Category Archives: 2008

Sonata’s Sunrise

Sonata’s sunrise

When I got behind the wheel of the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, I was pleasantly surprised. Granted, it was a decked out Limited model with leather seats and XM Radio. But still. During the test week, it was hard for me to reconcile the fact that the beautiful, peppy, well-appointed car I was driving was actually a Hyundai.

I could have sworn I was driving a Honda Accord. Except that the Accord has a base price of $20,360, and the Sonata starts at $17,670. The Limited model bases at $22,470 with the four-cylinder engine, but heated leather seats and an automatic transmission come standard at this price point. To get an Accord with those items, you’ll have to shell out more than $26K.

While the exterior of the Sonata is a dead ringer for the previous generation Accord, squinty taillights and all, the interior is something special. The level of detail was surprising, and I particularly liked the reverse stitching on the comfortable black leather seats.

The placement of the gauges and dials is ideal, and I could easily adjust my side mirrors and the HVAC without having to stretch in either direction. The one suggestion I have is that the controls on the door should light up at night. There were a couple times that I wanted to lock or unlock the doors, and I couldn’t find the switch in the dark. I also wasn’t a fan of the glowing green gauges. It seemed a bit bright and a bit of a throwback to Hyundai of yore. I wanted something a bit more elegant to match the overall elegance of the vehicle.

I’m currently in the process of moving, so the one thing I noticed and really, really appreciated was the 16.3 cubic-feet of cargo volume. I could fit four to five boxes (the size of a paper box) in the trunk and still have space for hanging clothes. Perfect, because that’s about all I can haul up and down three flights of stairs in one trip.

Another nice thing about the Sonata is the way it handles in snow. And heaven knows I’ve certainly been able to test that this winter. My alley is never plowed, and from the inches and inches of snow to the current bevy of ice, the Sonata kept its footing and didn’t get stuck. Considering this is a front-wheel drive vehicle, I think there’s room to be impressed.

On the road, the 2.4-liter, 162-horsepower four-cylinder engine under the hood isn’t going to win any races, but it’s perfectly peppy and has a nice bit of acceleration. The one area where I could tell this was a Hyundai is with the road and engine noise. A touch of some sound quieting material would go a long way here because I only got hit with the excess noise on hard acceleration and when stumbling over the Chicago potholes.

Fuel estimates for the Sonata with the four-speed automatic ring in at 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. This is good, but if you’re going to stick with the Sonata/Accord comparison, it should be noted that the Accord gets 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with a five-speed manual transmission.

There were times that the engine in the Sonata was a little loud or I could feel a little feedback from the road, but overall, this midsize offering from Hyundai was very solid. And it’s only going to get better for 2009.

First, the interior gets a massive upgrade – just enough elegance to let you know Hyundai has arrived. Then, the horsepower in the four-cylinder engine increases by 13, yet the fuel economy increases as well. The new estimates state that the 2009 Sonata will get 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The best part is, you don’t have to wait forever to get it. At the Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai announced that the new Sonata will be on sale later this month.

I really liked the 2008 model, and I’m guessing you can probably get a really good deal on a new car right now since they’re trying to make room for the new model. But, some of the things that I didn’t love about the 2008 model look like they’ll be fixed for 2009. So, if you can hold out for a couple more weeks, it might be worthwhile to compare the deal you can get with the upgrades that are coming. Either way, you’ll have a winner.

February 20, 2008
BY JILL CIMINILLO Chicago Sun Times – Autos Editor

Hyundai Veracruz Wins MotherProof.com Award as a Top New Vehicle Choice for Families

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Hyundai Veracruz Wins MotherProof.com Award as a Top New Vehicle Choice for Families

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 02/13/2008 Motherproof.com, a site dedicated to providing women and mothers with useful and entertaining new car reviews, recognized the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz as a top new vehicle choice for families at the 2008 Mother Proof Awards.

The annual Mother Proof Awards selects the year’s best new vehicles for families across a broad range of categories. The Veracruz was awarded the “Top 3-Row SUV or Crossover” vehicle in a special presentation by Kristen Varela, Mother Proof’s editor and “chief mother,” during Women’s Day at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

“The Hyundai Veracruz has proven itself as a great family vehicle,” said Scott Margason, national manager of product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “It combines everything families are looking for in a Crossover Utility Vehicle – safety, quality, luxury and affordability — in a sophisticated, stylish package.”

The Veracruz was selected by Motherproof.com’s team of mom-reviewers based upon criteria recognized in Mother Proof reviews – ease of entrance and exit for all passengers, LATCH connector usability, ease of seatbelt use for kids in boosters, as well as other relevant family friendly features.

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 780 dealerships nationwide.

Hyundai Veracruz Earns ‘Best New Family Vehicle’ Honors

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Hyundai Veracruz Earns ‘Best New Family Vehicle’ Honors

2008 Hyundai Veracruz Recognized by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com for Being Safe, Roomy and Affordable

Fountain Valley, CA, 02/12/2008 — Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com), the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, named the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz to its first list of “Best New Family Vehicles.”

From a long list of vehicles, the expert editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com selected this year’s 10 Best New Family Vehicles by evaluating each on factors such as safety, interior space, price, resale value, fuel efficiency, capability and, importantly, kid-friendliness.

“If you’re intrigued by the idea of treating your family to premium accommodations at mass-market prices, you’ll want to check out the seven-passenger Veracruz mid-size crossover,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “The quiet, comfortable, well-appointed Veracruz starts just under $28,000, offers a long list of desirable options and is backed by a reassuringly comprehensive warranty that includes 100,000-mile powertrain coverage and five-year, 24-hour roadside assistance.”

