
2026 Hyundai Palisade: V6 and diesel to be axed in favour of four-cylinder and hybrid

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News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Cadillac Vistiq electric SUV reviewed
Should we be surprised that America's vision for a luxury SUV is an exercise in excess? Probably not. The Cadillac Vistiq on the way to Australian showrooms next year shapes up as an opulent machine from a place where too much is never enough. There's no real need for a family wagon to have an enormous 452kW of power and 894Nm, or to hit 100km/h in 3.7 seconds. You don't need huge 23-inch wheels or a 23 speaker stereo with Dolby Atmos surround sound, you don't need five-zone climate control and you don't need a 33-inch wraparound digital display that stretches across the cabin. But you might want these things. Especially if you want a car that stands apart from the crowd. There aren't many cars like the Vistiq, which is a three-row electric luxury SUV that shapes up as a rival to battery-powered machines such as Volvo's EX90, the Mercedes EQS SUV, Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9. You could also argue that it shapes up as an alternative to combustion-powered machines such as BMW's X5. Full prices and specifications for the car have not been confirmed for Australia. But you can expect the Vistiq to arrive in one fully-loaded trim for around $150,000. For that, you get a large SUV with a cab that doesn't hold back. From its spacious dimensions to myriad materials that steer away from the low-key approach of Euro rivals, the Caddy delivers a bold and brassy experience that should translate well in Australia. Sofa-like seats with fine adjustment help you get comfortable in the car, and sensibly placed controls make the machine second nature. Interestingly, Cadillac does not equip its latest models with Apple CarPlay, so you need to make do with its built-in Google-based mapping services. That's annoying, but not a deal-breaker. The sweeping screen stretching across the dashboard is loaded up with features such as night vision, augmented reality sat nav and the 'Super Cruise' self-driving suite that is standard in the US, but not available in Australia yet. Out on the road, the big Caddy feels planted, thanks in part to enormous 305mm-wide tyres that help keep its 2.8-tonne weight in control. This is a big car. But it feels more agile than the numbers suggest, thanks to clever tech such as rear-wheel-steering, variable-height air suspension and adaptive shock absorbers that work against physics. Sure, tight corners will reveal its weight. But sweeping bends and city driving are no trouble. Smooth roads fringing Detroit didn't trouble its suspension, though Australia's rougher surfaces will offer a greater test of its abilities. In any case, surplus power also helps disguise the mass. You always have acceleration in reserve, which makes the car feel surprisingly spritely on the road. It will pin you back in your seat and raise its nose like a speedboat when you pin the throttle. There really aren't many family SUVs that claim this sort of thrust. The downside to the huge power and weight is that it's not the most efficient car getting around. Cadillac's 102kWh battery returns less than 500km of range, which is less than you might find from some rivals. Folks who want to drive further could consider the smaller Cadillac Lyriq, which is already on sale with the same battery in a smaller, less-powerful five-seat package. But people chasing opulence should step up to the Vistiq. You can't have too much of a good thing. ON SALE Mid-2026


The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
2026 Hyundai Kona price and specs: Turbo AWD axed, new Elite trim added
Hyundai has reshuffled its popular Kona lineup, axing a powertrain and adding a new mid-range trim level, among other changes for the small SUV. The revised 2026 Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid range is on sale now, ahead of first customer deliveries from early August. Hyundai hasn't released details for the 2026 Kona Electric lineup. The 146kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – previously the only way to get all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic in the Kona – has been axed. Hyundai says it has been axed as part of a strategy to simplify the Kona lineup. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Hyundai Kona. Click here to get a great deal. The company says it only accounted for 10 per cent of Kona sales across 2024 and 2025, against a 34 per cent take rate for the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid, six per cent for the Kona Electric, and 51 per cent for the base naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder. You can no longer get the N Line option package on the entry-level Kona grade, which also drops from 18-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch wheels (pictured above). However, there's a new Elite trim level, available with the carryover naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre hybrid powertrains. It can be had with the optional N Line package. Over the base Kona, it adds features like power-adjustable, heated front seats and leather upholstery. The flagship Premium (pictured above) now has a sunroof with a power sunshade, resulting in price rises of $2200 for the petrol version and $2500 for the hybrid. The N Line package now costs $3000 on Premium variants, up from $2200 before. Otherwise, the Kona is unchanged for 2026. The Kona's turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is now gone, leaving only the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and hybrid 1.6-litre fours. The Kona Electric is covered separately. The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first five services are capped at $402-407 each for the 2.0-litre petrol, while in the hybrid they're capped at $403, $593, $403, $613 and $627. The Hyundai Kona has a four-star safety rating from safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: The Premium adds: There are three trim levels in the 2026 Kona lineup. The base trim level – simply called Kona – comes standard with the following equipment: The Elite adds: The Premium adds: The N Line option package costs $3500 on the Elite and $3000 on the Premium. This package adds: Premium paint is a $595 option, while a Light Shale Grey/Sage Green interior is a $295 option exclusive to the Premium. MORE: Explore the Hyundai Kona showroom Content originally sourced from: Hyundai has reshuffled its popular Kona lineup, axing a powertrain and adding a new mid-range trim level, among other changes for the small SUV. The revised 2026 Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid range is on sale now, ahead of first customer deliveries from early August. Hyundai hasn't released details for the 2026 Kona Electric lineup. The 146kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – previously the only way to get all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic in the Kona – has been axed. Hyundai says it has been axed as part of a strategy to simplify the Kona lineup. