A World Shut Down, Hyundai’s New Goods, Affordable 3-Row SUVs

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Another week of the Coronavirus crisis goes by as we wait for things to look like they might return to normalcy. Meanwhile, every inch of every industry is being affected, even the auto industry. Up first, canceled events, questions on whether vehicles will even continue to be released, and the possible slowing down of the EV market in relation to global markets are what Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer is here to talk about. Then, we chat with Automotive Journalist and Voice of Reason, BJ Killeen, about the new 2021 Hyundai Elantra, whether or not everyone is overreacting to the current crisis, and why Genesis is making big gains. Up next, Executive Editor for Autotrader.com, Brian Moody, discusses why Spotify is a must have for a good driving experience, and lists the most affordable new three-row SUVs. Closing out the show, Cartender Co-founder and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy, gives his review of the Hyundai Venue and compares it with the Kona. Are these two vehicles really SUVs? Tune in as we discuss.

·[00:00:00] We Have to Keep Living our Lives
·[00:05:57] Every Car Event is Cancelled
·[00:12:31] Will New Cars Be Released?
·[00:19:51] How Are EV’s Being Affected?
·[00:28:43] Hyundai Shows 2021 Elantra
·[00:35:53] What’s New on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra
·[00:42:14] Is Everyone Freaking Out Too Much?
·[00:47:49] Genesis is Arising From the Shadows
·[00:54:45] Why Spotify is a Must for Cruisin’
·[01:02:06] Most Affordable New 3 Row SUVs
·[01:09:24] Hyundai Venue and Kona: Are These SUVs?
·[01:18:07] Not an SUV, Still a Great Car: Venue

[00:00:00] We Have to Keep Living our Lives

The world is shut down right now and alot of people are freaking out. Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, joins Alan to discuss the current state of affairs. Yes, the virus is serious, but we have to keep living our lives, spend time with family, and enjoying cars. If you get down and about, you will just bring it upon yourself. On a side note, it is interesting to see how people react in public when you have a cough or sneeze.

[00:05:57] Every Car Event is Cancelled

Every press event by the automakers that we’ve been invited to has been cancelled. Alan has almost nothing to do for about a month-and-a-half. There was another auction in Peoria, Arizona, a nice, warm, and beautiful location, but the MAG Classic Car Auction was canceled. This coming on the heels of every other major automotive event being ‘indefinitely postponed’ or worse leaves us wondering how long we have until things return to normal. Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, says he’s seen people taking screenshots on their phone of a Google Maps with the traffic over the LA region and it’s all green at 8:30 am on a Monday morning, something that is extremely rare, and very scary.

[00:12:31] Will New Cars Be Released?

All of the events where cars are released are being cancelled, will we get new cars without the auto shows to promote them? Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, says car manufacturers can push everything back or, they can launch according to the original schedule despite whats going on and everything tanks and nobody could show up. You can’t really win anyway. Even movies are getting pushed back like the new Bond Movie.

[00:19:51] How Are EV’s Being Affected?

All the craziness in the world right now has been changing the markets and the appeal of electric vehicles. With cheap gas prices and a high price-of-entry to electric vehicles, people may be turned off to electric vehicles at this point in time. Executive Publisher for Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, and Dealer.com, Karl Brauer, says the way things are going right now is not a good look for the EV market.

[00:28:43] Hyundai Shows 2021 Elantra

Due to all of the closures and cancellations of events, Hyundai decided to reveal their 2021 Elantra online for everybody to enjoy. The new Elantra will come with hybrid and traditional internal combustion engine options. While other manufacturers are moving away from the sedan market, Hyundai seems to be sticking it out. Voice of Reason and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, says the new Elantra provides a design that looks as good at a coupe, but in sedan form.

[00:35:53] What’s New on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The new 2021 Hyundai Elantra is completely refreshed with a new hybrid option that Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, says can achieve more than 50mpg! The electric powertrain works with a 1.4 liter 4 cylinder engine to give you that great gas mileage. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are equipped to give you an amazing driving experience. The exterior has a whole new beautiful redesign, and it is just stunning. Are you a fan of Hyundai?

