Hyundai News And Announcements

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Hyundai News And Announcements from Gary Rome

cnet.com: 2009 Hyundai Sonata Limited V6 Review

Hyundai got high marks from many auto reviewers for the last generation of its Sonata sedan, but it fell short on the car tech front. But now the 2009 Hyundai Sonata is here, and it looks good for catching up with and surpassing its nearest competitors. We weren't surprised to find a navigation system in a Toyota Corolla we reviewed recently, but when we saw the LCD in the Sonata's dashboard, we only kept our feet because we had a little advance warning. It was the iPod integration and the voice command system that really floored us. We had the top-of-the line Limited V6 model, which comes with an engine offering more than adequate power for the little sedan. We were only troubled by the transmission's gear hunting, the soft ride, and the overly powered steering.

Hyundai Sonata sleek but budget-friendly

Sedan closing gap on highly sought Camry, Accord.

The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are like the Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger, or the Jay Leno and David Letterman, of the sedan world.

Everyone else wants to make a car just like them.

Why?

Toyota and Honda are selling about 95,000 Camrys and Accords combined monthly - in May, that was a new Camry or Accord sale every 28 seconds.

Hyundai puts its spin on luxury sedans

Hyundai's all-new Genesis is unlike any car the Korean automaker has brought to the United States before. It's a rear-wheel-drive, full-size sedan available with Hyundai's first V-8 engine in a passenger car. After driving the car extensively, it's clear to me that Hyundai got most of the important elements right: The driving experience and the cabin's ambience and amenities are all there.

Hyundai Genesis a luxurious ride

The largest, most powerful and best-equipped Hyundai ever sold in the United States, the Genesis offers a value-priced alternative to premium European and Japanese sedans, according to a spokesman for Gaddis Hyundai of Muncie.

Hyundai Accent Named Most Dependable Sub-Compact Car

HYUNDAI BRAND JUMPS EIGHT RANK POSITIONS IN YEARLY DEPENDABILITY STUDY / PROBLEMS-PER-100 VEHICLES DROP OVERALL BY 14 PERCENT / HIGH-MILEAGE ACCENT AT THE TOP OF ITS CLASS / ALL MODELS IMPROVED OVER LAST YEAR

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 08/07/2008 The fuel-efficient Hyundai Accent, which gets up to 35 miles per gallon on the highway, today was named the most dependable sub-compact car by J.D. Power and Associates in its 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). The highly regarded study measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2005 model year) vehicles. The study is based on the responses of more than 52,000 owners of new vehicles bought between November 2004 and April 2005.

Hyundai Teams Up With Rhys Millen Racing to Introduce Genesis Coupe at SEMA Show

Hyundai Motor America announced today that it has teamed up with Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) to create the "Art of Speed" Genesis Coupe show car. The Hyundai RMR "Art of Speed" Genesis Coupe 2.0t will be on display at the Hyundai booth at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in the Las Vegas Convention Center from Nov. 4 - Nov. 7, 2008. The RMR Genesis Coupe will be the first of many Genesis Coupes to be modified by some of the best tuner shops in the world. This RMR - developed Genesis Coupe will be a fully functional race car capable of putting the driver in the winner's circle.

New Sonata gets positive inside-out transformation

Hyundai introduced their new-for-2009 Sonata stable recently at the Chicago Auto Show. This latest iteration Sonata offers an all-new interior, improved suspension systems, along with revised power trains that provide not only better fuel economy, but more horsepower as well.

Hyundai Invites Aftermarket Tuners To Measure 2010 Genesis Coupe

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, California - Hyundai took a major step toward reinventing itself as a legitimate performance-car manufacturer by inviting 20 aftermarket companies to measure the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe today at its North American headquarters in Fountain Valley, California.

2009 Hyundai Sonata: Ahead of the Curve

The only constant is change and Hyundai regroups to stay ahead of the curve

Make a good car great . . . and don't wait.

That attitude at Hyundai is what's driving the 2009 Sonata sedan, a car that represents the Korean automaker's determination to match - even surpass - the rest of the pack in delivering a competent product at an uncommon price.

Hyundai Motor America and its Dealers Launch National Hope on Wheels Tour to Support Pediatric Cancer Research

2008 Tour Will Donate More Than $1.6 Million and Commemorate 10 Years of Hyundai Dealers Supporting the Fight Against Pediatric Cancer

Fountain Valley, Calif., 06/25/2008 The 2008 national Hyundai Hope on Wheels™ Tour launched yesterday in Los Angeles with a ceremony to honor the pediatric cancer patients at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. The Tour will visit 32 children's hospitals across the country from June through November, donating a total of $1.6 million to support the fight against pediatric cancer.

Hyundai Elantra beats Toyota Corolla in Consumer Reports' test of five small sedans

Redesigned Toyota Corolla gets excellent 32 mpg in CR's stringent fuel economy tests

Yonkers, NY -- After testing a group of compacts and subcompacts, Consumer Reports judged the Hyundai Elantra SE best with an "Excellent" overall road test score. But three other compact cars, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus, also achieved "Very Good" ratings in a report on gas-saving sedans published in the July issue.

Hyundai Entourage Wins AutoPacific 2008 Ideal Vehicle Award

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 07/10/2008 Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific announced that the Hyundai Entourage won the 2008 Ideal Vehicle Award with a "Best-in-Class" rank in the Minivan Segment. The victory marks the second consecutive top performance for Entourage in this competitive study.

Hyundai aces quality, style in the new 2009 Sonata

The Sonata is a worthy competitor, in the mid-sized sedan class, to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

Considering how far Hyundai has come, it's hard to imagine that the Korean company has only been selling cars in the United States since 1986, starting out with just one model: The cheap little Excel, based on an already out-of-date design the company bought from Mitsubishi.

2009 Azera Packs More Perks Into Premium Sedan Segment

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Hyundai Azera's long list of features has been expanded and upgraded once again for the 2009 model year, adding to its outstanding reputation for luxury and value in the premium sedan segment. Updates to the 2009 Azera include improved steering and suspension for better ride and handling on all models, new blue interior lighting, chrome interior accents, more distinctive chrome grille, redesigned alloy wheels and first-ever standard iPod®/USB and auxiliary inputs. Mid-year model changes carried over into the 2009 Azera include an LG in-dash navigation system. This more competitive Azera features no price increase for the GLS or Limited base models.

2009 Hyundai Genesis Road & Track Test

We are running pretty hard through the twists and turns of the Sespe Gorge and over the 5,100 foot pass through the Caliente Range-in the very lap of silent luxury. As the tires approach their limits, even the Dunlop grip is silent. Acceleration is robust and soundless. What is this thing?!! A Hyundai. Really!

Tweaked Sonata hits nearly all the right notes

Hyundai has it's work cut out for it.

I has to get people to notice its midsize Sonata sedan when its rivals are established favorites: Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion.

AutoBlog: First Drive 2009 Hyundai Genesis

Unless you've been living in a mine deep in the hills of West Virginia, Hyundai's newest addition isn't coming to you as a surprise. Around these offices, we've been anticipating the rear-wheel-drive Genesis platform and its offspring of luxury sedan and performance coupe for years. While we'll have to continue waiting for the eagerly-anticipated 2010 Genesis Coupe, we've just taken our first drive in the elegant 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan.

Business Week: First Drive 2009 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai hopes its revamped, bargain-priced Sonata sedan can compete with category leaders like the Camry, Accord, and Malibu

Up Front

Quick, name the No. 4 imported car brand in the U.S., after Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. Kudos if you guessed Hyundai, the Korean company that displaced Volkswagen (VOWG) for the No. 4 spot back in 2002, and that has been gradually raising its U.S. market share (currently about 3%) ever since.

