Former Car Czar Says All Stakeholders Should Have Given Up More

New York - The second-generation 2027 Kia Seltos made its North American debut at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, arriving longer, wider, and with something no competitor in the compact crossover segment can match: three distinct powertrain options. Three Powertrains The base engine carries over as the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, paired with Kia's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). Available in LX, S, EX, and X-Line trims, it comes with front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. Step up to the X-Line and the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder develops 190 horsepower, routed through an 8-speed automatic with standard all-wheel drive. Rounding out the lineup is a new hybrid powertrain, pairing a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Seltos HEV also introduces e-AWD, a first for Kia on a hybrid SUV, delivering on-demand rear-axle power without a traditional driveshaft. Kia is reserving HEV performance figures and pricing for a later date. The 2.0-liter and 1.6T are targeted to arrive at dealerships in the second quarter of 2026. The HEV follows in late 2026. Bigger and More Capable The new Seltos grows in every dimension compared to the outgoing model, with the wheelbase increasing by 2.4 inches. That extra footprint translates into more interior space, including an inch of additional rear legroom, along with gains in headroom, shoulder room, and hip room. Cargo capacity behind the second row is an estimated 27.8 cubic feet, expanding to 64.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Ground clearance rises from 7.3 to an available 8.1 inches. X-Line models add a new Multi-terrain AWD mode for light off-road use. Styling borrows cues from Kia's flagship Telluride, including amber DRL framing the front fascia, bold angles, and available auto-flush door handles. New exterior colors include Terrain Brown, Frost Blue, and Snow White Pearl with a contrasting black roof. Standard wheels are 16-inch alloys; the X-Line 2.0L steps up to 18-inch alloys, and the X-Line 1.6T and X-Line HEV with e-AWD receive 19-inch black wheels. Technology Inside, the ccNC infotainment system features a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. An optional configuration pairs it with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 5-inch climate control display, totaling nearly 30 inches of combined screens, matching what Kia offers in larger vehicles. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trims, and the system supports over-the-air updates. Available entertainment features include streaming for Disney+, Netflix, and YouTube, along with customizable display themes for all 30 NBA teams and select Disney brands. The HEV trim uses a stalk-mounted gear selector borrowed from the Telluride and EV9, freeing up the center console for open storage. Advanced Safety Standard on all 2027 Seltos models is Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and front and rear Parking Distance Warning. Available features include a 360-degree Surround View Monitor and a Blind-Spot View Monitor that displays a live video feed of the corresponding blind spot when the turn signal is activated. More Kia Coverage 2027 Kia Seltos: New Platform, Up to 190 HP, EV9-Inspired Styling 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid: Bigger, Bolder SUV with 329 HP and 600-Mile Range 2026 Kia K4 Sedan and Hatchback Pricing Announced See all photos in the 2027 Kia Seltos photo gallery. View full article

Again, loving owning the Camry Hybrid, I plan on full EV next car.  The world's opinion will not go back, nor should it.  You do motorcycles, I do Bicycles. Riding around, even in deep red areas I am seeing a TON of EV's here in Ohio.  Its like Diesel vs Steam for railroads. At a certain point, even if you are Norfolk and Western and have tons of near free coal, or Pennsylvania with advanced steam locomotives, Diesel just makes infinite sense. Likewise, EV's. ICE is dead man walking. 

I am loving Hybrid, I can't wait to do full EV when I replace the truck.     

Buick has teased the Electra name for decades, Buick has now chosen to create a sub-brand for Buick in China called Electra and with this, their flagship product is the Electra ENCASA. This is an MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) minivan that will define the 21st century of Buick for luxury transport and family use. The ENCASA MPV has a starting price of $70,986 U.S. dollars and comes with GM's latest charging system, a 900V 6C ultra-fast electrical system enhanced for safety and refined ownership experience with the latest in electric technologies. This global MPV has been paired with what GM says will become their new standard for electric vehicles. Buick Electra ENCASA Details The Advanced Electric Performance and Charging System has the following details: 900V 6C Ultra-fast Charging system Peak Charging of 640 kW 10% to 80% charging in 11 1/2 minutes 96 kWh battery pack 373 miles of range Design Language from Private Aviation Land Jet Inspired 0.258 Cd low drag coefficient 12-layer two tone paint, delivering an understated, but refined flagship luxury Intelligent Driving, Premium Experience, Ultimate Electric Mobility Safety Driver assistance system built on Momenta R6 learning model Three-row spacious layout focused on comfort for all passengers using premium materials consistent with a flagship position 78% high-strength steel ratio for body structure, engineered to meet global standards ENCASA Proportions 124-inch wheelbase Overall length 207 inches Overall Height 80 inches Overall width 72 inches ENCASA has seven-mode adaptive crystal LED headlights and a signature through-body taillight with 257 ultra-red LEDs enhance visibility and on-road presence. ENCASA's ceremonial air suspension enables the vehicle to lower by 2 1/2-inches, delivering the lowest entry height in its class. Together with gesture-controlled sliding doors and full-vehicle hospitality modes, ENCASA extends luxury beyond the cabin itself. The interior only uses high-end full grain Nappa leather, ultra-suede headliners and Australian wool carpet. This is the start as the ENCASA has a Buick first, multi-posture zero-gravity seats. This is able to maximize the usable 37-inches of interior cabin length floor space. If one buys the Luxury with executive package, you can enjoy a "Chaise Longue" experience with 8-mode, 10-point massage, full-area heating and on-touch rest mode comfort. All seating comes standard with floating layer seat cushions composed of mother-and-baby-grade pearl-cotton padding. From third row sliding seats, 49 storage locations or at little as 22 cubic feet of space behind the third-row seats to a cavernous 73 cubic feet of space with the second and third row seats folded down. The ENCASA can handle any hauling needs one might have. ENCASA introduces the industry-first five-constant wellness cabin, delivering a balanced, science-driven in-vehicle environment: Constant Temperature: Dual-layer, multi-zone climate regulation. Constant Humidity: Automatic 40-60% humidity control. Constant Oxygen: Twin-layer fresh-air circulation that maintains low CO2 levels. Constant Cleanliness: Panasonic nanoe X purification, AQS detection, PM2.5 filtration and low-allergen materials. Constant Quietness: Extensive acoustic treatments and ANC create a serene environment. AI Advanced Digital Luxury Integration for ENCASA Powered by Qualcomm's SA8775P platform delivering 72 TOPS of AI compute, ENCASA offers Buick's most immersive digital experience yet: 50-inch panoramic AR-HUD integrating more than 15 sets of driving information Three connected 16.3-inch displays for driver, front passenger and infotainment 21-inch 4K rear entertainment screen Bose premium audio system Cabin-wide gesture control via OMS camera Dual 5.5-inch smart control panels for second-row passengers AI voice assistant with four-zone recognition, 700+ commands and creative AI capabilities These features allow families to enjoy movies, gaming, karaoke or personalized scene modes with seamless multi-screen interaction. 18-5.mp4 See all photos in the 2026 Buick Electra ENCASA photo gallery. More Buick Coverage Buick Electra Sub-Brand Launches in China with the Electra GS Concept Tariff Tuesday: Buick Killing it in China; Killed in the U.S. Buick Electra EV Path Becomes Clear View full article

I can't tell if I like how this looks or not. Part of me likes the exterior quite a bit but something stands out to me that I just don't love. I think maybe it's the greenhouse's height. It almost just looks too tall. Is this based off the Crown?