2024 HYUNDAI TUCSON N LINE

 

TUCSON N LINE GETS MAJOR POWER BOOST WITH GAS-ELECTRIC HYBRID DRIVETRAIN

Hyundai continues to add to the top-selling vehicle in its fleet by putting a gas-electric hybrid drivetrain in the N Line trim of the 2024 Tucson. 

The HEV setup gives the Tucson a significant boost in power over gasoline-powered models while eliminating the need to plug it in for charging.

Sure, you don’t get the 33 miles or so of all-electric driving that the PHEV offers, but that is a small price to pay for not having to dilly-dally around with charging sessions.

Horsepower in the HEV (226) doesn’t match that of the plug-in (261), but it earns the same torque figure (258 pound-feet) as the PHEV, giving both a significantly more impressive driving experience over gasoline models and equal towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2.5-liter 4-banger in gasoline-engine Tucsons are rated at 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.

The hybrid drivetrain is available in all trims in the Tucson portfolio. A Hybrid Blue model also is included that delivers ratings of 38 miles-per-gallon over the N Line’s combined city-highway 37 mpg. But the 2024 Hyundai Tucson N Line gets some extra touches in the way of styling like a panoramic sunroof, exclusive front and rear fascias, special 19-inch wheels, sport front seats, and Bose premium audio.

Standard features on the 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid N Line also includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, lumbar support for the driver, heated front seats, a proximity key with push-button start, alloy sport pedals and scuff door plates, a hands-free power liftgate, dual climate control, Smart (adaptive) cruise control, a 10.25-inch instrumental cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen for tech features that include navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and LED headlamps, daytime running lights, and taillights.

Standard safety features include forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot and lane-keeping alert, driver attention warning, safe-exit warning, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid N Line is all-wheel drive and the 1.6-liter gas engine drinks regular grade fuel. The combined gas-electric operation provides up to 507 miles of driving range, according to EPA figures, which is actually longer than the PHEV (420 miles).

Mileage figures for the 2.5-liter gasoline-engine Tucson with all-wheel drive are 23 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined with 358 miles between fill-ups.  Front-wheel-drive Tucsons are rated at 25 mpg city, 32 highway, and 28 combined with a range of 400 miles.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid AWD N Line has a starting MSRP of $36,405, which is nearly $9,000 over the starting price for the gas-powered FWD base trim Tucson.

But you get so much more and the way gas prices are going these days it won’t take nearly as long to make up the difference at the pump.

Also, the 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid AWD N Line is so well-equipped options aren’t really needed to fill out with optional comfort and convenience features.

My test 2024 Hyundai Tucson AWD N Line came with only an extra charge for premium white paint and carpeted floor mats. That and the $1,335 destiny and delivery charge tan the final total to $38,400.

What I liked about the 2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid N Line: The extra punch provided by the hybrid drivetrain is much appreciated. So, too, are the extra safety features like lane-keep assist and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist. An extra benefit: The South Korean automaker avoids the temptation to match the engine/motor with a CVT as is commonly found in many hybrid models by putting in a 6-speed automatic transmission. The upscale cabin is roomy and comfortable with lots of tech features, and the exterior has an appealing appearance. Cargo space is good.

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Tucson Hybrid N Line: Touch controls for the infotainment functions can be frustrating at times. Why not knobs to adjust audio volume and surf the radio dial? Reaction times to the touches are delayed at times.

Would I buy the 2024 Tucson Hybrid N Line? A firm yes here. The size is nice, and the upgraded power answers a common complaint about the Tucson, which is lack of punch.

INFINITI Q50

LONGSTANDING Q50 SURVIVES 

AS LONE SEDAN IN INFINITI LINEUP

The Q50 sedan was an all-new model when it was introduced as a replacement for the G37 in Infiniti’s lineup, but despite its double-digit age, it has gone through no major modifications and remains part of the vehicle’s first generation, a rare shelf-life in the automotive world.

Not only that, with the discontinuation of the Q60 after the 2022 model the 2024 Infiniti Q50 is the only sedan offering in the company’s five-vehicle portfolio. Crossover SUVs bearing QX designations fill out the lineup.

Despite its age, the 2024 Infiniti Q50 is holding its own with a slight increase of 2.4 percent in sales for the first quarter of this year after a jump of nearly 30 percent for 2023.

That’s the good news. The bad news is the sales numbers of 6,201 for 2023 are quite a fall from the historical high of over 25,000 in sales in 2018 and a significant dip from the over 19,100 sold in 2,021.

More good news: Several sources are reporting a redesign for the Q50 is in the works for 2025 with the possibility of an electrified version or a hybrid model.

If you want to get in with gasoline power, you’re not likely to regret going with the 2024 Infiniti Q50. It still has a sexy exterior and though reviewers are prone to criticize it as dated, the roomy interior has a sophisticated aura about it.

The 2024 Infiniti Q50 comes in three trim levels with the Luxe serving as the base model. Both the Luxe and upgraded Sensory editions come with a turbocharged V6 engine that produces 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

The top-of-the-line Red Sport that this review is based on ups those figures to 400 hp and 350 lb.-ft. All trims are rear-wheel drive with all-wheel configurations available. A 7-speed automatic transmission is common to the lineup.

Car & Driver reports zero-to-60 mph times of 5.0 seconds for the AWD Luxe and Sensory models and a slightly quicker 4.5 seconds for the AWD Red Sport.

