hyundai kona

Toyota has revealed the refreshed C-HR crossover for the 2020 model year, with the local division confirming both a hybrid option and a new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be available in Australia before the end of the year.

Hyundai is investigating why a parked Kona Electric exploded while in a Canadian garage. The pure-electric SUV was sitting unplugged in the garage when its owner noticed clouds of dark smoke coming from the garage. The five-month old Kona Electric then exploded – blowing the garage door off in the progress, and damaging the neighbouring property. Firefighters found no obvious ignition sources in the garage, suggesting the car spontaneously exploded.

Electric vehicles are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars, but their sticker prices are still too high for buyers to properly reap the benefits, according to a new study from the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ). Although electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel on a per-kilometre basis, depreciation and the steep purchase price of pure-electric vehicles mean they're still pricier to own over five years.

Hyundai Motor Europe has announced a set of running changes for the Kona Electric, which are set to come online before year's end. UPDATE, 13/5/19: Hyundai Australia has indicated the updates announced for the European market are "under study" for our region. See bottom of article for more details For the 2020 model year, the Kona Electric will be offered with upgraded 11kW three-phase charger, which allows for "significantly shorter charging times" using AC charge stations or home wall box.

Photographers have spied the upcoming small Kia crossover destined for the Asia-Pacific and North America, believed to be named the Tusker. The Tusker is the production version of the SP concept revealed at last year's New Delhi motor show, and should arrive in Australia before the end of the year to compete with the likes of the Mitsubishi ASX and Mazda CX-3. Australian-delivered models will be produced in South Korea, though the Tusker will also be built in India for that market.