When introduced in 2007, the all-new seven-passenger Veracruz, took the auto industry by storm, raising the bar on what consumers could expect in the premium, midsize crossover segment. Building on that momentum, the Veracruz got even better in 2008, adding an all-new navigation system, designed for Hyundai by LG, one of the world’s leading electronics manufacturers. The Veracruz comes with a standard 3.8-liter V6 engine, a third row seat, an AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio®/CD/MP3 audio system that includes six speakers, as well as plenty of advanced safety equipment. The Veracruz utilizes the latest in active and passive safety technologies, including standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) for impressive stopping distance for a vehicle of its size, anti-whiplash active front head restraints and six airbags with side air curtains that protect all three rows during side impacts. The vehicle also received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) five-star frontal and side crash ratings in the sport utility vehicle segment.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

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.

KELLEY BLUE BOOK (WWW.KBB.COM)

Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company’s top-rated Web site, kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. Kbb.com is rated the No. 1 automotive information site by Nielsen//NetRatings and the most visited auto site by J.D. Power and Associates eight years in a row. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com; nearly one in every three American car buyers performs their research on kbb.com.

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

Long-term Weekend: 2008 Hyundai Veracruz

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Long-term Weekend: 2008 Hyundai Veracruz

For the past week, Southern California has been rainy and wet. That’s why I took our long-term 2008 Hyundai Veracruz home for the weekend.

Unlike most of the people who travel to L.A. every day for work, I happen to live at the 4000-foot elevation mark, which means I’m more at risk of getting snowed in and left stuck at home when rainy days turn into freezing rainy nights.

Rewind to last Thursday: It was ten o’clock at night; I was driving up home in my MINI Cooper. It was raining and the clouds were low. The famous 15 highway was covered in fog as I started to climb the dangerous part of the highway known as the Cajon pass. The temperature dropped, and the roads became super slushy. I couldn’t see the lines, and my speed dropped to 35 mph. Big trucks were passing me on both sides, and I felt uneasy because I couldn’t see the road in my little car. I eventually got home only to learn that this rain was going to stick around over the coming weekend.

So the next day at work I decided I needed a vehicle to get me through the next few days since I have a chance of getting snow where I live. I’ve been snowed in before, but that’s only because I had a lowered vehicle with a body kit and there was no way to move that in eight inches of snow. I didn’t want to have that feeling of being stuck. That’s why I took our newest long-term vehicle, the AWD 2008 Hyundai Veracruz with just a little over 3000 miles on it.

Luckily, my drive home wasn’t super wet. I left the office just before a huge rainfall had come in. The roads were wet but the sky was oddly clear as I started my climb up the Cajon pass. The Veracruz made its way up the steep highway, and I noticed a drop in power from its 3.8-liter V-6 as the altitude changed. I had to give it a little more gas to maintain the steady speed I required. The power was still great as it kept climbing, but it’s that dropping power I hate feeling when my foot stays in one location on the gas. That’s when I shifted into manual mode. The vehicle just took off as it kept climbing the pass, and I had no more loss of power as my foot rested on the gas pedal.

The Veracruz proved to be quite useful throughout the rest of the weekend. As the Los Angeles and Orange County valleys were battling the heavy downpours, our desert valley was just high enough to get the sun for most the day. In the distance, we could see the clouds were coming, and it gave us enough time to run around town to get some errands done. We loaded up the Veracruz with two of our dogs for a trip to the vet. I made the mistake of handling the keys to my mom on the way home. I couldn’t pry the keys out of her hand as we went from store to store for the rest of the day. (I think she liked it.)The storm rolled in and we stayed home for the night. Sunday morning was another sunny day for us in the high desert, but we could see the clouds were on their way. We escaped the house once again to do some grocery shopping before the rain reached us. As soon as we walked out of the store, the rain started to fall and we rushed to pack the Veracruz with our bags. We had two carts full of water, soda, and food, and we didn’t manage to fill the rear cargo of the Veracruz. It’s that deep and can hold a lot.

My biggest fear was this last night of rains. All week long, the news reported there would be a chance of snow as low as where I live. The night came and rain fell. I was expecting to see a white blanket over our neighborhood when I woke up Monday morning (since this was the largest of the cells according to the weather folks). Instead, we had a sunny morning again and the snow never fell. But in the distance I could see those clouds again, and I knew I’d have to make my way through them to get into the office.

What I think:

Starting Mileage: 3771
Ending Mileage: 4057
Price tested (our vehicle): $38,320
Avg Fuel Consumption: 18.7 mpg

I like the Hyundai Veracruz. Its not a huge looking SUV, but it can hold a lot. The interior is not cheep looking and it’s nicely laid out. The wood trim mimics that of the Mazda CX-9 and isn’t overly done — clean and simple. The dash is laid out nicely too, although the climate and audio layout reminds me of the silhouette of a transformer’s head. Climate control buttons are very easy to navigate around, and I love fact that the rear seating has its own climate-control options. There are a lot of little hidden cubby holes in the center console also. Above the rearview mirror is a second concave mirror that you could use to watch children or pets without moving your rearview for safety. This worked great when we took the dogs to the vet.

The Veracruz is easy to drive, and power is great for highway and surface street driving. I did experience some loss of power when going up the steep mountain in auto, but when I switched to manual the power from the V-6 really shined through. It was almost a different beast, and the manual mode gave it a sporty feeling.

The Hyundai has almost the same shape as the Mazda CX-9 and my favorite crossover, the Subaru Tribeca, with the long sloping front window and rounded rear hatch. It doesn’t stand out from the crossover pack in terms of styling, but plays it safe with its less than copycat features. The Autodim exterior side mirrors have to be my new favorite must-have feature for any vehicle. They defiantly produced less glare from headlights during night driving.

