 LA Auto Show.

2020 Sonata 

First on the list for the Korean carmaker could be the latest iteration of the Sonata that made its debut in the US at the New York International Auto Show in April. The sedan has recently been launched on November 7 with a price range of USD 23,400 (Rs 16.76 lakh) to USD 33,300 (23.85 lakh). The eighth-gen Sonata sports Hyundai’s ‘Sensuous 2.0’ design language with highlights that include a revised cascade grille and connected tail lamps. It also gets revamped interiors with equipment like Digital Key via NFC technology, BlueLink connected car tech, a 12.3-inch driver’s display, and a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It is offered with two Smartstream gasoline powertrains: a 2.5 GDI and a 1.6 T-GDI, both mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

Hyundai Venue

Back in April this year, the Hyundai Venue compact SUV was unveiled at the New York Motor Show and in India. The Venue is already on sale in India, however the US-spec SUV is expected to go on sale by the end of this month. The two specs differ with the US version being a bit larger, gets driving modes, heated seats and is powered by a sole 1.6-litre petrol mill that makes 121PS of power and 153Nm. It is also limited to either a 6-speed manual or a CVT.

2020 Elantra

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While we’ve just got our hands on the 2019 Elantra facelift, Hyundai’s US division already got a minor update to its version of the Elantra. For the 2020 Elantra, all trim levels will ditch the 6-speed manual transmission with  the 7-speed Dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and a new CVT gearbox on offer. Other updates include a dual-zone automatic climate control system, a 3.5-inch LCD instrument cluster, and a dual-shell horn. On the safety side, the Elantra features new Hyundai SmartSense driver assistance technologies that consists of Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning.

Elantra GT N Line

Back in January, Hyundai gave the US its first taste of the performance-oriented N-brand with the Elantra GT N Line (known as the i30 N in Europe). This boosted hot hatch gets performance tweaks like  a newly calibrated steering, different tuning for the shocks, as well as stiffer mounts for the engine and transmission. It also gets cosmetic tweaks like blacked out side mirrors, N Line badging, 18-inch N Line wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 225/40 R18 summer tyres. Under the bonnet, the Elantra GT N Line is powered by the same 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol mill as the Elantra GT and makes 201PS of power and 256Nm of torque. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual or an optional 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

2020 Santa Fe

Hyundai gave its Santa Fe some updates for its 2020 edition in July, with the updates more inclined towards safety and rejigs of the equipment in its trims. The safety additions include a Blind-View Monitor which works in conjunction with the Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist. It provides body-side views on either side of the vehicle whenever the turn signal is activated. It also gets Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) that notifies a driver if an occupant is at the rear seat when the driver leaves the vehicle. 

2020 Hyundai Palisade

Hyundai’s current flagship SUV, the Palisade, made its debut at last year's edition of the LA Auto Show and has arrived in dealerships in late June this year. It is  named after the Pacific Palisades, a coastal area in Los Angeles. Some feature highlights include Hyundai’s signature ‘Cascading’ grille, composite headlamps, and LED DRLs that extend from the top lights to the vertical set of lights. Inside, the Palisade gets kit like a large 10.25-inch centre touchscreen and the 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster. Under the hood is a 3.8-litre, naturally-aspirated V6 petrol engine developing 295PS of maximum power and 355Nm of peak torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Safety features include AEB, blind spot detection,  auto-high beam, and smart cruise control.

2020 Hyundai Accent

The 2020 edition of the Hyundai Accent has recently received an update under the hood back in July with a new 1.6-litre Smartstream G1.6 Dual Port Injection petrol engine replacing the 1.6-litre Direct Injection motor. It produces 120PS of power and 153Nm of torque. That’s not the only changes at the 6-speed automatic is replaced by a CVT transmission. These changes make the Accent more fuel efficient in its CVT trim with a range of 15kmpl compared to 13.6kmpl in the older engine. Everything else remains unchanged with the Accent.

Kona Electric

Hyundai’s first fully electric SUV, the Kona Electric, has already stolen a march in India, being India’s first electric SUV, but the carmaker has updated its US-spec Kona with a bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system compared to the previous 8-incher as well as a battery warmer to prevent excessively long battery-charging intervals in cold temperatures. The US Kona Electric is powered by a 64 kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers 204PS and 395Nm of torque with a 0-100kph time of 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 167kmph. It also comes with a fast-charger that get the 64kwh battery back up to 80 per cent in 54 minutes. Hyundai’s claimed range is 415kmpl for the Kona Electric.

Kona

Moving on to the ICE iteration of the Kona, Hyundai has not swayed attention away from it, with the addition of a new smart cruise control system. Aside from that, the Kona also gets new orange interior accents. Its ICE options include a 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol mill that develops 147PS and 179Nm. It is also offered with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engines producing 175PS and 264Nm. We could even see the Kona hybrid that made its debut in Europe back in July this year.

Veloster N, Veloster Turbo 

Heading more towards hot hatches, Hyundai’s Veloster Turbo and Veloster N are expected in their lineup. The Veloster Turbo is a bump up from the base Veloster, powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 201PS and torque upto 274Nm. Transmission options include a six-speed manual and a 7-speed DCT. If that’s not brutal enough, the Veloster N is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol with a power output of 275PS and 353Nm, mated to a 6-speed manual. The N model also receives performance tweaks to the body that include a larger N-design rear spoiler, integrated diffuser, and high-flow dual exhaust. 

The improvements in the Veloster N carry on with a multi-mode electronically-controlled suspension with a track-focused N mode available for cornering prowess. Driving modes include Normal, Sport, N, Eco and N Custom, that adjusts engine throttle response, active differential tuning, suspension damping rates, steering feel and yaw-control characteristics as per the mode. 

We now head more towards future tech with the hydrogen powered Nexo that made its debut in October last year. Nearly a year later, Hyundai has updated the crossover with bits like a new cargo cover, automatic front-passenger power windows and rain sensing wipers. Some talking points include advanced driver assist systems, that include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), lane assist, high beam assist  and Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA). 

The Nexo crossover is the only fuel-cell crossover in the US with a claimed range of upto 611km. Refueling is also quick at a mere 5 minutes. It develops 161PS and 394Nm of torque with a 0-100kmph time of 9.9 seconds.

Hyundai Tucson

Aside from giving us a glimpse of what the next-gen Tucson could look like, Hyundai will also bring the current-gen Tucson facelift that made its debut in March last year at the New York International Auto Show. Hyundai has given the SUV a mild rejig in terms of exterior colours. The new colours are Stellar Silver, Magnetic Force, Winter White and Cream White. 

Hyundai Plug-In Hybrid SUV Concept

Finally towards new debuts, Hyundai has recently dropped a teaser video of a plug-in-hybrid SUV concept that will be showcased at LA. And judging from the images, this concept could very well be a glimpse of the next-gen Tucson due to certain similar elements. The teaser reveals a sharp and angular design of the concept with a fresh headlight and grille combination. Some interesting bits include active flaps of the grille for aerodynamics. Other nifty design bits such as squared-off wheel arches and tail lights connected by a lightbar make up the exterior look.  

Another common denominator between the two is that they are likely to be hybrid offerings considering the stringent emission norms across India and around the globe. Aside from the concept SUV, Hyundai is also expected to introduce 4 more unknown models at the LA Auto Show.