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Hyundai Kona. Click here to get a great deal. The company says it only accounted for 10 per cent of Kona sales across 2024 and 2025, against a 34 per cent take rate for the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid, six per cent for the Kona Electric, and 51 per cent for the base naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder. You can no longer get the N Line option package on the entry-level Kona grade, which also drops from 18-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch wheels (pictured above). However, there's a new Elite trim level, available with the carryover naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre hybrid powertrains. It can be had with the optional N Line package. Over the base Kona, it adds features like power-adjustable, heated front seats and leather upholstery. The flagship Premium (pictured above) now has a sunroof with a power sunshade, resulting in price rises of $2200 for the petrol version and $2500 for the hybrid. The N Line package now costs $3000 on Premium variants, up from $2200 before. Otherwise, the Kona is unchanged for 2026. The Kona's turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is now gone, leaving only the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and hybrid 1.6-litre fours. The Kona Electric is covered separately. The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first five services are capped at $402-407 each for the 2.0-litre petrol, while in the hybrid they're capped at $403, $593, $403, $613 and $627. The Hyundai Kona has a four-star safety rating from safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: The Premium adds: There are three trim levels in the 2026 Kona lineup. The base trim level – simply called Kona – comes standard with the following equipment: The Elite adds: The Premium adds: The N Line option package costs $3500 on the Elite and $3000 on the Premium. This package adds: Premium paint is a $595 option, while a Light Shale Grey/Sage Green interior is a $295 option exclusive to the Premium. MORE: Explore the Hyundai Kona showroom Content originally sourced from: Hyundai has reshuffled its popular Kona lineup, axing a powertrain and adding a new mid-range trim level, among other changes for the small SUV. The revised 2026 Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid range is on sale now, ahead of first customer deliveries from early August. Hyundai hasn't released details for the 2026 Kona Electric lineup. The 146kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – previously the only way to get all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic in the Kona – has been axed. Hyundai says it has been axed as part of a strategy to simplify the Kona lineup. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Hyundai Kona. Click here to get a great deal. The company says it only accounted for 10 per cent of Kona sales across 2024 and 2025, against a 34 per cent take rate for the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid, six per cent for the Kona Electric, and 51 per cent for the base naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder. You can no longer get the N Line option package on the entry-level Kona grade, which also drops from 18-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch wheels (pictured above). However, there's a new Elite trim level, available with the carryover naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre hybrid powertrains. It can be had with the optional N Line package. Over the base Kona, it adds features like power-adjustable, heated front seats and leather upholstery. The flagship Premium (pictured above) now has a sunroof with a power sunshade, resulting in price rises of $2200 for the petrol version and $2500 for the hybrid. The N Line package now costs $3000 on Premium variants, up from $2200 before. Otherwise, the Kona is unchanged for 2026. The Kona's turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is now gone, leaving only the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and hybrid 1.6-litre fours. The Kona Electric is covered separately. The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first five services are capped at $402-407 each for the 2.0-litre petrol, while in the hybrid they're capped at $403, $593, $403, $613 and $627. The Hyundai Kona has a four-star safety rating from safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: The Premium adds: There are three trim levels in the 2026 Kona lineup. The base trim level – simply called Kona – comes standard with the following equipment: The Elite adds: The Premium adds: The N Line option package costs $3500 on the Elite and $3000 on the Premium. This package adds: Premium paint is a $595 option, while a Light Shale Grey/Sage Green interior is a $295 option exclusive to the Premium. MORE: Explore the Hyundai Kona showroom Content originally sourced from: Hyundai has reshuffled its popular Kona lineup, axing a powertrain and adding a new mid-range trim level, among other changes for the small SUV. The revised 2026 Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid range is on sale now, ahead of first customer deliveries from early August. Hyundai hasn't released details for the 2026 Kona Electric lineup. The 146kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – previously the only way to get all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic in the Kona – has been axed. Hyundai says it has been axed as part of a strategy to simplify the Kona lineup. