Category Archives: Sonata

Up Close: Hyundai’s New Navigation System

Hyundai readily admits it’s late to the navigation game. As recently as 2007, top-of-the-line models like the Veracruz and Azera didn’t have any system, while competitors offered it all the way down to their compact cars. That’s changed: The Veracruz, Santa Fe and Azera offer navigation for 2008, while the restyled Sonata features an even more advanced system for 2009.

The Sonata’s system is the real deal. At the Chicago Auto Show yesterday, I spoke with Patrick Newland, the engineer who designed it, and he said it’s a proprietary system that will make its way across Hyundai’s lineup in several years. Strictly speaking, the LG systems in other Hyundai models are a stopgap measure, Newland said. (The Genesis’ high-end system, meanwhile, is yet another, separate unit dedicated just to that car.)

I checked out Newland’s brainchild. It sits high in the Sonata’s dash on a 6.5-inch screen — not as big as the 8-inch screen in the Accord, but competitive with most others. The graphics are first-rate, with clear labels for streets and landmarks, though individual buildings aren’t outlined, as they are on Toyota’s navigation system. Newland says Hyundai put a premium on usability, and it shows: There’s a POI button on the main map to bring up points of interest, and under the Setup display there’s a full help menu with descriptions of each button. Should you need to find an intersection, the system allows you to input the city it’s in. That’s helpful. I’ve used systems without a city input, and if you can’t remember the exact name of each street (boulevard, lane or avenue?) you can get stuck with every 3rd and Main from here to Cleveland.

The system uses a touch-screen, and it’s pretty adept at figuring out what you’re trying to do. I wish Hyundai had placed a few more shortcut buttons along the side, though. Honda is a champion of this, as most of its navigation systems employ a joystick to scroll the map. The Sonata’s system works like most others, so you have to hold your finger on the map to move around. Sigh.

On the audio menus, the radio presets display their stations, so instead of 1 through 6 you have 93.1, 104.3, etc. That’s nice, especially if you forget your presets like I do. On satellite radio, you can punch in exactly which station you want with a number pad instead of having to browse a list of 100-plus channels. (If you prefer, you can do that, too.)

Unfortunately, Hyundai doesn’t break out the radio presets onto hard buttons above or below the screen, so setting a station requires holding your finger down on the on-screen button. Other systems that do this prove especially vexing – if you’re driving and hit a bump, you’re back to whatever old station was there.

All told, this isn’t a bad start. I’m looking forward to seeing how well the system routes us around Chicago. Some of my favorite ones have become hopelessly befuddled with foul weather or tricky one-way roads — and if the system can’t get you where you need to go, all those tidy graphics start to look a lot less friendly.

Source: KickingTires

2009 Hyundai Sonata’s New Touch-Screen Display Enhances XM Radio Listening Experience

CHICAGO, Feb. 6 — XM, the nation’s leading provider of satellite radio, announced today that 2009 Hyundai Sonata buyers will experience an enhanced XM radio listening experience through the vehicles available color, touch-screen navigation display. The Sonata’s navigation display, unveiled today at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, will make for a richer XM listening experience.

The brand-new display on the 2009 Hyundai Sonata allows listeners can use the high-resolution touch-screen display to easily scan through XM’s more than 170 channels of entertainment. The display will feature sophisticated graphics, making it easy to glance at the XM channel name, song title, artist name, and category to select music, sports, talk, news, comedy or traffic and weather.

“XM fans will truly appreciate the enhanced user experience through the Hyundai Sonata’s new touch-screen display. Now, listening to XM Radio in the vehicle is richer and easier than ever before,” said Joe Verbrugge, senior vice president, automotive partnerships and international operations, XM Satellite Radio.

XM has been standard on all Sonata models since 2007. Every Hyundai equipped with XM Satellite Radio also comes with a three-month complimentary subscription.

This is the first time a navigation system has been incorporated into the Sonata.

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata will be on display throughout the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

About XM

XM is America’s number one satellite radio. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM’s 2008 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choice from coast to coast: commercial-free music, premier sports, news, talk radio, comedy, children’s and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather information.

XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Porsche, Ferrari, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota, is available in 140 different vehicle models for 2008. XM’s industry-leading products are available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit www.xmradio.com.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements in this press release include demand for XM Satellite Radio’s service, the Company’s dependence on technology and third party vendors, its potential need for additional financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 3-1-07. Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio’s Investor Relations Department. Programming is subject to change.

Hyundai Sonata a Midsize Sedan for the Mass Market

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Hyundai Sonata a midsize sedan for the mass market

“What are you driving this week?” a friend asked me the other day, not an odd question since I get a new vehicle each week for testing.

“It’s the Hyundai Sonata sedan,” I replied.

“Is that the one that looks like a Jaguar?” he asked.

“Well, it used to,” I said.

The exchange was a surprise to me because until then, I thought maybe I was the only one who had noticed similarities in the styling of the previous generation of the Sonata and the baby Jaguar, the X-type sedan that arrived in 2002.

That Sonata was replaced for 2006 by a new generation with all-new styling, and the similarities to the exterior of the Jag disappeared.

But even without looking much like the X-type, the 2008 Sonata is a much better value — and probably even a better car — than the X-type sedan, which costs up to $17,000 more.

Maybe that’s why Jaguar is being forced to drop the X-type for poor sales, while Hyundai is preparing to introduce yet another generation of the popular Sonata, whose top model, the Limited, has leather seats and other amenities that usually are reserved for luxury models such as Jaguars. (The redesigned Sonata will arrive this fall for 2009.)

Yes, there still seems to be some stigma attached to driving a Hyundai, but it’s not really fair. I hear it all the time from people I recommend Hyundai products to — “Yeah, maybe it’s a good car, but I just can’t be seen driving around in a Hyundai.”

Well, OK. If having a certain name on your car outweighs the value and practicality of your purchase, then go buy a Honda, Toyota or even a Jaguar.

But if you want one of the finest mass-market midsize sedans on the market, swallow your foolish pride and consider the Sonata.

Our test vehicle was the new four-cylinder Limited model, whose base price is $22,995, including freight. It was added to the lineup for 2008 to appease those who want all the luxury trappings of the Limited, but don’t particularly want the V-6 engine, which uses more fuel.

The V-6 Limited costs $1,825 more; the main difference, besides the six-cylinder engine, is that it comes with a five-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder Limited has a four-speed automatic.

The other difference, of course, is fuel economy. The four-cylinder Limited is EPA rated at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway, while the V-6 is 19 city/28 highway.

Since fuel prices began their climb to $3, several manufacturers have tweaked their midsize-sedan lineups to offer four-cylinder engines in models that have all the available upscale amenities, including leather interior, automatic climate control, upgraded audio systems with multidisc CD changers and so forth. It used to be that these models also came with the uplevel engine.