Let there be technology: What's under Hyundai's new Genesis sedan

The story of what's underneath -- and inside -- the Hyundai Genesis is central to the story of the car and what Hyundai's trying to do with it. The body-in-white of the Genesis has a larger total body area than the Lexus LS460 and Mercedes S-Class. Yet ten years ago, if we had asked you which carmaker would create a rear-wheel-drive V8 sedan with a body structure that is larger, yet stiffer and lighter than the 5-Series or E-Class, would you have guessed it would be Hyundai?

Hyundai gives 2009 edition substantial boost

Market is those seeking an affordable, feature-packed car

The 2009 mid-size Hyundai Sonata has been improved, inside and out, and seems perfect for Mr. and Mrs. Middle America.

Winding Road: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan First Drive

One thing was clear long before we first set eyes on the Hyundai Genesis premium rear-wheel-drive sedan prior to the April 2007 New York International Auto Show: the Genesis four-door phenomenon is only partially about driving the car.

Value, warranty give Azera high marks in class

The Azera is a full-size sedan that continues to elevate the rising consumer confidence in Hyundai vehicles. The Korean manufacturer has rebuilt itself from a rather auspicious beginning in the early eighties into a real competitor in the American market.

First ride: Pre-Production Hyundai Genesis Coupe

On Thursday we had the chance to ride in the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, California. The exterior of the pre-production model appears fairly complete - save for the odd trim piece here or the yet-to-be finalized grille there - and the overall feel was solid and refined.

G. Chambers Williams III: 2009 Sonata is classy competition

If you're looking for a less expensive alternative to the popular Japanese midsize sedans, Hyundai has a suggestion: How about the redesigned 2009 Sonata?

Priced generally about $3,000 less than a comparably equipped Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, the newest Sonata offers the same kind of comfort, convenience, fuel economy and performance as those more expensive sedans, yet a price that seems more in line with what consumers need in an economic downturn: more value for the money.

Genesis signifies rebirth for Hyundai

It was a sunny day, and the hot dry heat of the desert radiated off the black pavement at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, Calif. A Pearly white BMW 7-Series lined up next to the cone, with the journalist behind the wheel revving the engine. I hopped into the driver's seat of the car to the left of 7, hooked my seat belt and toed the starting line.

I watched the gray-haired man in front of me raise his arms, and I felt a rivulet of sweat drip down my back. From the heat, yes, but also from the nervous sense of anticipation.

I had never drag raced before, and here I was pitted against a BMW... in a Hyundai.

Quick Test: 2009 Hyundai Sonata

Most Valuable Player

Value has always been a Korean-car hallmark. In the beginning, that meant using killer stereos, giguntous warranties, and used-car pricing to lure customers into miserable cars designed and built by people who were new to driving, let alone automaking. The value pricing and impressive warranty terms (five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage) persists today, though they have arguably become unnecessary. In terms of packaging, feature-content, driving dynamics, and build quality, Hyundais now rival the benchmark blue-chip brands, and in 2006 Hyundai nosed ahead of mighty Toyota in the coveted J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey rankings.

Hyundai Veracruz Challenges Luxury Crossover Market

If you're looking for proof of how far Hyundai has come in the last 20 years, go check out the Veracruz midsize crossover. Hyundai's goal here is to give you Lexus-level accommodations at a Honda price.

2009 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 - Short Take Road Test

From Genesis to Revelations: The Korean upstart tries to pull a luxury rabbit out of the Lexus top hat. And pretty much does.

Hyundai established a beachhead in the U.S. market with affordable economy cars in 1985. Over the years, the number of models offered increased, and steady improvements in quality resulted in steady gains in the market. Now Hyundai is headed upmarket, and the full-size Genesis sedan is its first entry. It has rear-wheel drive, an optional V-8 engine, and all the indulgences one finds in a big luxury car but at a price significantly lower than the Germans or Japanese charge.

Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe Wins North American Production Preview Concept Vehicle of the Year

DEARBORN, Mich., June 24, 2008 - Hyundai received the 2008 "Production Preview Vehicle of the Year" award for its Concept Genesis Coupe at the seventh annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards today. Concept Genesis Coupe closely resembles the production model which will join Hyundai's lineup in the spring of 2009. The awards, organized by the South East Automotive Media Organization (SEAMO), recognize those vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry. Winners were honored in a ceremony at the Automotive Hall of Fame.

First Drive: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Luxury Sedan Review

Autoblog recently spent time in Korea driving pre-production versions of the new Hyundai Genesis. This is the car that, according to Hyundai, will usher in a new era of luxury. Them's big words, and we only got a limited amount of time to figure out how true -- or not -- they were. But the main thing you need to know about the Genesis is this: unless they pull a bait and switch on the price range they mentioned, the car will be worth every penny Hyundai charges.

Midsize SUV a Highly Recommended Hyundai

I don't know why I'm continually surprised by the quality of Hyundai vehicles. I know I'm not the only one; maybe we have some prehistoric tendency to revert to things that were etched in our brains during our formative teenage years. Whatever the cause, for some reason I am pleasantly surprised every time I drive a new Hyundai, and the 2008 Santa Fe was no exception. In fact, I liked the Santa Fe so much I want to kick that teenage, snarky me to the curb right now and recommend this midsize SUV go to the top of the list for two of my friends who are shopping for cars.

Hyundai Veracruz Wins 2008 AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., 05/29/2008 The 2008 Hyundai Veracruz ranked above the competition in the Large Crossover Sport Utility Vehicle category in AutoPacific's 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA). AutoPacific's VSA, based on owner survey results, is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied owners are with their new car or light truck.

Does the World Need Another Luxury Car?

At a time when auto sales are struggling, Hyundai is introducing its Genesis luxury car. The timing is bad, but the car is surprisingly good

Hyundai Motor, a little Korean startup company just over 40 years ago, grew into a global brand by selling inexpensive vehicles. Now the company is entering the highly competitive luxury-import market to go toe-to-toe with such automakers as BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz. Hyundai is offering startling prices, too.

Hyundai Santa Fe Tops Strategic Vision 2008 Total Quality Index in Small SUV Category

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 05/28/2008 The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe was named Best-in-Segment, topping the small SUV category in Strategic Vision's 2008 Total Quality Index™ (TQI). The Total Quality Index measures total vehicle satisfaction among new car owners. Santa Fe earned the honor for the second consecutive year, a significant accomplishment in one of the most competitive automotive segments annually.

2009 Hyundai Sonata Sedan Review

Inside a lower-level room of Hyundai America's Technical Center, Honda and Toyota parts are scattered everywhere.

Headlight assemblies sit on tables to the right. Closer to the wall are car frames - each individual section painted a different color.

And waiting for us outside this room is the reason Hyundai completely dissected an '08 Accord and '07 Camry - the refreshed 2009 Hyundai Sonata.

Veracruz impresses with upscale details

Hyundai's biggest crossover is worthy of higher price tag

Over the last five years, Hyundai has impressed me about as much as any car company. With smart marketing, outstanding quality and an industry-best warranty to back it up, the sky seems to be the limit for growth from the Korean manufacturing giant. Having praised enough, I present the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz, the latest embodiment of the aforementioned gloating.

Hyundai Sonata Wins Award For Interior Design

DETROIT, 06/04/2008 The 2009 Hyundai Sonata was named an "Interior of the Year" award winner in the category of "Best Redesign" at the annual "Automotive Interior of the Year Awards" conducted by Ward's Auto World magazine.

