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Hyundai flirted with the import performance crowd with the Tiburon , but the Korean-automaker is pink-slip serious about appealing to the aging “The Fast and Furious” crowd with its latest coupe. The new, rear-drive Genesis Coupe is a well-executed sporty car with impressive fit-and-finish and decidedly performance-driver bent. For those enthusiasts with a passion for customization and factory-besting performance, Hyundai is introducing the 210-horsepower Coupe 2.0T R-Spec at the Specialty Equipment Market Association ( SEMA ) Show this week. Consider this new edition as a blank slate for tuners. Priced at just $23,750, it gives enthusiasts an affordable head start on their wrench-turning adventures. The hardware is based on the Track model, with the track-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, and Torsen limited-slip differential. It also adds a set of front strut camber adjustment bolts to further enhance initial turn-in and handling response. R-Spec comes only with a manual transmission. While it has the performance goodies, the R-Spec eliminates “non-essential” features for both cost and, to a lesser degree, weight, including Bluetooth, automatic headlights, cruise control...
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Hyundai continues to sing the Blues as it applies fuel-saving tweaks to the Accent line, as it has done with the Elantra . For the 2010 model year, all Accents benefit from aerodynamic enhancements, reduced engine friction, a “smart” alternator management system, optimized thermostat, and low-rolling resistance tires. As a result, fuel economy is improved across the board by 1 mpg in the city and highway. The base model is now the Accent Blue. As with the Elantra Blue , this car receives further enhancements to make it the thriftiest of the line. Here, the Accent has a lowered ride height and revised gear ratios. These tweaks help to achieve 27 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. Turns out, the better-equipped GS three-door hatchback matches those numbers with an automatic transmission, but it trails 1 mpg in the combined figures due to rounding. Pricing for the Blue starts at just $10,000. It is a fairly bare-bones car, with even air conditioning being optional. The GS would have broader appeal without true mileage compromises. It is more comfortably equipped with an auto tranny, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, rear wiper, and additional convenience features. It is made even more appealing...
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It used to be that manufacturers boasted more horsepower with each new model year, and larger size every redesign. Times have changed, and the common message for 2010 is fuel economy. Hyundai promised a year ago that they would focus their engineering muscle on boosting fuel economy. The Elantra Blue edition leads this effort, with Blue variants and hybrids expected to follow from the company’s other product lines. The Elantra Blue evolves the 2009 Elantra GLS manual into a greener machine, with fuel economy boosted two mile per gallon for both the city and highway EPA ratings through several tweaks. The Elantra Blue has a smarter alternator management system, lower friction engine components, revised transmission gear ratios, improved lock-up torque converter, and thriftier engine calibration than the previous GLS. It also adds an upshift indicator and the all-important “Blue” badging. The fuel economy is now rated at 26 mpg city, 35 mpg highway. The Blue is the new entry point into the Elantra line, starting at just $14,145 (plus $720 destination charge). Despite the budget price, it has a healthy features roster that includes power heated mirrors, power door locks, power windows...
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By all the reports we've seen from the Department of Transportation and other automotive blogs, the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program was " wildly successful " at driving consumers towards dealerships. With nearly 700,000 vehicle transactions utilizing "Cash for Clunkers" trade-ins, not to mention standard purchases that didn't include the government-subsidized rebates, it's clear that manufacturers benefited from a giant sales infusion during the month of August. When comparing sales figures for August 2009 against August 2008, Ford was the most successful American manufacturer with an increase of 16.99 percent (182,149 units sold) for all of Ford Motor Company and a 21.25-percent jump for just the Ford brand itself. Toyota Motor Company and American Honda were up 6.41 (225,088) and 9.93 (161,439) percent respectively. Unfortunately, even with the incentives, some manufacturers still sold fewer cars than they did a year ago, notably Nissan North America was down 2.93 percent (105,312 units sold), Chrysler was down 15.43 percent (93,222), and General Motors was down 20.19 percent (246,479) from a year ago. (Many thanks to John Neff at AutoBlog...
