CARS & CONCEPTS: New or refreshed offerings from Hyundai, VW, Fiat, Ram, Toyota

For its second generation, the Hyundai Kona subcompact crossover has a larger footprint and offers battery-electric, hybrid and internal-combustion powertrains. The 2024 Kona, above, will be 15 centimetres longer and about 2.5 centimetres wider than the previous version. The redesigned Kona relies on universal architecture, but Hyundai said the design is based on the EV variant. Pricing and launch details have not been released.

VOLKSWAGEN ID7

The automaker offered a first look — albeit camouflaged — at the new battery-electric ID7 at CES in Las Vegas. The roughly-Passat-sized sedan, previously known as the ID Aero, is scheduled to arrive in Canada in 2024. VW is keeping most of the ID7’s specifications under wraps until the production version premieres in mid-2023, but it’s expected to have the greatest range of any of the automaker’s EVs to date. Pricing has not been released.

FIAT 500e

After a multiyear hiatus, the Fiat 500e will return for the 2024 model year, although it will be redesigned. Dealers have had only the 500X compact crossover to sell since before Stellantis formed in 2021. Fiat said the 500e’s revival will spearhead the brand’s electrification efforts in North America. The production version is expected at the 2023 LA Auto Show. Driving range, performance and pricing have not been announced.

RAM 1500 REVOLUTION BEV CONCEPT

Stellantis’ pickup brand provided a glimpse of what to expect in 2024 with the unveiling of the 1500 Revolution BEV Concept at CES in early January. According to the company, the “exterior design represents the future of Ram trucks.” The concept rides on the new STLA Frame platform for full-size, body-on-frame electric vehicles. Driving range, performance and pricing of the production model were not released, but Stellantis said the 800-volt architecture can charge at a rate that adds 160 kilometres of driving range in about 10 minutes. Major competitors Ford, GMC and Chevrolet are ahead of Stellantis in the EV-pickup race.

2023 TOYOTA PRIUS

A radical redesign injects fresh life into the fifth generation of Toyota’s pioneering Prius hybrid. For 2023, it has sleeker styling and with 194 horsepower, it’s 60 per cent stronger than the outgoing model. Combined city/highway fuel consumption is rated at 4.8 l/100 km. Two variants, both of which will arrive at Canadian dealerships  before spring, will have standard all-wheel drive. The 2023 Prius starts at $38,310, including $1,820 for delivery.