2009 Hyundai Genesis Luxury Sedan Review

Unapologetically and unequivocally, Hyundai has taken off its gloves. Its new Genesis is a no-holds-barred assault on luxury and near-luxury sedans from Japan, America, and Europe. Seriously, folks. Oh, we know what you're thinking. You've heard that the second-generation Hyundai Santa Fe is a decent little competitor to the Honda CR-V, and you've read in these pages that the Hyundai Veracruz mid-size crossover introduced last year need not hide from the Toyota Highlander, the Honda Pilot, or even the Lexus RX350.

Hyundai Drives Nearly New Sonata Into Sedan Headwind

Hyundai's revamped Sonata

This is probably not the best time to launch a mid-sized sedan. The market is not only crowded, but it is crowded with a billet of new and newly redesigned -- and well-reviewed vehicles like Malibu, Camry, Accord, Fusion and Altima. It is every automaker's high-volume segment, and it is where automakers reputations are made or broken. And it is not necessarily consumers' first choices when it comes to fuel efficiency, since smaller cars do get better mileage. Into this headwind Hyundai has recently launched its new, or almost new, Sonata.

2008 Hyundai Veracruz: Small Price to Pay for Happiness

I recently took a trip to Carmel, California in our long-term 2008 Hyundai Veracruz AWD. There are so many little reasons to like this car. In fact, it's the first time I've ever considered buying a Korean vehicle as my personal car.

Sure, I had a couple of gripes, which you can read on the Straightline blog: The "Cool Box" in the console doesn't cool that well, it's got too much wind and road noise for my taste, it could handle the bumps with more grace, and the horn wouldn't work. But overall, this is a car I really enjoyed and would recommend. Here's why:

Motor Mouth: Hyundai Accent saves money stylishly

In the small, rough parking lot at the bottom of the Edmands Path in New Hampshire's Presidential Range, the first impulse of a hiker spilling out of the woods was to ask about my black Hyundai Accent.

I find the hatchback eye-catching myself. The small car is very nicely tailored, with a trim, rounded front and a neatly raked windshield. Accent's roof line arches subtly to finish at a sloping back window that caps the car's expansive rear hatch. Accent is handsomely monochromatic. The model I test-drove last week wore SE trim, with bold, five-spoke alloy wheels and a cowl-like spoiler shading the back glass. Its total sticker price was $15,280, although you can buy a starting-level Accent for around $11,000.

Hyundai Elantra SE Gets Top Marks in Consumer Reports' Small-Sedan Face-off

YONKERS, New York -- The Hyundai Elantra SE outscored the Toyota Corolla in a new test of small sedans by Consumer Reports, providing a major boost to the Korean automaker at a time when consumers have made a seismic shift back to fuel-efficient cars.

Hyundai Azera Named A Consumers' Top Rated Sedan by Edmunds.com

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., 05/29/2008 The 2008 Hyundai Azera was awarded the "Consumers' Top Rated Vehicle Award" in the $15,000 - $25,000 sedan category by Edmunds.com's visitors. The 2008 Azera received the average highest rating from the site's audience as of April 30, 2008.

First Drive: 2009 Hyundai Genesis

Luxury by Numbers: On paper, the Genesis is all the luxury car you need

Numbers. It's all about the numbers. Longer and wider, with a longer wheelbase and shorter turning radius than BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, and Lexus ES. Lower coefficient of drag, 0.27, and better fuel economy than most. A stiffer body than those of the Bimmer, Benz, and the Lexus LS 430 (Hyundai sees much of the Lexus range as its competition). Its optional Tau V-8 is "best-in-class," making more horses (375) than V-8s in the 550i, E550, GS 460, or Infiniti M45 and does 0-to-60 mph in well under six seconds. It's built in the world's largest auto factory, Hyundai's 1.62-million unit-per-year Ulsan plant.

Hyundai Announces All-New Flagship Genesis Sedan Pricing

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., 05/28/2008 Hyundai Motor America has announced prices for its new flagship, the all-new Genesis sports sedan, starting at $33,000 for a well-equipped 290-horsepower V6 and $38,000 for the 375-horsepower V8 model.

This Is Just the Beginning

Genesis. Sounds like a great new beginning, and it is. The 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan is the first V8-powered rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan from the Korean carmaker for our market, and it's a game-changer in many ways. As with the Sonata and Azera that preceded the Genesis, Hyundai is taking the fight to the establishment.

First Drive: 2009 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai's popular midsize Sonata sedan receives some significant updates for the 2009 model year. The changes are focused on where the car needed them most: the inside. I had a chance to drive the new model recently in the outskirts of Chicago and found that the changes are just what this model needed.

Hyundai's value-packed SUV is impressive

Santa Fe delivers more power, fresh exterior

Whenever I drive a Hyundai product, like my recent testing of the 2008 Santa Fe, I'm reminded of how impressive this Korean automaker's transformation has been since they first started selling automobiles in the U.S.

Today, Hyundai offers well-built, nicely styled vehicles that include a long list of standard features and one of the best warranties in the business.

2009 Hyundai Sonata and 2008 Chevrolet Malibu More Fuel-Efficient than Toyota Camry and Honda Accord

The tables are turned when it comes to fuel efficiency in the mid-size sedan segment.

The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have long been the benchmarks when it comes to fuel-efficient mid-size sedans, but a pair of newcomers have knocked these stalwarts off their perches--the updated 2009 Hyundai Sonata and all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu are the segment's gasoline teetotalers.

Sisters - and parents - enjoying their Elantras

The family bought two Hyundais and finds them comfortable and economical.

MUNCIE -- An accident that left a Hyundai Elantra a total loss ultimately led a local family to buy two new ones.

2008 Hyundai Elantra SE Road Test

As I was walking out of the grocery store, I noticed someone walking up to my Hyundai Elantra SE test car. That's nothing out of the ordinary, right? Wrong. I was a little confused when this person pulled out their keys and attempted to open the car, so I stopped walking and just watched. Granted it was about 9 o'clock at night so it was dark, but not so dark that you couldn't see where you were going. I figured he must have mistaken my car for his, or he was trying to break in and steal my Fibre1 bars that were sitting in plain view! But then again, I didn't know what to think.

FIRST LOOK: 2009 Hyundai Sonata

Korean car, American style

It's the Americanization of the Sonata.

In the first major program led largely by its U.S. tech center in Michigan, Hyundai gave its midsize sedan a moderate freshening for the 2009 model year, bolstering the engine and refining the interior to adapt to the tastes of U.S. drivers. The car also gets a more aggressive-looking front end, with a deeper grille and larger headlights.

Hyundai Santa Fe and Entourage Named Best Cars for Retirees by Forbes.com

Vehicles Help Mature Drivers Be Independent and Stay Behind the Wheel Longer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 05/06/2008 -- Hyundai Santa Fe and the Entourage were recognized by Forbes.com (www.Forbes.com) as two of the "Best Cars for Retirees" based on features that help mature drivers stay behind the wheel longer.

Microsoft and Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group to Develop Next Generation of In-Car Infotainment

New partnership will globalize innovative in-car infotainment.

SEOUL, South Korea - May 6, 2008 - Today, Microsoft Corp. and Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group (HKAG) entered into a long-term agreement to co-develop the next generation of in-car infotainment systems. Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft, and Mongku Chung, chairman of HKAG, were present as Martin Thall, general manager of Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit, and Hyun Soon Lee, president and chief technology officer of HKAG, signed the agreement in Seoul.

Azera stuns with finesse

Usually when someone comments on the car I'm driving, it's a high-end luxury car or some kind of sporty roadster. But last week, the guy who was helping me out with my groceries said: "You have a nice car, ma'am."

I was driving a Hyundai Azera.

