About.com Recognizes Genesis Luxury and Value on the Best New Car List for 2009

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 01/23/2009 Hyundai’s new luxury flagship Genesis is named a “Best New Car of 2009” in About.com Cars’ third annual Best New Car List. This marks the first time that a Hyundai vehicle has been recognized in the About.com Cars annual list.

About.com Cars highlighted Genesis‘ notable luxury features, smooth and quiet ride, spacious interior and value. “This car would make the Best New Car List no matter who built it — but I just love the fact that it’s a Hyundai,” said Aaron Gold, Guide to Cars for About.com.

The About.com Cars Best New Car recognition continues to showcase the quality, performance, safety and value available with Genesis. The 2009 Genesis was recently named the North American Car of the Year and was named a “Top 5 Luxury Car for 2009” by NADAguides.com. In addition, Genesis earned five-star crash test ratings for both front and side by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“We are honored to have the Genesis recognized as one of the ‘Best New Cars of 2009’ by About.com Cars,” said Michael Deitz, product planning manager, Hyundai Motor America. “Genesis has the technology and features comparable to the world’s leading premium sports sedans at a value Mercedes and BMW can’t beat.”

About.com Cars’ Best New Cars of 2009 list can be found online at cars.about.com.

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 almost 790 dealerships nationwide.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 01/14/2009 On Wheels Media, Inc. — publisher of African Americans On Wheels, Asians On Wheels, and Latinos On Wheels – named the Hyundai Genesis Car of the Year at the 2009 Urban Wheel Awards. The prestigious award, presented during the North American International Auto Show held at the Detroit Opera House, recognizes Hyundai’s effort in raising the automotive bar with the introduction of the all-new 2009 Hyundai Genesis.

“Hyundai is honored to have On Wheels Media, a giant in multicultural automotive multimedia, select the 2009 Hyundai Genesis as the Urban Wheels Awards Car of the Year,” said Dave Zuchowski, vice president, national sales, Hyundai Motor America. “The United States is a diversified market. Hyundai focuses on producing vehicles that meet universal satisfaction and this award is proof-positive that the face of Hyundai has translated well throughout.”

Held in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show since 1996, the annual Urban Wheel Awards produced by On Wheels Media, Inc., is the automotive industry’s premier diversity awards ceremony. The Urban Wheel Awards honor pioneering automotive industry leaders and serve as an educational vehicle to increase awareness among minority audiences about the importance of diversity to the industry. Awards are presented in categories including: Company of the Year, Minority Executive of the Year, Diversity in Motorsports, Urban Car of the Year and Urban Truck of the Year; voted on by an independent panel of automotive journalists. Consumers also play a role in the Urban Wheel Awards, selecting their favorite diversity-oriented automotive advertisements through online voting.

The 2009 Hyundai rear-wheel drive Genesis sedan offers capabilities and features comparable to the world’s leading premium sports sedans at a more reasonable price. It is fully equipped with a powerful, world-class Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine that delivers 375 horsepower, segment-leading standard safety features such as electronic active head restraints, technology rivaling more expensive luxury sedans including XM NavTraffic, an Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFLS), and a Lexicon® audio system; and The Hyundai Advantage: America’s Best Warranty – Hyundai’s 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Genesis five-star crash test ratings for both frontal and side-impact crash tests, the highest government rankings under the agency’s New Car Assessment Program. Additionally, every Genesis, as well as all other Hyundai vehicles, is covered by the “Hyundai Assurance Program“, a complimentary vehicle return program for the first year on every new Hyundai that is financed or leased for owners who experience an involuntary loss of income within 12 months of the purchase date.

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 790 dealerships nationwide.

Hyundai Takes Home its First North American Car of the Year Honor

DETROIT, 01/11/2009 After months of expert test-drives, critical acclaim and independent awards, the Hyundai Genesis took top honors in the most exclusive award in North America when it was named 2009 North American Car of the Year.

