Another visit to Kia's impressive new Fiesta family transporter, a significant improvement over the departing Sedona, is a bright reminder of the brand's significant progress forward. Kia has been quietly winning consumer confidence awards, and the entire range reflects a consistent level of sophistication, quality and performance. The same goes for Hyundai and its luxury brand Genesis, as the South Korean automaker redefines the quotient of value.
The Sample Fiesta is a top-of-the-line SX model in ceramic silver paint that sells for $495 and $42,770, with a two-tone leather interior, heated and cooled seats at the front and rear, and a range of interior amenities and driver assistance equipment. Base LX models start at as low as $10,000 and offer an extensive list of standard features, so buyers who prefer the look, space and overall design can now have a true minivan option compared to aging Odyssey or the more expensive Pacifica and Sienna.
Powered by the 290 hp 3.5-litre V-6 with eight-speed automatic transmission. Sufficient acceleration, smooth transfer and quietness. The EPA is estimated at 19/26/22 mpg and traction is 3,500 lbs. In terms of power, the Forythlon Carnival is a clone of Honda – excellent driving and handling, but there are neither hybrid nor AWD options on the Sienna and Pacifica.
Sliding into the interior of the carnival raises consumer expectations – materials, switchgear and controls are at the forefront of display. It's easy to assume that our SX sample is a Mercedes or Lexus product – that's the level of luxury that's evident in sight and touch. Large screens for control and entertainment, knobs and buttons for management functions, multi-directional power seats with memory functions and a large field of view – it's all here.
With more standard advanced driver assistance systems than any other competitor, coupled with new faces in designs that are below the price of this segment, Carnival is poised to make significant progress in the minivan space.
Recently, the family decided it would be wise to replace one of our daily drivers with a newer vehicle, a new car that is more fuel efficient, some desirable features, and the convenience of items like electric lift doors. After extensive sampling of the hyundai Tucson hybrids that appear here, the Navigator opted for the mid-level SEL interior version of the hot-selling new model.
The 2022 Tucson is the same size as her current Chevy Equinox, with a very similar driving dynamic due to the new design's longer wheelbase. The spacing inside works well, and the Tucson hybrid's powertrain offers 10-12 miles per gallon more than Chevrolet's regular fuel economy — a 33 percent increase in fuel mileage since gasoline prices rose 40 percent last year.
Like many families, sifting a variety of new, fully functional cars to your liking, fit your budget, and commit to 10 to 12 years of reasonable service (the average age of a U.S. driving fleet) is a complex challenge. In the compact crossover category, buyers have the best-selling Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Tucson as hybrid options.
The first time I visited the dealership, there was a Tucson in stock — it wasn't a hybrid. When will more arrive? Two more came two weeks later, neither of which was the desired model or color. When will there be more? Dealers can't tell us when because they're "assigning."
We looked for a second dealer, which at least demonstrated the ability to order one according to our (hypothetical) reasonable specifications – the dark blue mid-level trim. Yes, with a non-refundable deposit of $1,000, we can order a new Tucson Hybrid. When to come? They don't know. Before the end of the year? I don't know. Really, there is no commitment to get a vehicle within 95 days?
The third dealer's experience, both in Maine, reinforced the second dealer's answer, but they "only" paid a $500 non-refundable deposit and changed their minds slightly. And "We sell at a list price, while some are list priced." "Just 14 months ago, you were transferring metals with discounts and incentives, and that's reassuring.
At this point, we opt out of this competition to the end. We wanted a newer car, but we could make it up with what was in the driveway – no need to feed a beast that looked insatiable.
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked more havoc on the market than anyone could have imagined. The shortage of computer chips is only part of the reason here, as the shortage of parts from many suppliers, shipping issues, fluctuating consumer demand, and the race to electrify everything before any actual demand has taken a toll on consumers' wallets (the average new car transaction price has risen an incredible 17% over the past year) and their patience and willingness to participate. Yes, there are fewer and fewer new cars (and used cars) on the market, but there are also signs that the problem will last much longer than most experts predict.
Today's new car is impressive. Buying a product, especially one that pushes the pointer forward like the latest Tucson, may prove to be a nasty experience.