First Drive: 2009 Hyundai Sonata - Korean bred, redesigned in America

In recent months, Hyundai has made a big splash with the introductions of the Genesis sedan and coupe. While those two models will likely do wonders for Hyundai's street cred, they will definitely be niche players when it comes to volume. Among passenger cars in the US market, the midsize segment has been the highest volume category for nearly two decades. Since the mid-nineties, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have been the primary players with everyone else having been an also-ran. In recent years, however, Hyundai's entrant in the segment, the Sonata, has put up an increasingly aggressive challenge to the big dogs. The current generation Hyundai Sonata debuted for the 2006 model year and the company unwrapped its mid-cycle refresh back in February at the Chicago Auto Show.

G. Chambers Williams III: Hyundai's Santa Fe upgraded to a midsize

Crossovers are the family vehicles of choice for many new-car buyers in these days of record fuel prices, and one of the best is the Hyundai Santa Fe, which entered its second generation just last year.

In the makeover, the Santa Fe was upgraded to a midsize model from its previous compact size.

Motor Mouth: Hyundai Santa Fe mimics pricier models

At the risk of sounding like a hopeless rube, I'll confess that I mistook a Hyundai for a BMW last week. The error was fleeting, but still surprising. BMW makes premium-class vehicles designed to pamper, flatter and entertain people who enjoy active driving. By contrast, many people still consider Hyundai an economy brand.

The gaffe occurred when I caught my first, rapid glimpse of the model I would be test driving for this report. "Oh, nice, a BMW X3," I thought. The X3 is the smaller of two "sport-activity vehicles" sold by the German automaker. Starting at $38,775, it aims to combine the athletic road maneuvers for which BMW is renowned, with the hauling utility and all-weather security of an SUV.

But a closer look revealed that my test model was a Hyundai Santa Fe. The medium-sized SUV is a crossover (a sport utility body built on a car-like foundation, rather than a truck frame). It carries a suggested retail price of $21,690 for a front-drive model in standard trim. All-wheel-drive versions start at $23,390.

First Drive: 2009 Hyundai Sonata

No Crises Involved: More than a midlife (update) for Hyundai's Camry combatant

In 2006, Motor Trend's long-term test fleet made good use of a then-new Hyundai Sonata. It lived a solid year with us, working hard every day, with no problems to speak of, and earned far more praise than complaint. But it was a Wish List car. "Wish the interior were a little better designed and finished." "Wish there were a little less noise and road rumble." And the proverbial "Wish it had a little more power."

Hyundai Sonata Limited almost a steal

THE RIDE: Four-door, five-passenger 2008 Hyundai Sonata Limited midsize sedan.

DOWN THE ROAD: OK, so it's not packed with power but this family sedan can safely take passengers to their destination. For a commute to work or just the grocery store down the street, the Sonata is the perfect choice -- and at the right price.

Carmaker unveils revamped Elantra

Hyundai is enjoying good times -- and no wonder.

Here's a company that offers well-built, well-appointed, economical cars and SUVs for not a lot of money, at a time when most of us are looking for the most for our hard-earned bucks.

And that extends to some new models that you might not have heard of.

Hyundai makes nice move to upper end

2008 Veracruz crossover SUV a study in luxury

Think of Hyundai's Veracruz as the "blue light special."

The nickname doesn't mean the crossover carries Kmart pricing. In fact, this model may be the best test of Hyundai's strength in the market's upper end.

But in its most luxurious form, the Veracruz greets passengers with elegant blue-lit scuff plates upon opening the doors. Blue light cools the instrument panel, the reading lamp, even the cup-holder rings. And, yes, this is a special experience.

Fool a Few Friends

TEST DRIVE | Azera looks lots more upscale than its price

The precisely built Azera sedan is Hyundai's flagship model and trumps many rivals with its attractive pricing, standard equipment, safety features, spacious interior and killer warranty.

My jet black test Azera turned heads with its slick, although mostly conservative, styling. Some neighbors couldn't guess that this South Korean car was a Hyundai, mistaking it for an upscale Japanese or European sedan.

G. Chambers Williams III: Hyundai Azera drives to top

Paying $32,000 for a Hyundai sedan seems a long stretch from the company that began its U.S. sales in 1986 with a subcompact econobox whose list price was its biggest attraction -- $4,995.

But the 2008 Azera Limited that we tested this past week shows just how far this South Korean automaker has come since its humble beginnings in this country.

Putting The Accent On Hyundai

Hyundai has made progress over the years to provide quality cars at a cost lower than that of competing models from Toyota, Nissan, Ford, and GM, to name a few popular brands. However, that hasn't always been the case.

When the first Hyundai models appeared stateside during the 1980s, the price was right but quality didn't match up. It took more than a decade for Hyundai to catch up, but today many automotive critics consider Hyundai as one of the top quality brands in the world.

Fortunately, better quality hasn't resulted in a huge spike in prices as Hyundai continues to produce some of the lowest-priced cars on the market including the Accent, the subject of this review.

Hyundai Motor America Breaks March Record Set In 2007

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 04/01/2008 Hyundai Motor America today announced record sales of 42,796 for the month of March, a two percent increase over the same record-setting period last year.

2008 Hyundai Veracruz Limited AWD Review

When someone mentions "midsize luxury crossover", "Hyundai" is probably not the first word to come to your mind. But the Veracruz, its newest, and largest, crossover is meant to change that.

Based on a stretched version of the platform that underlies the Korean company's smaller Santa Fe, the Veracruz offers a spacious seven-passenger interior and a smooth, quiet driving experience. V6 power, to the tune of 260 horses, is standard; there are no four-cylinder models. If in looks and mien it is aimed at luxury crossovers like the Lexus RX350, the Veracruz is priced competitively with the middle-class alternatives, the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.

Quick Drive: 2008 Hyundai Accent

The Hyundai Accent is easily one of the most overlooked cars on the market. Not terribly surprising, since on the whole, the Accent is a fairly nondescript three-door hatch and sedan. However, Hyundai's entry-level offering is worthy of a closer look by anyone in the market for a small, inexpensive car.

Hyundai Genesis Coupes rock out at New York Auto Show

At the New York International Auto Show, Hyundai took advantage of the well-lit, expansive, Galleria at the Javits Center when it introduced the 2010 Genesis Coupe. The only thing left to be desired was better ventilation on the show floor...

Veracruz Earns Winter Vehicle Award From NEMPA

HYUNDAI VERACRUZ SHARES NEMPA'S ALL WEATHER SUV-- $25,000-$35,000 AWARD WITH THE BUICK ENCLAVE

Boston, Mass, 03/17/2008 In one of the most hotly-contested categories of the New England Motor Press Association's (NEMPA) 2008 Winter Vehicle Awards, the Hyundai Veracruz registered a tie with the Buick Enclave for best All Weather SUV-- $25,000-$35,000.

All-New Hyundai Genesis Coupe: A New Benchmark For Attainable 300-Horsepower Sport Coupes

New York, 03/19/2008

Hyundai unveiled Genesis Coupe, the new benchmark for attainable 300-horsepower sport coupes, during a press conference at the New York International Auto Show today. The 2010 Genesis Coupe is a purpose-built rear-wheel drive sport coupe featuring two performance-focused engines - a 212-horsepower (est.), 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a range-topping all-aluminum, 306-horsepower (est.), DOHC 3.8-liter V6 engine. Genesis Coupe is scheduled to join the Hyundai lineup in the spring of 2009.

The luxury car that Hyundai always wanted to build

2009 Hyundai Genesis

The Genesis is the beginning of something radically different for Hyundai.

This is a serious luxury machine built around a rear-wheel-drive platform and an available V8 engine. The resulting premium-grade sedan, due to arrive this summer, will take on some of the best sedans that Europe, Japan and North America have to offer.

