2018 Hyundai Kona
Kona means a lot of things – a region in Hawaii and
coffee produced in said region are just two uses of
the word – but for Hyundai it now means compact
crossover.
It’s Hyundai’s first crossover in this segment for the
American market, and it comes packaged with standard
or available features such as LED headlights and
taillights, a floating touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple
CarPlay, blind-spot alert, forward collision-avoidance
assist with pedestrian detection, drive attention
warning, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic collision
warning, navigation, wireless device charging and
Hyundai’s Blue Link connected-car tech.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or a
1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The former
pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the
latter mates to a seven-speed unit.
The Kona joins the Tucson, Santa Fe and Santa Sport
in Hyundai’s crossover SUV lineup.
2019 Jeep Cherokee
Refreshed for 2019, the mid-size Cherokee continues
to serve as one of several crossover offerings from Jeep
(the others being the Compass and Renegade). New for
this year are the front fascia, hood, headlamps (LED),
fog lamps, and daytime running lights. There’s also new
wheel designs and a new hands-free rear liftgate.
A new 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 270
horsepower joins a 3.2-liter V6 (271 horsepower) and
2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 180 horsepower. The
2.0-liter pairs to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Four-wheel drive remains part of the Jeep ethos,
but the Cherokee isn’t just an off-roader. It offers
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Fiat Chrysler’s UConnect
infotainment system and a choice of 7 or 8.4-inch
touch-screen displays.
Built a short drive away in Belvidere, Ill., the Cherokee
is available in five trims – Latitude, Latitude Plus,
Limited, Overland and off-road-oriented Trailhawk.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen’s Tiguan enters its second generation
available in four trim levels: S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium.
Like most other compact and mid-size crossovers, the
Tiguan is available with all-wheel drive. It’s powered
by a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged
engine that makes 184 horsepower and pairs to an
eight-speed automatic transmission. The available all-
wheel drive system has four different driver-selectable
modes to help it best match to the terrain and weather
conditions.
The Tiguan shares its platform with the full-size
Volkswagen Atlas, and it offers such features as
premium audio, satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple
CarPlay, rear-view camera, Bluetooth, infotainment
system, up to three USB ports, leather seats, heated
front seats and heated steering wheel.
One unique feature is the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit
display, which allows the driver to reconfigure the
gauges in the
instrument
cluster to better
suit his or her
needs. That
customization
includes the
ability to bring
the navigation
system into the
gauge cluster.
These are just a few of the crossover class of 2018.
Other new or redesigned compact and midsize
crossovers include the Audi Q5, Jaguar E-Pace, Lexus
RX L, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Nissan Kicks, Toyota C-HR
and Volvo XC60.
There’s plenty of crossover choice for every need and
budget at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, and we’re just
barely scratching the surface – there are also full-size
crossovers and truck-based SUVs out there for you to
check out. While some may lament the decline of the
sedan, it’s clear crossovers are in charge, and there is no
shortage of choice.
M
ore
C
ar
, L
ess
M
oney
: T
he
LEASE
you
can
do
!
CHICAGO AUTO SHOW 2018
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