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One of the basic laws of the car business has been reversed - the annual price increase. Toyota signaled this significant sea change with its declaration that many models were holding the line on sticker prices . Now Hyundai has gone one better by slashing $1,800 from the entry-point to its Elantra Touring wagon . The significant price reduction comes with a new trim level that starts at $15,995 with a five-speed manual transmission. (Price begins at $17,195 with a four-speed automatic.) To get there, Hyundai has cut some minor features, leaving the powertrain, entertainment system, and safety gear intact. The Elantra Touring GLS includes air conditioning, power windows, heated mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry with alarm, four-way adjustable driver’s seat, and a cooled glovebox. Cruise control is also standard on all GLS models equipped with automatic transmissions. For audiophiles, an integrated 172-watt AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers and iPod/USB/auxiliary inputs is standard. The optional Popular Equipment Package on the GLS adds roof rails, a telescopic steering wheel, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, trip computer, eight-way driver’s seat with...
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Hyundai is looking to build on the success of the Genesis sedan with a new flagship model positioned further upmarket. Just as the Genesis has targeted the BMW 5 Series , Lexus GS , and Mercedes-Benz E-Class with a rear-drive model with comparable features and polish, yet priced more like a lesser class. Now, the larger Equus seen at the 2009 New York International Auto Show is primed to square off against the BMW 7 Series , Lexus LS , and Mercedes S-Class , yet priced less. It will be based on the rear-drive platform shared with the Genesis coupe and sedan. Details will be released closer to the late-2010 on-sale date, though it is expected it will share the V-6 and V-8 powertrains with the sedan. The Equus nameplate has adorned the company’s flagship model for 10 years overseas, though the car will be renamed for the U.S. market before it arrives as a 2011 model. See our Hyundai Genesis coupe and Genesis sedan reviews . Research the Genesis in the new car buyer's guide.
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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ( IIHS ) has tested bumpers on several midsized family sedans for repair costs, finding not one of the six models earned a top rating of Good. This is the second group of vehicles the Institute has evaluated under a new bumper ratings protocol based on repair costs averaged and weighted to reflect real-world damage and insurance claims frequency. (See “ Small Cars Can Be Costly to Repair .”) A series of four tests were conducted: front and rear full-width impacts at 6 mph and front and rear corner impacts at 3 mph. These tests are designed to drive bumper improvements, though they also highlight the potentially significant costs of a minor bump. Bumpers on 2009 models of the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, and Nissan Maxima performed better than their 2007 predecessors in low-speed crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Bumpers on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and 2010 Ford Fusion did worse than earlier models. None of the six popular midsize sedans earns the top rating of Good in a recent series of tests designed to assess and compare how well bumpers resist damage in everyday fender-benders. Bumpers on 2009...
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The CAR Allowance Rebate System (CARS), popularly known as “ cash for clunkers ” was executed in a bumbling fashion that only government could manage, yet it was a resounding success. Manufacturers have released their July sales figures, and the news is largely good (or at least, not as bad), with most full-line automakers seeing a lift in the past week from the CARS program. (Learn how cash for clunkers works .) Subaru boasted the most impressive gain, comparing July 2009 to July 2008, with a stunning 34-percent increase. Although not known for high fuel economy, much of its model line is eligible for consideration, and the AWD-automaker is drawing showroom traffic with its redesigned Legacy and Outback. Volvo saw a 26-percent gain, with the XC60 crossover gaining new buyers to what is otherwise an aging product line. Hyundai issued CARS credits weeks before the program was finalized, and as a result, the crafty company saw a 12-percent gain. (See “ Hyundai Honors Cash for Clunkers CARS Rebate – Now .”) But the real winner is arguably Ford Motor Company. Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln retail sales increased nine percent versus a year ago; total sales (including fleet) were 158,838, up...
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It's the week ending July 25, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. News this week was slow (for a change), with no monumental announcements regarding the state of the automotive industry....
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J.D. Power and Associates has introduced yet another automotive analysis, this time grading new car launches. The inaugural 2009 Vehicle Launch Index quantifies how well new vehicle models--including new entries to the market and all-new and redesigned models--perform during the first eight months after launch. On the surface, the index seems to just serve the traditional J.D. Power customers: the automakers. However, looking closer, this rates combined marketing and manufacturing savvy, as well as reflecting quality and owner satisfaction. It makes for an interesting look at new cars. Ultimately, the J.D. Power’s initial and three-year quality surveys are better buying tools, but this is good water cooler fodder. First off, the VLI has identified the following key elements that drive the success of newly-launched models: Optimal vehicle price and volume levels are established prior to launch. Manufacturers sustain the proper product mix and incentive support. Automakers and dealers effectively manage inventory levels and turn rates. The model is attractively designed and provides high levels of consumer appeal in terms of styling, performance, functionality and ease of operation. The...