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Hyundai Kona. Click here to get a great deal. The company says it only accounted for 10 per cent of Kona sales across 2024 and 2025, against a 34 per cent take rate for the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid, six per cent for the Kona Electric, and 51 per cent for the base naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder. You can no longer get the N Line option package on the entry-level Kona grade, which also drops from 18-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch wheels (pictured above). However, there's a new Elite trim level, available with the carryover naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre hybrid powertrains. It can be had with the optional N Line package. Over the base Kona, it adds features like power-adjustable, heated front seats and leather upholstery. The flagship Premium (pictured above) now has a sunroof with a power sunshade, resulting in price rises of $2200 for the petrol version and $2500 for the hybrid. The N Line package now costs $3000 on Premium variants, up from $2200 before. Otherwise, the Kona is unchanged for 2026. The Kona's turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is now gone, leaving only the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and hybrid 1.6-litre fours. The Kona Electric is covered separately. The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first five services are capped at $402-407 each for the 2.0-litre petrol, while in the hybrid they're capped at $403, $593, $403, $613 and $627. The Hyundai Kona has a four-star safety rating from safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: The Premium adds: There are three trim levels in the 2026 Kona lineup. The base trim level – simply called Kona – comes standard with the following equipment: The Elite adds: The Premium adds: The N Line option package costs $3500 on the Elite and $3000 on the Premium. This package adds: Premium paint is a $595 option, while a Light Shale Grey/Sage Green interior is a $295 option exclusive to the Premium. MORE: Explore the Hyundai Kona showroom Content originally sourced from:


7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
2026 Hyundai Kona price and specs: Turbo AWD axed, new Elite trim added
Hyundai has reshuffled its popular Kona lineup, axing a powertrain and adding a new mid-range trim level, among other changes for the small SUV. The revised 2026 Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid range is on sale now, ahead of first customer deliveries from early August. Hyundai hasn't released details for the 2026 Kona Electric lineup. The 146kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – previously the only way to get all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic in the Kona – has been axed. Hyundai says it has been axed as part of a strategy to simplify the Kona lineup. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Hyundai Kona. Click here to get a great deal. The company says it only accounted for 10 per cent of Kona sales across 2024 and 2025, against a 34 per cent take rate for the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid, six per cent for the Kona Electric, and 51 per cent for the base naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder. You can no longer get the N Line option package on the entry-level Kona grade, which also drops from 18-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch wheels (pictured above). However, there's a new Elite trim level, available with the carryover naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre hybrid powertrains. It can be had with the optional N Line package. Over the base Kona, it adds features like power-adjustable, heated front seats and leather upholstery. The flagship Premium (pictured above) now has a sunroof with a power sunshade, resulting in price rises of $2200 for the petrol version and $2500 for the hybrid. The N Line package now costs $3000 on Premium variants, up from $2200 before. Otherwise, the Kona is unchanged for 2026. Pricing Drivetrains and Efficiency The Kona's turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is now gone, leaving only the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and hybrid 1.6-litre fours. The Kona Electric is covered separately. Dimensions Servicing and Warranty The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first five services are capped at $402-407 each for the 2.0-litre petrol, while in the hybrid they're capped at $403, $593, $403, $613 and $627. Safety The Hyundai Kona has a four-star safety rating from safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: Adaptive cruise control with stop/go Autonomous emergency braking Blind-spot assist Intelligent Speed Limit Assist Multi-collision brake Rear cross-traffic assist Safe exit warning Reversing camera Front and rear parking sensors 7 airbags, including front-centre airbag The Premium adds: Blind-Spot View Monitor Parking Collision Avoidance Assist Reverse Surround-view camera Side parking sensors Standard Equipment There are three trim levels in the 2026 Kona lineup. The base trim level – simply called Kona – comes standard with the following equipment: 17-inch alloy wheels (NEW) Automatic reflector LED headlights Automatic high-beam Dark grey roof rails Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors Proximity entry with push-button start Remote start 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto DAB+ digital radio Over-the-air updates Bluelink connected car services Leather-appointed steering wheel Leather-wrapped shifter (2.0 only) Paddle shifters (Hybrid only) Shift by Wire (Hybrid only) 'Open-type' centre console (Hybrid only) Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents LED interior lighting Fold-down rear armrest Height-adjustable front seats 2-way driver lumbar adjust The Elite adds: 18-inch alloy wheels Rear privacy glass Silver-painted skid plates Rain-sensing wipers Leather upholstery Heated front seats 10-way power driver's seat 8-way power passenger seat Paddle shifters Shift by Wire 'Open-type' centre console Elecrochromic rear-view mirror The Premium adds: Remote Smart Parking Assist LED indicators Full-width front light bar Sunroof with power sunshade Acoustic laminated/solar windshield Power tailgate 12.3-inch digital instrument clusters Satellite navigation 8-speaker Bose sound system Ambient lighting Cloth headliner 'Premium Relaxation front seats Heated and ventilated front seats Driver's seat memory Heated outboard rear seats Heated steering wheel Options The N Line option package costs $3500 on the Elite and $3000 on the Premium. This package adds: 19-inch N Line alloy wheels High-gloss black rear spoiler N Line-specific bumpers, skid plates, side skirts Chrome twin tip exhaust Black mirror caps and belt line trim Body-colour cladding Leather and Alcantara upholstery Steering wheel with perforated grips Active Red air vent, seat highlights Dark Metal inlays Black headliner Alloy pedals 'Sport' scuff plates 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (Premium only) Projector LED headlights with LED indicators, parking light (Premium only) Full-width front light bar (Premium only) Premium paint is a $595 option, while a Light Shale Grey/Sage Green interior is a $295 option exclusive to the Premium.