Our test car’s 2.4-cylinder engine, with 162 horsepower and 164 foot-pounds of torque, had more than enough power for everyday driving, even on some hilly roads. I never felt that anything was missing. In fact, I thought my test vehicle had the V-6 engine the first day I drove it, as I didn’t even look at the provided copy of the window sticker until that evening.

The leather seats — front and back — were a dark slate gray and quite elegant. They just as easily could have been in a Jaguar X-type or Lexus ES 350.

The front bucket seats were quite comfortable, unlike those of some entry-level midsize sedans I’ve tested recently.

My only complaint is that Hyundai should have ditched the four-speed automatic and used the five-speed for both the four-cylinder and V-6 models. The four-cylinder engine would have even better highway fuel economy with a five-speed automatic, as the fifth gear is a second overdrive.

This is an elegant-looking vehicle inside or out, making the package seem a lot more expensive than it is.

One place the Sonata beats the X-type is in rear-seat legroom. I sat in the back of my Sonata, with the front seats all the way back on their tracks, and had about 3 inches between my knees and the back of the front seat. Three average-size adults can fit in the back seat fairly comfortably, which is something I can’t say for the X-type.

Electronic stability control is standard on all models of the Sonata, an important safety feature that some competitors still offer only as an option.

Designed to help the driver keep the car from leaving the highway and rolling over in a panic situation, the stability control system operates “like the invisible hand of God,” Hyundai says.

As for including it as standard equipment — along with front seat-mounted side air bags and side-curtain air bags front and back — Hyundai’s policy is that “Safety is not optional.”

Standard convenience items on all Sonatas include air conditioning, power windows and door locks, and cruise control. The Limited adds even more, including the automatic climate control, an Infinity audio system with CD changer and XM satellite radio, heated front seats, fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, tilt and telescopic steering column and universal garage/gate opener.

Extras on our car included a power sunroof ($900), carpeted floor mats ($85) and a cargo mat in the roomy trunk ($90).

Total sticker was $24,070, including freight and options. To get even a Camry or Accord with all of these amenities would cost several thousand dollars more.

With the redesign for 2006, the Sonata grew to an interior volume of 121.7 cubic feet. That’s actually so big that it’s classified a “large car” by EPA standards.

Cargo space is near the head of the class, at 16.3 cubic feet.

The Sonata is the main product from Hyundai’s new manufacturing plant in Montgomery, Ala. The company has invested $1.1 billion to build the plant.

Sonata prices begin at just more than $18,000 (with freight) for the base GL model with a four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual gearbox — the only model in which manual is offered. A four-speed automatic is available in the four-cylinder models for an extra $1,200.

The uplevel engine is a 3.3-liter V-6 rated at 234 horsepower and 226 foot-pounds of torque. It’s linked only to the five-speed automatic transmission.

Top speed of the V-6 model is 136.8 mph. The car accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and has a 0.32 coefficient of drag, making it one of the sleekest exterior designs on the market.

Four-wheel disc brakes with computerized antilock system and traction control are standard on all models.

2008 HYUNDAI SONATA

The package: Midsize, four-door, front-drive, four-cylinder or V-6 powered, five-passenger sedan.

Highlights: Hyundai’s popular family sedan offers great value in the midsize segment with lots of standard amenities, styling that makes it look like a luxury car and decent fuel economy, especially with the four-cylinder engine.

Negatives: The four-speed automatic that comes with four-cylinder models is behind the times, as most competitors have five- or six-speeds to achieve better fuel economy; resale values still lag those of the Japanese competitors.

Engine: 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder; 3.3-liter V-6.

Transmission: Five-speed manual; four- or five-speed automatic.

Power/torque: 162 HP/164 foot-pounds (I-4); 234 HP/226 foot-pounds (V-6).

Length: 188.9 inches.

Curb weight: 3,253-3,458 pounds.

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Cargo volume: 16.3 cubic feet.

Fuel capacity/type: 17.7 gallons/unleaded regular.

EPA fuel economy: 21 city/31 highway (I-4, manual); 21 city/30 highway (I-4, automatic); 19 city/28 highway (V-6).

Base price range: $17,670-$24,170 plus freight.

Price as tested: $24,070, including freight and options (Limited model, four-cylinder automatic).

On the Road rating: 8.7 (of a possible 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.

G. Chambers Williams
San Antonio Express-News

Hyundai Motor America Announces 2009 Sonata Pricing

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Hyundai Motor America Announces 2009 Sonata Pricing

Chicago, 02/06/2008 — Hyundai Motor America announced pricing for the refreshed 2009 Sonata at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show today. The 2009 Sonata features an all-new interior, enhanced suspensions and revised powertrains boasting even more horsepower and improved fuel economy. The 2009 Sonata is now on sale at Hyundai dealerships.

Model	Engine	Transmission	MSRP with freight
Sonata GLS	2.4-liter I4	5-speed manual	$18,795
Sonata GLS	2.4-liter I4	5-speed automatic	$19,995
Sonata GLS	2.4-liter I4 PZEV	5-speed automatic	$19,995
Sonata GLS	3.3-liter V6	5-speed automatic	$22,245
Sonata SE	2.4-liter I4	5-speed manual	$21,195
Sonata SE	3.3-liter V6	5-speed automatic	$23,845
Sonata Limited	2.4-liter I4	5-speed automatic	$24,645
Sonata Limited	2.4-liter I4 PZEV	5-speed automatic	$24,645
Sonata Limited	3.3-liter V6	5-speed automatic	$26,345

“You’d expect that all of these changes and new content would lead to startling new price points for the Sonata,” said John Krafcik, vice president, Product Development and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “But that’s not Hyundai’s business model. With a starting price of just $18,795, including delivery, the 2009 Sonata is very well equipped to compete with the best mid-size sedans on quality, craftsmanship, capability…and of course, value.”

The Sonata combines refined design, proven dependability, spirited performance and an extensive list of standard features to increase its appeal to a broader range of customers. For 2009, Sonata raises the bar for value and standard safety technology in the mid-size segment. Hyundai’s sales leader boasts new features ranging from standard USB/iPod auxiliary inputs to available navigation and sport-tuned suspension. Combined with Sonata’s continued leadership in safety – it remains the only mid-size sedan under $20,000 with standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – the 2009 American-made Sonata is the smartest choice in the competitive mid-size sedan segment.

The new, second-generation Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine delivers more horsepower and quicker acceleration. Fuel economy numbers are 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway with the standard five-speed manual transmission or the newly available five-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC®. The Theta II is rated at 175 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque. This high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine now features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on both camshafts and a Variable Induction System (VIS) for better engine breathing.

Sonata’s 3.3-liter V6 engine now pumps out 15 more horsepower and three more pound-feet of torque (249 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 229 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm). This newly refined powerplant features all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, CVVT on both camshafts and stiffer hydraulic engine mounts for optimum power, efficiency and refinement. A variable intake system is added for 2009, which further broadens its power curve, improving off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. New mileage figures for V6-powered Sonatas are 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway.

