Business
Behind the Wheel In series
Behind the wheel of the latest cars.
#Cars
# Driving
Would you like to subscribe?
Behind the Wheel In series
Behind the wheel of the latest cars.
Would you like to subscribe?
Porsche Macan EV, too good to be electric
Porsche is seeking a turnaround in South Korea, its fifth-largest market, with the Macan Electric, an electrified version of its bestselling sport utility vehicle and its first all-electric model. In 2023, the German luxury carmaker reached a milestone achievement by exceeding annual sales of 10,000 units in Korea for the first time. However, with sales dropping by nearly 30 percent last year, the success was short-lived. “(The gas-powered) Macan has been in production for over 10 years. With tw
March 16, 2025 - 14:35:25
Mini Aceman: The all-electric new kid on the block
First EV model blends innovation with iconic brand's timeless appeal BMW Group’s premium compact SUV brand Mini has held a unique position in the auto market thanks to its rounded, approachable design paired with go-kart-like driving performance. The new all-electric Mini Aceman, the brand’s first dedicated EV model, is poised to expand its dedicated fan base by offering a fresh alternative. The Korea Herald got to take the wheel of the Mini Aceman during the German automaker’s launch ceremony f
March 14, 2025 - 17:29:31
Smooth, smart and spacious: Hyundai Ioniq 9 redefines family EVs
Korean auto giant targets 6,500 unit sales at home; eyes US production to spur growth Hyundai Motor Company has debuted the Ioniq 9, its first electrified family sport utility vehicle, boasting a powerful yet smooth ride alongside enhanced battery safety. With strategic production plans targeting major global markets, including the US and Europe, the automotive giant aims to revitalize demand for battery-powered mobility. “We are in an EV chasm, which has led to a stagnation phase. We plan to sp
Feb. 13, 2025 - 08:30:00
Volvo EX30: Compact essence of Swedish design, safety
The Volvo EX30, the Swedish automaker’s compact electric sport utility vehicle, is set to hit Korean roads, offering a blend of Swedish simplicity, practicality and the brand’s core value of safety in a compact form. The Korea Herald test-drove the rear-wheel-drive Ultra trim — the top-tier version — on Feb. 4 on a 130-kilometer round-trip journey between Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, and Ulsan as part of a media event. Wrapped in bright, earthy tones, the EX30’s fluid body exudes a soft, r
Feb. 10, 2025 - 12:21:36
Hyundai Motor’s new Palisade SUV blends power, comfort
Revamped family SUV offers hybrid variant and nine-seater for 1st time, competes head on with Kia Carnival Hyundai Motor's flagship family sport utility vehicle, the Palisade, sparked a comeback after six years in Korea, offering a roaring drive and upgraded comfort. The automaker previously avoided direct competition with its smaller sibling, Kia, by excluding hybrid and nine-seater variants. However, with these offerings alongside additional premium features, the competition to lead the large
Jan. 23, 2025 - 08:30:02
BMW's new X3 offers sedan-like driving
The new X3, BMW’s latest sports utility vehicle, has come back as a premium mid-sized SUV that offers the comfort driving of a luxury sedan while looking more dynamic than ever. The Korea Herald got to ride the new X3 20 xDrive, a full-change model following the previous third generation that has been immensely popular in the global market since its launch in 2017, in a media test drive and launch ceremony held at the BMW Experience Center in Incheon on Thursday. The BMW X3 has led Korea&r
Dec. 1, 2024 - 16:35:08
Chevy’s new Colorado offers smooth ride as all-around truck
The all-new Colorado, the latest generation of the Chevrolet’s pickup truck, has returned as a well-rounded off-roader featuring an impressive powertrain and unexpectedly comfortable driving experience. The Korea Herald checked out the newly launched American pickup in a recent test drive including both on- and off-road courses in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Measuring 5,410 millimeters in length, 1,905 mm in width and 1,810 mm in height with a wheelbase of 3,337 mm, the new Colorado looke
Sept. 2, 2024 - 13:16:54
Renault’s Grand Koleos delivers loaded tech at value-packed price