[00:42:14] Is Everyone Freaking Out Too Much?

Everybody is talking about the Coronavirus and buying all the toilet paper and food; but isn’t this a little excessive? Vice President Mike Pence said we have more food in the United States than we can eat, this proves that buying up all the food is sensationalist reactionism. Voice of Reason and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, says the media is blowing this out of proportion, but still, we should take it seriously to slow the spread for those that may be susceptible to the virus.

[00:47:49] Genesis is Arising From the Shadows

Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, is releasing a new SUV this year and they are focusing on coming out of the shadows. Voice of Reason and Automotive Journalist, BJ Killeen, says the Genesis brand provides luxury, brake performance, good looks, and power all for a reasonable price. With a number of awards under their belt in recent years, Genesis is a brand to keep your eye on.

[00:54:45] Why Spotify is a Must for Cruisin’

Quarantine can be a lonely experience. If you’re feeling locked up, isolated, and bored, Executive Editor of Autotrader, Brian Moody, has come up with a list of the best car entertainment tech for when everything is closed up. First up on the list is Spotify. A great app to have on a drive, it can be used to compile personalized playlists for your journeys. It can also give you recommendations for podcasts and music. Enjoy your driving experience even more with Spotify. Learn more by tuning in

[01:02:06] Most Affordable New 3 Row SUVs

You’ve got kids, you’ve got dogs, and you’ve got all the gear and groceries that goes with it… it’s time for more space. Well lucky for you, Executive Editor, Brian Moody, has a list of the most affordable three-row SUVs available in 2020. From the Subaru Ascent, to the Chevrolet Equinox, you can’t go wrong with this list. These spacious, reliable SUVs will get the whole family and the camping gear from point A to point B and beyond. Tune in for more.

[01:09:24] Hyundai Venue and Kona: Are These SUVs?

As we chat about SUVs, Cartender Co-founder and Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy, joins us to review the new Hyundai Venue. This small SUV (using the term loosely) offers a different take than the Hyundai Kona that makes it feel like more of a hatchback than anything else. The rear seat legroom has been adjusted and is more comfortable for taller passengers than the Kona. But is this truly an SUV? We discuss the phenomena of marketing these small vehicles as sport utility vehicles. Tune in for more.

[01:18:07] Not an SUV, Still a Great Car: Venue

Alright, so the Hyundai Venue is a tiny little compact crossover, it doesn’t come with an all-wheel drive option, and the engine is underpowered, but it’s a great commuter. Freelance Automotive Journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News and World Report, George Kennedy, gives us the details, from a 1.6L, 4 cylinder, 121HP engine that complains about its job, to a nice asking price of $17,000, this vehicle has its quirks. Tune into find out why its still a decent vehicle.

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: BJ Killeen | Automotive Journalist/ Voice of Reason

·Contributor: Karl Brauer | Executive Publisher, Kelley Blue Book/ Autotrader/ Dealer.com

·Contributor: Brian Moody | Executive Editor, Autotrader

·Contributor: George Kennedy III | Co-founder, Cartender | Freelance Automotive Journalist, CarGurus/ Boston Globe/ U.S. News and World Report

Credits

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry
Copy Editor: Caleb Hayward
Contributor: Karl Brauer
Contributor: BJ Killeen
Contributor: Brian Moody
Contributor: George Kennedy III

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

·Austin Hatcher Foundation

·Brembo

·Dodge

·Foundation of Human Understanding

·Shell

·Subaru

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This episode was produced by Entertainment Right Now (ERN). If you found value in this episode, and you’d like to hear more, please consider leaving us a review on iTunes and be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss a beat. Your feedback helps us to reach more enthusiasts around the world! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, please leave a comment below or e-mail us at info@ernlive.com.

About THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor puts you in the driver’s seat for a unique, fast paced look at today’s automotive industry. This is your pedal-to-the-metal, two-hour thrill ride devoted to the latest car news and test-drive results, how-to tips, car maintenance tips, auto show coverage, expert insights and behind-the-scenes race day action. Don’t miss exclusive interviews with top auto executives, athletes, celebrities and prominent newsmakers from around the world.