Both engined like premium grade fuel with the 2024 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport AWD slightly thirstier than the less powerful engines. Figures for the Red Sport AWD version are 19 miles-per-gallon city, 26 highway and 22 combined. Luxe and Sensory models with RWD earn figures of 20/29/23.

Though the feature seems to be a bit polarizing with some reviewers knocking it, I like the dual screen setup that Infiniti has retained for the 2024 Q50. It lets you perform multiple infotainment functions like surfing the radio dial without having to switch screens from the navigation maps.

Infiniti’s InTough infotainment system with navigation is among standard features for the 2024 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport and though those critics I mentioned the previous paragraph often complain about how confusing it can be to operate with the dual screens, I didn’t find it what way and I’m no tech geek.

A Bose 16-speaker sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay, a wi-fi hotspot and Siri Eyes Free system for operating infotainment functions by voice also are standard.

Comfort and convenience features include rain-sensing windshield wipers, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, semi-Aniline leather seating surfaces, and a power moonroof.

Safety systems include adaptive cruise control, front and rear sonar system, high beam assist, forward collision warning, blind-spot and lane-departure warning, and backup collision intervention.

A surround-view camera system is covered by the starting MSRP of $58,900.

My test 2024 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport AWD added options like a carbon fiber package that included a deck-lid spoiler, welcome lighting, a cargo package, and premium paint that ran the total to $64,375 including the $1,150 destination fee.

Luxe and Sensory models start at $43,050 and $48,750, respectively.

What I liked about the 2024 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport: The interior has an upscale aura befitting its luxury status and the exterior is sleek as well. Some critics don’t like the dual screen but I do. The V6 in the Red Sport  trim provides extra punch. 

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport: More trunk room would be nice. Android Auto requires wired hookup. 

Would I buy the 2024 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport? Though the segment is shrinking, competition is still pretty vibrant among midsize luxury sedans. The Q50 isn’t the “latest thing” in the market, but it is still worth a look. It would be high on my list of sedans to consider.

2024 INFINITI QX60

INFINITI’S QX60 MIDSIZE SUV COMES 
WITH LONG LIST OF STANDARD FEATURES

The Ininiti QX60 is in just its third year of its second generation after going through an extensive redesign for 2022 that ended a one-year production hiatus and made it a much more appealing option among SUVs offering three rows of seating.

Last year added only a wireless charging pad and a frameless rear-view mirror to the list of standard features, and the 2024 Infiniti QX60 remains pretty much unchanged from the 2023 version.

It comes in four trim levels with the Pure model serving as the base. Other trims are Luxe, Sensory, and Autograph. This review is based on the 2024 Infiniti QX60 Autograph that offers buyers a long list of standard features in an attractive, sophisticated package.

A 3.5-liter V6 is common to all trims. Rated at 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, it is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. It has a healthy towing capacity of 6,000 pounds and zero-to-60 mph clocking of 6.2 seconds with all-wheel drive.

Front-wheel drive is standard though all-wheel drive is available on all trims. (My test 2024 Infiniti QX60 Autograph came with AWD.) FWD models drink premium fuel at the rate of 21 miles-per-gallon city, 26 highway and 23 combined while AWD models shave a mile off each figure.

As the top-of-the-portfolio model, the Autograph trim carries a long list of standard features included in the $66,100 starting MSRP.

They start with comfort and convenient features like quilted Aniline leather seating surfaces, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering column, heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function, second-row heated captains’ chairs with a removable, console in between, an advanced climate control system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, rear door sunshades, and a power panoramic moonroof.

Keyless entry with push-button start, a 12.3-inch screen for Infiniti Intouch services with navigation, wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay (Android Auto requires a connection), and a Wi-Fi hotspot also are standard.

Driver assistance features include hill start assist, front and rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, Infiniti’s ProPilot Assist that includes adaptive cruise control, and driver alert.

Finally, safety features include frontal collision warning and forward emergency braking with pedestrian alert, high beam assist, lane-departure warning and prevention,
blind-spot warning, rear aitomatic braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. 

The 2024 Infiniti, QX60 Autograph rides on 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels and features a motion-activated power rear liftgate.

My test Infiniti QX60 Autograph had only a couple of option. A lighting package (welcome lighting and rear cargo area) added $795, premium paint $695, and a “radiant” grille emblem $455 to bring the final bottom line to $69,240 including the $1,195 destination and delivery charge.

With a starting MSRP of under $50,000 for the base model, the 2024 Infiniti QX60 is a bargain in the segment for  midsize luxury SUVs.

What I liked about the 2024 Infiniti QX60: Styling both inside and out is classy. The V6 engine has plenty of kick and the 9-speed automatic transmission shifts seamlessly. Thankfully, there is not a CVT. The cabin provides plenty of room and is a quiet ride. Maneuvering in mall parking lots is much easier than with the larger QX80 three-row SUV. The ProPilot function relieves some of the tedium of interstate driving. It’s not hands-free, which I didn’t miss.

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Infiniti QX60: As is typical of many three-row SUVs, luggage space behind the back row is limited, though if you fold the third row space is generous behind the second row. The third row is suitable only for children. Infotainment functions are user-friendly with the exception of changing satellite radio channels. I still would like a knob to surf the radio dial. There is an excessive amount of dinging when changing lates even when turn signals are used.

Would I buy the 2024 Infiniti QX60? If you need the extra seating a three-row vehicle offers, this is your choice. If you need only two rows, the QX50 may suit you better. Both are good choices.