Renault Korea has been in a slump, with sales in Korea nosediving from nearly 100,000 units in 2020 to just 22,000 last year. Now, the company is pinning its hopes on the Grand Koleos, a new mid-size hybrid sport utility vehicle, to spark a comeback. With its debut marking Renault Korea’s most ambitious launch in four years, the big question is: Does the Grand Koleos have what it takes to turn things around? The Korea Herald reporter took it for a spin on a test drive in Busan last Tuesday
Aug. 30, 2024 - 15:14:54
Audi's A7 PHEV, an all-around beauty
The popularity of hybrid vehicles has been gaining steam in South Korea as the country is still in an early phase of adapting electric vehicles. Audi’s A7 55 TFSI e quattro Premium, an upgraded plug-in hybrid vehicle, offers an ideal choice for drivers seeking comfortable city driving on electricity and sporty maneuvering on highways. Measuring at a length of 4,975 millimeters, a wheelbase of 2,926 mm, a width of 1,910 mm and a height of 1,425 mm, the A7 PHEV looks longer, wider and lower
Aug. 25, 2024 - 13:34:46
Casper Electric: a small, yet full package
The Casper Electric, Hyundai Motor’s newest all-electric sub-compact sport utility vehicle, might look unassuming but it wins consumers' hearts with a big surprise inside. The Korea Herald got to check out the EV model of the Casper, known as the Inster in overseas markets, in a test drive in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday. The first impression of the EV was the distinguished adorableness featuring harmless-looking circular headlights with pixel-style eyebrows on the front s
Aug. 22, 2024 - 14:50:45
Kia EV3 takes regenerative braking to next level
Kia is going all-out to turn around the slowing growth of electric vehicles with the launch of its latest all-electric vehicle EV3 as the Korean automaker has developed an affordable, all-around EV. The Korea Herald got to check out the Kia EV3 long-range model with 17-inch wheels for a test drive last week. The 201-kilometer course included city drive, highways and winding roads between Seoul and the eastern city of Sokcho in Gangwon Province. Categorized as a subcompact crossover sports utilit
July 28, 2024 - 15:29:31
New Mini Countryman not so mini anymore
BMW Group’s premium compact car brand Mini has come back with a bigger, simpler and more digitalized model -- the new Mini Countryman -- as it aims to expand its turf. The Korea Herald participated in the Mini Countryman’s launch ceremony and media test drive event in Seoul on Thursday. The newest, third-generation Mini Countryman marked the product’s first fully changed model since its second-generation model was launched in 2017. The car's most distinguishable features a
June 16, 2024 - 14:07:17
Honda’s hybrid tech mixes best of engine, motor
Honda has long been known for its top-level hybrid technology in the global auto sector. As hybrid vehicles take the spotlight with the electric vehicle market having entered a slump, the Japanese automaker is looking to make the most of the opportunity in Korea. The Korea Herald had a chance to drive the Honda CR-V Hybrid 4WD Touring and Honda Accord Hybrid Touring. Each ride covered about 57 kilometers, taking place in southern Gyeonggi Province on Tuesday. Before the test ride began, Honda pr
April 22, 2024 - 00:00:50
All-new Defender trumpets return of off-road champ
INJE, Gangwon Province -- “(Other carmakers) are worried when (they) see snow and rain, but we love it, and I think we’re going to have a great day,” said Robin Colgan, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Korea, as he greeted reporters taking part in the automaker’s test drive for the 2024 all-new Defender in Inje, Gangwon Province, on Tuesday. As the 48-kilometer test drive for the JLR’s flagship sports utility vehicle included on- and off-road routes that had m
March 31, 2024 - 15:40:34
Hyundai Staria hybrid presents standard of multi-purpose vehicle
Hyundai Motor's flagship minivan Staria has returned with a hybrid engine powertrain and more comfort and safety options, paving the way for the future of multi-purpose vehicles. The Korea Herald had an opportunity to ride in the back of the Staria lounge hybrid model and got behind the wheel in a test drive in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. The back of the seven-seater minivan gave a feeling of being treated from the beginning as a chauffeur opened the door with a touch of a button.
March 22, 2024 - 16:19:54