The Hyundai Veracruz I tested has a lot of standard creature comforts and still manages to be under $39K. In my opinion, it’s worth every cent.

January 28 2008
Source: TruckTrend

Three Hyundai Models Earn Top Safety Pick Awards

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Three Hyundai Models Earn Top Safety Pick Awards

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Seoul, Korea January 18, 2008 — For the first time ever, three Hyundai models earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award. The Hyundai Veracruz and Santa Fe received awards in the midsize SUV segment and the Hyundai Entourage in the minivan segment. All winning vehicles are recognized for their ability to protect people in front, side and rear crashes.

This marks the third year in a row the Entourage has received the highest honor – the IIHS Top Safety Pick award in the minivan category. All three vehicles also earned five-star crash test ratings, the highest government rating under NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program, for both frontal and side impact.

Top Safety Pick awards recognize vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side and rear crashes based on ratings in the Institute’s tests. Each vehicle’s overall evaluation is based on a variety of measures including injuries to dummies, vehicle’s structural performance, restraint performance, etc. Winners are also required to be equipped with the latest crash prevention technology, electronic stability control (ESC) – which is standard on all three Hyundai Top Safety Pick vehicles and on 73% of all Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S.

According to the IIHS, “Designating winners based on the tests makes it easier for consumers to identify vehicles that afford the best overall protection without sifting through multiple sets of comparative crash test results.”

“Hyundai has more 2008 IIHS Top Safety Picks than BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Toyota,” said John Krafcik, vice president of strategic planning and product development, Hyundai Motor America. “That’s a pretty good indication that we know what we’re doing when it comes to combining industry-leading safety with industry-leading value.”

The Entourage minivan is sold only in North America.

Tucson Packs New Entertainment With Standard XM Satelite Radio®, Auxilary Jack And Other Upgrades

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Tucson Packs New Entertainment With Standard XM Satelite Radio®, Auxilary Jack And Other Upgrades

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Already loaded with life saving standard safety features including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and six airbags, the enhanced Tucson will be more occupant-friendly starting in the first quarter of 2008 with new active front head restraints. According to the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) models with improved rear crash protection all have “active” head restraint designs. Tucson is also the only crossover in its class with standard XM Satellite Radio® and an auxiliary audio input.

NEW EQUIPMENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2008
– Active front head restraints (available first quarter of 2008)
– XM Satellite Radio with three months of free service (available first quarter of 2008)
– Auxiliary input jack (available first quarter of 2008)
– Gray leather interior replaced with black leather interior
– Six-disc CD changer now standard on Limited trim

The award-winning Tucson has been honored with numerous accolades for its value, quality and safety, including the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) highest five star safety rating. In fact, in its debut year, the Tucson received top honors in J.D. Power and Associates’ Initial Quality Study, as the industry’s highest quality all-new model launched in 2005 and for the highest initial quality in the compact multi-activity vehicle segment in 2006. The Tucson was also named a Best New-Car Value Winner by SmartMoney magazine and was a “recommended” buy in the Compact SUV category in the Consumer Guide Automotive list.

ADVANCED STANDARD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES

Hyundai’s approach to combining state-of-the art safety and affordability is clearly evident in the Tucson. Its active safety technologies include four-wheel disc brakes controlled by advanced four-channel ABS that includes Brake Assist, which provides maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to optimize brake performance with uneven weight distribution. By the first quarter, all Tucsons also have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and life saving ESC as standard along with traction control. ESC compares the driver’s intended course with the vehicle’s actual response. If needed ESC then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power to help correct understeer or oversteer. NHTSA studies show SUVs equipped with ESC experience 67 percent fewer single-vehicle crashes, and 63 percent fewer single-vehicle fatalities. In addition, a recent study by the IIHS found that ESC reduces the risk of all fatal collisions by 52 percent and the risk of fatal single-vehicle rollovers of SUVs by 80 percent.

Should a collision prove unavoidable, the Tucson is engineered to provide its passengers with multiple defensive safety layers. The steel unibody has integrated crumple zones and a high-tensile front sub-frame that are designed to work together to reduce the forces that typically reach the passenger compartment. To help resist intrusion, four structural rings encircle the body. All four doors also have internal guard beams to protect passengers in a side-impact collision. These safety systems are government verified as the Tucson earned NHTSA’s top five-star crash test rating for front and side impacts.

Tucson’s new standard front-seat active head restraints help prevent whiplash by automatically reducing the space between a front occupant’s head and the head restraint during certain rear collisions and are highly recommended by safety organizations such as the IIHS.

The Tucson’s passenger restraint systems also help minimize injury. Three-point belts are provided at all five seating positions, and the front seatbelts have pretensioners and load limiters. There are two outboard rear Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child-seat anchors.

A total of six airbags are positioned in the Tucson’s interior. Dual advanced frontal airbags are complemented by front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags that cover both the front and rear seat rows.

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN

Tucson’s purposeful exterior has a tough, capable presence with a rugged bumper and higher ground clearance. The distinctive Hyundai grille, standard alloy wheels and roof rails enhance its appearance and flexibility. There is a large rear hatch for easy loading with a convenient flip-up rear window which eases loading of small or long items. SE and Limited models provide more premium amenities, with standard unique double-spoke alloy wheels and wider tires, as well as standard fog lights, bodyside cladding, bodycolored door handles and mirrors and chrome rear accent trim.

