Car and Driver - USA (2019-10)

72. CHARTING THE CHANGES. CAR AND DRIVER. OCT/2019

New Cars for 20 20 GMC — Hyundai

Honda
—
CR-V: Honda is being coy
about changes to its compact
crossover, but we expect a
mid-cycle refresh will bring
front and rear styling updates
and the Accord’s infotainment
system to the now-three-year-
old CR-V.
—
Minor trim changes: Civic
Unchanged: Accord, Clarity,
Fit, HR-V, Insight, Odyssey,
Passport, Pilot, Ridgeline

Canyon: Without fanfare, GMC
86’d the six-speed manual
earlier this year. But at least
it’s giving the Canyon the
off-road AT4 treatment. That’s
something good, right?
—
Sierra HD: If you need to
move 35,500 pounds of
heaven and earth and buy only
GMCs, then the new Sierra
HD—specifically a regular-cab
Sierra 3500 with the optional
6.6-liter diesel V-8 delivering
910 pound-feet to the dualie’s
rear axle—is your truck. GMC’s
three-quarter-ton and one-ton
trucks get styling that parrots
the smaller 1500’s and have
plenty of optional tech to keep
you and your trailer out of
harm’s way, including a crafty
rearview monitor that stitches
camera views together to
make it seem as if you can see
through your trailer. Déjà vu.
—
Terrain: GMC has restructured
several packages, mostly
pertaining to the availability
and pairing of various active
safety systems, but the bigger
news is that the 1.6-liter
diesel, which was previously
available on all Terrain SLE and
SLT models, is now limited to
front-drivers. The top-spec
Denali gets new dampers
aimed at improving ride.
—
Minor trim changes: Sierra
1500
Unchanged: Savana, Yukon
Dead: Sierra 1500 Limited

Hyundai

—

Accent: In the quest for better

fuel economy, there’s a new

engine. In place of the 130-hp

1.6-liter inline-four is a new

120-hp 1.6-liter four. A manual

remains available, but the

six-speed automatic has been

replaced by a CVT. Hyundai

says the powertrain switch

improves the car’s EPA ratings

by about 4 mpg.

Hyundai Sonata: The modern car market isn’t entirely about SUVs, just almost

entirely. Like Honda, Toyota, and a couple other automakers, Hyundai still

believes in the importance of the mid-size sedan. Hence the arrival of the eighth-gen-

eration Sonata. Hyundai is counting heavily on dramatic design to entice buyers. The

[RdPN_μ`Y\d[\`RN[QbYa_N`U\_aQRPXYVQTVcRVaNQV`aV[PaVcR]_\¼YRAUR]\dR_a_NV[

options are more conventional: a 180-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four and a 191-hp

2.5-liter four, both mated to an eight-speed automatic. Hyundai reckons high-tech

SRNab_R`P\bYQNY`\Yb_RObfR_``\VadVYY\ßR_aUR@\[NaNdVaUNQVTVaNYXRfaUNaNYY\d`

the car to be unlocked and started with an Android smartphone. Owners can also

direct the car into or out of tight parking spaces via remote control. A hybrid Sonata

will follow, as will a high-performance version wearing an N Line badge.

Elantra: The Elantra sedan

undergoes an antiexcitement

treatment. The model’s six-

speed manual will no longer

be available, and its six-speed

automatic is replaced with a

CVT. The sportier Elantra GT

is unchanged and will still be

offered with the manual.

—

Ioniq: Hyundai won’t confirm

the suspected changes for U.S.

models, but it has detailed the

Europe-market Ioniq refresh.

Here’s what to expect: The

hybrid, plug-in-hybrid, and

battery-electric versions are

all treated to a mild facelift.

But the biggest change is

unique to the EV, which

ditches the 28.0-kWh battery

for a 38.3-kWh unit.

—

Palisade: Replacing the

Santa Fe XL, this all-new

three-row SUV follows in the