Created in 1950, the annual GOOD DESIGN honors are presented by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. According to Arlington Hyundai, the awards were developed to recognize “new, visionary, and innovative product concepts, invention and originality, and for stretching the envelope beyond what is considered ordinary product and consumer design” — just like the Hyundai Veloster, which recently earned a 2011 GOOD DESIGN award in the Transportation category. [click to continue…]
Currently the best-selling hybrid sedan in America, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is back for 2012 with some notable new changes but just a minor increase in price. For the new model year, the Sonata Hybrid will start at $25,850, representing an increase of just $55 (.2 percent) over the 2011 edition. As result, the Sonata Hybrid also remains the least expensive vehicle in its class. [click to continue…]
Calling all gamers! If you think you’re ready for the big time, Hyundai has a new, interactive racing game, and it doesn’t get much bigger than this. That’s because the new offering doesn’t just let you “drive” on your smart phone—it lets you show your stuff on the prominently placed Hyundai billboard located in Times Square in New York City. “HYUNDAI RACE” is the very first video game to be available on a Times Square billboard while providing both high-quality graphic resolution and a realistic driving experience. [click to continue…]
Drivers looking for typically outstanding Hyundai value in a five-door compact hatchback should take note: The 2012 Elantra Touring is now on sale at Hyundai dealerships across the country. [click to continue…]
Reminding readers that “Hyundai has gotten in the habit of over-delivering very good cars at underwhelming prices,” Bloomberg—one of the world’s top sources for global business information—has added the Hyundai Veloster to its list of “Best Drives of 2011.” It’s a prestigious honor that this year also went to cars including the Lamborghini Aventador, Audi A7, Range Rover Evoque and BMW 1 Series M Coupe. [click to continue…]
A key ingredient in Hyundai’s recipe for high fuel efficiency—the automaker’s innovative 1.6-liter I4 engine—earned one of the powertrain sector’s most prominent recognitions recently, when it was chosen for Ward’s annual list of 10 Best Engines. It’s the second Hyundai engine to make the list, with the company’s 5.0-liter V8 earning the same honors for 2011.
“Hyundai spent three years on the list with its excellent Tau 5.0-liter V8, but 2012 brings evidence the auto maker can deliver world-class small engines as well,” writes Tom Murphy, executive editor, WardsAuto World. “The new 1.6-liter DI Gamma four-cylinder is powering entry level vehicles such as the Hyundai Accent and demonstrates its versatility in the Hyundai Veloster three-door coupe. Mated with an excellent six-speed manual transmission for our evaluation, this package makes the Accent an easy pick for B-class car shoppers. Priced a shade above $14,000, the Gamma-equipped Accent is an excellent value that will surprise and delight any first-time buyer.”
But notably, that engine also delivers a class-leading 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway—and a class-leading 138 hp—in the Accent with both a manual or an automatic transmission; the Veloster likewise gets 40 mpg highway with a manual, and while that mark is slightly lower with an automatic—at 38 mpg—the automatic delivers a slightly higher city rating as the manual—29 mpg—and the exact same 32 mpg in combined driving. (And the exact same 138 hp.)
Helping the little engine deliver big-time performance are features like:
- Gasoline direct injection
- Dual continuously variable valve timing
- Electronic throttle control
- A roller timing chain
- Variable induction
- An array of anti-friction coatings
“Gasoline-direct-injection technology allowed Hyundai engineers to create an engine that is powerful, fuel-efficient and has reduced emissions,” said John Juriga, powertrain director at Hyundai American Technical Center Inc. “Despite its small size, it generates some big numbers, with both impressive horsepower output and up to 40 mpg on the highway.”
IntelliChoice’s 13th annual ranking of certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle programs proved extremely lucky for Hyundai, as the automaker was recognized for having the best CPO program among all “popular” brands. Of course, truth be told, luck had very little to do with it. Instead, Hyundai pinned its success directly on its program’s advantages.
According to Sam Brnovich, Hyundai’s executive director of Sales Planning and Retail Operations in this country: “Having America’s Best Warranty on our pre-owned vehicles is just another example of how Hyundai stands behind our quality, allowing us to grow in an extremely competitive market. By continuing to certify our best used cars, Hyundai remains focused and committed to both new and pre-owned customers.”
Thus, each Hyundai CPO vehicle offers:
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty coverage (from original purchase date)
- A comprehensive, 150-point inspection process
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car coverage of up to $35 per day for up to 10 days for each incident
- Towing coverage of up to $75 per tow
- Travel breakdown coverage, which provides up to $75 per occurrence for problems that occur more than 100 miles from the owner’s home
- Enhanced coverage options, included a pre-paid maintenance plan and road-hazard wheel-protection plan.
- A complimentary 90-day subscription to XM Satellite Radio
- A free CARFAX vehicle history report
“We congratulate Hyundai for the great strides they have made with their Certified Pre-Owned program in recent years, culminating in their win for best overall program for 2012 in the Popular brands category,” said Tyler Schulze, vice president and general manager, IntelliChoice. “Consumers evaluating the purchase of a CPO vehicle can be confident that the Hyundai program is an excellent choice in terms of program offerings and benefits.”
If you plan on becoming a citizen of eCityofStyle.com—a top resource for the country’s “cool hunters”—you should be sure to have the Hyundai Veloster in your sights: After all, the website recently honored the striking three-door coupe with a 2012 Auto Style Award, adding it to a list that includes vehicles like the BMW 6 Series, Range Rover Evoque, Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG and Fiat 500. [click to continue…]
Just introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai’s full-size family sedan—the Azera—receives a full-size makeover for the 2012 model year, showcasing a new look, new powertrain and new levels of interior comfort. The sleek and sophisticated sedan is the capstone to Hyundai’s 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative, which has seen the introduction of seven all-new vehicles in the past 24 months, including the Tucson, Sonata, Equus, Elantra, Accent and Veloster. [click to continue…]
With another strong showing in one of the country’s top gauges of perceived quality, Hyundai is further growing its status as one of the most trusted names in the auto industry. According to ALG’s Fall 2011 Perceived Quality Study, Hyundai is now in the top ten in this important measure, having jumped from the 18th spot to the ninth position in just three years—by far the biggest improvement during that period. [click to continue…]