ACCOMMODATING INTERIOR

Tucson’s five-passenger interior is a handsome blend of thoughtful features and utility. It echoes the sleek athleticism of the exterior, with matte-black accents in GLS trim and metalgrain accents in SE and Limited versions. Illuminated power window and door lock switches combine with highly legible analog instrumentation to aid functionality and convenience. Driver comfort is a top priority in the Tucson’s design, as evidenced by the 10-way adjustable driver’s seat and tilt-adjustable steering column. The Tucson’s trip computer, standard in SE and Limited trims, includes two trip modes, each with information relating to mpg, distance to empty, drive time and average speed.

Versatility is a Tucson hallmark. The standard 60/40-split fold-down rear seatback makes it easy to accommodate passengers and cargo. Single-lever operation and shingle style headrests that remain in place speed the conversion from passenger to cargo use. Another useful feature is the front passenger seatback that can fold flat either forward or backward, further adding to loading and cargo carrying versatility. To help secure cargo, there are three grocery bag hooks, six flush-mount metal tie-down anchor points and six cargo net mounting points. Tucson is ready to haul gear with an easy-to-clean composite load floor. Underneath the load floor is an additional sectionalized storage area with the spare tire positioned below. Plenty of storage bins, compartments and eight cup/bottle holders are positioned throughout the interior, as are three 12-volt power points. Comfort and convenience features include a two-tier front storage console with a two-position padded armrest. Two cupholders are positioned nearby, with one more in each door pocket. The rear armrest also includes a cupholder that can accommodate juice boxes.

TWO ENGINES: 4-CYLINDER ECONOMY OR REFINED V6 POWER

In a market segment where four-cylinder engines are more typical, the Tucson goes above and beyond by offering freedom of choice. The standard powerplant in all Tucsons is a 2.0-liter DOHC “Beta” in-line four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels. This advanced four-valve-per-cylinder powerplant has a rigid cast-iron block that’s topped with an aluminum cylinder head for reduced weight and superior cooling. Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) optimizes the valve timing for better performance, fuel economy and lower emissions. At 6,000 rpm, the engine develops 140 horsepower, with the 136 lb.-ft. torque peak arriving at 4,500 rpm. When coupled with a two-wheel-drive powertrain and four-speed automatic transmission the Tucson’s inline four returns newly revised EPA estimates of 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

In addition to a smooth and efficient four-cylinder engine, the Tucson also offers a refined optional 2.7-liter V6 for improved acceleration and passing power. This Delta-series engine has an aluminum block and cylinder heads to keep weight down, while four-valve combustion chambers and dual overhead camshafts ensure plenty of performance. A Variable Intake System (VIS) helps provide smooth power delivery across the entire engine operating range. Horsepower peaks at 173 at 6,000 rpm, and torque crests at 178 lb.-ft. at an accessible 4,000 rpm. The V6 with its standard four-speed automatic and front-wheel drive now delivers 18 mpg in the EPA city driving cycle and returns 24 mpg on the highway.

TWO TRANSMISSIONS: FIVE-SPEED MANUAL OR FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC

Tucson offers a wide range of drivetrain choices to suit a variety of customer needs. In GLS trim with the standard four-cylinder engine, owners can choose between a precise five-speed manual transmission or a slick and convenient four-speed SHIFTRONIC® automatic. This sophisticated unit can function like a conventional automatic, but also has manual controls for a more sporty driving experience. The SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission is standard with the V-6 engine.

AVAILABLE ELECTRONIC ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

For maximum all-season traction with good fuel efficiency, Tucson V6 models are available with Electronic Torque Management All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System that routes up to 99 percent of the power to the front wheels. As road conditions or torque demand (acceleration) changes, the system automatically diverts up to 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels. This on-demand system operates quickly and unobtrusively by monitoring the throttle position, front wheel angle, wheel slippage and routes power to the axle offering the best traction.

The AWD system can be manually locked into four-wheel drive for a continuous 50/50 power split between the front and rear wheels for off-road and very slippery situations. The locking system begins to disengage at 20 mph and is fully disengaged at speeds over 25 mph. The system is disabled when ABS is activated to provide optimal braking performance.

VERSATILE SUSPENSION

Given the Tucson’s broad mission both on the road and in the occasional off-road situation, it requires a versatile suspension system. A robust MacPherson strut front suspension is used in combination with a fully independent strut rear suspension system that uses tailing arms and multiple links to control wheel geometry precisely though the full range of suspension motion.

All four wheels are controlled by coil springs and fade-resistant gas-charged dampers. In the interest of balancing the Tucson’s handling and minimizing body roll during cornering, front and rear stabilizer bars are standard on all trim levels. Tucson’s handling dynamics are supervised by a responsive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system. With a tight 35.4-foot turning circle (measured curb to curb) the Tucson is easy to maneuver in parking lots and on backcountry trails.

CAREFUL ATTENTION TO NOISE REDUCTION
The Tucson employs a wide range of strategies to keep interior noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) to a minimum. Vertical and horizontal reinforcements in the instrument panel include insulation in the front bulkhead and wheelhouses. The floor pan has complex curved sections stamped in to reduce flex and undesirable resonation while the door frames feature triple seals to reduce the intrusion of wind and road noise. The Tucson also uses a large electric radiator-cooling fan that minimizes blade noise typically noticeable at lower speeds.

TUCSON GLS

The Tucson entry model is the GLS. It comes standard with a 2.0-liter inline four cylinder engine, five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. Electronic Stability Control, traction control and ABS are standard, as are 16-inch alloy wheels, advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags covering both rows of seating. The GLS also includes power windows, door locks and exterior mirrors and an 80-watt AM/FM/CD audio system. Standard active front head restraints, XM Satellite Radio, tire pressure monitoring and the auxiliary jack will be available first quarter of 2008. Options include a four-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission, air conditioning and cruise control.

