Category Archives: Hyundai

DOT unveils tougher safety system

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Hyundai

The Department of Transportation has unveiled a stricter safety testing system that will lower the amount of stars received for some popular vehicles.

The new system is said to be a lot tougher on vehicles and highlight a greater disparity between the models. Many vehicles in the past were easily able to achieve five and four stars under the old system.

Chief among the changes is a new overall score that weighs various factors into one number. While the test still differentiates for front and side-impact rating, it also takes into account some new features. Dummies representing the average size of women will now be incorporated, as will a test where the vehicle strikes a tall object like a pole or a tree.

"We are raising the bar on safety," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

In an initial analysis of some new models, some vehicles came out looking better than ever. The BMW 5 Series and Hyundai Sonata were the only two vehicles who got a five-star rating in the first batch of 34 vehicles. The Toyota Camry, a previous five-star winner, was rerated down to a three-star car, while the Nissan Versa, previously at four stars, walked away with just two.

Travelers should consider safety features when searching for a car, but they can still get a great value by searching for some of the safer vehicles on the used car market. 

Hyundai to recall 2011 Sonata over steering issue

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Hyundai

Hyundai is set to recall 139,500 of its new 2011 Sonatas after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found a flaw in the steering system.

The regulatory body found that the wheel could, in some cases, detach from the steering column – not a small issue. Should it do so, the driver could lose control of the vehicle completely.

Hyundai has had eight reports of steering failures, but none led to any accidents or injuries. The NHTSA began investigating the issue in August. The recall will affect all vehicles built between December of 2009 and September of 2010, which is the majority of the 2011 Sonatas currently on the road.

The newly redesigned Sonata has received some strong reviews, but this latest news could put a stumbling block in the way of Hyundai's recent momentum, as it has gained on sales leaders like Toyota and Honda over the past few months. The car has been a hit for the company lately, nearly doubling its sales in August to 21,399, according to the Associated Press.

Drivers looking at the Sonata may want to go with a used Hyundai for the time being, as the vehicles are not known to have the problem. Or, they may want to wait until the 2011 model hits the used market, where it may be available for a reduced price due to the negative publicity associated with such a recall. 

Which larger sedan is right for you?

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Posted in How To, Hyundai

Full-size sedans have a storied history, with many followers preferring to sacrifice a bit of mobility for enhanced spaciousness and the versatility to fit a number of passengers comfortably. And while larger cars may have earned the "boat" nickname for many years, recent advances in technology means that these vehicles can still handle pretty well despite their wider size.

Motor Trend recently looked at three of the more popular large sedans and pitted them against each other to determine which were worth a buy and which were worth passing over. The models chosen included the Toyota Avalon, Hyundai Genesis and Ford Taurus. The test also functioned as a comparison of drivetrain styles, with the Taurus an all-wheel-drive vehicle, the Genesis with rear-wheel-drive and the Avalon with front-real-drive.

There are quite a few similarities between the vehicles – they come with similar interior features like Bluetooth connectivity, six-speed automatic transmissions and aluminum V6 engines. But that's where the parallels end, as each of these vehicles offers its own distinct ride. Drivers interested in any of these big sedans should take them all for a test drive at their local used car dealership to see which they prefer, but the news source lent its expert opinion to the equation regardless.

The Ford Taurus, while coming in third of the group, had some points that made it worthy of consideration. The group agreed that the car was the best-looking of the bunch, and its handling was more than adequate thanks to its crisp all-wheel-drive. Unfortunately, it pays the price in the muscle department, with the least amount of horsepower out of all three vehicles pulling around the heaviest frame. That meant disappointing 0-60 times and fuel economy ratings.

The Avalon was praised as being near-limo like in its comfort, with the largest back seat and best interior. In addition, it delivers a quiet ride and can hit high speeds pretty easily. But it got points knocked off for some questionable styling choices and poor handling as compared to the other vehicles. Still, the Avalon came in a close second and would probably be the best choice for long hauls.

Overall, the winner was the Genesis, offering a nice balance of comfort and performance. The news source reveals that the car's cabin was the best of the three vehicles, but recommended the Premium Package as really helping to up the ante as compared to the other cars' less desirable interior upgrades. It was also the fastest of the bunch without compromising agility.

The choice comes down to personal preference, so drivers should be sure to try all three used cars before they decide on purchasing any one in particular. 

