***The article was written by Chase Palm, a participant in The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.
The 2024 Chicago Auto Show provides a premier look inside the automotive industry. Open to the public from Feb. 10-19, the Chicago Auto Show gives consumers the opportunity to witness innovations and new technologies before they roll into dealerships. There were several trends at the show this year that people in Kewanee could start seeing drive down the road or into their driveways soon.
Electric vehicles were very popular among manufacturer booths. Almost every single manufacturer had at least one electric vehicle on display. The show also gave attendees the chance to experience what an electric vehicle drives like with an EV test track.
Almost every manufacturer with an electric vehicle at the show gave a product demonstration of what their electric vehicles are capable of. A Kia representative shared that the company is fully committed to electric cars as part of their “sustainability plan” and that they are on track to introduce several new electric vehicles in the next few years.
Another trend this year at the show was hydrogen powered vehicles. While Toyota didn’t bring its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, a product representative still shared insight into how the company feels about hydrogen as a fuel source. The representative stated that Toyota is investigating the use of hydrogen fuel as the infrastructure becomes more available. They also said that the only emission the car releases is water vapor. The coolest thing about this is: It’s clean enough that people can drink it!
While hydrogen fuel cell cars are sold in California now, it could still be a while before we’ll see them in Kewanee.
The Integra returned last year as a 2024 model and has received the same praise that it did back when it was first new over 20 years ago. According to the Chicago Auto Show’s website, two engines are offered: A 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 200 horsepower, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 315 horsepower in the Type S model. Front-wheel drive is the only choice on this entry-level luxury car.
The ZDX is Acura’s newest addition to its lineup. According to Acura, the ZDX is an all-electric SUV that shares a platform with the Cadillac Lyriq on General Motors “Ultimatium” platform. Rear-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive being optional. Prices will range from $60,000 to $70,000 when the ZDX is released later this year. Competitors will include the Kia EV9 and Chevrolet Blazer EV.
The Envista is Buick’s answer to a buyer that wants a coupe-like crossover. Its competitors include the Subaru Crosstrek and Chevy Trax. Buick says only one engine option is available; a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder. Only front-wheel drive is available. Prices start at $24,000 and top out at $30,000.
The Blazer is Chevy’s answer to the mass electric SUV market. According to Chevy, several drivetrain options are offered, including front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive. Single and dual-motor variants are also available. Power ranges from 288 to 557 horsepower depending on trim, and driving range from 279 to 324 miles. The Blazer EV will be set up for 11.5 kW Level 2 AC charging and 190 kW DC fast charging, with a supposed charging time of just 10 minutes for 78 miles of added range. The Blazer EV is currently on sale, with prices ranging from $57,000 to $66,000.
Some automakers think that electric trucks are part of our future, and Chevy is no exception. The Silverado EV is expected to be available in late 2024. Expect it to compete with the Ford F-150 Lightning. Chevy announced that one drivetrain is available: A dual-motor setup with four-wheel-drive as standard, producing 510 horsepower on WT models and up to 754 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque in the RST. Maximum towing capacity is up to 10,000 pounds on RST trim, as well as up to 1,300 pounds of payload capacity. Chevy promises DC fast charging up to 350kW on WT and RST, as well as 0-60 times of less than 4.5 seconds.
The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s take on an electric vehicle with the iconic “Mustang” nameplate. Ford stated that three drivetrains are offered with horsepower ranging from 266, 346, and 480 horsepower. The latter being available only in GT and GT Performance trims. Rear-wheel-drive is standard with all-wheel-drive being optional. Overall driving range is 224 to 312 miles depending on trim. Pricing ranges from $45,000 to $75,000. Ford customers are expected to gain access to the Tesla Supercharger network in 2024.
The Prologue is an all-electric SUV that Honda intends to build in collaboration with General Motors. According to Honda, there is only one drivetrain offered: a single-motor setup and a dual motor set up.Front wheel drive and all-wheel drive are both available. Honda promises range estimates of 250 to 320 miles. Prices will range from $45,000 to $65,000. A Honda representative shared that the Prologue will be class-leading when it comes to technology and range.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 was introduced in 2023 and remains virtually unchanged this year. Hyundai offers one drivetrain with various power outputs and ranges. A 77.4 kWh battery pack can provide from 225 horsepower to 320 depending on trim and up to 340 miles of driving. Prices will range from $39,000 to $52,000.
The Hyundai Sonata is the corporate cousin of the Kia K5, looking equally sporty. According to the Chicago Auto Show’s website, the Sonata gets all-new styling inside and out for 2024, as well as a new engine and all-wheel drive options. It also shares Hyundai’s new design language with the Hyundai Kona and Santa Fe. Two engines are offered: A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that makes 191 horsepower, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that produces 290 horsepower. Both pair to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. Pricing ranges from $29,000 to $39,000. The new Sonata will be arriving in dealers very soon.