TUCSON SE

Stepping up to the mid-range SE trim brings a 2.7-liter DOHC V-6 engine, four-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission, unique 16-inch double-spoke alloy wheels with 235/60R16 tires, bodyside cladding, foglights and bodycolored door handles and mirrors. Interior features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and deluxe cloth seating surfaces. SE models also include a standard 140-watt AM/FM/CD/Cassette audio system, air conditioning, cruise control and trip computer with two modes, which in addition to mpg and distance to empty, now include drive time and average speed. Standard XM Satellite Radio, an auxiliary jack and active front head restraints will be available first quarter of 2008. Options include electronically controlled four-wheel drive, power tilt-and-slide sunroof and heated front seats.

TUCSON LIMITED

Moving up to the luxurious Limited, Tucson customers will enjoy leather seating surfaces and a standard 200-watt AM/FM audio system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer, six speakers and subwoofer. The Limited also has a monochromatic exterior appearance package, fully automatic temperature control with outside temperature display, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass, and rear cargo mat. New for 2008 is a standard XM Satellite Radio, an auxiliary jack and active front head restraints which will be available first quarter of 2008. The only options are electronically controlled four-wheel drive and a power tilt-and-slide sunroof.

WARRANTY

The 2008 Hyundai Tucson 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 and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Tucson buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit) and that service includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. There is no deductible on any of these coverages.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

The Award Winning 2008 Santa Fe Gets New Standard Features For Its Limited Model

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The Award Winning 2008 Santa Fe Gets New Standard Features For Its Limited Model

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., It’s no surprise that the Santa Fe crossover has attracted a strong following, given its fuel-efficient V6 powertrains, advanced standard safety technologies and sleek styling. For 2008, the Santa Fe Limited gets even better, adding a 605-watt Infinity® Logic 7® audio system and power sunroof to the long list of standard equipment and an all-new navigation system to the list of optional equipment. Combine this with a roomy, well-crafted interior, optional third-row seat and clearly the 2008 Santa Fe continues to raise the bar in the crossover segment.

New Equipment Highlights FOR 2008
– 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 CD changer audio system with 10 speakers standard on Limited trim level
– Power tilt-and-slide sunroof standard on Limited trim level
– LG navigation system available on Limited trim level (available first quarter of 2008)
– Premium seat cloth standard on SE trim level

The Santa Fe also delivers on the safety front, earning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) top five-star crash test rating for front and side impacts and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest honor – Top Safety Pick, an award only given to 21 new vehicles.

CHOICE OF TWO CLEAN, POWERFUL, FUEL-EFFICIENT V6 ENGINES

Santa Fe is available with a choice of two powerful and efficient V6 engines, the economical 2.7-liter or the modern 3.3-liter, both which feature all-aluminum construction. The standard 2.7-liter V6 includes Continuously Variable Valve Timing and a Variable Intake System that produces 185 horsepower and 183 lb.-ft. of torque, while delivering 2008 EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 city/24 highway in front wheel drive automatic models. The 3.3-liter V6’s output is 242 horsepower and 226 lb.-ft. of torque, providing improved acceleration and passing power, along with 2008 EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 city and 24 highway. Both powertrains meet stringent ULEV emissions requirements.

The 2.7-liter V6 comes with a standard five-speed manual transmission and is available with an optional four-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC® manual control, while the 3.3-liter V6 is mated to a five-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic gearbox as standard equipment. Meanwhile, Santa Fe’s available electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system automatically routes power to the wheels with the best traction. A driver-selectable AWD lock provides a fixed 50/50 torque split between front and rear wheels, which can improve performance in slippery or offroad conditions.

INDUSTRY-LEADING SAFETY TECHNOLOGY ROLL-OUT CONTINUES

The 2008 Santa Fe underscores Hyundai’s leadership in standardizing the industry’s most effective safety technologies. All Santa Fe trim levels come standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), one of the industry’s most effective life-saving technologies. ESC compares the driver’s intended course with the vehicle’s actual response. It then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed in certain driving circumstances to help correct understeer or oversteer. NHTSA studies show SUVs equipped with ESC experience 63 percent fewer fatalities in single-vehicle crashes. Santa Fe, Veracruz, Tucson, Sonata, Azera and Entourage are all equipped with standard ESC. Approximately 73 percent of Hyundai vehicles offered in 2007 came equipped with standard ESC – a commitment to this sophisticated and effective automotive safety technology that is unmatched by any other non-luxury automotive brand.

Front and rear disc brakes are standard and are coupled with a four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Brake Assist, a technology providing maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected. The system also uses Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which automatically equalizes the braking force to the front and rear axles, based on the vehicle loading conditions.

The Santa Fe also features six standard airbags, including side air curtains for all three rows of available seating. The combination of side and curtain airbags, which help protect the head and body during side impacts, can reduce fatalities by more than 52 percent, according to the IIHS. Side curtain air protection is optional on some compact and mid-size SUVs.

All seating positions feature three-point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints. Front-seat active head restraints help prevent whiplash by automatically reducing the space between a front occupant’s head and the head restraint during a rear collision. The shingle-style rear seat head restraints also improve overall visibility, while providing easier rear seat fold-down capabilities.

Santa Fe also features a standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which alerts drivers if one or more tires are under inflated. An illuminated readout on the dash lets drivers know the specific tire needing inflation so corrective action can be taken.

MODERN, AERODYNAMIC DESIGN THAT’S DISTINCTIVELY HYUNDAI

With dramatic styling that is assertive, yet graceful, the Santa Fe exterior showcases the evolving face of the Hyundai brand. Its wide track provides a strong stance, improved handling and increased interior room.

