Automotive Reviews
Posts tagged Hyundai
2006 Hyundai Sonata
Dec 8th
Don’t call this an “impressive effort,” because it’s the real deal. Hyundai knows what it’s doing, and the all-new Sonata is merely impossible-to-ignore evidence of this fact. This completely redesigned sedan aims to do nothing less than go after the heart of the family sedan market. Flashy and dripping with sex appeal it’s not, but the 2006 Hyundai Sonata is nonetheless a big deal, because it represents just how good the low-priced Korean offerings have become.
Is Hyundai ready to challenge Toyota and Honda on the turf they helped create? Compared to its predecessor, the new Sonata is larger, more stylish and more powerful. Park it next to an Accord or Camry and it fits right in; the bargain-basement look and feel of past Hyundais is long gone. The Sonata is also built in the United States, at Hyundai’s brand-new Montgomery, Alabama plant. More >
2011 Hyundai Sonata
Jul 29th
Remember when Honda was the sole four-cylinder holdout in the mid-size sedan market? The company insisted that there was no need for the extra thirst of a V6 in the Accord, despite the demands of a horsepower-hungry US market. These days, there’s an Accord V6, but for 2011 the Hyundai Sonata is doing without a six-cylinder version.
The move simplifies the lineup, but it’s not the only motivation. Recent advances in engine technology have made a four-cylinder a viable alternative to a V6, and considering the growing role that fuel efficiency is playing in purchase decisions, Hyundai is gambling that more mid-size sedan buyers won’t mind that the Sonata is missing a couple of cylinders. More >
2010 Hyundai Tucson
Mar 5th
All-new for 2010, Hyundai’s Tucson compact SUV has gotten an entirely new outlook on life. This formerly somewhat dowdy do-all’s latest makeover adds confident, dramatic lines with a silhouette that speaks of urban freeways rather than country backroads. Under the hood, a new engine offers a significant boost in fuel economy as well. It seems like a familiar tactic, though not one that’s been commonly seen at this price point. Then again, if the luxury vehicles like BMW’s X3 and Audi’s Q5 are going sporty and carlike, why not the affordable ones as well?
Aimed primarily at “soft-roaders” like the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue, the new Tucson features extroverted styling that enables it to stand out in the crowded compact crossover/SUV class. Improved economy and comfort are the biggest news. The Tucson is also the lightest vehicle in its segment, which provides a number of performance and efficiency benefits. More >