All V6-powered Sonatas use Hyundai’s five-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission, which features an overdrive lock-up torque converter for improved highway fuel economy. The automatic transmission has a new reducing valve and solenoid valve for smoother shift quality while the manual transmission has been refined for more precise shifts.

The pleasant surprises continue inside where Hyundai designers have thoroughly revamped the cockpit to create the ambiance of an upscale, premium sedan. The sophisticated look is achieved thanks to a completely new center console and instrument panel, which borrows design cues and rich materials from the premium Hyundai Veracruz. The Sonata continues to be classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Large Car, truly a “class above” Camry, Altima, Fusion and Malibu (all are categorized as mid-size cars).

Music lovers will welcome the 2009 Sonata’s inclusion of standard auxiliary input jacks (3.5 mm mini-jack and USB input) to accommodate and charge audio devices such as iPods®. Other refinements include dual-zone climate controls for the driver and front-seat passenger and two-stage front seat warmers. A new factory-installed touch screen navigation system is now available as well.

The design team added a more refined touch to Sonata’s exterior design, with new bumpers, lamps, wheels and grille creating a more elegant, dynamic and taut stance. The unibody design crafted of high-tensile steel features a concave hood design, distinctive rear-door cut lines, strong Z-lined body-to-bumper interfaces and four-barrel jeweled projector lens headlights. New chrome bodyside and bumper moldings match the chrome grille and chrome-accented exterior door handles on Limited models.

On the safety side, 2009 Sonata’s front collision performance has been improved by tweaking the design of the engine subframe. Every Sonata also has lifesaving ESC as standard equipment along with six standard airbags. The braking technology package includes four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 780 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.

2009 Sonata: Transformed From The Inside Out For a More Premium And Fuel-Efficient Mid-Size Sedan Experience

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2009 Sonata: Transformed From The Inside Out For a More Premium And Fuel-Efficient Mid-Size Sedan Experience

CHICAGO, February 6, 2008 – As gas prices and competition in the mid-size sedan segment surge, Hyundai is introducing its refreshed Sonata at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show today. The 2009 Sonata features an all-new interior, enhanced suspensions and revised powertrains boasting both improved fuel economy and horsepower. The 2009 Sonata will be available at Hyundai dealers later this month.

CHOICE OF TWO MORE POWERFUL AND FUEL-EFFICIENT POWERTRAINS

The 2009 Sonata debuts Hyundai’s second-generation Theta four-cylinder engine. The Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine delivers more horsepower and quicker acceleration, while also improving fuel economy. In fact, the Sonata I4 is now more fuel-efficient than both Camry and Accord four-cylinder engines, delivering an impressive 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway fuel economy rating with the standard five-speed manual transmission or the newly available five-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC®. The Theta II is rated at 175 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque. This high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine now features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on both camshafts and a Variable Induction System (VIS) for better engine breathing. A version of this engine also meets Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) standards.

Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline-four cylinder engine

Sonata’s 3.3-liter V6 engine has also been improved for more performance and efficiency. It now pumps out 15 more horsepower and three more pound-feet of torque (249 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 229 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm). The first member of Hyundai’s “Lambda” V6 engine family, this newly refined powerplant features all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, CVVT on both camshafts and stiffer hydraulic engine mounts for optimum power, efficiency and refinement. A variable intake system is added for 2009, which further broadens its power curve, improving off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. New mileage figures for V6-powered Sonatas are 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway, which represents unsurpassed V6 fuel economy in the mid-size sedan segment.

All V6-powered Sonatas use Hyundai’s five-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission, which features an overdrive lock-up torque converter for improved highway fuel economy. Neither Accord nor Camry offer manual-mode operation as standard equipment. The automatic transmission has a new reducing valve and solenoid valve for smoother shift quality while the manual transmission has been refined for more precise shifts.

A NEW, WELL-CRAFTED INTERIOR THAT IS STILL A “CLASS ABOVE”

Music lovers will welcome the 2009 Sonata’s inclusion of standard auxiliary input jacks (3.5 mm mini-jack and USB input) to accommodate and charge audio devices such as iPods®. Among the other refinements are the addition of dual-zone climate controls for the driver and front-seat passenger, and two-stage front seat warmers. A new factory-installed touch screen navigation system is now available as well.

More contrast has been added to the Camel and Gray interiors, and for the first time ever, Cocoa Brown is available. The front cupholders are also upgraded for more capacity and holding power. Hyundai’s signature blue backlighting for interior gauges, switches and buttons highlights the vehicle’s modern interior design.

SUPPLE RIDE, AGILE HANDLING

An advanced four-wheel independent suspension system combines a supple ride with sharper handling and steering response for Sonata GLS and Limited models. Up front is a double-wishbone system with coil springs, revalved, twin-tube, gas-filled hydraulic shock absorbers, and a larger 26 mm stabilizer bar. The system’s lower control arms increase handling precision while reducing vibration, and bushing size has been increased to better absorb the shock from road impacts.

In back, a new sophisticated multi-link system provides excellent handling along with superb ride quality and noise isolation. The rear spring rates have been increased by five percent, shocks revalved and the sway bar thickened from 15 mm to 16 mm. All together, this suspension now provides superior control of ride motions for a more dynamic driving experience.

The high-performance Sonata SE becomes an even more exciting and willing partner for enthusiastic drivers with its own unique sport-tuned suspension. The new sport-tuned suspension features a 15 percent stiffer front spring rate, 10 percent stiffer rear spring rate, unique strut valving at all four corners and 27 mm front and 17 mm rear stabilizer bars along with unique 17-inch alloy wheels and tires.

All Sonatas also now have quicker ratio steering for a crisp feel on turn in.

SOPHISTICATED EXTERIOR DESIGN

The design team added a more refined touch to Sonata’s exterior design, with new bumpers, lamps, wheels and grille creating a more elegant, dynamic and taut stance.

The unibody design crafted of high-tensile steel features a concave hood design, distinctive rear-door cut lines, strong Z-lined body-to-bumper interfaces and four-barrel jeweled projector lens headlights. New chrome bodyside and bumper moldings match the chrome grille and chrome-accented exterior door handles on Limited models. The model range offers a choice of seven new colors.

UNSURPASSED ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY

On the safety side, 2009 Sonata’s front collision performance has been further improved by tweaking the design of the engine subframe. The Hyundai Sonata is expected to earn the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) top five-star crash test rating for front and side impacts. This accomplishment was made possible by Sonata’s strong body structure and advanced airbag technology. Sonata delivers an unsurpassed commitment to both active and passive safety technology. Every Sonata has lifesaving ESC as standard equipment. This is important because NHTSA has reported that ESC results in 35 percent fewer single-vehicle crashes and 30 percent fewer single-vehicle fatalities in passenger cars.

The Sonata also features a state-of-the-art braking technology package. The package includes four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Brake Assist, which provides maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected, and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to automatically adjust the braking force to front and rear axles based on the vehicle loading conditions.