Early look: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Fourteen images of the new 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe have leaked online, ahead of its official debut next week at the New York Auto Show. The coupe is based on the same rear-wheel-drive platform as the Genesis sedan. It was previewed with a concept version late last year, and later to a marketing study group in pre-production form.

The car is expected to hit the market in Spring 2009, making it a 2010 model.

The Car Book 2008 Honors Five Hyundai Models With Best Bet Selections

Hyundai's Accent, Elantra, Sonata, Tucson And Entourage Recognized For Meeting The Safety And Performance Needs Of The American Buyer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 03/13/2008 Hyundai continues to collect awards for its revamped model lineup adding "Best Bet" distinction for five of its vehicles in The Car Book 2008. Accent, Elantra, Sonata, Tucson and Entourage all earned the title "Best Bet" from author Jack Gillis and the Center for Auto Safety. For 28 years, The Car Book has selected vehicles for this distinction based on how well they respond to the safety and performance needs of today's consumer.

Joy Ride: 1000 Miles in the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz

Back from a weekend driving up and down the state of California, rolling nearly 1000 miles onto the odo of our long-term 2008 Hyundai Veracruz crossover. Just me and five beautiful Persian ladies. Allow me to tell you more. About the Hyundai.

Santa Fe's a wheel winner

TEST DRIVE | There's little not to like in this 2008 model from Hyundai, which nicely blends features of sport-utility vehicles and cars

The Santa Fe is another mid-size SUV that could be marketed as one of the increasingly popular crossover vehicles -- those combining SUV utility with carlike manners.

Sonata Grows in Popularity

The Hyundai Sonata has become a hit in a fiercely competitive segment for new- and used-car dealers.

Automakers made huge efforts to crack into the small sedan category, which is dominated by the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. The latest example is General Motor Corp.'s much-hyped new version of the Chevrolet Malibu.

2008 Hyundai Veracruz: It's New... and it's Spectacular!

A lot of folks haven't heard much about the new 2008 Hyundai Veracruz, but we are going to let you in on a little secret. It is about as close to a Lexus RX 350 as you are ever going to get for a mere $22,000. We spoke with Intellichoice.com editor James Bell this week about his top favorite SUV's for 2008 and his top personal choice for the crossover class was without a doubt, the Veracruz.

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD

The Hyundai Santa Fe is an SUV offered in both FWD and AWD versions. The standard configuration has two rows of seating for up to five passengers. An optional seven-passenger version adds two more seats that fold out of the cargo floor. The internal dimensions of the Santa Fe suggest a mid-sized vehicle, but its taut exterior styling belies the actual size of this SUV. With so many vehicles in the segment, it is difficult to identify direct competitors. Depending on what is important to the prospective buyer, there can be dozens of available alternative vehicles.

Check out the Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai's reputation for undercutting the competition looks increasingly attractive in a weakening economy.

In the competitive crossover segment, for example, Hyundai can offer a top-of-the-line Tucson Limited with 4-wheel drive for a base price of $24,585. That window sticker might be hard to believe once you've seen and driven this attractive, well-mannered sport utility imitator.

Consumer Reports New Top Picks For 2008: Hyundai Elantra SE, Hyundai Santa Fe...

First time a South Korean automaker represented in Top Picks

YONKERS, NY - Consumer Reports has named four new models to its Top Picks list for 2008-the Hyundai Elantra SE and Hyundai Santa Fe as top choices for small sedans and midsized SUVs, respectively; the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado as the top choice for pickup truck; and the Lexus LS 460L as the best luxury sedan.

Hyundai Sonata Earns "Greener Choices Of 2008" Honors

2008 Hyundai Sonata Receives Environmental Honors From The American Council For An Energy-EFFICIENT ECONOMY (ACEEE)

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 02/22/2008 The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recognized the 2008 Hyundai Sonata on its "Greener Choices 2008" list that features widely available gasoline-powered cars and light trucks with automatic transmissions. The Sonata will be listed in the ACEEE's Green Book® Online, an annual consumers' guide to environmentally-friendly cars and trucks.

Hyundai cooks up quite a tasty midsize morsel

Question of the day is: Who makes Azera?

If you guessed Bobby Flay on the Food Network, you would be wrong.

Azera is one of the nicer midsize sedans on the market in room, comfort and quiet.

Sadly, it's also one of the best kept secrets in that segment and beyond.

Economical Hyundai Elantra PZEV is best value in midsize class

MILL VALLEY, California -- It was a trip in memory of the Coast Miwok Indians, the gentle hunter-gatherers who inhabited this place for nearly 5,000 years until the late 18th century, when Western civilization wiped them out along with many of the giant redwoods that once provided bark to cover Miwok huts.

Sonata's sunrise

When I got behind the wheel of the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, I was pleasantly surprised. Granted, it was a decked out Limited model with leather seats and XM Radio. But still. During the test week, it was hard for me to reconcile the fact that the beautiful, peppy, well-appointed car I was driving was actually a Hyundai.

Long-Term Test: 2007 Hyundai Azera

Inside Line spent 12 months and 18,000 miles with the 2007 Hyundai Azera Limited. This is the most luxurious car from Korea yet, a front-wheel-drive sedan equipped with the kind of luxury amenities that used to be the exclusive signature of Lexus. The Azera looks the part, thanks to voluptuous sheet metal that makes you forget all about Hyundai's cheap-and-cheerful image. And yet the story of the Azera is all about value, just like every other Hyundai. Our long-term test taught us that there are both good and bad things about value.

Hyundai Veracruz Wins MotherProof.com Award as a Top New Vehicle Choice for Families

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 02/13/2008 Motherproof.com, a site dedicated to providing women and mothers with useful and entertaining new car reviews, recognized the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz as a top new vehicle choice for families at the 2008 Mother Proof Awards.

Up Close: Hyundai's New Navigation System

Hyundai readily admits it's late to the navigation game. As recently as 2007, top-of-the-line models like the Veracruz and Azera didn't have any system, while competitors offered it all the way down to their compact cars. That's changed: The Veracruz, Santa Fe and Azera offer navigation for 2008, while the restyled Sonata features an even more advanced system for 2009.

Hyundai Veracruz Earns 'Best New Family Vehicle' Honors

2008 Hyundai Veracruz Recognized by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com for Being Safe, Roomy and Affordable

Fountain Valley, CA, 02/12/2008 -- Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com), the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, named the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz to its first list of "Best New Family Vehicles."

Hyundai Sonata a midsize sedan for the mass market

Yes, there still seems to be some stigma attached to driving a Hyundai, but it's not really fair. I hear it all the time from people I recommend Hyundai products to -- "Yeah, maybe it's a good car, but I just can't be seen driving around in a Hyundai."

Well, OK. If having a certain name on your car outweighs the value and practicality of your purchase, then go buy a Honda, Toyota or even a Jaguar.

But if you want one of the finest mass-market midsize sedans on the market, swallow your foolish pride and consider the Sonata.

Hyundai Motor America Announces 2009 Sonata Pricing

Chicago, 02/06/2008 -- Hyundai Motor America announced pricing for the refreshed 2009 Sonata at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show today. The 2009 Sonata features an all-new interior, enhanced suspensions and revised powertrains boasting even more horsepower and improved fuel economy. The 2009 Sonata is now on sale at Hyundai dealerships.

Fuel-Efficient 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring Arrives In United States

CHICAGO, February 6, 2008 -- Hyundai Motor America took the wraps off its Elantra Touring five-door compact at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show today. Making its United States debut, the all-new 2009 Elantra Touring is a sportier, more functional variant of Hyundai's popular Elantra sedan, and is slated to hit dealerships in the winter of 2008. Elantra Touring is based on the i30 CW model that was designed for the European market.

