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Posts Tagged ‘Hyundai’

2011 Hyundai Equus

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

Review and photos by
Jil McIntosh, Autos.ca

If the idea of a $70,000 Hyundai sounds too odd for words, just remember: there was a time when a high-end Toyota sounded pretty strange as well, until people got used to the idea of Lexus.

2011 Hyundai Equus

That’s pretty much the type of success Hyundai is anticipating with the Equus, its high-end luxury model that’s new here for 2011. The company only expects to sell about 100 of them this year (skater Brian Orser has purchased one), but it could be the beginning of an entirely new direction for a company that’s moved almost all of its models to new heights of refinement in the last little while. In addition to top-line features, the new sedan also comes with an equally new “owner experience” that includes Equus-specific service, a dedicated line to the company’s head office, and even an iPad that holds the owner’s manual. It’s all part of the company’s plan to target such marques as BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, but at a considerably lower price. (more…)

Tags: 2011, Equus, Hyundai
Posted in Gallery, Reviews | 1 Comment »

2011 Hyundai Tucson GLS AWD

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

Review and photos by
Greg Wilson, Autos.ca

This Korean-built, compact SUV was totally redesigned in 2010 with dramatically curvy styling which Hyundai describes as “an antidote to boring design,” perhaps a not-so-subtle jab at the boxy styling of some of its competitors. It also reflects Hyundai’s current approach to vehicle styling which has seen dramatic makeovers of its volume sellers, the Sonata, Elantra and Accent.

2011 Hyundai Tucson GLS AWD

The other big change for 2010 was a new 176-hp 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that replaced both previous four and six-cylinder powerplants; as well as new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions that replaced five-speed manual and four-speed automatics respectively. Hyundai’s decision to replace the optional 2.7-litre V6 engine with the new (but more powerful) 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine was, and is, a gamble. Ultimately, this was done for reasons of fuel economy and reduced emissions but there are buyers who prefer the smoothness and “torquey-ness” of a V6 engine, and those who just don’t want a four-banger – they will just have to look elsewhere. Still, it should be pointed out that the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester have done just fine with their exclusive four-cylinder engines.

For 2011, the Tucson GL ($24,299), GLS ($26,799) and Limited ($32,249), all come with the standard six-speed automatic transmission with ‘Shiftronic’ manual shifting mode – the six-speed manual has been dropped from the GL. All-wheel drive can be added to the GL and GLS for an extra $2,000, and it is standard on the Limited model.For 2011, the Tucson remains basically the same, but there’s a new entry-level model with a smaller 165-hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, standard five-speed manual transmission, and an attractive starting price of $19,999. (more…)

Tags: 2011, AWD, GLS, Hyundai, Tucson
Posted in Gallery, Reviews | No Comments »

2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Saturday, April 9th, 2011

Review and photos by
Greg Wilson, Autos.ca

Hyundai is on a tear. If you hadn’t noticed, the new Hyundai Sonata, Tucson, Elantra sedan and Accent have all been dramatically re-shaped in the past couple of years and the reaction has been generally positive. Still, major styling changes are always a bit of a gamble: they can backfire if the styling is seen as too trendy, overstated, or perhaps even ugly – just ask Acura! While handsome new styling is often the easiest and most cost effective way to attract new customers, bad styling is also the easiest way to lose them.

2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited

But you can’t argue with Hyundai’s sales numbers: since its introduction in December, the new Elantra has shot to the top of its class, a considerable achievement when you consider that its main competitors include Canada’s (formerly) best-selling car, the Honda Civic, the popular Toyota Corolla and Mazda3, and a host of other worthy compact sedans and hatchbacks.

While the 2011 Elantra might look like a “baby Sonata”, we think its sculpted bodywork, flowing form, and wraparound head and tail lights work better in this smaller package. The Elantra is tighter, leaner, more cab-forward with shorter front and rear overhangs. It has presence. (more…)

Tags: 2011, Elantra, Hyundai, Limited
Posted in Gallery, Reviews | 1 Comment »

2007-2010 Hyundai Elantra

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Review and photos by
Chris Chase, CanadianDriver.com

The importance of compact cars means that very few designs in this class languish for more than five or six years. Even that’s a change from the 1980s and ’90s, when many little cars were redesigned every four years. The Hyundai Elantra, though, never followed that four-year cycle though, being redesigned every six years at the soonest.

2007 Hyundai Elantra

So, call me surprised that, just four years after its last redesign, a fifth-generation Elantra is set to soon arrive in Hyundai dealers. It looks like it’s going to be a solid improvement over the outgoing, fourth-gen model. That doesn’t mean that that fourth-gen car, introduced for 2007, isn’t good in its own right.

