Toyota Crown, Kia Carnival, Mini Countryman, Skoda Superb and more: 2024-25 stylish renewals

Toyota’s new flagship

Sales of the 16th generation Toyota Crown have begun in Japan. The Crown lineage dates back to 1955, and like before it features a longitudinal engine with power sent to the rear wheels. The name now also labels a crossover and a wagon, though those variants use a transverse engine and front-wheel drive.

The latest Crown is the longest model in its history at 5030 mm. It is offered in hybrid and hydrogen variants, the latter using a powerplant borrowed from the Toyota Mirai and capable of traveling up to 820 km on a full refuel. [1]

The Crown sedan targets second-row passengers, with a center armrest housing controls for audio, seat adjustments, and other amenities, plus a floor footrest. The hybrid Crown is positioned as the most affordable option, with a starting price of 7.3 million yen (about 4.4 million rubles at the exchange rate at publication). [2]

Improved Kia crossvan

South Korea’s modernized Kia Carnival is now taking orders. The restyled model revises both its front and rear styling from the three-year-old version sold in Russia. Inside, a curved multimedia display dominates the cabin; the updated Carnival adds a larger head-up display and a fingerprint scanner for driver identification, along with a lane-change aid system. [3]

A VIP four-person HiLimousine variant adds a TV in the cabin, while the design includes window blinds and two passenger seats equipped with footrests, massage functions, and electric adjustment. [4]

The strong version features a V6 engine delivering 294 horsepower (355 Nm), with drive routed exclusively to the front axle. In addition to naturally aspirated gasoline and turbodiesel options, a hybrid version is now offered. The most affordable Carnival starts from $26.4 thousand USD (roughly 2.4 million rubles in conversion). [5]

mini sport crossover

In February 2024, Mini began selling the third-generation Countryman in John Cooper Works trim, which pairs a 2.0-liter turbo four with all-wheel drive and a rear clutch. The new Countryman stands as Mini’s largest model, stretching to 4,433 mm in length. With 300 horsepower, it accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and tops out at 250 km/h. [6]

Compared to the standard Countryman, the JCW adds stronger brakes, stiffer suspension, distinct bumpers, and red accents. The cabin centers around a single large round display with a diameter of 240 mm. The multimedia system includes a built-in voice assistant named Spike. The price for this Countryman is listed at 56.5 thousand EUR (about 5.6 million rubles at the time of publication). [7]

Fourth Skoda Superb

Next spring, the Skoda Superb will arrive in Europe in liftback and station wagon configurations. It shares the MQB-Evo platform with the new Volkswagen Passat (B9) wagon. Both body styles are longer than before, offering more luggage space and a roomier interior. Wireless charging for smartphones replaces the traditional transmission lever in the central tunnel, while the DSG controller moves to a right-side steering-column stalk. A striking feature is the climate control unit, which uses three rotating dials with built-in displays showing temperature and airflow. [8]

The Superb lineup includes two-liter turbodiesel engines at 150 and 193 hp, and turbocharged gasoline units at 204 and 265 hp. A 204-horsepower rechargeable hybrid will also be offered in the wagon, with drive available as front-WD or all-WD depending on the configuration. [9]

BMW with wide nostrils

BMW has not refreshed the X2 since its 2017 debut. Next spring, a second-generation model arrives on a platform shared with the X1, featuring the same interior arrangement with a compact gear selector mounted on a floating center armrest. The X2 continues the brand’s signature large radiator grille look, a bold design cue emphasized by chief designer Domagoj Dukec. [10]

Top variants promise a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 317 hp with all-wheel drive. An electric X2, the iX2, is also announced, delivering about 313 hp and a range near 500 km per charge. [11]

New Tiguan

The third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan, sharing design language with the electric ID models, is set to reach Europe in early 2024. The model grows by 3 cm in length while height, width, and wheelbase stay the same. The shift of transmission control away from the central tunnel continues across the lineup. Higher trims feature a large 15-inch central touchscreen. [12]

Matrix headlights, windshield projection, and massage seats debut in this generation. Driver-assistance systems include a lane-change aid and a smartphone-enabled remote parking feature. The range also includes turbo-diesel and turbo-gasoline engines, 48-volt mild-hybrids, and plug-in hybrids with electric driving ranges up to about 100 km. All-wheel drive is reserved for the most powerful engines. [13]

Peugeot electric minibus

Stellantis unveils the redesigned Peugeot Traveler as an all-electric E-Traveller. Available in two lengths and seating up to nine, the VIP version seats four people facing each other. [14]

Restyling brings two 10-inch dashboards displays, a new steering wheel, and adaptive cruise control. The single electric motor produces 136 hp (260 Nm). Buyers can choose between two battery capacities: 224 km or 350 km of range. The E-Traveller introduces a recovery system that recharges the battery during braking. [15]

Volvo’s first minivan

Volvo enters the minivan segment with the EM90, an electric model built on the same platform as Zeekr 009. Both brands belong to the Geely umbrella. The EM90’s silhouette mirrors the Zeekr van, with differences in headlights and bumpers. The interior showcases a unique steering wheel and decorative touches. [16]

The EM90 features a 272 hp drivetrain, while the Zeekr 009 uses rear-wheel drive with an all-wheel-drive, dual-motor setup delivering 544 hp. In range terms, Volvo’s EV trails behind the Zeekr, offering about 738 km on a full charge versus 822 km for the Zeekr. [17]

With Zeekr 009 already circulating in gray-market channels in Russia, the EM90 could appear there through similar channels. The Volvo EM90 starts at about 818 thousand yuan, roughly 10.3 million rubles at published rates, which is about 319 thousand yuan more than the Zeekr. [18]