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Proving it is increasingly clever and aggressive, Hyundai will honor Car Allowance Rebate System ( CARS ) credits at its dealers nationwide, well ahead of then the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is expected to have sorted out the program details. Technically, the law states the program began July 1st, though NHTSA was given about three weeks to develop the process to ensure dealers are reimbursed, cars crushed, and fraud averted. Hyundai is providing funds to its dealers, providing the CARS cash in the interim. (Read: " Ready to Go Car Shopping? Obama signs Car Allowance Rebate System into Law .") In May, Hyundai research showed that 11 percent of car buyers delayed their purchases until the CARS legislation was resolved. This strategy positions Hyundai to get a sales boost from the pent up demand from current owners of gas-guzzlers seeking the significant funds to put toward a new, more fuel-efficient model. Under the CARS program, consumers qualify for a $4,500 rebate on the purchase or lease of new vehicles that achieve 10 miles per gallon more than a trade-in car or five miles per gallon or more than a trade-in light truck. New vehicles that achieve...
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It's the week ending July 3, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. Gas prices and gas deals are a big incentive for car sales this week, as well as news on the status of the automotive industry....
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The Detroit 3 showed marked improvements in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study released this week, with a 10-percent gain over 2008. This accomplishment for Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors is remarkable given the well-publicized challenges they have faced in the past year, and all the more impressive for being greater than the 8-percent rate of improvement by the industry overall. Cadillac ranks in the top three, moving up from 10th last year, with Ford, Chevrolet, and Mercury all ranked above the industry average. However, Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep remain well below the average. The study finds that initial quality for newly launched and redesigned models in 2009 has improved compared with previous years. Historically, all-new models have typically launched with below-average levels of initial quality. However, several all-new models in 2009, including the Hyundai Genesis, Kia Borrego, Toyota Venza and Volkswagen CC, perform considerably better than their respective segment averages. Many redesigned models in 2009 also show notable improvement from the previous generation--particularly the Acura TL, Ford F-150, Honda Pilot, and Nissan Z. The highest ranked...
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Even a spacious midsize sedan can be a tight squeeze for five adults—but you still want to go places with everyone every once in a while—and you have to drive. So if driving a minivan doesn’t suit you, nor does spending more than $25,000 on a new vehicle, here are five three-row crossover SUVs that will fit you, your passengers, and your budget. Click on each to learn more about features, options, and pricing in a 2009 New Car Buyer’s Guide . 2009 Dodge Journey 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander 2009 Subaru Forester 2009 Toyota RAV4 -Deborah Neal, Editorial Director
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Do you prefer to start fresh? Would you feel better knowing that your new car doesn’t have a used-car history? If you’re in the market for a brand new car with a new-car warranty, but want or need to keep your spending to a minimum, here are the 16 new models available in trim levels for less than $15,000 (price ranges for some models include trim levels over $15k). Click on each vehicle to learn more about its features and options. Happy hunting! 2009 Chevrolet Aveo ($11,965-$15,365) 2009 Honda Fit ($14,750-$18,960) 2009 Hyundai Accent ($11,070-$15,070) 2009 Hyundai Elantra ($14,120-$17,020) 2009 Kia Rio ($11,495-$14,280) 2010 Kia Soul ($13,300-$16,950) 2009 Kia Spectra ($13,550-$16,450) 2009 Mazda MAZDA3 ($14,690-$20,895) 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer ($14,340-$26,490) 2009 Nissan cube ($13,990-$19,370) 2009 Nissan Versa ($10,990-$16,330) 2009 Pontiac G3 ($14,335) 2009 Scion xD ($14,650) 2009 smart fortwo ($11,990-$13,990) 2009 Suzuki SX4 ($13,299-$15,139) 2009 Toyota Yaris ($12,205-$15,880) See the rest of our New Car Buyer's Guide for pricing, specs, mileage figures, and photo galleries of all vehicle makes, models, by pricing and category. -Deborah Neal, Editorial Director
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