Showing posts with label hyundai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hyundai. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
2007 2008 2009 Hyundai Sonata
In an attempt to make up for the lack of reviews I am posting a second review today. The Hyundai Sonata, I split up the 2007 and 2008 from the 2009 because theyre surprisingly different despite not looking very different.
Introduction: The Hyundai Sonata is Hyundais mid-sized car. Originally introduced in 1985 to replace the disappointing Hyundai Stellar and ending Hyundais rear wheel drive lineup. The Sonata is now in its 5th generation, the new 6th generation Sonata is ready to take over for the 2011 model year.
I wasnt really all that thrilled about the Sonata much like other Korean cars when I first started out. It was the 2009 models where I was surprised about how different Hyundai has become.
Performance: I havent driven any of the V6 Hyundai Sonatas so my review will stick with the standard 2.4L 4-cylinder engine included in the base Sonata models. The 2009 has an updated version of the engine meaning it produces more power than the original 2007-2008 models. The original engine produced 162 hp and 164 lbs.ft of torque. The updated engine has 175 hp and 168 lb.ft of torque. The differences between the two is rather minimal although I will say the 2009 feels a slight bit smoother and less strained. The acceleration time is roughly 9.5-9.8 seconds from 0-100 km/h. Not a very quick car but its reasonably smooth and modest.
My Score(both): 6/10 - Not a very quick engine but reasonable for its power.
Handling: Ive noticed some differences between the two version here. Starting with the earlier Sonata, when you take one of these cars into a corner the body roll and lack of steering feel is very apparent. The wheel isnt exactly light but it doesnt translate into an enjoyable experience. I found the earlier Sonata a rather boring vehicle to take into a corner. Now the 2009 Sonata is a much different experience. The steering is more sharper and a far more willing car to be pushed to its limits and giving a better sense of steering feel that the older Sonata wouldnt give. The roll is also less pronounced and dynamically a better experience overall. I can easily say the 2009 Sonata was my first taste of Hyundai turning its image into a better car company.
My Score(2007-2008): 5/10 - Very boring, quite a bit of body roll and not willing to play.
My Score(2009): 8/10 - Better steering than the previous version, less body roll and far more enjoyable to drive in comparison.
Interior: This is easily the biggest difference between the two versions. The earlier Sonata has a very plain interior design, there is very little styling input into the interior. The plastics look functional but overall not very nice and the stereo is very bad. While the old interior isnt a great place to sit inside it was well equipped and functional. The newer 2009s seemed to completely change and fix what was wrong with the previous interior. The plastics were of higher quality and were much nicer to feel and look at. The entire center console was changed to a higher level which really impressed me. The gauges had a nicer clean modern look with the white and blue touches while the older one was pretty dated. The stereo unit is a far nicer one although its still a troublesome item and likely the only thing in the car that needs repair early. The atmosphere of the newer interior really shows Hyundais commitment to higher quality. The build quality on the Sonata is very well done either version. Most Sonatas in North America are built in Montgomery, Alabama.
My Score(2007, 2008): 5/10 - Very boring and unattractive, but built well
My Score(2009): 9/10 - One of the best economical interiors Ive seen especially at this price range, its plastic but its very nice plastic. The stereo is the only small weak link.
Styling: This is always my problem with Korean cars in the past, they rarely put enough time and effort to style their cars. This 5th generation Sonata doesnt solve this problem but the coming 6th gen shows Hyundai has changed this. From much of its styling its clear the 5th generation Honda Accord was its major inspiration both rear and front are similar. The earlier Sonata does have a nicer grille than the 2009 and 2010s but neither really substantially differentiate themselves from the old Accord.
My Score(both): 2/10 - A nice copy job, but still a copy job and is not good styling by any means.
Value for money: The Hyundai Sonata relies solely on its low price range to take market share away from the bigger automakers. The Sonata does not disappoint here, both versions are very well equipped even in rather base specification. Hyundais pricing is rather aggressive and trying to take away from Honda and Toyota. The deal looks a bit less impressive when one adds options for the Sonata but ideally the base Sonata will work for most buyers. The older Sonata was not all that refined and is less appealing especially with the updated 2009s which is better in almost every way. The newer Sonata is a very good deal for an inexpensive relatively large car.