In the event that a crash is unavoidable, the Sonata features six airbags-including dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front and rear side curtain airbags-along with active front-seat head restraints. Other passive safety features include shingle-style rear-seat head restraints for improved visibility, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, front-seat seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters, and a rear-seat Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for child seats.

THREE ENHANCED, WELL-EQUIPPED MODELS

From the well-equipped GLS, to the sport-focused SE, to the downright luxurious Limited, the 2009 Sonata lineup addresses the needs and desires of mid-size sedan customers with a highly competitive mix of features and benefits. Each model delivers a level of standard equipment that is a cut above competing models.

SONATA GLS

The 2009 Sonata GLS continues to provide value and a sizable price advantage compared with its four-cylinder competition, undercutting the lesser-equipped base 2008 Honda Accord and 2008 Toyota Camry. All Sonata models have offered standard ESC since May 2005. This is important, as NHTSA claims ESC is the most effective lifesaving technology since the seatbelt. In comparison, Toyota still offers ESC only as an option on the 2008 Camry, while Honda Accord has only recently matched Sonata with standard ESC on the new 2008 Accord, more than two years after Sonata made this commitment to active safety technology leadership.

Sonata features a new, sophisticated 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine matched to a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission, with a new five-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission optional.

The Sonata GLS features an impressive array of standard active and passive safety features including ESC, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), six airbags, ABS and active front head restraints. Other standard features include power windows, door locks and outside heated side mirrors, keyless entry with alarm, an AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with USB/iPod® auxiliary inputs, 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback, air conditioning, cruise control and tilt-adjustable steering column.

The Popular Equipment Package includes automatic headlights, chrome window belt moldings, woodgrain interior accents, power driver seat with adjustable lumbar support, steering wheel audio controls and a trip computer. A sunroof is also available.

SONATA SE – I4 OR V6 PERFORMANCE, REMARKABLE VALUE

The sport-focused SE adds a unique sport-tuned suspension as standard equipment, matched with a smooth-shifting B&M Racing five-speed manual transmission (2.4L four-cylinder) or optional five-speed automatic (3.3L V6). Other performance-oriented SE features include 17-inch alloy wheels with unique, handling-focused 215/55R17 all-season performance tires, rear decklid spoiler, fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, special cloth seats with leather bolsters, and an eight-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support. SE tires feature stiffer sidewalls and a unique tread design for more responsive steering and capable handling. The Sonata SE V6 adds dual chrome exhaust tips.

Other standard features include automatic headlights, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, chrome window belt moldings, telescoping steering wheel and a trip computer. The Premium Package includes an AM/FM/XM/6-CD Changer/MP3 audio system with USB/iPod® auxiliary inputs, six speakers, subwoofer and component amplifier, power tilt-and-slide sunroof, and an electrochromic auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink® and a compass.

SONATA LIMITED

The feature-packed Sonata Limited is a fully equipped luxury model for mid-size sedan buyers who want it all-at a great price. The interior features luxurious leather seating surfaces, a standard Infinity AM/FM/XM Satellite/6-CD Changer/MP3 audio system with six speakers, subwoofer and component amplifier, an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats and power sunroof. Other upgrades include automatic temperature control, an electrochromic auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink and compass, sliding center armrest, premium scuff plates and 215/55R17 tires. The Sonata Limited is so well equipped that the only option besides the engine choice is a navigation system. Sonata Limited four-cylinder and V6 models feature a five-speed automatic transmission with the added control of SHIFTRONIC manual shifting.

WARRANTY

The all-new 2009 Hyundai Sonata is protected by the Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Sonata buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit) that includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses.

2008 Sonata Delivers Higher Value With New Equipment and Engine Choices

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2008 Sonata Delivers Higher Value With New Equipment And Engine Choices

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., As gas prices surge, Hyundai is smartly offering the powerful, yet fuel-efficient 2.4-liter DOHC inline-four cylinder engine in all trim levels, including SE and Limited models, for the first time. Shoppers still looking for low-priced V6 performance can now find the Sonata GLS V6 for $450 less than last year’s lowest price V6 model. The sporty SE version has also been upgraded with standard performance tires, decklid spoiler and a power driver seat. The previously optional Infinity® AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio®/6-CD Changer/MP3 audio system is now standard on the Limited model.

NEW EQUIPMENT HIGHLIGHTS
– 2.4-liter DOHC inline-four cylinder now available on SE and Limited trim levels
– GLS V6 offered
– XM satellite radio standard on all models
– Eight-way power driver’s seat now standard on SE
– New SE performance tire and standard decklid spoiler
– Limited model now features the Infinity AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/6-CD Changer/MP3 with six speakers, subwoofer and component amplifier as standard equipment
– New aluminum bodyside molding on Limited
– New premium seat cloth fabric on GLS and SE

These new features and continued leadership as the only midsize sedan under $20,000 with lifesaving Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard equipment, make the American-made 2008 Sonata the smartest choice in the competitive midsize sedan segment.

The 2008 Hyundai Sonata raises the benchmark for value and standard safety technology in the midsize segment. The Sonata combines striking style, proven dependability, spirited performance and an extensive list of standard features, to further strengthen the Hyundai brand and appeal to a broader range of customers than ever before.

UNSURPASSED ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
The Hyundai Sonata has earned the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) top five-star crash test rating for front and side impacts. This accomplishment was made possible by Sonata’s unbeatable active and passive safety technology. Every Sonata has lifesaving ESC with Traction Control as standard equipment. This is important because the NHTSA has reported that ESC results in 35 percent fewer single-vehicle crashes and 30 percent fewer single-vehicle fatalities in passenger cars.

In the event that a crash is unavoidable, the Sonata features six airbags—including dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front and rear side curtain airbags–along with active front-seat head restraints. Other passive safety features include shingle-style rear-seat head restraints for improved visibility, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, front-seat seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters, and a rear-seat Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for child seats.

SOPHISTICATED EXTERIOR DESIGN

Sophisticated design is what really defines the Sonata. The unibody, made of high-tensile steel, features a bold, concave hood design, distinctive rear-door cut lines, strong Z-lined body-to-bumper interfaces, and four-barrel jeweled projector lens headlights. Furthering its sporty look are standard 17-inch alloy wheels on the SE and Limited (16-inch wheels are standard on the GLS). New aluminum bodyside moldings match the chrome center-bar grille and chrome-accented exterior door handles on Limited models. The model range also offers a choice of nine solid, metallic and mica colors.

A WELL-CRAFTED INTERIOR THAT IS A “CLASS-ABOVE” THE COMPETITION

The Sonata is classified by the EPA as a Large Car, truly a “class above” Accord, Camry, Altima, Fusion and Malibu (all are categorized as midsize cars). Even in trunk room, the Sonata shines. Sonata’s 16.3 cu. ft. of trunk space gives it a 16 percent advantage over Accord, an eight percent advantage over the Camry, and a six percent advantage over Altima.