Kia EV6:
The EV6 is Kia’s answer to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Chevy Blazer EV. The EV6 has been out since 2022. Kia notes that three drivetrains are offered with two batteries: 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh, which produce 167 and 225 horsepower respectively in rear-wheel-drive trim. In all-wheel-drive, dual-motor trim the 77.4 kWh drivetrain produces 320 horsepower. The flagship GT trim produces 576 horsepower and can do 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. Rear-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive being optional. Driving range varies from 232 to 310 miles depending on trim and drivetrain configuration. Pricing ranges from $44,000 to $63,000.
The Kia EV9 is the brand’s first all-electric SUV of this size. According to Kia, its EPA estimated range is 270-304 miles depending on the trim. There are three drivetrains available: A single-motor, normal range variant with a 76.1-kWh battery pack and 215 horsepower (201 hp in long range trim) and 230 miles of range, and a dual-motor long range with a 99.8-kWh pack with 379 horsepower and 270-304 miles of range depending on trim. Pricing will range from $56,000 to $76,000 when the EV9 goes on sale.
The Kia K5 is one of seven family sedans left. Its rivals include the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The K5 received a mid cycle refresh this year, receiving some very appealing design features. It receives a more powerful base engine to improve performance and fuel economy, according to a Kia representative.
Kia also spoke about new tech features that are now included as standard in all trims, some examples include: smart cruise control and park distance warning forward and reverse. Two engines are available: a new naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that makes 290 horsepower. Both engines mate to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive being optional. Prices will range from $28,000 to $35,000 when this new version of K5 goes on sale later this year.
The CX-90 is all-new for 2024 and replaces the CX-9 SUV in Mazda’s lineup. The CX-90 has three rows of seating. Mazda offers two drivetrains available: A turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-6 aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that produces 280 horsepower (340 in S trim), and a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine aided by a battery and electric motor that together produce 323 horsepower. The latter also delivers 26 miles of purely electric range. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. Pricing ranges from $41,000 to $62,000.
Toyota’s ever-so-popular sedan is “redesigned” (facelifted) this year for its ninth generation. The Camry is completely updated inside and out with new technology and a hybrid-only setup. This means the Camry loses its V6 engine option. However, two engine options are available: A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder aided by two electric motors that produces 225 horsepower and is only available with front-wheel drive, and a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder aided by three electric motors that produces 232 horsepower and is only available with all-wheel drive. Prices will start at around $30,000.
The Crown Signia is an SUV/crossover version of Toyota’s Crown sedan. This unique vehicle is the replacement for the Toyota Venza. All models will feature hybrid powertrains. Toyota stated that one drivetrain is offered: A 2.5-liter hybrid 4-cylinder paired to three electric motors that produces a total of 243 horsepower. Only all-wheel-drive models are offered. When the Crown Signia goes on sale next year, prices will range from $45,000 to $52,000.
The Grand Highlander is Toyota’s entry into the large, three-row SUV market. Dominated by the likes of Kia and Hyundai, the Grand Highlander is yet another option for consumers looking for this type of vehicle. According to the Chicago Auto Show’s website, three engines are available: A turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that produces 265 horsepower, a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and pairs with two electric motors to make 245 total system horsepower, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder hybrid that produces 362 horsepower. Front-wheel-drive is standard and all-wheel-drive is optional. Pricing ranges from $44,000 to $60,000.
The Toyota Prius was redesigned for 2023 and continues into 2024 virtually unchanged. The Prius is available either as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Toyota said that one engine is offered: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder aided by an electric motor that produces 195 total horsepower (196 with AWD). Front-wheel-drive is standard and all-wheel-drive is optional. Prices range from $29,000 to $36,000.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI remains unchanged for this year, however this is the last year to get a manual transmission. For people who like driving, this car is something to investigate. Volkswagen offers two engine options: A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that makes 241 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that makes 315 horsepower in the Golf R. Both pair to either a standard 6-speed manual transmission or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Pricing ranges from $33,000 to $55,000. The Golf R is the high-performance model, according to Volkswagen, it can go from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds.
The ID.4 was Volkswagen’s answer to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6. The ID. 4 has been out for a few years now but is still worthy of a place in this article. According to Volkswagen, the ID. 4 features an upgraded electric motor in certain trims this year. This improves the range by eight to 16 miles depending on the trim. One drivetrain is available with two battery sizes: A 58-kWh battery delivers 201 horsepower and 263 miles of range, while a 77-kWh battery that produces 330 horsepower delivers 291 miles of range. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. Pricing ranges from $41,000 to $63,000.
The ID.7 was introduced this year as a 2025 model and is Volkswagen’s replacement for the Passat and Arteon sedans. The ID. 7 is electric-only. Volkswagen states that one drivetrain is available: A 77-kWh battery that powers a single rear-mounted motor and delivers 82 horsepower and an estimated 300 miles of range. Only rear-wheel-drive models are offered. Pricing ranges from $50,000 to $62,000.
The Chicago Auto Show is a great way to see what automakers are up to and see what vehicle a consumer might purchase next. The people of Kewanee have hundreds of styles and choices when it comes to buying a car. Whether you’re looking for a family sedan or looking to upgrade to an EV, stopping by your local dealership is the first step.
