I went for some test drives with my daughter over the weekend. She wants an SUV to replace an ancient Citroen Berlingo. At the Kia dealership we test drive an MHEV "3" which mostly drove OK, though from my point of view the steering was quite vague and could be wiggled quite a bit in the ahead position before the car stated turning. It didn't bother my daughter tho.

During the discussions after the drive the sakesman mentioned the 2026 model year that he will take delivery of a demonstrator by early August. He also said that the mild hybrid MHEV is being discontinued, and replaced by a standard petrol engine. Isn't this a backward step? Most manufacturers are increasing their green credentials and here is a top Korean manufacturer goung from MHEV (mild hybrid) to pure petrol. The normal full hybrid is carrying on, but that is quite a bit more expensive. To my mind this can only be about cost savings.