Sonata likewise delivers on Hyundai’s pledge to offer more sophistication and refinement. For instance, premium doorsill scuff plates greet Limited model passengers, who also enjoy either metalgrain or woodgrain interior trim accents with their gray, beige or black leather interiors.

Standard convenience features include tilt steering and a driver’s auto-up/down power-window function with pinch protection. The front center console offers dual-tier storage and two covered cupholders; two more cupholders are located in the rear center armrest.

Sonata also delivers class-leading cabin quietness. Designers increased the strength and stiffness of the body structure to reduce engine and road noise, while precise aerodynamic refinements reduce wind noise.

CHOICE OF TWO CLEAN, POWERFUL, FUEL-EFFICIENT POWERTRAINS
A pair of engines combine confident front-wheel-drive performance with fuel economy. The 2.4-liter DOHC inline-four cylinder now offered in all trim levels is part of Hyundai’s “Theta” group of engines, and is rated at 162 horsepower and 164 lb.-ft. of torque. This high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), a durable stainless-steel exhaust manifold, plus twin balance shafts and hydraulic motor mounts to reduce vibration. It meets Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) emissions standards and returns an impressive 21 mpg city/31 mpg highway (New EPA figures) with the Sonata’s standard five-speed manual transmission, and 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway with the optional four-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC®. These economy figures conform to the Environmental Protection Agency’s new-for-2008 methodology to provide more real world fuel economy figures.

Now available for the first time in the Sonata GLS is the 3.3-liter V6 that produces 234 horsepower and 226 lb-ft. of torque. As the first member of Hyundai’s “Lambda” engine family, this modern engine design also has all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, CVVT and hydraulic engine mounts for optimum power, efficiency and refinement. It also features a variable intake system to further broaden its power curve, improving off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. The Sonata V6 engine pumps out more low end torque (15 extra lb.-ft. @ 1,500 rpm) than Accord V6 making it a more impressive daily driver. New mileage estimates are 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway.

SUPPLE RIDE, AGILE HANDLING
An advanced four-wheel independent suspension system provides occupants with a smooth, supple ride combined with excellent roadholding. Up front is a double-wishbone system with coil springs, twin-tube gas-filled hydraulic shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar. The system’s lower control arms increase handling precision while reducing vibration, and bushing size has been increased to better absorb the shock from road impacts.

In back, a sophisticated multi-link system provides excellent handling along with superb ride quality and noise isolation.

The Sonata achieves a 29 percent torsional stiffness advantage over Honda Accord. This rigid body allows Hyundai’s chassis engineers to tune suspension settings to achieve a more comfortable, quieter ride than Accord, while still maintaining precise steering and handling.

THREE ENHANCED, WELL-EQUIPPED MODELS
From the well-equipped GLS, to the sport-focused SE, to the downright luxurious Limited, the 2008 Sonata lineup addresses the needs and desires of midsize-sedan customers with a highly competitive mix of features and benefits. Each model delivers a level of standard equipment that is a cut above comparable models.

SONATA GLS
With an MSRP of $18,195 (including freight), the 2008 Sonata GLS continues to provide a sizable price advantage compared to its four-cylinder competition, undercutting the lesser-equipped base 2007 Honda Accord and 2007 Toyota Camry by $1,025 and $895 respectively. All Sonata models have standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the most effective lifesaving technology since the seatbelt, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In comparison, Accord four-cylinder models are not available with ESC, while Toyota offers ESC as a $650 option on the 2007 Camry.

Sonata features a sophisticated 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine matched to a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission, with a four-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission optional. The new Sonata GLS V6 starts at $21,645 – that’s $2,515 less than the lowest price 2007 Camry V6 model, and $2,300 less than the lowest price 2007 Accord V6 sedan.

The Sonata GLS features an impressive array of standard active and passive safety features including ESC, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), six airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and active front head restraints. Other standard features include new premium seat cloth, power windows, door locks and outside heated side mirrors, keyless entry with alarm, an AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system, 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback, air conditioning, cruise control and tilt-adjustable steering column.

The Popular Equipment Package includes automatic headlights, chrome window belt moldings, metalgrain/woodgrain interior accents, power driver seat with adjustable lumbar support, steering wheel audio controls and a trip computer.

SONATA SE – I4 OR V6 PERFORMANCE, REMARKABLE VALUE
The sport-focused SE adds a responsive, fuel-efficient 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine as standard equipment for 2008, matched with a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission. Other performance-oriented SE features include 17-inch alloy wheels with new 215/55R17 all season performance tires for more steering response and capable handling, a new rear decklid spoiler, fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and an eight-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support (optional in 2007 MY). The new tires have stiffer sidewalls and a unique tread design for more responsive steering and capable handling. The Sonata SE V6 adds a five-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission and dual chrome exhaust tips.

Other standard features include automatic headlights, chrome window belt moldings, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, chrome window belt moldings, telescoping steering wheel and a trip computer. The Premium Package includes an AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/6-CD Changer/MP3 audio system with six speakers, subwoofer and component amplifier, power tilt-and-slide sunroof and an electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink® and a compass.

SONATA LIMITED
Priced at $22,995 (including freight), the range-topping Sonata Limited is a fully equipped luxury model for midsize buyers who want it all—at a great price. Distinguishing exterior features include new aluminum bodyside moldings, chrome center-bar grille and chrome-accented exterior door handles. The interior features luxurious leather seating surfaces, a standard Infinity AM/FM/XM Satellite/6-CD Changer/MP3 audio system with six speakers, subwoofer and component amplifier (optional in 2007 MY), an eight-way power driver’s seat and heated front seats. Other upgrades include automatic temperature control, an electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink® and compass, sliding center armrest, premium scuff plates and 215/55R17 tires. The Sonata Limited is so well equipped that the only option is a power tilt-and-slide sunroof. The Sonata Limited four-cylinder comes with a four-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 features a five-speed automatic transmission. Both include the added control of the SHIFTRONIC manual shifting.

WARRANTY

The all-new 2008 Hyundai Sonata is protected by the Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Sonata buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit) that includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses.

2009 Hyundai Sonata – Auto Shows

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2009 Hyundai Sonata – Auto Shows

The 2008 Korean-spec Sonata Transform previews the 2009 Sonata for North America.

For 2008, Hyundai has launched a mid-cycle refresh for the Sonata in Korea where it is known as the Sonata Transform.

The rest of the world will have to wait until the 2009 model year to see the changes. Stay tuned for more details on the U.S.-spec Sonata which will bow in February at the 2008 Chicago auto show.

The Korean Transform receives minor visual upgrades—the design team says it didn’t want to mess with a design it considers to be successful. The bumper, grille, and headlights have been sharpened to help give the car a more edgy image. The Korean facelift also brings new alloy wheel options.