2009 Sonata: Transformed From The Inside Out For a More Premium And Fuel-Efficient Mid-Size Sedan Experience

CHICAGO, February 6, 2008 - As gas prices and competition in the mid-size sedan segment surge, Hyundai is introducing its refreshed Sonata at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show today. The 2009 Sonata features an all-new interior, enhanced suspensions and revised powertrains boasting both improved fuel economy and horsepower. The 2009 Sonata will be available at Hyundai dealers later this month.

Long-term Weekend: 2008 Hyundai Veracruz

For the past week, Southern California has been rainy and wet. That's why I took our long-term 2008 Hyundai Veracruz home for the weekend

Hyundai Accent Gas Mileage

Since its introduction to America in the 1995 model year, the popular Hyundai Accent has consistently delivered a high mile per gallon (MPG) to purchase price ratio. The Accent's highway gas mileage figures have hovered in the mid-thirties on the highway throughout the sub-compact's run. Although the Accent's gas mileage ratings took a bit of a hit with the reworking of the mileage formula for the 2008 model year, the least expensive Accent's sticker price is still under $11,000.

2009 Hyundai Elantra Tourning Unveiled in Montreal

The first time we were laid eyes on the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring was at the SEMA show last year. Adorned with a bizzare paint coat and a few other accessories, the new five-door variant of the automaker's compact Elantra did not receive much attention from the press or the public. Badged as the i30 CW in Europe, Hyundai hopes to cross-shop the consumers who would otherwise look at the Toyota Matrix, Dodge Caliber, and Mazda3.

Milestone For Hyundai Sonata: One Million And Counting

Latest Sonata Sale Is One In A Million

Three Hyundai Models Earn Top Safety Pick Awards

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Seoul, Korea January 18, 2008 -- For the first time ever, three Hyundai models earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award. The Hyundai Veracruz and Santa Fe received awards in the midsize SUV segment and the Hyundai Entourage in the minivan segment. All winning vehicles are recognized for their ability to protect people in front, side and rear crashes.

Hyundai's XG Series Puts You in Lap of Near-Luxury

Used Car Profile

History
Hyundai took a seemingly huge gamble in the fall of 2000 when the South Korean automaker, primarily known for selling low-priced, entry-level models, introduced its version of a near-luxury vehicle. Known in the company's homeland as the Grandeur, the XG300 was equipped with a 192-horsepower V-6 plus plenty of standard bells and whistles.

Hyundai Unveils Genesis Premium Sports Sedan

Hyundai crafts a rival to $60,000 sports sedans...with a starting price under $30,000 Rear-wheel drive and high-output V8 engine deliver world-class driving experience

Hyundai Motor America Records Ninth Consecutive Year-Over-Year Sales Increase

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 01/03/2008 Hyundai Motor America today announced its best-ever December with sales of 46,487 units and best ever annual sales of 467,009 for 2007. This marked the ninth year in a row of rising sales.

Tucson Packs New Entertainment With Standard XM Satelite Radio®, Auxilary Jack And Other Upgrades

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Already loaded with life saving standard safety features including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and six airbags, the enhanced Tucson will be more occupant-friendly starting in the first quarter of 2008 with new active front head restraints. According to the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) models with improved rear crash protection all have "active" head restraint designs. Tucson is also the only crossover in its class with standard XM Satellite Radio® and an auxiliary audio input.

The Award Winning 2008 Santa Fe Gets New Standard Features For Its Limited Model

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., It's no surprise that the Santa Fe crossover has attracted a strong following, given its fuel-efficient V6 powertrains, advanced standard safety technologies and sleek styling. For 2008, the Santa Fe Limited gets even better, adding a 605-watt Infinity® Logic 7® audio system and power sunroof to the long list of standard equipment and an all-new navigation system to the list of optional equipment. Combine this with a roomy, well-crafted interior, optional third-row seat and clearly the 2008 Santa Fe continues to raise the bar in the crossover segment.

Hyundai Motor America Launches Hyundai Scholars Pediatric Cancer Fellowship Program

NEW PROGRAM TO RAISE MORE THAN $10 MILLION IN FIVE YEARS FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 12/12/2007 Hyundai Motor America and its dealers announced the launch of the Hyundai Scholars Pediatric Cancer Fellowship Program at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and presented a $150,000 check to the CHOC Cancer Institute. The Hyundai Scholars Fellowship Program will fund research positions at top pediatric cancer centers across the country, helping doctors find cures for this devastating disease. The program's goal is to raise more than $10 million for pediatric cancer research in the next five years.

2008 Hyundai Azera Packs More Luxury And Value Into An Award Winning Full Size Sedan

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., In 2007, the Azera trophy case expanded once again, this time to accommodate the premium sedan's second consecutive win for large sedans in the J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL), and its Strategic Vision Total Quality Award™ in the large car segment. Azera continues to redefine the premium sedan segment and raise the stakes even higher, packing in more luxury, value, upgrades and standard equipment than ever before.

Korean cars make first appearance on Consumer Reports' most satisfying list

Japanese vehicles continue their domination over domestic and European brands in Consumer Reports' Annual Car Owner Satisfaction Survey.

2008 Sonata Delivers Higher Value With New Equipment And Engine Choices

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., As gas prices surge, Hyundai is smartly offering the powerful, yet fuel-efficient 2.4-liter DOHC inline-four cylinder engine in all trim levels, including SE and Limited models, for the first time. Shoppers still looking for low-priced V6 performance can now find the Sonata GLS V6 for $450 less than last year's lowest price V6 model. The sporty SE version has also been upgraded with standard performance tires, decklid spoiler and a power driver seat. The previously optional Infinity® AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio®/6-CD Changer/MP3 audio system is now standard on the Limited model.

Genesis, Hyundai's New Beginning

Genesis logotype and emblem unveiled

(Seoul, Korea) Marking a new beginning, Hyundai Motor Co. today announced Genesis as the official name of its eagerly anticipated luxury sports sedan. Benchmarking and bettering the competition, the Hyundai Genesis redefines luxury by presenting a credible alternative to the premium automobile offerings from Germany, Japan and the United States.

One-Of-A-Kind Hyundais To Make West Coast Apperance At San Diego International Auto Show

SAN DIEGO, Calif., 12/03/2007 Exciting, modified versions of the award-winning Hyundai Elantra and Accent will make their public debuts at the San Diego International Auto Show that runs from December 26 - 30 at the San Diego Convention Center. In addition, the Sporty Coupe Concept Veloster will make its first San Diego appearance as well, giving attendees a glimpse of Hyundai's future design direction. Hyundai also will display its full lineup of vehicles including production versions of the all-new Veracruz and popular U.S.-built Sonata and Santa Fe models.

Hyundai Motor America Reports Strong November Sales

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 12/03/2007 Hyundai Motor America today reported a November sales increase of 12 percent over a year ago, led by Santa Fe and Sonata, both up 41 percent for the month. Additionally, the Accent, one of the company's ultra low emission vehicles (ULEV) that delivers up to 37 miles per gallon, saw sales rise 19 percent. In total, the company sold 31,883 vehicles for the month, compared with 28,417 a year ago.

2009 Hyundai Sonata - Auto Shows

The 2008 Korean-spec Sonata Transform previews the 2009 Sonata for North America.

More Safety And Refinements Keep Elantra A Class Above The Competition

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., All new from headlight to tail light last year, the 2008 Elantra continues to bring more safety features and refinements to smart shoppers with the addition of Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Brake Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and new option packages.

2008 Hyundai Accent: More Comfort, Safety And Performance At An Entry-Level Price

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., For more than ten years, Hyundai Accent has built a solid reputation by offering high-quality, great value, unexpected features and performance at entry level prices. For 2008, Accent offers a host of new standard equipment as well as several exterior and interior improvements that raise the bar in the compact car segment.