The Santa Fe shares an assertive front grille, rugged bumper design, confident sculptured lines and finely detailed headlights with Hyundai’s HCD9 Talus concept, which was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. For a more aggressive appearance, Santa Fe SE and Limited models come with 18-inch alloy wheels. Sleek styling makes the Santa Fe aerodynamic, providing a drag coefficient of 0.37. Standard roof rack side rails help define its clean side profile, while adding SUV functionality

STYLISH, QUIET AND EFFICIENT INTERIOR PACKAGE

The 2008 Santa Fe is one of the most package-efficient crossovers on the market. Hyundai accomplished this through a platform that avoids the compromises inherent in typical mid-size car platform sharing. For example, although the 2008 Santa Fe is 2.1 inches shorter than the Lexus RX350, its first and second-row seats have more head, leg, and shoulder room than the RX, with enough room left over to allow an optional third-row seat not even available in the Lexus. In addition, the 2008 Santa Fe’s third-row seat offers more legroom than the third-row seat in the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot or Volvo XC90, while matching the legroom of the much larger Mercedes-Benz GL-class.

With its optional third row seat, the Santa Fe offers seven-passenger seating. With 40 percent of all crossover and SUV customers demanding a third-row seat, this feature significantly broadens Santa Fe’s appeal. The third row seat is split 50/50 and can be folded flat like the 60/40-split second-row seat. Total cargo volume is a generous 78.2 cubic feet, with plenty of storage for items of different sizes.

By incorporating a stiff unibody architecture and a well-engineered triple-sealed door/body interface, Hyundai engineers have significantly reduced cabin noise. In fact, the 2008 Santa Fe is 1.7 dB quieter than the Volvo XC90 luxury crossover at highway speeds.

Air conditioning is standard, while available dual-zone climate controls for the driver and front seat passenger bring a touch of luxury to the Santa Fe. Second and third row passengers will enjoy a new level of comfort, thanks to B-pillar-mounted adjustable vents, dual rear heating ducts and rear fan controls.

Demonstrating Hyundai’s attention to detail, blue backlighting for interior gauges, switches and buttons highlights the vehicle’s modern, integrated interior design. Front cupholders are also ringed with blue light for night time drives. Soft-touch, high-quality materials, low-gloss surfaces and zero-tolerance fits are used throughout the interior, as are color-keyed seat belt buckles and cupholder inserts to add more design harmony to the inside cabin.

Other thoughtful convenience features include an available power driver seat with power lumbar support, steering wheel audio controls, trip computer, heated side mirrors and a windshield wiper deicing system.

PURPOSE-BUILT PLATFORM

The Santa Fe rides on a purpose-built unibody crossover platform with a 106.3-inch wheelbase. This chassis delivers a wonderful ride, handling and balance that discerning crossover buyers are looking for, along with interior amentities just right for most families. This stiff body structure provides the basis for both a more refined ride and more agile handling. Thanks to the suspension geometry and wider track width that enables greater turn angles, Santa Fe’s turning circle is 35.8 – an advantage Santa Fe drivers will appreciate in their daily driving and parking.

Santa Fe’s ride and handling were tuned in California and Michigan by Hyundai’s U.S. team with the American consumer in mind. Santa Fe uses MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems. A reverse L-shaped lower arm provides superior steering feel with improved dynamic control. The caster angles are set to improve straight-line stability and overall dynamics. Large front subframe and rear cross member bushings improve ride and NVH without handling compromise. The rear trailing arms are located on the rear cross-member helps to reduce road noise. All four wheels are controlled by coil springs and fade-resistant gas-charged dampers, while front and rear stabilizer bars help keep the vehicle flat during cornering. Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering also contributes to the Santa Fe’s nimble and refined handling dynamics.

HYUNDAI’S COMMITMENT TO LOCAL PRODUCTION

The 2008 Santa Fe is assembled at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) in Montgomery, Ala. HMMA also produces the 2008 Hyundai Sonata (both vehicles share the same assembly line.) This plant has also achieved Certification to the International Automotive Task Force’s (IATF) most rigid quality management standard, ISO/TS 16949, a set of Quality Management System requirements specific to the automotive industry and the highest automotive operating standard in the world. Currently, Hyundai manufactures more than half of its total U.S. sales volume in the U.S.

MODEL LINEUP

The Hyundai Santa Fe comes in three distinct trim levels: The well-equipped GLS, sporty SE and luxurious Limited.

SANTA FE GLS – THE MID-SIZE CROSSOVER VALUE LEADER

The Santa Fe GLS comes well-equipped with a 185-horsepower, 2.7-liter V6 engine, five-speed manual transmission, ESC, ABS, 16-inch alloy wheels, 112-watt AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, rocker panel moldings, power side mirrors, power windows, power door locks and remote keyless entry. Inside are active front head restraints, dual front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags plus side curtain airbags. Other useful features include a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, air conditioning and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel. A four-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission and Popular Equipment Package, which includes premium cloth seats, steering wheel audio controls, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, driver seat lumbar support and trip computer are optional.

The Santa Fe GLS with Premium Equipment Package adds a power tilt-and-slide sunroof, heated front seats, as well as a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob to the Popular Equipment Package features.

SANTA FE SE – A SPORTIER SANTA FE WITH AVAILABLE TOWING

The SE features a 242-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6, five-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission and 18-inch alloy wheels. The vehicle also includes electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, front fog lights, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, chrome grille surround, windshield wiper deicer, premium seat cloth, steering wheel audio controls, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, driver seat lumbar support and a trip computer.