Does the new Hyundai Equus live up to its luxury price tag?

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Posted in General Auto News, Hyundai

As Hyundai continues to enjoy increased sales due to its affordable lineup of cars that became popular during the economic downturn, the company has made a curious move. Rather than introduce cheaper models, the South Korean automaker went in a different direction and introduced the $67,000 Equus luxury sedan.

The release wasn't completely unprecedented for Hyundai: it had previously built the Genesis sedan, designed to compete with entry-level luxury vehicles. Yet the Equus costs nearly twice as much as the Genesis and represents uncharted territory for Hyundai in the U.S. So does it live up to its price tag?

Edmunds Inside Line seems to think so. While noting that the Equus was not particularly flashy or overly impressive in its four-star review of the vehicle, the Equus was also praised as a bargain for those who don't want to pay for a prestigious brand name yet still desire luxury performance.

The Equus isn't exactly an eye-catching vehicle, with a rather basic interior and exterior. Yet for those who only really care about what's under the hood, the news source believes that the Equus represents good value. To put that theory to the test, it stacked the Equus up against the Lexus LS 460, a popular high-end sedan priced at over $75,000.

"Ten, heck, five years ago, this would've been the start of some sort of gag comparison. 'We pit the new Hyundai sedan against a Lexus we found in a river!' And the Lexus, still full of free river carp, would probably walk away with a solid victory," begins the comparison.

Yet the Hyundai, while not outclassing the Lexus on the track, held its own. The vehicle matched the Lexus in the 0-30 miles per hour time before slowly falling behind as the distance increased. Its 385-horsepower V8 compared to the Lexus' 380-horsepower engine only outclasses it because the Equus is a slightly bulkier and roomier vehicle. The Lexus won by .3 seconds in the quarter-mile and .5 in the slalom, but drivers will have to decide for themselves if those tenths of a second are worth the extra bucks.

Add in that every new Equus comes with an iPad, and luxury owners may give the new Equus some strong consideration when it comes to purchasing a luxury vehicle. Those looking to further save may want to consider a used Hyundai Equus or another luxury vehicle, to help mitigate the high price of these expensive machines. 

Nissan, Hyundai battling for No. 2 Asian automaker spot

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Posted in Honda - DO NOT USE, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota

Nissan’s strong sales combined with Toyota‘s stumbles have allowed the company to make significant progress in terms of surpassing second-place Asian automaker Honda in terms of North American sales, but a huge surge by upstart South Korean brand Hyundai may usurp them both.

According to USA Today, Toyota’s recall issues have led consumers to look elsewhere. While Toyota is still the top brand, many drivers have turned to Nissan rather than Honda when shopping for a new or used car.

Many analysts pegged Nissan to eventually unseat Honda as the number 2 automaker – and that still may happen by year’s end. But others are predicting that the affordable prices of Hyundai, coupled with its cheaper Kia brand, are leading consumers away from Japan’s Big Three in this tough economy – so much so that Hyundai will end up in second place by the time all is said and done.

“Really, Nissan’s biggest threat isn’t Honda,” Ed Kim, chief industry analyst for AutoPacific told the news source. “The one they need to be concerned about is Hyundai.”

Drivers looking for a vehicle should remember to factor used cars into their decision. Although Hyundai’s cars are usually cheaper when bought new, consumers who shop around a bit can likely find a great deal on a used Nissan, Honda or Toyota.

Ford tops Kelley Blue Book’s most-considered list

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Posted in Chevrolet, Ford, General Auto News, Honda - DO NOT USE, Hyundai, Toyota

In a consumer survey to find what brands buyers are looking at when considering cars for sale, Ford has come out on top.

According to Kelley Blue Book, best known for providing values for used cars, Ford topped the list with 29 percent of buyers considering the automaker when purchasing a vehicle. Ford’s turnaround, bolstered by a redesign of its lineup, has clearly resonated with consumers, as it supplanted Toyota in the previous quarter and increased its lead in this one. Much of its strength comes in the SUV/Crossover segment, where nearly half of all buyers consider the brand, at 46 percent.

Toyota held on to the second spot by a slim margin, with its 22 percent share just edging out Chevy’s 21 percent. The automaker has lost its top position due to quality concerns stemming from the company’s unintended acceleration debacle.

Rounding out the top five was Honda, at 20 percent, and Hyundai, a surprise in the fifth spot with 13 percent.

