Skip to content 
Inside the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid System: Teardown Insights and Cost-Efficient Engineering
The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid has quickly become a standout in the three-row SUV market—offering the spacious comfort families demand with the fuel efficiency of a four-cylinder hybrid system. In this recent teardown by Munro & Associates, we guide readers through the vehicle’s hybrid drivetrain, highlighting Toyota’s precise engineering choices. This article expands on the […]
Nissan Ariya Magnet-Free Motor Teardown: A Lean Engineering Win
As the electric vehicle (EV) market matures, supply chain resilience, cost optimization, and performance continue to shape powertrain innovation. In this teardown, Munro & Associates examines Nissan’s groundbreaking magnet-free EV motor used in the Ariya — officially known as an Externally Excited Synchronous Motor (EESM). This motor stands out for its clever engineering, strategic reuse […]
2026 Kia K4 Hatchback Review and Design Insights
The 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback brings a new flavor to Kia’s compact lineup with a focus on streamlined construction, shared components, and cost-effective features. While Munro traditionally focuses on electric vehicles, this internal combustion engine (ICE) variant offered an opportunity to evaluate the latest Hatchback architecture and interior materials from Kia. The review reveals lean […]
2026 Kia EV4 Review: Mainstream EV for All
Kia enters the EV market with a clear mission: make electric vehicles more accessible. The 2026 Kia EV4 leads this effort with a value-focused, intuitive fastback aimed at mainstream drivers leaving internal combustion engine (ICE) sedans behind. In this review, we explore how Kia designed the EV4 to meet real-world expectations. Munro’s cost-focused teardown adds […]
Hyundai IONIQ 9 Review: Worth the Price?
Is the Hyundai IONIQ 9 worth nearly $80,000 in its highest trim, or does the smart money lie in a more modest configuration? At Munro & Associates, we break down vehicles from the inside out — and this time, our team of engineers deliver a detailed Hyundai IONIQ 9 review. Our teardown and evaluation put […]
Tesla’s Robotaxi Ride: Smooth Operator With One Critical Misstep
Tesla’s latest foray into autonomous driving—the Robotaxi ride experience in Austin, Texas—showcases promising advancements in smooth vehicle control and human-like navigation. Yet it also revealed a potentially dangerous flaw in AI decision-making, highlighting the complex balance between cost-effective automation and true real-world readiness. In a head-to-head informal comparison with Waymo, Tesla’s Robotaxi appeared more fluid […]
How Electric Era Builds EV Fast Charging Stations in Just 54 Days
The electric vehicle (EV) revolution has made leaps in vehicle design, battery performance, and market adoption. Yet, one persistent bottleneck remains: the charging infrastructure. Quincy Edmund Lee, CEO and founder of Electric Era, believes that for EVs to fully displace internal combustion engines, the world needs fast, affordable, and dependable EV fast charging stations — […]
Hyundai IONIQ 9 Interior Review: Polished Execution or Overbuilt Complexity?
The Hyundai IONIQ 9 enters the electric vehicle market as a premium three-row offering with a price tag around $80,000. With such a high benchmark, expectations for both styling and engineering execution are equally elevated. This teardown review focuses on the IONIQ 9’s interior and how it reflects Hyundai’s evolving design language, material selection, and […]
Hyundai IONIQ 9 Teardown Insights: Engineering Observations and Modular Platform Efficiency
As electric vehicle design matures, automakers continue pushing the boundaries of modularity, material optimization, and aesthetic integration. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Hyundai IONIQ 9 — the latest three-row entry from Hyundai’s growing EV lineup. In this teardown and hoist review, Munro & Associates examines the vehicle’s structural makeup, thermal strategies, suspension […]
EV Content Creation with Ricky Roy: Engineering Stories That Stick
In the ever-evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), the role of content creators has become crucial in shaping public understanding. Few do it better than Ricky Roy of Two Bit da Vinci. In a recent Munro & Associates interview, Roy sat down to unpack his journey from mechanical engineer to full-time YouTuber—and what it takes […]