The transformation continues inside, where almost all the interior plastics have been upgraded. A new center console, dashboard, and door panels are all intended to project a more luxurious image than the current pieces. The sedan also gets dual-zone climate control, an auxiliary input jack for music players, and an ionization system that’s supposed to prevent mold growth. If that’s really a concern, we’re all for ionizing whatever we can.

Mechanical changes make up the biggest part of the refresh. A revised front subframe makes the Korean-spec Sonata safer in frontal collisions.

Theta II Under the Hood

The car heralds Hyundai’s next-generation Theta engine family, a version of the four-cylinder “World Engine” that was a joint venture of Hyundai, Mitsubishi, and the former DaimlerChrysler. World Engines are already available in such vehicles as the Dodge Caliber and Avenger, and the Chrysler Sebring.

Hyundai (which took the engineering lead on the World Engine project) introduces Theta II powerplants that deliver more horsepower and torque while maintaining or improving on their previous fuel economy figures. The engine improvements were made possible by a variable induction system and variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts.

In total, Hyundai will offer five engine choices for the Sonata Transform, but we don’t expect the 2.0-liter Theta four-cylinder gasoline or diesel mills to be available in U.S. models. Instead, we expect some tweaking to the Korean-spec DOHC 2.4-liter four-cylinder (Theta II) that generates 169 hp and 165 pound-feet of torque–the current 2.4L 4-cyl. Theta in the Sonata makes 162 hp and 164 lb-ft-and the 3.3-liter V-6 that produces 239 hp and 228 lb-ft.

Additionally, Hyundai engineers tweaked the Sonata Transform’s five-speed manual transmission for easier shifting, and revised the four- and five-speed automatic transmissions for smoother operation and better fuel economy.

Hyundai will begin shipping export versions of the Sonata early in the new year.

BY JAKE HOLMES, November 2007

2008 Hyundai Sonata Limited V6 Road Test

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2008 Hyundai Sonata Limited V6 Road Test

What’s the best midsize family sedan? I get that question from time to time, and I find it an increasingly difficult one to answer because of cars like this Sonata. After all, the process used to be relatively easy. If they were sport-oriented drivers I’d point them toward a Honda Accord and if biased towards comfort, a Toyota Camry. And while the Accord and Camry are still very good cars, a number of rivals, like Saturn’s new Aura and this Sonata are narrowing the gap to a point where it’s difficult to see any difference in quality or features.

From outside, the Sonata certainly won’t give away its rather hefty price advantage (and it’ll save you thousands over the aforementioned cars) with any quality gaffs. Its seams are tight and panel gaps as narrow as anything else in the class, and perfectly aligned. The paint work is top-tier as well, and there’s a lot of chrome to brighten things up, giving the car an upscale appearance. Overall the design is attractive to most that see it, with a long, lean shape, distinctive nose and extremely good looking tail end. Two big, fat, chrome-covered ovoid pipes fill the lower rear valance, giving the Sonata Limited V6 a powerful stance few in the segment can rival.

That powerful look translates into strong performance beneath the skin too, thanks to the same 234-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 that the car’s been using since its 2006 makeover. It’s a velvety smooth engine, and mated to the equally slick five-speed automatic gearbox with manual mode, it’s a pairing designed for quick acceleration and no concerns when passing larger vehicles on the highway.

The Sonata comes standard with four-wheel discs and ABS for quick, secure stopping power, although these aren’t designed for out and out performance driving, meaning they’ll pull down to standstill a few times in a row without problem, but if you’re out on a winding canyon highway pushing the car for all its worth, getting hard on the brakes before each corner and using all the power coming out on the other side, well, they’re going to fade away on you, leaving less grab after a few minutes of hard braking than when you started. This isn’t unusual in the midsize class, mind you. Personally, I’d add an aftermarket performance brake kit and put the problem to rest. It wouldn’t cost that much, and after testing two Sonatas last month with performance upgrades I experienced first hand that this car has a great deal more excitement in it than what comes stock.

So what comes standard for 2008? Hyundai made some updates to the 2007 model that continue forward for this new model year, including the addition of a button for changing stations within the steering wheel mounted audio controls, and XM satellite radio is now available. Additionally, every Sonata now includes six airbags, with two up front, two thorax bags at the side for front occupants, and side-curtain airbags for all outside occupants, plus active front head restraints. The Limited also gets a revised grille with a slick strip of chrome running horizontally, and black leather can now be had along with black carpets and dark charcoal plastics.

Its curtain airbags allow for a five star crash test rating and its V6 is now more environmentally friendly with the ability to meet Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (LEV-II ULEV) standards while achieving slightly better fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 19 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway.

Additional 2008 updates include a new black fabric for entry-level models, plus a powered driver’s seat, rear center head restraint, and trip computer for all Sonata models but the base GLS five-speed. Moving on to the SE and above, chrome trimmed door handles now come standard, as does the auto headlight control feature, while a new 6-disc CD player with subwoofer and external amp makes for a better auditory experience. Strangely, while the more challenging integration of satellite radio is part of the 2008 package, as mentioned, no auxiliary plug-in has been included, which is ridiculous. All they would have had to do is solder some wires to an audio input behind the dash and run them through the center console, drill a hole in the storage bin under the armrest and clip in a 20-cent connector plug, and they’d have had full connectivity for our beloved external mp3 players and iPods. Hyundai is so behind in this regard it’s laughable, and I think they’re fooling themselves if they think customers won’t walk out of a showroom if they can’t plug their music into their new car. Heck, Chrysler and Volkswagen don’t only have aux plugs, but they’re integrating USB ports as well. Of course, Hyundai’s making money while Chrysler, at least, is laying off workers by the tens of thousands. Maybe the Korean brand’s conservative approach to business will pay off in the long run.

Similarly to aux plugs, Hyundai has yet to come to the market with a navigation system. This is not only slow to the market, but other than Kia, which is owned by Hyundai, every other brand sold in North America (even Suzuki) offers one. Reliable sources within Hyundai have promised that nav is on the way shortly, so I’m betting on 2009 for the Sonata, when the car will receive an interior upgrade as part of its mid-cycle makeover.

One thing that comes standard in all Sonatas that pleases me to no end is electronic traction and stability control. This engine definitely needs traction control unless you want to have passersby sneering at you as if you’re a wayward teen out in daddy’s car, and stability control is probably the greatest safety asset since the airbag, and maybe more so because it can keep from having an accident in the first place.

Standard with the Sonata is a well-made interior with plenty of soft touch surfaces and brightwork trim. You have the option of a decent woodgrain replication or, my personal choice, faux carbon fiber trim, while the seats can be covered in the aforementioned black leather with contrasting light gray stitching, beige or gray. The comfortable chairs aren’t supportive enough laterally for sport-oriented driving, but there’s no need to go back and rehash this car’s boons and banes, is there?