Hyundai Entourage Named A Consumers Digest "Best Buy"

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 11/26/2007 Consumers Digest named the Hyundai Entourage a 2008 Automotive "Best Buy" in the van category.

Three Hyundai Models Earn Top Safety Pick Awards

For the first time ever, three Hyundai models earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award. The Hyundai Veracruz and Santa Fe received awards in the midsize SUV segment and the Hyundai Entourage in the minivan segment. All winning vehicles are recognized for their ability to protect people in front, side and rear crashes.

2008 Hyundai Sonata Limited V6 Road Test

What's the best midsize family sedan? I get that question from time to time, and I find it an increasingly difficult one to answer because of cars like this Sonata. After all, the process used to be relatively easy. If they were sport-oriented drivers I'd point them toward a Honda Accord and if biased towards comfort, a Toyota Camry. And while the Accord and Camry are still very good cars, a number of rivals, like Saturn's new Aura and this Sonata are narrowing the gap to a point where it's difficult to see any difference in quality or features.

Hyundai Veracruz Named "Best Value SUV" At The 14th Annual Sport Utility Vehicle Competition

ANGELES, Calif., 11/13/2007 The Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) named Hyundai Veracruz the "Best Value SUV" of the 2007 14th annual Northwest Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year Competition at the Los Angeles International Auto Show today. The two-day test was held at Portland International Raceway. Twenty-six members of the NWAPA put 28 vehicles through the series of tests October 3-5 in Portland, Oregon. The tests included three main elements: pavement testing, which included a slalom, curve handling, and emergency braking maneuvers; off-road testing, which included hill-climbing and descent abilities, in addition to ride comfort and low-range handling; and testing of the performance, handling and braking of each competing SUV. The overall value for money, packaging and versatility were evaluated through a comprehensive scoring procedure.

Hyundai Unveils Rear-Wheel Drive Concept Genesis Coupe

LOS ANGELES, 11/14/2007

Hyundai unveiled its highly anticipated Concept Genesis Coupe during a press conference at the Los Angeles International Auto Show today. The concept car heralds the introduction of an all-new, rear-wheel drive 2 + 2 sports coupe scheduled to join the Hyundai lineup in the spring of 2009. Following the introduction earlier this year of the Concept Genesis sedan, Concept Genesis Coupe signals Hyundai's second step in broadening its appeal to driving enthusiasts.

How to... Choose An Auto Dealership

Once you've been bitten by the car-buying bug, deciding on where to shop can be almost as hard as choosing the make, model, color and options.

Hyundai reaches new level

In Veracruz, the Korean automaker has an upscale crossover worthy of notice

They came ashore in 1986, in danger of being swamped in the wakes of bigger, established imports that had been streaming across the Pacific for years.

Hyundai Veracruz Named "Best Crossover SUV"

2007 Veracruz Listed As Best Consumer Deal In Kiplinger's 2007 "Best List"

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 11/06/2007 Kiplinger's Personal Finance named Hyundai Veracruz the "Best Crossover SUV" in its 2007 "Best List" featured in the November issue.

Hyundai Azera And Santa Fe Receive Strategic Vision's Best-In-Class 2007 Total Value Awards

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 11/06/2007 Strategic Vision has awarded the Hyundai Azera and Santa Fe "Best-In-Class" in the 2007 Total Value Index™ (TVI) Report that evaluates vehicle owner satisfaction. The results placed the Hyundai Santa Fe a top the small SUV segment with a score of 781, beating competitors such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. The Azera topped the large car segment for the second year in a row with a score of 778, beating American rivals such as Dodge Charger, Mercury Montego and Ford 500.

Hyundai Motor America, Its Employees And Dealers Contribute To Southern California Fire Relief Efforts

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 10/29/2007 Hyundai Motor America (HMA), its employees and dealers are making a concerted effort to assist in providing relief to those who have suffered in the recent fires which have ravaged portions of Southern California.

Consumers Digest Names Best Buys

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Late last week, Consumers Digest released its Best Buy ratings for 2008 model-year vehicles.

Thirty-six vehicles and 13 additional models earned recognition across 10 categories, according to officials.

Hyundai Well-Positioned to Make Its Mark at This Year's SEMA Show

Full Product Lineup Receives the Customized Touch

LAS VEGAS, Nev., 10/30/2007 Six distinct Hyundai vehicles made their world debut today at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, including the first-ever Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept. In its seventh year at SEMA, Hyundai showed off vehicles spanning its entire product portfolio, proving that customization is not just for sport compacts anymore. Hyundai custom SEMA vehicles will be on display at booth #24385 at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2007.

Hyundai Santa Fe upgraded, but still a great value

The newest Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV that is equal to any vehicle in its class in refinement, comfort, space, and performance. This shouldn't be surprising, as it was designed with a close look at the most popular entry-luxury crossovers, not merely its price-level competition.

Hyundai goes upscale in midsize crossover

The 2007 Hyundai Veracruz crossover. It's not a Lexus, it's a Hyundai.

Hyundai Entourage Packs Outstanding Safety And More Value In All 2008 Models

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 10/01/2007 Hyundai Motor America announced pricing today for the best minivan ever tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) - the 2008 Hyundai Entourage[1] now on sale at Hyundai dealerships.

Hyundai sport-ute rides with the big boys

Hyundai is at it again.

This time, it attacks the upper-end sport-utility market with its luxurious-feeling Veracruz Limited. That's the South Korean automaker's top-level sport-ute, and it's on par with some of the top models on the market.

Hyundai Motor America Reports September Sales

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 10/02/2007 Hyundai Motor America today reported 33,214 sales for the month of September. The fuel-efficient Accent and the all-new Santa Fe led the month with sales of 3,120 and 7,496, respectively, up 64 percent and 21 percent over September 2006. The new Veracruz continued to post strong sales with 1,653 units sold for the month.

Test Drive: Veracruz seems more luxury than mainstream

Hyundai's 2008 Veracruz is mechanically identical to the '07. The only changes are a few more available options and the way some features and options are packaged.

2007 Hyundai Elantra: Small Sedan With Big Features

The newest generation Hyundai Elantra is larger than its predecessor and surprisingly sophisticated, and it delivers small-sedan value like nobody's business. The Elantra boasts a roomy interior, premium comfort and convenience features, and a top-notch warranty.

G. Chambers Williams III: Putting the 'V' in value

In the late 1980s, when I helped my then-teenage daughter purchase a used Hyundai Excel as a first vehicle, those cars were selling new for about $4,000.

Hyundai Motor America Reports Best August Ever

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 09/04/2007 Hyundai Motor America today reported its best August ever with sales of 45,087 vehicles, an increase of one percent over August 2006. Vehicle sales were led by the all-new Santa Fe with sales of 10,570 for the month, up 55 percent over last year, followed closely by the Sonata with sales totaling 10,348. Tucson, with sales up 13 percent and Entourage with sales up six percent, also reported strong August sales. The all-new Veracruz once again had a strong month with sales of 1,739.

Hyundai - Setting The Quality Benchmark

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 09/05/2007 In 2000, when Hyundai announced major reforms aimed at significantly boosting the quality of its vehicles, the company's goal was to become one of the world's highest quality automakers. To achieve this, a worldwide quality initiative was launched, focusing on three key areas of quality leadership: intelligent ergonomic engineering, obsessive customer focus and acceptance of the need for continuous change. It is the embodiment of this quality initiative that has fueled Hyundai's significant improvements in vehicle quality over the past several years, as well as its tremendous sales growth worldwide.

