LA Motor Show 2024: new cars and updated models

Petrolheads from all over the world have descended on California to gawk at the latest and greatest new cars at the 2024 LA Auto Show. The motor show, held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center, tends to be mostly focused on the American market, but there are a few vehicles being shown that preview ones we’ll be able to buy in the UK.

Kia and Hyundai will be launching all-new models, and Volkswagen will be revealing something for the American market. For all the latest news from the LA motor show, you’re in the right place.

New Hyundai Ioniq 9

Hyundai’s biggest electric model is largely as expected – it’s an alternative to the brand’s own Santa Fe SUV and sister company Kia’s all-electric EV9. The Ioniq 9 has Hyundai’s unique ‘Pixel’ style throughout with strings of LED cubes making up distinctive light patterns front and rear, and features a mammoth 110kWh battery that promises as much as 385 miles of range.

The UK and Europe will get the Ioniq 9 in the later half of 2025, after it launches in South Korea and the US. Given that Hyundai and Kia’s electric models both enjoyed considerable success in the latest Carwow Awards, it’s fair to assume that the Ioniq 9 will be excellent.

New Kia models at the LA Motor Show

Two new Kia models were introduced at the show – the updated Sportage in its standard, hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms as well as the new EV9 GT. The facelifted EV6 for the US market was also unveiled, which we can already buy in the UK.

Kia Sportage facelift

Arriving in the UK next year, this is an update of the existing Sportage Mk5, wearing Kia’s latest ‘family face’ as seen on the Sorento and Picanto. UK models have a shorter wheelbase than the version that’s been revealed in LA, but otherwise expect them to be pretty much identical.

The mid-sized SUV gets new alloy wheels and a redesigned rear to go with its glitzy front end, while inside there’s a simpler dashboard, a new steering wheel and a pair of 12.3-inch displays for driver information and infotainment.

While the US market gets a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder non-hybrid engine as its entry-level model, for the UK this will be replaced by a mild-hybrid 1.6-litre. Kia would prefer to push its 1.6-litre full hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines, though, which will no doubt get an update to keep them competitive.

Kia EV9 GT

Kia’s largest electric model has undergone the same GT transformation as the EV6 GT. It’s taken the sensible family SUV and given it a dose of performance-car bite, upping the electric motor’s output to more than 500hp to target a 0-60mph time of 4.3 seconds.

It’s also introducing virtual gear shifts, similar to the technology that Hyundai uses in the Ioniq 5 N (and the winner of our Tech Trailblazer Award for 2025). In addition, electronically controlled suspension, larger brakes and an electronic limited-slip differential to improve cornering performance.

In styling terms, the EV9’s blocky shape remains, but gets a few unique elements including a unique bumper and daytime running light design, acid green brake calipers and a leather and suede interior with sports seats.

New Volkswagen Tiguan expected for the North American market

Volkswagen is also launching a new SUV in LA, sort of. It teased the new model on social media, however it’s likely to just be the Tayron rebadged as a Tiguan for the North American market.

The USA never got the standard Tiguan, it just got the seven-seat Tiguan Allspace. It would make sense then that the Tayron would replace that car across the pond. Expect to see almost identical styling and engine options to the European-spec Tayron.

Keep an eye on this page for all the latest LA Motor Show news…

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