CARS & CONCEPTS: New or refreshed offerings from Buick, Kia, VW and more

Emblazoned with the brand’s new tri-shield crest, the 2024 Buick Encore GX made its global debut at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto in February. The updated subcompact crossover takes front-end design cues from the Buick Wildcat EV concept, gaining distinctive “winged” headlamps and a more stylized grille. Updated technology inside is built around Buick’s Virtual Cockpit System. Other vehicles in the lineup are available in the luxury-minded Avenir trim level, and now it’s the Encore GX’s turn. The updated model is scheduled to arrive at Canadian dealerships in late spring. Pricing has not been announced.

2024 KIA SELTOS

The freshened subcompact crossover adds a rugged-looking X-Line trim to the lineup, along with sharper styling and a larger grille. The X-Line and the SX trims also get an updated turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, with 195 horsepower. All other trim levels get a 147-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder. The updated Seltos, available in spring, made its Canadian debut at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto in February. Kia has not released pricing.

2024 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS

The updated midsize crossover loses its optional V-6 as a revised turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder becomes the one and only available engine. It’s rated at 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, offering similar output to the V-6 and lower fuel consumption, the automaker said, though it has not released full performance details. The Atlas’s interior also gets an upscale revamp. Pricing will be revealed closer to the fall launch.

2024 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER

Toyota brings an “adult-sized” third row to its crossover lineup with the 2024 Grand Highlander. Compared with its less-grand namesake, the Grand Highlander adds 15 centimetres of legroom for third-row passengers as well as six centimetres of shoulder room. Toyota said it also carves out more cargo space; with all the seats filled, there’s room for seven suitcases. Toyota plans to release pricing and availability details this summer.

2024 ALFA ROMEO TONALE

Alfa Romeo debuted its first electrified vehicle for the Canadian market at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto. The 2024 Tonale is available with a plug-in-hybrid all-wheel drive powertrain that pairs an electric motor with a turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine. A nonhybrid 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder is the base engine. The Tonale will arrive at Canadian dealerships in spring starting at $47,090, including a $2,095 destination charge.