The 2007 Elantra arrived with dramatically different styling, but a largely carried over drive-train. (more…)

Tags: 2007-2010, Elantra, Hyundai
Posted in Gallery, Used Cars | No Comments »

2006-2011 Hyundai Accent

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011

Review and photos by
Chris Chase, CanadianDriver.com

Hyundai’s history in the subcompact segment started in the mid-1980s, with the introduction of the Excel. The 1995 model year brought with it an all-new subcompact, the Accent, which was redesigned into its third generation in 2006. This review picks up on that third-generation model as Hyundai prepares the fourth-gen, 2012 model for its introduction.

2006 Hyundai Accent

For 2006, the sedan was the first version of the Accent to be replaced; the three- and five-door hatchbacks were carried over, and a new hatchback – a three-door only – was added in 2007.

All Accents were powered by a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder. In the new 2006 sedan, the motor featured variable valve timing, which helped boost horsepower to 110, from 104 in the carried-over hatchbacks. (more…)

Tags: 2006-2011, Accent, Hyundai
Posted in Gallery, Used Cars | No Comments »

2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS

Monday, October 4th, 2010

Review and photos by
Jil McIntosh, CanadianDriver.com

It’s no easy feat to compete in the midsize sedan market these days, a segment crowded with numerous worthy contenders. Hyundai has always been a player here with its Sonata, but for 2011, it enters with a redesigned model that’s quite a departure from what it was previously, both in its sleek new styling and with the unusual offering of only one engine, and a four-cylinder at that.

2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS

For 2010, the Sonata came with a choice of 2.4-litre four-cylinder or 3.3-litre V6. This time around, there’s only a four-cylinder, but it’s an all-new version of the 2.4-litre, marking Hyundai’s first direct-injection gasoline engine. The previous 2.4-litre made 175 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque; the new engine produces 198 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That’s why no V6 is offered for 2011, the company says: although the six-cylinder used in 2010 made 249 horsepower, most buyers went for the more economical four-cylinder, and this new engine produces enough grunt that it should keep almost all buyers satisfied. (more…)

Tags: 2011, GLS, Hyundai, Sonata
Posted in Gallery, Most Popular Articles, Reviews | 2 Comments »

2011 Hyundai Sonata GL

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Review and photos by
Paul Williams, CanadianDriver.com

Although many Canadian consumers are moving to compact sport utility vehicles, the midsize family car is still the workhorse of choice for a large segment of the buying public.

Over the years, these vehicles have become bigger, better equipped, more fuel efficient and safer, but some might say they’ve also become a little bland.

2011 Hyundai Sonata GL

Hyundai thinks it has the remedy for that with the 2011 Sonata sedan, available in GL, GLS, Limited and Limited with Navigation. Our $24,249 GL test car is the “base” Sonata model, and as such it excludes items like leather interior, alloy wheels and premium audio.

However, unlike many vehicles we test, this model has no options added to the standard specification. In other words, all GL models with automatic transmission are equipped like this one, with remote keyless entry, front side and front and rear curtain airbags, (more…)

Tags: 2011, Hyundai, Sonata GL
Posted in Gallery, Most Popular Articles, Reviews | 1 Comment »

Serious Sixes

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

6-Cylinder Engines That Pack a Serious Punch

Michael Schlee

The 6 Cylinder engine once was the ‘small guy’ in the North American automotive world. If you wanted an efficient vehicle in the 1950’s and 1960’s, you would opt for the 6 cylinder engine.

Nissan GT-R

With the exception of a few European and Japanese makes, the 6-cylinder engine was not the first choice for sports cars.

(more…)

Tags: 6 Cylinder, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Michael Schlee, Nissan, porsche
Posted in Gallery, News | No Comments »

New Genesis Coupe priced to win

Monday, February 16th, 2009

By Marc Lachapelle

Korea’s number one carmaker is on a solid streak. Shortly after winning the overall Car of the Year award from AJAC with its Genesis luxury sedan, Hyundai unveiled the 2010 Genesis Coupe, its next contender, at the CIAS.

Built off the same rear-wheel drive platform as the Genesis sedan, the coupe will be available in two versions. The 2.0T Coupe is powered by a new, direct-injection, Theta II turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder that develops 210 horsepower and has a starting price of $24,495.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe (Photo: Isaac Adams-Hands)

The 3.8 Coupe gets an all-aluminum, DOHC V6 that produces 306 horsepower on regular gasoline and is priced at $32,995. Standard are a six-speed manual gearbox, 18-inch alloy wheels, six airbags, electronic stability control and ABS brakes. A premium package adds luxury and power accessories but performance enthusiasts will be more interested in the GT package that adds brakes from Italian master Brembo, a Torsen-type limited -slip differential, 19-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights and special black leather seats with red cloth inserts.

Hyundai is also going racing with the Genesis Coupe in the Canadian Touring Car Championship with a pair of Auto Trader-sponsored cars that will be built at the Sprongl brothers’ famed FourStar Motorsport shop.