No, Hyundai’s Sonata wasn’t designed to be a sport sedan despite offering exhilarating straight-line performance and reasonable agility when called upon, but rather it’s one of the smoothest, most comfortable midsize sedans on the market, with acres of interior space and a trunk, accessible via a 60/40 split in the rear seatbacks as well as through a large opening with a low lift-over height at back, large enough for those impromptu stops at Costco. This is a car you can live with day in and day out, ideal for commuting or toting the kids around on weekdays or long weekends. I know this for a fact, because a 2006 model was our family hauler for the better part of a year, and this car is even better than that one was.

On that note, expect stellar reliability from this four-door, as Hyundai, and the Sonata in particular, is rated highly amongst independent third party surveyors such as J.D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports.

Lastly, the Sonata is priced thousands lower than the majority of its competitors feature for feature, without giving up refinement or throwing quality standards out the door. Hyundai’s midsize sedan is truly a great value, and a very good car.

November 5, 2007
by Trevor Hofmann

CarMax Names Sonata One of the Best Cars for College Students

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CarMax Names Sonata One Of The Best Cars For College Students

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 08/27/2007 CarMax, Inc. has named the Hyundai Sonata as one of the top 10 cars for college students. To help students and parents find the best car, CarMax, Inc., the nation’s largest retailer of used cars and Driver’s Edge, a national nonprofit organization that provides youth driver education, have teamed up to recommend the top cars based on safety features, cost, reliability and style. These recommendations also take the vehicle’s National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration ratings into consideration.

“Sonata is the only midsize sedan under $20,000 with lifesaving Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment,” said Dave Zuchowski, vice president, national sales for Hyundai Motor America. “The American-made Sonata is a smart choice for parents in the competitive midsize sedan segment and the car’s styling and value characteristics will appeal to the students as well.”

This year’s CarMax.com top car recommendations for college students fulfill both the parents’ safety and reliability demands and the young drivers’ requirements for looks and performance.

All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. Hyundai buyers are protected by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a seven-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty and five-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance protection.

ABOUT CARMAX

CarMax, a fortune 500 company and one of the FORTUNE 2007 “100 Best Companies to Work For,” is the nation’s largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 81 used car superstores in 38 markets. The CarMax consumer offer is structured around four core equities: low, no-haggle prices; a broad selection; high quality vehicles; and consumer-friendly service. During the twelve months ended February 28, 2007, the company retailed 337,021 vehicles and sold 208,959 wholesale vehicles at its in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at www.carmax.com.

ABOUT HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide.

Hyundai Wins Four AutoPacific 2007 IDEAL Vehicle Awards

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Hyundai Wins Four AutoPacific 2007 IDEAL Vehicle Awards

Sonata, Elantra, Tucson And Entourage Earn Top Category Honors

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 09/05/2007 Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific announced today that Hyundai has won the 2007 Ideal Vehicle Award in four product segments:

– Most Ideal Premium Mid-Size Car: Hyundai Sonata
– Most Ideal Compact Car: Hyundai Elantra
– Most Ideal Compact Crossover SUV: Hyundai Tucson*
– Most Ideal Minivan: Hyundai Entourage
*Hyundai Tucson also took home the Vehicle Satisfaction Award

AutoPacific’s second annual Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) ranked auto manufacturers for how closely their 2007 model year cars or trucks came to matching owners’ expectations and criteria. The vehicles that customers said they would change the least were considered the most “ideal.” Measurements for the award include consumer trust, anticipation, expectations and reality.

“Hyundai has done an outstanding job understanding their target buyer and is creating the product that is ‘ideal’ for its buyers,” said AutoPacific’s President, George Peterson.

“These awards are a reflection of Hyundai’s continued commitment to our customers,” said John Krafcik, vice president, Product Development and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “The Hyundai brand stands for industry-leading quality, superior standard safety technology, and great value – with these values we’ll continue to work hard to meet the expectations of our customers.”

To determine the winners, AutoPacific asked owners to rate their new car or truck on how close it came to “ideal” in the following areas: exterior size; passenger roominess; cargo space; driver’s seat comfort; driver’s seat visibility; interior technology; power; ease of getting in and out; interior storage compartments; and tires and wheels. The IVA ratings reflect input from buyers of new vehicles purchased from September 2006 through December 2006. Over 24,000 respondents provided input for these awards.

AUTOPACIFIC

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. Every year it publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies for the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Additional information can be found at www.autopacific.com.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 750 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.

Top 10 Safe vehicles for Less Than $25,000

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Top 10 Safe Vehicles for Less Than $25,000

Safe bets for low rollers.

We live in a nation of unparalleled personal-injury litigation, of warning labels on curling irons that must specify “for external use only,” and of waivers that must be signed before engaging in death-defying activities like roller skating. We are slightly more lax, however, when it comes to transportation. Traffic accidents trail only cancer and heart disease as the leading killer of Americans, and according to a recent New York Times article, we rank 11th in the world for fatalities per mile, more dangerous than countries like Poland and Estonia. This is even with quantum leaps in safety technology made and mandated in the past decade; it’s fairly tough to buy a patently unsafe vehicle nowadays. Some, however, are safer than others.

Like prime real estate and good medical care, the safest cars go first to those who can pay for them. The latest and greatest safety technologies often debut on more expensive marquis models (think BMW 7-series, Volvo S80, Lexus LS460) and migrate downstream and across the market within a few years, as parts-bin sharing lowers costs and these technologies increasingly become worth their weight in marketing gold. Where Reaganomics failed as an example of trickle-down theory, the automotive industry shines. Save the fat-wallets first, and then get those on more moderate incomes later.

Vehicular safety is focused in two areas: accident prevention and crashworthiness. Factors such as handling, braking performance, and stability control play into the first; airbags, chassis deformation, and crumple zones the second.

Stability control uses data such as steering-wheel position and yaw and roll rates to detect a skid and then uses anti-lock braking and traction-control systems for prevention and recovery. Stability-control systems across manufacturers work with greater and lesser levels of complexity, sophistication, and efficacy, but they do work. Thanks to a mandate from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every vehicle sold in this country by model year 2012 will be equipped with such a system.

The U.S. government dictates a minimum of two airbags protecting the front-seat passengers in a frontal impact; many vehicles also come with airbags to protect occupants in side collisions. To make our list, vehicles must have stability control as well as curtain airbags for head protection, bringing the minimum to six. Most of these vehicles feature six airbags as standard; for those that don’t, we’ve built the option into the price, as we’ve done with stability control. Several cars meet the $25,000 price ceiling in four- or six-cylinder trim, which we’ve noted.

NHTSA and its European counterpart, the New Car Assessment Programme (incidentally, also the name of the NHTSA branch responsible for crashing cars), rate the crashworthiness of cars on a five-star scale, five stars being the best score. NHTSA scores cars for driver and passenger protection in frontal impacts and front and rear occupant protection in side impacts; the European NCAP grants cars a single overall protection rating.

Now that you know, choose well, hang a St. Christopher from the rearview mirror, and remember that the single greatest variable in vehicle safety is the loose nut behind the steering wheel.