A jury of 50 independent automotive journalists evaluated all the new cars introduced last year and chose the 2009 Hyundai Genesis as the best new model. The award was announced at a news conference at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“Genesis represents everything we’ve learned, so far, about engineering great automobiles – and we’re delighted that the judges have recognized the good work of our R&D teams,” said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America acting president and chief executive officer. “And we’re not stopping here…Genesis will share company in Hyundai showrooms this spring with its rear-wheel drive platform-mate, the Genesis Coupe.”

This year the jurors considered more than 50 new vehicles before selecting the top three cars and top three trucks. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Ford Flex were the other finalists.

The North American Car of the Year award is decided by a jury of 50 independent, full-time automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. This is the 16th year of the awards, which were inspired by the prestigious European “Car of the Year.” They are administered by an organizing committee and are funded exclusively with dues paid by the jurors. Jurors judge the cars on a number of factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

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.

Genesis narrowly outpoints Lexus ES 350 to take top spot

YONKERS, N.Y., Jan. 5 — The Hyundai Genesis outscored four competitors to become Consumer Reports top-rated vehicle in the competitive “Upscale Sedan” category. The Genesis, which achieved an “Excellent” overall road test score, now outranks 12 vehicles from Lexus, Acura, Lincoln and others including the Lexus ES 350.

The Genesis‘ performance in CR’s battery of tests solidifies the automaker’s reputation as a builder of high-quality vehicles in several diverse automotive segments. Previously, Consumer Reports named two Hyundais, the Elantra and Santa Fe, as “Top Pick” vehicles in the small sedan and midsize SUV categories respectively.

“The Hyundai Genesis rivals high-end luxury sedans but costs considerably less,” said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. “Its luxurious and spacious interior and quietness far transcend its relatively modest price.”

The Genesis was tested against four other new or redesigned upscale sedans — the Acura TL, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G8 and Lincoln MKS — for the February issue of Consumer Reports. Prices ranged from $33,660 for the Pontiac to $40,880 for the Lincoln.

Two other vehicles in the test group also earned Excellent overall road test scores, the TL and Maxima. The G8 and MKS achieved Very Good overall scores.

The eight other vehicles in the Upscale Sedans category including the ES 350, Toyota Avalon, Buick Lucerne and Saab 9-5, were all tested previously.

In addition to the five upscale sedans tested, CR also purchased and tested the Jaguar XF luxury sedan. Though it obtained a Very Good overall score, it still ranked near the bottom of the group of 12 luxury sedans that Consumer Reports has rated.

But the redesigned Honda Pilot has slipped from being one of Consumer Reports’ top-rated three-row SUVs to midpack. The Pilot now ranks eleventh out of seventeen midsized, three-row SUVs that have been tested by CR.

Full tests and ratings of all six sedans appear in the February issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale January 6. The reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org. (Road test vehicles of recently tested vehicles are also available free at CR’s web site.)

The issue also contains a report on the conversion of a hybrid Toyota Prius to a plug-in hybrid. Consumer Reports chose a Hymotion L5 conversion kit sold by A123 Systems, which the company claims can yield more than 100 mpg. Fuel economy in CR’s converted Prius jumped from 42 to 67 mpg overall for the first 35 miles of driving. At almost $11,000, the plug-in conversion clearly won’t save consumers money overall. However, the technology itself proved viable.

The TL is the only vehicle in this month’s test group that is Recommended by Consumer Reports. CR only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR’s annual Car Reliability Survey of its more than seven million print and web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

CR doesn’t have reliability data yet on the Genesis, MKS, Maxima, G8 and XF.

Spacious and well appointed, the rear-wheel-drive Genesis offers good value and is a compelling alternative to luxury vehicles costing thousands more. This car’s forte is swaddling passengers in silence. The engine sounds polished and road noise is strikingly absent. The interior rivals those of the very best luxury cars, with its optional stitched-leather dashboard facing and consistently high-quality materials. The only real drawback is its ride, which can be unsettled at times and doesn’t live up to the standards set by other luxury cars. The Genesis 3.8 ($36,000 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price as tested) is powered by a 290-hp, 3.8-liter V6 that feels quick and smooth and delivers a decent 21 mpg in CR’s own fuel-economy tests. The six-speed automatic transmission provides smooth, quick shifts. Braking is excellent.