CarMax Names Sonata One Of The Best Cars For College Students

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 08/27/2007 CarMax, Inc. has named the Hyundai Sonata as one of the top 10 cars for college students. To help students and parents find the best car, CarMax, Inc., the nation's largest retailer of used cars and Driver's Edge, a national nonprofit organization that provides youth driver education, have teamed up to recommend the top cars based on safety features, cost, reliability and style. These recommendations also take the vehicle's National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration ratings into consideration.

Hyundai Wins Four AutoPacific 2007 IDEAL Vehicle Awards

Sonata, Elantra, Tucson And Entourage Earn Top Category Honors

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 09/05/2007 Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific announced today that Hyundai has won the 2007 Ideal Vehicle Award in four product segments:

Hyundai takes on Lexus - really

Its target is the RX350, a big station wagon with lots of leather and gadgets.

For the consumer, it's just a Hyundai. It's a name people still confuse with Honda and it's a brand that conjures up zero images of upscale, prestigious or even plain luxury automobiles.

Top 10 Safe Vehicles for Less Than $25,000

We live in a nation of unparalleled personal-injury litigation, of warning labels on curling irons that must specify "for external use only," and of waivers that must be signed before engaging in death-defying activities like roller skating. We are slightly more lax, however, when it comes to transportation. Traffic accidents trail only cancer and heart disease as the leading killer of Americans, and according to a recent New York Times article, we rank 11th in the world for fatalities per mile, more dangerous than countries like Poland and Estonia. This is even with quantum leaps in safety technology made and mandated in the past decade; it's fairly tough to buy a patently unsafe vehicle nowadays. Some, however, are safer than others.

Hyundai Motor America Presents "HUUUUGE" Help to Rochester Researchers Fighting Childhood Cancer

Next week, Hyundai Motor America and its dealerships will present Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong with a check for $40,000 to aid the hospital's pediatric cancer research efforts.

Hyundai Is the Next Target

Isn't it thrilling that we live in a day and age when the line between bargain basement and luxury consumer goods is getting incredibly blurry? Take Target, for example. I remember when places like Kmart, Wal-Mart and Target were considered equally low-end retailers. Since then, Target has risen up, and now (at least amongst my circle of friends) it is the cool place for hip moms to shop for designer clothing and home goods on a budget. You get all of this while sipping a latte from the store's Starbucks.

Hyundai Elantra and Mazda3 Shine in New Consumer Reports' Tests

YONKERS, NY August 29, 2007; The redesigned Hyundai Elantra outscored the Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, and Scion xB in Consumer Reports' testing of a group of four small sedans and wagons for the October issue. The Elantra now ranks sixth overall among the 14 small cars that CR has tested recently.

Long-Term Wrap-Up: 2006 Hyundai Tucson

Another adventurer took our Tucson to Colorado over a holiday weekend. He wrote that freeway ride quality was smooth, allowing passengers to easily doze off. As the road took him higher in elevation, it started to snow, and the Tucson really began to shine. In near-whiteout conditions with little traction on the road, it "was nothing short of phenomenal -- over icy, windy, snowy roads, the vehicle was perfect, never giving us any white-knuckle moments."

Hyundai Announces Name Of Future Five-Door

All-New 2009 Elantra Touring Moves A Popular Nameplate In A Sportier, More Functional Direction

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., 08/08/2007 Hyundai Motor America Vice President of Product Development and Strategic Planning John Krafcik, speaking at the Center of Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars, announced Hyundai's all-new five-door compact will be named "Elantra Touring." Elantra Touring will reach dealers in the spring of 2008 as a 2009 model year vehicle. The "Touring" name captures this all-new model's combination of high-function and fun-to-drive character. Elantra Touring will once again extend Elantra's product line into the compact five-door segment. (The previous generation also featured a sporty five-door model). Elantra Touring will come with class-leading standard safety technologies, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and six standard airbags, including side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. The vehicle will be the first compact five-door with standard Electronic Stability Control.[1]

2007 Hyundai Veracruz

Hyundai is successfully changing the way Americans look at their product line.

During the past decade, the Korean automaker's lackluster build quality and stodgy designs have given way to sophisticated styling and improved fit and finish -- the likes of which mimic their Japanese competitors.

Hyundai's Global Brand Value Rises

Hyundai Brand Value Ranked As Eighth Most Valuble In Auto Industry

Seoul, Korea, 07/27/2007 Hyundai Motor Company's brand power continues to rise as it was ranked 72nd in the 2007 Best Global Brands survey jointly conducted by Interbrand, a leading consultancy in branding and BusinessWeek, the New York-based global business media organization.

Veracruz does it right

I see trouble on the horizon. Not for you or me, but for the likes at Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc. A few years ago Hyundai was not much of a concern to any car builder since they were not high on quality ratings. All that changed a few years ago, and today they are among the best vehicles made, and presto! They are selling faster than a dime dance at a lumber camp.

Santa Fe reflects Hyundai's pursuit of luxury

There has been a trickle-up effect at Hyundai as it takes aim at building luxury-class vehicles.

GARY ROME HYUNDAI ANNOUNCES A FREE CAR SEAT CLINIC

HOLYOKE, Mass. - Gary Rome of Gary Rome Hyundai announced a Car Seat Clinic for Wednesday July 25th, 2007. Gary Rome Hyundai in conjunction with Baystate Children's Hospital and Safe Kids of Western Massachusetts invite area parents to learn how to prevent injuries to children in motor vehicle crashes.

2008 Hyundai Veracruz Adds Navigation

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., When introduced in 2007, the all-new 7-passenger Veracruz took the auto industry by storm, raising the bar on what consumers could expect in the premium, midsize crossover segment. Building on that momentum, the Veracruz gets even better for 2008, adding an all-new navigation system, designed for Hyundai by LG, one of the world's leading electronics manufacturers.

2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited XM Road Test

Climbing into the Sonata was like coming home to an old friend, afterspending more than ten months with a long-term Limited last year, and being part of countless log entries and what resulted in a mind-numbing 20 updates (once every two weeks). As you may remember we clocked up 6,472 completely trouble-free miles on the odo (except for me killing the battery) and only really complained about the audio steering wheel controls not featuring a button for changing radio stations, the lack of satellite radio and somewhere to plug in our various iPods.

Hyundai Goes the Distance to Fight Cancer

Hyundai has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients everywhere by once again serving as the presenting sponsor of the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk. With the company's overwhelming support, the Walk, to be held on Sunday, Sept. 16, is set to reach its goal of raising $6.3 million to further research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Veracruz 1st Hyundai to top $25,000

Hyundai has done it- moved across the $25,000 starting price level for a new vehicle.

The brand that for years was known in the United States for its low-priced vehicles and industry-leading warranty coverage now has a new model thats priced upward of $26,900.

Hyundai Elantra

What is the sound of four cylinders panting?

Hyundai Closes First Half Of 2007 With An All-Time Record

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 07/03/2007 Hyundai Motor America announced sales of 49,368 vehicles for the month, which was Hyundai's all-time, anytime, record sales month. Hyundai sales are up 12 percent month-over-month and 11 percent over last June on the strength of the growing Hyundai model line up.

Hyundai Veracruz has room, with or without kids

Lexus-like crossover vehicle capitalizes on style, trend toward third row of seats

Hyundai Earns Another J.D. Power And Associates APEAL Award

Azera Sedan Tops Its Segment For Second Year In A Row

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., 06/28/2007 - J.D. Power and Associates announced today that Hyundai Azera once again topped the large car segment in the annual 2007 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout StudySM (APEAL), which measures owner delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles. The award represents the second consecutive year that Azera has topped the large car segment in the study. Outperforming several popular sedans, Azera received high marks for its interior, audio systems, seats, heating and air conditioning (HVAC), visibility and driving safety.