[New York Auto Show] Resuming After 3 Years... Hyundai and Kia Unveil 'First' SUV Facelift Models (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The '2022 New York International Auto Show,' the oldest car exhibition in the United States, was held for the first time in three years. Hyundai Motor Company and Kia simultaneously unveiled the facelifted models of their large sport utility vehicles (SUVs) for the first time in the world. This reflects the trend of the highly popular SUV market in the U.S. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun personally attended the event to directly check the trends in the North American automobile market.

Marking its 120th edition this year, the New York Auto Show began its press day on the 13th (local time) and will be held from the 15th to the 24th at the Javits Center in Manhattan, New York City. A total of 33 brands participated, including global leading automakers such as Stellantis, Toyota, Ford, Nissan, as well as electric vehicle specialists. These brands showcased over 50 models, including concept cars and new vehicles.

On the 13th (local time), 'The New Palisade' and Hyundai Motor Group executives were unveiled at the New York International Auto Show 2022 held at the Javits Center in New York, USA. From the left, President Jang Jae-hoon, Chairman Chung Eui-sun, and Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jose Munoz.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆Hyundai Motor Unveils The New Palisade for the First Time... Ioniq 5 Named 'Car of the Year'

Hyundai Motor unveiled 'The New Palisade,' the first facelift model of its flagship SUV Palisade, for the first time. As Hyundai's representative large SUV, it inherits the innovative spaciousness of the previous model while featuring a more majestic and luxurious design, along with new advanced safety and convenience features.

The wider cascade grille seamlessly connects to the headlamps and daytime running lights (DRL), creating a strong and unified design. Additionally, a large display screen was applied, and convenience was enhanced with features such as 'Digital Key 2 Touch' and touch controls for the climate system. Furthermore, advanced safety features were strengthened by newly equipping Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Rear Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA-R), Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA), and adding functions to Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA).

Olavsy Boyle, Head of Product Planning at Hyundai Motor North America, introduced, "The New Palisade possesses the charm of Hyundai's flagship large SUV with new design, infotainment functions, advanced safety and convenience features, and driving performance," adding, "It is the ultimate flagship SUV model that provides comfortable value for every moment of life."

The New Palisade is equipped with the electronic all-wheel-drive system 'HTRAC.' To improve driving stability, the body was reinforced on the sides and floor, and sound insulation was enhanced by increasing the thickness of sound-absorbing materials to improve the sense of enclosure.

In South Korea, it is scheduled to be released in May with two engine options: a 2.2 diesel and a 3.8 gasoline, both paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It is expected to be launched in the North American market this summer.

Jose Munoz, Hyundai Motor's Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Head of North America, emphasized, "Hyundai Motor was one of the fastest-growing automotive brands last year," and added, "Demand for the Palisade surged, setting a record for annual sales last year."

Hyundai Ioniq 5, winner of the Grand Prize 'Car of the Year' at the World Car Awards '2022 Car of the Year' ceremony

At the New York Auto Show, which runs until the 24th, Hyundai Motor has prepared an exhibition space of 3,860 m² (approximately 1,170 pyeong) and plans to display a total of 17 vehicles, including The New Palisade, the Veloster N TCR show car, and production models such as the Ioniq 5, Kona EV, Nexo, Santa Cruz, Tucson PHEV, Santa Fe PHEV, Kona N, and Elantra N.

Hyundai Motor's Ioniq 5 swept three awards, including the grand prize 'Car of the Year' at the World Car Awards '2022 Car of the Year' ceremony held at the New York Auto Show.

◆Kia Unveils 'The New Telluride' for the First Time in the World... Launching in North America in the Second Half

On the 13th (local time), Kia's 'The New Telluride' was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show 2022 held at the Javits Center in New York, USA.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kia also showcased the significantly improved 'The New Telluride.' It plans to officially launch it in the North American market in the second half of the year and intensify its efforts to capture the local SUV market.

The New Telluride is the first facelift model of the Telluride, unveiled after three years. According to the company, it was newly born with a bold yet human-centered design based on Kia's new design philosophy, Opposites United. Its dimensions are 5,000 mm in length, 1,990 mm in width, 1,750 mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,900 mm. It is equipped with a 3.8 gasoline engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering a maximum output of 291 horsepower (ps) and a maximum torque of 36.2 kg·m.

Kia introduced two new Adventure-Ready trims based on The New Telluride for customers who enjoy outdoor life: 'X-Line' and 'X-Pro,' which enhances off-road characteristics.

Additionally, advanced features including intelligent advanced driver assistance systems were added. Newly equipped features include Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), which warns and adjusts to a safe driving speed when exceeding speed limits detected by the front camera or navigation, and Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), which aids convenient driving on highways and expressways.

Through this New York Auto Show, Kia also introduced 'The All-New Kia Niro' to the U.S. market for the first time. The new Niro will be sold in the U.S. market starting in the second half of the year in three electrified models: hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and electric vehicle (EV).

At the New York Auto Show, Kia has prepared an exhibition space of approximately 571 pyeong (23,520 ft² / 1,890 m²) and will display a total of 23 vehicles, including one The New Telluride, four new vehicles such as the new Niro Hybrid (HEV), Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Niro Electric Vehicle (EV), one Kia Concept EV9, seven eco-friendly vehicles including the EV6, ten production models such as the Sportage and Carnival, and one E-GMP platform.

On the 13th (local time), at the New York International Auto Show 2022 held at the Javits Center in New York, USA, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun and other executives are watching the unveiling of Kia's 'The New Telluride'.

◆Keywords: Electric Vehicles and SUVs

The keywords of this exhibition, held for the first time in a long time due to COVID-19, can be summarized as electric vehicles and SUVs.

Nearly two-thirds of the first-floor exhibition hall was composed of electric vehicle experience zones. At the electric vehicle test track, visitors could directly experience the Kia EV6, Chevrolet Bolt, IndiEV's Indi One, Nissan Leaf, VinFast VF8, Volkswagen ID.4 EV, and Volvo XC40 Recharge. Hyundai Motor and Ford each prepared their own electric vehicle test tracks. Especially at Hyundai's test track, a long line formed with participants eager to ride the Ioniq 5, which won three awards including the grand prize '2022 Car of the Year' at the World Car Awards ceremony.

This exhibition featured not only electric vehicles from major automakers but also electric vehicle models from emerging companies such as the U.S. electric vehicle startup IndiEV and Vietnam's VinFast. For the first time, a space was prepared to exhibit and experience micro-mobility, including electric scooters and ultra-compact electric vehicles.