The redesigned Acura TL is a nice car, with responsive handling, a slick powertrain and commendable fuel economy. But when compared with the previous TL, which was CR’s Top Pick in this segment for years, the latest generation is not as impressive. Vague steering saps the fun out of its handling, the trunk opening is small, and other competitors have roomier rear seats. The base-model TL ($35,715 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 280-hp, 3.5-liter V6 that delivers excellent acceleration and a respectable 23 mpg overall on premium fuel. The five-speed automatic transmission is both quick and smooth. Brakes are excellent overall.

The Maxima is a quick car, but it doesn’t add much over the less costly Nissan Altima overall. While it’s pleasant, it falls short in some ways. Handling is responsive, but at low speeds the steering is overly light. The car is quiet and the ride is decent. But the new coupe-like silhouette compromises visibility, trunk room, and rear-seat comfort. The Maxima 3.5 SV ($33,700 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 that gives the car quicker acceleration than some V8s. Expect 22 mpg overall on premium fuel. The continuously variable transmission works very well overall; it’s also the only one available. The Maxima’s brakes are very good overall.

As a bargain sports sedan that can challenge the performance of models from BMW and Mercedes, Pontiac’s G8 is a success. It handles and rides as well as the best cars in its class. The G8 GT’s acceleration is very impressive, with a zero-to-sixty time of 5.7 seconds. But the downside of that is poor fuel economy — at just 17 mpg overall on regular fuel. The G8 GT ($33,660 MSRP as tested) is powered by a huge 361-hp, 6.0-liter V8 engine that makes it blisteringly quick. The smooth six-speed automatic transmission with a tall sixth gear makes highway cruising relaxed. The brakes are very good overall. (A 256-hp, 3.6-liter V6 with a five-speed automatic is also available in the base G8, but CR didn’t test it because a more powerful V6 with a six-speed automatic will arrive in 2010.)

In the tradition of large domestic luxury cars, Lincoln’s MKS is built for pampering, not for spirited driving. Handling lacks agility, and the engine is too noisy for a car in this class. The interior amenities and finishes are pleasant, but the MKS feels too much like the Ford Taurus, on which it is based, to justify its luxury price tag. The MKS ($40,880 MSRP as tested) is equipped with a 273-hp, 3.7-liter V6 engine that performs well, but is not as quick or smooth as its competition in this class. CR measured its fuel economy at just 20 mpg overall on regular, which is not impressive. The six-speed automatic transmission is not as slick as most in this class. Brakes are very good overall.

With more than 7 million print and online subscribers, Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. It conducts the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Web site; the magazine’s auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To become a subscriber, consumers can call 1-800-234-1645. Information and articles from the magazine can be accessed online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Korean Manufacturer Earns a Place in Finals for First Time in 16-Year History of Award

Detroit, 12/18/2008 When Hyundai introduced the all-new Genesis at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, it promised to shatter automobile paradigms by offering a sedan with capabilities and features comparable to the world’s leading premium sports sedans. That claim was underscored today when the North American Car of the Year jury announced Genesis as one of the three finalists in its annual quest to name the most outstanding and significant new car, besting competitors such as Nissan GT-R, Audi A4, Dodge Challenger and BMW 1-Series.

“We are extremely proud of the Hyundai Genesis,” said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America acting president and chief executive officer. “It’s our flagship vehicle. It is the ultimate expression of the engineering excellence found in all of our products. We are honored to be named a finalist for this prestigious award.”

This year the jurors considered more than 50 new vehicles before selecting the top three cars and top three trucks. Genesis‘ spot in the North American Car of the Year finals marks the first time a Korean manufacturer’s product has made it to the final three.

U.S. domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year eight times. Japanese automakers have won three times. European automakers have won four times. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Ford Flex are the other finalists this year.

The North American Car of the Year award is decided by a jury of 50 independent, full-time automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. This is the 16th year of the awards, which were inspired by the prestigious European “Car of the Year” awards. The U.S. program is administered by an organizing committee and is funded exclusively with dues paid by the jurors. Jurors judge the cars on a number of factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

The winner will be named at next month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 11, 2009.

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 790 dealerships nationwide.