An optional Premium Package adds a power driver seat with power lumbar support, a power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof, heated front seats and HomeLink®. The Touring Package includes seven-passenger seating with the fold-flat third-row seat and third-row auxiliary climate control. The Trailer Prep Package, which includes a transmission cooler, upgraded radiator, upgraded fans and trailer pre-wiring, enables the SE model to tow up to 3,500 pounds is included with the Touring Package. The SE is also available with the Touring and Premium Packages combined.

SANTA FE LIMITED – LUXURIOUS FEATURES, OUTSTANDING VALUE

Santa Fe Limited comes standard with all of the equipment found on the SE, and adds leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, power driver seat with power lumbar support, dual zone automatic temperature control with outside temperature display, metal scuff plates and HomeLink. A chrome accent grille and exterior door handles, as well as a bodycolor hatch spoiler, further distinguish the Limited. A power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof is now standard, as well as the 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 CD changer audio system with 10 speakers. For even greater luxury, the available Limited Touring Package with Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) adds seven-passenger seating and third-row auxiliary climate control, rear seat entertainment system with an eight inch LCD monitor and a 115 volt power outlet, as well as the Trailer Prep Package that includes a transmission cooler, upgraded radiator, upgraded fans and trailer pre-wiring, allowing the vehicle to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Available later this year is the Touring Package with Navigation, which includes seven-passenger seating, a third-row auxiliary climate control, the Trailer Prep Package, 115-volt power outlet as well as a LG navigation system. This navigation system was developed exclusively for Hyundai by LG, a leading worldwide electronics manufacturer. The LG navigation system provides coverage for the continental United States and includes touch screen functionality, point-of-interest features for all entertainment needs and audio, visual prompts. The navigation system also will be offered as a stand alone option later this year.

WARRANTY

The Hyundai Santa Fe lineup 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, and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Santa Fe buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit), which includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. There is no deductible on any of this coverage.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

2008 Hyundai Azera Packs More Luxury And Value Into An Award Winning Full Size Sedan

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2008 Hyundai Azera Packs More Luxury And Value Into An Award Winning Full Size Sedan

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., In 2007, the Azera trophy case expanded once again, this time to accommodate the premium sedan’s second consecutive win for large sedans in the J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL), and its Strategic Vision Total Quality Award™ in the large car segment. Azera continues to redefine the premium sedan segment and raise the stakes even higher, packing in more luxury, value, upgrades and standard equipment than ever before.

NEW EQUIPMENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2008

– 17-inch alloy wheels now standard on GLS
– Bodycolor rocker panels added to GLS
– GLS Premium Package (includes leather heated front seats and sunroof)
– Side mirror turn signal indicators standard on all Limited models
– Power sunroof standard on all Limited models
– Infinity® audio system standard on all Limited models
– LG navigation system available on Limited trim level
– Suspension enhanced for improved ride and handling
– Azera SE discontinued

For 2008, the Azera GLS has been upgraded to include 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels and 235/55VR17 tires and bodycolor rocker panels. The GLS Premium Package receives leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and a power sunroof. The Azera Limited now comes standard with side mirror turn signal indicators, power sunroof and a powerful 315-watt Infinity AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio®/MP3 audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and 10 speakers.

Azera upgrades also include an enhanced suspension for all models and an all-new LG in-dash navigation system to the long list of amenities available on the 2008 Azera Limited. This system was developed exclusively for Hyundai by LG, a leading worldwide electronics manufacturer. The LG navigation system provides coverage for the continental United States and includes touch screen functionality, audio and visual prompts and point-of-interest features for all entertainment needs.

More and more customers are discovering Azera’s advantages. Enhanced design and convenience features, together with a comprehensive standard active and passive safety technology package, render the 2008 Azera a solid alternative to vehicles like the Lexus ES350, Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima. Spacious and luxurious, the Azera features more interior volume than more expensive luxury sedans, such as the Mercedes Benz E-Class and BMW 7-Series. Couple this with its continued accolades from independent automotive studies across the board and there’s no question that Azera is one of the smartest premium large sedan choices available in the American marketplace today.

STRIKING FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Hyundai appreciates the power of first impressions, and one look at this premium flagship sedan is proof. Azera’s proportions are elegant, purposeful and aerodynamically efficient, which reduces wind noise, while adding maximum stability on the highway. Inside, its spacious cabin provides not only roomy comfort, but a luxurious look and attention to detail that makes both driver and passengers feel like they are riding in a much more expensive sedan.

SAFETY FEATURES

Maintaining Hyundai’s emphasis on delivering class leading safety technology, the 2008 Azera boasts impressive active and passive safety features to protect its occupants in the event of a collision, earning the vehicle the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) top crash test ratings for frontal offset impacts. The Azera continues to set standards by making key life-saving active safety technology standard, such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with a Traction Control System (TCS). Also standard are independent double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, large four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Brake Assist, providing maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected, and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which optimizes brake performance even with differing vehicle loading.

Additionally, the Azera offers impressive passive safety features, including eight standard airbags, active front head restraints to help prevent whiplash, a child seat Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system and three-point seatbelts for all positions. Shingle-style rear seat head restraints provide drivers with improved visibility. Security is further advanced with an anti-theft engine immobilizer and remote keyless entry with alarm.

ACCOMMODATING INTERIOR

The 2008 Azera offers luxurious appointments and spaciousness that rivals the finest premium competitor brands. It offers a roomy cabin, with nearly 44 inches of legroom up front and more than 38 inches of legroom for rear-seat passengers. Hyundai engineers have created efficient packaging to maximize interior volume, with the 2008 Azera offering more interior volume (123.5 cu.-ft.) than the Toyota Avalon, Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedans and the BMW 7-Series.

