It took these past four years to reacquaint myself with one of the more powerful versions of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ North American modern muscle icon. Four years is a good amount of time to prepare myself to be taken away by an SRT-massaged "392" 6.4-liter V8 and its absolute thrust. Yet, I felt unprepared. Not even an F Performance Lexus helped in priming me from this massive blue hulk of thrust.
The boost the multiple award-winning Telluride gave Kia needed a follow-up. They had to look down the size chain to find that inspiration. After all, customers also want smaller SUVs, as well.
Yes, the new 2020 Hyundai Sonata looks like a smash hit. It is a technologically advanced mid-size family sedan that needs to be. It is living proof that the sedan is far from erased off of the dealer lots of this country.
In the end, I came away very impressed with this new entry into a hot segment where family values truly matter. It was one of those segments that rolled through a sales slump due to the pandemic by maintaining strong sales by percentage. Families needed vehicles like this to get through the insanity of this year together.
Developing a new SUV is the norm these days. Sometimes it is at the expense of cutting a sedan, coupe, wagon, or hatchback from the lineup. In this case, the 2020 CX-30 has not replaced any single model.
Maybe back in the days of the Mark II Golf and Jetta, where both cars were actually the same from the front bumper to the C pillar. Back then, journalists found the difference between the GTI and GLI, remarking that the latter was more of an inexpensive Audi than anything. That’s quite a compliment.
The North America-only NMS-platform B7 Passat arrived on the scene at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. The Chattanooga, Tennessee-produced mid-sized sedan caused quite a stir, even though Volkswagen had been known to produce localized products for specific segments.
It would mean something that we miss about being in self-quarantine and on lockdown – a place where we once met our friends and had a good time. A place full of music, eye candy, and great drinks.
One question I could ask is "why?" It is plainly obvious what that answer would be. Because you watched enough of Vin Diesel and the late Paul Walker to understand why the A80 Supra became an icon. A few of you own one right now, perhaps for the reason that you saw it on screen and thought "I want that."
We look back at Hyundai's Super Bowl LIV commercial for the 2020 Sonata and only think of Chris Evans, Rachel Dratch, John Krasinski, and David Ortiz telling us how "wicked smaht" the Remote Smart Parking Assist feature was when they demonstrated it around the city of Boston.