Saturn Astra 3-door
Estimated base price: $16,000

It’s tough to contain our excitement about a car that’s actually “Euro tuned.” The only difference between Europe’s best-selling car, the Opel Astra, and what will shortly turn up on Saturn lots are Gulpinator-sized cup holders, inevitably crappy all-season tires, and a piece of plastic on the hatch marking it a Saturn. It would be tough for the Astra to do worse than the Ion it replaces, but we think it will instead do much, much better, offering a premium product, with premium safety equipment, at a solidly ‘Merican price. Compact-car renters rejoice.

Stability control is standard on the sportier three-door, optional on the five at an undisclosed price. NHTSA hasn’t thrown one into a wall yet, but the European NCAP crowned the Astra the safest compact sedan in Europe, earning a score better than even the BMW 1-series. Again assuming parity with the European hardware, the stability control system even features “Understeer Control Logic,” which knows to increase brake pressure on the inner rear wheel. Neat.

Scion xB
Base Price: $16,230

The ’08 xB didn’t get a makeover as much as a redefinition; the result is longer, wider, nicer, and a full 582 pounds heavier. With the boost in proportions came an increase in content, including standard stability control and a bump in engine displacement of almost a liter, meaning the traction control might even have wheelspin to contend with. NHTSA gives the xB four stars in frontal crashes, and a full five for side impacts.

2008 Hyundai Sonata
Base price: $18,195

When it was introduced in 2006, Hyundai’s current Sonata waltzed up to the dons of the family car segment and popped them in the schnoz, offering astonishing quality and style at a price thousands less than a comparably equipped Accord or Camry. Most notably, the Sonata–even in the cheapest possible configuration–comes with standard stability control.

NHTSA handed the Sonata a perfect five stars in both front- and side-impact protection, one of three vehicles on this list to do so. The V-6 model starts at $21,645 and so equipped, makes merging a worry-free operation. A well-maintained car helps ward off equipment failure and resulting accidents; Hyundai’s 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will help with that.

Volkswagen Rabbit 5-door
Base price: $18,200

Just over $18K will, in theory, have you sitting in a Wolfsburg-built, five-door Rabbit with stability control. Good luck finding one so priced, however: Floor mats aren’t even included at that price. Stability control is a bargain option at $450.

We liked the Rabbit enough to place it at the top of a 2006 small-car comparison, noting its responsive handling and excellent braking performance, both key elements in accident avoidance. The NHTSA hasn’t crashed a three-door yet, but liked the five-door enough to grant it four stars for frontal crashes and a perfect score for side-impact performance.

Mini Cooper
Base price: $19,200

Who says small cars aren’t safe? Newton? Point taken. We’d still rather be in a svelte vehicle like the Cooper than an Escalade. With its superior stopping ability and driving dynamics, you’re less likely to marry your undercarriage with the wheelbarrow sitting in the fast lane. Diminutive proportions aside, the Cooper is a safe machine packed with some of the best construction and safety technologies from parent company BMW. Stability control is a $500 option, whether you select a base Cooper or the turbocharged S model. Sometimes the only way out of a dangerous situation is quick and complete use of your right foot, so the more acceleration that move inspires the better. Make ours an S.

NHTSA has not yet biffed a reworked ’07 Mini, which fared just okay the first time around (four stars, and the rear seat was too small to properly seat the crash test dummy); Europe’s NCAP, however, gives the new model five stars for passenger protection.

Toyota Camry
Base price: $19,740

Refrigerators are safe, so their vehicular equivalent should be too. And it is. Toyota’s best-selling, bread-and-butter sedan has been carefully tweaked over its twenty-four-year lifespan to offer the most family-friendly, innocuous, safe, and least involving experience possible. The only real danger here is falling asleep at the wheel or losing your Camry in a parking lot.

The newly upsized version got perfect marks in NHTSA’s front- and side-impact tests. It’s commendable that Toyota builds a Camry that sells for under $20k, even if we’d never buy a stripper Camry (like eating boiled potatoes and foregoing a pinch of salt). Strangely, stability control is never standard, but a $650 option. You can pick up a LE V-6 model and still come in at under $25K; with 268 horsepower on tap, your forgettable journey will be forgotten that much faster.

Volvo C30
Price: $23,445

No company’s name is more inexorably tied to the word ‘safety’ than Volvo. Okay, maybe Aeroflot, but for different reasons. Innovations that aren’t even thought of as safety features anymore–laminated windshield glass, padded dashboards, and three-point seatbelts–were Volvo firsts. The C30 is essentially a three-door hatchback version of the S40, and shares the sedan’s safety features. Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) is standard, as are six airbags and Volvo’s whiplash protection system.

According to Volvo, the C30 crashes as well as the S40, which means well; the only place it didn’t score five stars was in the driver’s side front impact, where it scored four. Kids, work hard to sell this little barnstormer on its safety merits to your parental units: A 2.5-liter, turbocharged engine pulls the C30 to 15-second quarter-mile times.

Dodge Charger
Base Price: $24,510

The Dodge Charger shares a platform with the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, which is in turn based on the Mercedes E-class chassis and thus expectedly good. Mercedes sedans crash consistently well, so it’s little surprise that the Charger does too, earning five stars in all categories except for the front seat in side-impacts, where it earns four. Side and curtain airbags are part of the $1235 Protection Group package, which requires the additional purchase of stability control for $1025.

Though traffic laws can perhaps be sometimes followed loosely, the laws of physics are tougher to skirt. While crashing in a small car isn’t inherently unsafe, the Charger’s generous proportions provide ample sheetmetal to crumple and dissipate energy before it’s your body’s turn.

Honda Accord
Estimated base price: $19,000

It’s no secret we’re a fan of this car, which has won more 10Best honors than any other. Of all the family sedans out there, it remains one of the more involving drives, with a nimble character that pays dividends in fluidity and the kind of moves that can help you avoid an accident at speed.

The Accord is all new for 2008 and even the most basic four-cylinder models will come equipped with VSA, or Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control, and our minimum six airbags. Although details on the new model have yet to be released, NHTSA has run a 2008 Accord into a wall already and awarded it five stars for frontal collisions and four for side impacts.

Mazda CX-7 Sport
Base price: $24,345

The CX-7 is the one vehicle on this list to bear the ignominious title of SUV, subset crossover. Don’t worry, it doesn’t suffer the hideous driving characteristics of an SUV; to the contrary, it’s more agile than most vehicles on this list. We had to select the least expensive CX-7, the Sport, to make the $25K cutoff, but it’s like selecting a non-vintage bottle of Veuve Clicquot: still good. Getting in or out of trouble is made easier by 244 horsepower, a necessarily healthy number given the CX-7’s slightly porcine 3710-pound curb weight. The CX-7 joins the Sonata and Camry in earning perfect scores from NHTSA for frontal and side impacts. And despite being categorized as an SUV, the CX-7 has, according to NHTSA, the same probability of rollover in a single-vehicle crash as the Scion xB.

BY JARED HOLSTEIN – August 2007