Behind the Wheel In series
Behind the wheel of the latest cars.

Behind the Wheel In series
Behind the wheel of the latest cars.
[Test Drive] Smooth and stable: Niro EV shines in the rain
Driving a small electric vehicle in the pouring rain isn’t always pleasant. But the second generation Kia Niro EV has proven that even a small EV can be stable and smooth under slippery conditions. Running on front-wheel drive, the battery-powered compact vehicle seemed to have an edge for driving in extreme weather conditions over rear-wheel drive vehicles. It comes with a 150-kilowatt or 204 horsepower single electric motor, enough for an average electric battery SUV. During a 92-kilom
June 19, 2022 - 15:57:13[Test Drive] Porsche Taycan GTS is racing car, but stable
The Porsche World Roadshow, featuring diverse driving programs such as circuit driving, slalom course, and launch braking offered by the German carmaker, resumed in South Korea on May 19 after skipping a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Porsche Korea had around 28 models including the Taycan GTS, a model yet to be launched in South Korea, lined up for test drives at Everland Speedway in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The Taycan GTS was definitely the eye-catcher of the event, as not only it is t
May 23, 2022 - 16:48:55[Test Drive] Toyota’s manual sports car GR86 returns with enhanced engine
INJE, Gangwon Province - Toyota’s iconic motorsports car Gazoo Racing 86 is back, 10 years after its second-generation model was launched in South Korea. And while other models are sold on green credentials, the carmaker has made a play for petrolheads with the third generation of the car, increasing the size of the engine by 20 percent to 2.4 liters, and offering a maximum torque of 25.5 kilogram-meters. Design-wise, the GR86 is unremarkable, looking like a typical sports car that can b
May 19, 2022 - 17:22:16[Test Drive] Volkswagen’s new Arteon: Spacious, sporty, efficient
For those that have a lot to carry in their cars but do not want to give up on the sporty features, Volkswagen’s new Arteon could be your next pick. The fastback sedan’s exterior sports both sharp and wavy lines, giving an edge to the otherwise classic-style car. Adding to the stylish design are Volkswagen’s LED headlights that project the carmaker’s logo onto the ground when the driver starts the car engine at night. The interior of the new Arteon shows a mix of moder
March 28, 2022 - 16:45:52[Test Drive] Electrified GV70 proves smooth EV shift in Genesis series
Genesis, Hyundai Motor’s standalone luxury brand, proved that it not only makes great combustion engine cars but also premium electric cars by introducing the Genesis Electrified GV70. The luxury electric SUV has inherited much of the exterior and interior design of the original GV70 which had been praised by many car lovers for its sophisticated design. But some changes here and there helped the electrified model look much more dynamic and athletic than its previous model. For instance
March 18, 2022 - 15:59:17[Test Drive] Volvo C40 Recharge: Sporty, fun but pricey
Simple but sporty is how Volvo’s first all-electric SUV Coupe, the C40 Recharge, can be best described. The first impression of C40 Recharge is that it looks very similar to the brand’s first pure electric compact SUV XC40 Recharge, both from the outside and inside. But on a closer look, the C40 Recharge design has added a spoonful of sportiness. Volvo got rid of XC40’s roof and instead, it let the roof line slip toward the back to make it more aerodynamic and energy efficie
March 15, 2022 - 16:35:49[Test Drive] Electrified Mini adds comfort in city driving
For Mini Cooper fans, it’s likely the car’s iconic design is enough for them to put up with the notorious bumpy ride. The electrified compact vehicle, however, dispels such worries. Like any other EVs, the Mini Cooper SE Electric offers a smooth driving experience in a quieter atmosphere. Not just because of the 32.6 kWh battery that replaces the gasoline-powered powertrain but also because of the lower center of gravity, 30 millimeters lower than the standard Cooper -- a significa
March 14, 2022 - 16:23:50[Test Drive] With the all-new Kia Niro, Kia steps closer to sustainable mobility
The design of the all-new Kia Niro did it all to captivate young drivers, not to mention its fuel efficiency and comfortable driving experience. Looking very much like Kia’s concept car HabaNiro, the all-new Kia Niro infused its ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy into the environmentally friendly SUV by making the body two-toned with a bold boomerang-shaped Aero C-Pillar at the rear that completes the futuristic design of the car. During its four-day long preorder, a total
Jan. 28, 2022 - 16:16:50[Test Drive] Polestar 2, simple but powerful
The Polestar 2, the first Polestar car to hit the Korean roads, is a performance-driven car, living up to the reputation of the Swedish carmaker that was once Volvo’s racing skunkworks. With the new model, Polestar aims to compete head-on with the Tesla Model 3, the world’s most popular plug-in EV in 2020. At first sight, one can easily grasp that Polestar 2 displays Scandinavian aesthetics: clean and simple lines and functionality without sacrificing beauty. It has a clean-cut
Jan. 24, 2022 - 16:09:07[Test Drive] SsangYong’s New Rexton Sports Khan proves pickups can go smart, too
For SsangYong, Rexton is not simply a flagship SUV model that has significantly pulled up its sales among its complete lineup of SUVs ranging from those in the small segment to pickup trucks. Following an unprecedented bumper year in 2015 for the small SUV model Tivoli, SsangYong needed to continue the momentum to keep the nickname “leader of SUV.” The fourth generation Rexton, launched in 2017, recorded a 200 percent growth rate that year. A year later, SsangYong took its well-se
Jan. 23, 2022 - 16:37:02[Test Drive] Genesis G90, how different from S-Class
When it comes to luxury sedans, Mercedes Benz’s S-Class easily comes to mind. It’s obviously difficult to go beyond the German carmaker's brand reputation and technology built over decades, but the 6-year-old Korean luxury car brand Genesis is seeking to lure customers in the high-end luxury segment with its flagship full-size sedan G90 that offers a brand new experience different from S-Class. Rather than presenting state-of-the-art auto technology to easily edge out its Germ
Jan. 16, 2022 - 14:57:57Audi e-tron GT all set to turn up heat in e-sports car competition
As the wave of electrification reaches sports cars, the race is heating up among global brands to push the performance boundaries of the relatively new powertrain. In Korea, the competition is to intensify with Audi set to challenge the Porsche Taycan with its e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT. Before the
Nov. 17, 2021 - 16:02:17Hyundai’s compact SUV Casper makes splash
Breaking compact car stereotype, Casper packs many charms for young drivers South Korea has long been in love with large luxury cars. Compact cars, despite their practicality and suitability for city traffic, are regarded as only for rookies, or those with thin wallets. But that’s before Casper. Hyu
Sept. 29, 2021 - 16:07:20Volkswagen Tiguan -- good value, low price
Volkswagen’s bestselling SUV comes with enhanced features It is not the fanciest car, but Volkswagen’s Tiguan shows that being faithful to the basics can be a charm. Around the globe, the sport utility vehicle has sold over 6 million units, earning a reputation as a steady seller. For Volkswagen Kor
Sept. 5, 2021 - 18:01:37Kia EV6 aims to rule road with ‘tiger-like’ performance
Kia’s first all-electric vehicle drives like very quiet sports car Kia has rolled out its first all-electric vehicle, the EV6, racking up over 30,000 preorders. From the appearance alone, the compact sport utility vehicle’s exuberant presence could be felt from its sleek and aggressive exterior desi
Aug. 30, 2021 - 09:03:25