Those in the market for a used car should do a bit of research in order to narrow down their own list of brands. They might even want to consider using Kelley Blue Book values to get a good price for their current car.

Edmunds picks used car “best bets”

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Posted in BMW, Ford, General Auto News, Honda - DO NOT USE, Hyundai, Toyota

Auto website Edmunds recently listed its 2010 picks for “best bets” on the used car market. The awards are based on three issues: reliability, safety and availability. Those interested in purchasing a used car may want to consider picking up some of these models.

The picks were restricted to 2003-2008. Toyota was the most-picked brand, with its Camry, Tacoma and Prius models taking home their respective categories. Honda also put in a good showing, earning praise for its CR-V and Odyssey. Hyundai also had two cars, with the Azera and Elantra winning the large and compact sedan categories.

The rest of the field was a bit of a grab bag, but notable winners include the Ford F-150 for a large truck, BMW 3 Series for a coupe, and Infiniti G35 for a luxury vehicles.

Sometimes it pays for consumers to wait until models have been on the road for a few years to see which will remain reliable and live up to their billing. Then, drivers can be sure to pick up the best-designed models at a discount on the used car market.

More cars get “Top Safety Pick”

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Posted in Audi, Ford, General Auto News, Honda - DO NOT USE, Hyundai, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has recently unveiled nine more cars for its prestigious “Top Safety Pick” award. The IIHS tests every new model in several tests to earn the award, and the car must perform well in each test in order to qualify.

This year’s awards added a new test for roof strength, which is important in rollover situations, according to the Chicago Tribune. In addition, the cars must pass 40-mph frontal crash tests, side crash tests, and rear crash/whiplash tests, as well as be equipped with an electronic stability control system.

Ford picked up awards for its Ford Fusion and Flex, as well as its luxury Lincoln MKZ and MKT. The Audi A4 and Hyundai Tucson were also recent winners.

The tests take some time, so the winners are released in waves. Previous 2010 model award-winners include the Honda Civic and Element, Mercedes E and C Class and Toyota Corolla and Avalon.

The IIHS has done the tests since 2006 and keeps archives of all the winners by model year on their website. Drivers searching for a used car can use this as a resource to ensure that their next purchase is of the highest quality.

2008 Hyundai Sonata offers great value

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Posted in Hyundai

With the economic recession still on the mind of many consumers, prospective car buyers are looking for value now more than ever. Those who are interested in a comfortable ride, plenty of standard features and a comprehensive warranty at a competitive price may want to check out the 2008 Hyundai Sonata.

The Hyundai Sonata was completely redesigned for 2008, and is much more attractive and roomier than its predecessor. While it continues to come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 162 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of torque, the 2008 version can also be purchased with a 3.3-liter V6 with 234 hp and 226 lb-ft of torque, according to Edmunds.

However, the most talked-about aspect of the Sonata is its average price point and industry-leading warranty. The ’08 sedan costs at least $1,000 less than its closest competitors and comes standard with a five-year/60,000 mile warranty as well as a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty on the powertrain.

The Sonata also boasts a strong fuel efficiency rating, as its 2.4-liter/five-speed manual transmission model generates 21 miles per gallon in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

Jeff Bridges bounced from Hyundai ads airing during the Oscars

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Hyundai

Owners of used Hyundai models in New Jersey may hear an unfamiliar voice while watching the Oscars this Sunday. Actor Jeff Bridges, who has been doing voiceovers for Hyundai commercials since 2007, has been told that he cannot appear in any advertisements that air during the Academy Awards, because of a rule prohibiting nominees and award presenters from doing so.

Unfortunately for the Korean automaker, they were unaware that Bridges, who is nominated for Best Actor for his role in Crazy Heart, would be prevented from doing voiceovers for the seven different commercials that they had planned to run during the Oscars.

According to USA Today, Hyundai was forced to hire several last minute replacements to sub in for Bridges, including Catherine Keener, Kim Basinger, David Duchovny, Richard Dreyfuss, Michael Madsen, Mandy Patinkin and Martin Sheen.

A 30-second spot in the Academy Awards’ broadcast is estimated to cost between $1.3 and $1.5 million, Auto Week reports. Hyundai has confirmed that Bridges will return to his usual position as spokesman following the awards ceremony.

Those interested in used Hyundai models may want to take a look at the Sonata, one of the more popular used sedans on the road today.