Special attention has been paid to other interior details, such as the enhanced electroluminescent cluster display and steering wheel audio control functions. Other unexpected luxury appointments include rain-sensing wipers, power adjustable foot pedals, power folding side mirrors with turn signal indicators and LED tail lights on the Limited version.

The Azera comes standard with dual front automatic climate controls, electrochromic auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink®, power seats for driver and front passenger, as well as woodgrain and metalgrain interior accents. The Azera interior is also now available in beige or gray premium cloth (GLS only) and beige, gray and black leather (standard on Limited and optional on GLS).

An AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system that includes a four-channel, 172-watt internal amplifier and six speakers comes standard in the Azera GLS. Audiophiles with even more demanding tastes will be impressed by the available Infinity audio system that includes a 7-channel, 315-watt amplifier with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and 10 speakers, standard in Limited trim levels.

LG NAVIGATION

LG, the South Korean based international manufacturer of consumer electronics that now distributes in more than 39 countries, has developed an exclusive navigation system for the Hyundai Azera, Santa Fe and Veracruz models. Using touch screen functions, the navigation system comes equipped with a premium 605-watt Infinity Logic 7® surround sound system with 12 speakers, 11-channel digital amplifier and AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 reception capability. It also includes mapping software for the continental United States and has available POI’s (Points of Interest) for entertainment, shopping and dining. Route guidance is provided by audio and visual prompts.

POWER AND PERFORMANCE

The Azera GLS is equipped with a 3.3-liter, V6 engine that produces 234 horsepower and 226 lb-ft. of torque. As the first member of Hyundai’s “Lambda” engine family, this engine has all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) for a very broad power spread. It also features a Variable Intake System (VIS) that to further broadens its power curve to improve the vehicle’s off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. New EPA fuel economy estimates for the Azera GLS are 18 mpg city / 26 mpg highway.

The Azera Limited delivers a powerful performance, due to its clean and efficient all-aluminum 3.8-liter, DOHC V6 engine, which delivers 263 horsepower and 257 lb-ft. of torque. To maximize the power spread, this engine also utilizes CVVT and a VIS to help cylinders breathe efficiently at both low and high rpms. The Azera offers more standard horsepower than the Buick LaCrosse and even the BMW 528i, yet still remains environmentally friendly with an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) certification rating. New EPA mileage figures for the Azera Limited are 17 mpg city / 26 mpg highway.

Both V6 engines are matched with Hyundai’s five-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual control. This transmission offers smooth shifts and a wide ratio spread that ideally suits the engine’s characteristics.

COMFORTABLE AND CONTROLLED SUSPENSION

Hyundai engineers benchmarked the best cars in the category before designing the Azera’s double-wishbone front and multi-link rear four-wheel independent suspension system. By utilizing high-tensile steel in critical unibody areas, the Azera features increased stiffness and rigidity, which ensures formidable resistance to flexing, enhanced ride and handling tuning, while at the same time lowering interior noise levels. Attached to the 2008 Azera’s rigid structure is improved suspension and steering hardware to keep the Azera even flatter through turns and more compliant over bumps. The enhanced suspension features four revalved twin-tube, gas-charged dampers, softer bushings and a quicker steering rack. The Azera also has front and rear stabilizer bars and rides on 17-inch wheels and 235/55VR17 tires.

AZERA GLS

The GLS now includes a more impressive range of standard features that give it a competitive edge, including a powerful 3.3-liter, DOHC V6 engine with 234 horsepower, a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control, standard ESC with TCS, eight airbags, active front head restraints, and a six-speaker AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD audio system with MP3 capability. The vehicle achieves 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway fuel economy ratings.

Further enhancing the GLS’ first-class appearance are bodycolor sills and rocker panels, and wheel wells that house 17-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels and 235/55VR17 tires. Upscale features include LED tail and brake lights, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with HomeLink, power seats for both driver and front passenger, and automatic headlight control. Also available as a stand alone option is a power tilt and slide sunroof.

AZERA GLS with PREMIUM PACKAGE

The Azera with Premium Package adds leather seating surfaces, heated front seats and a power sunroof to an already loaded standard equipment package.

AZERA LIMITED

A truly impressive array of standard features and amenities define the prestigious Azera Limited. Additional standard features on the Limited include leather-trimmed seating, heated front seats, an electroluminescent gauge cluster, power rear sunshade and other upgrades. The Limited now adds side mirror turn signal indicators, power sunroof and a powerful 315-watt Infinity AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/MP3 audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and 10 speakers.

AZERA LIMITED with NAVIGATION PACKAGE

The Navigation Package includes the LG navigation system and premium 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 surround sound audio system. The six-disc CD changer is replaced by the navigation system.

AZERA LIMITED with ULTIMATE PACKAGE

The Ultimate Package defines Hyundai’s flagship Azera, offering a 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 Surround Sound AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD-changer/MP3 audio system with 12 speakers (including subwoofer) and external amplifier. The Ultimate Package also offers a power tilt and slide sunroof, power adjustable tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power adjustable pedals, integrated memory system (power driver seat, exterior mirrors, and power tilt and telescopic steering wheel), woodgrain steering wheel and door pulls, and rain-sensing wipers.

AZERA LIMTED with ULTIMATE NAVIGATION PACKAGE

The Ultimate Navigation Package includes all of the Ultimate Package items plus the LG navigation system, which replaces the six-disc CD changer.

WARRANTY

The Azera, like all 2008 models, 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, Azera buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit), a service that includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. There is no deductible on any of this coverage.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.