My Score(2007, 2008): 7/10 - A pretty good deal but overshadowed by the 2009s improvements.
My Score(2009): 10/10 - Very well priced and far more refined than before, very hard to argue against recommending it.
Overall(2007, 2008): 25/50 - A so-so boring car with reasonable value
Overall(2009): 35/50 - A pretty good budget value mid sized sedan with one of the nicest interiors in a while, easily the most well updated car Ive ever encountered.
Read more »
Introduction: The Hyundai Sonata is Hyundais mid-sized car. Originally introduced in 1985 to replace the disappointing Hyundai Stellar and ending Hyundais rear wheel drive lineup. The Sonata is now in its 5th generation, the new 6th generation Sonata is ready to take over for the 2011 model year.
I wasnt really all that thrilled about the Sonata much like other Korean cars when I first started out. It was the 2009 models where I was surprised about how different Hyundai has become.
Performance: I havent driven any of the V6 Hyundai Sonatas so my review will stick with the standard 2.4L 4-cylinder engine included in the base Sonata models. The 2009 has an updated version of the engine meaning it produces more power than the original 2007-2008 models. The original engine produced 162 hp and 164 lbs.ft of torque. The updated engine has 175 hp and 168 lb.ft of torque. The differences between the two is rather minimal although I will say the 2009 feels a slight bit smoother and less strained. The acceleration time is roughly 9.5-9.8 seconds from 0-100 km/h. Not a very quick car but its reasonably smooth and modest.
My Score(both): 6/10 - Not a very quick engine but reasonable for its power.
Handling: Ive noticed some differences between the two version here. Starting with the earlier Sonata, when you take one of these cars into a corner the body roll and lack of steering feel is very apparent. The wheel isnt exactly light but it doesnt translate into an enjoyable experience. I found the earlier Sonata a rather boring vehicle to take into a corner. Now the 2009 Sonata is a much different experience. The steering is more sharper and a far more willing car to be pushed to its limits and giving a better sense of steering feel that the older Sonata wouldnt give. The roll is also less pronounced and dynamically a better experience overall. I can easily say the 2009 Sonata was my first taste of Hyundai turning its image into a better car company.
My Score(2007-2008): 5/10 - Very boring, quite a bit of body roll and not willing to play.
My Score(2009): 8/10 - Better steering than the previous version, less body roll and far more enjoyable to drive in comparison.
Interior: This is easily the biggest difference between the two versions. The earlier Sonata has a very plain interior design, there is very little styling input into the interior. The plastics look functional but overall not very nice and the stereo is very bad. While the old interior isnt a great place to sit inside it was well equipped and functional. The newer 2009s seemed to completely change and fix what was wrong with the previous interior. The plastics were of higher quality and were much nicer to feel and look at. The entire center console was changed to a higher level which really impressed me. The gauges had a nicer clean modern look with the white and blue touches while the older one was pretty dated. The stereo unit is a far nicer one although its still a troublesome item and likely the only thing in the car that needs repair early. The atmosphere of the newer interior really shows Hyundais commitment to higher quality. The build quality on the Sonata is very well done either version. Most Sonatas in North America are built in Montgomery, Alabama.
My Score(2007, 2008): 5/10 - Very boring and unattractive, but built well
My Score(2009): 9/10 - One of the best economical interiors Ive seen especially at this price range, its plastic but its very nice plastic. The stereo is the only small weak link.
Styling: This is always my problem with Korean cars in the past, they rarely put enough time and effort to style their cars. This 5th generation Sonata doesnt solve this problem but the coming 6th gen shows Hyundai has changed this. From much of its styling its clear the 5th generation Honda Accord was its major inspiration both rear and front are similar. The earlier Sonata does have a nicer grille than the 2009 and 2010s but neither really substantially differentiate themselves from the old Accord.
My Score(both): 2/10 - A nice copy job, but still a copy job and is not good styling by any means.
Value for money: The Hyundai Sonata relies solely on its low price range to take market share away from the bigger automakers. The Sonata does not disappoint here, both versions are very well equipped even in rather base specification. Hyundais pricing is rather aggressive and trying to take away from Honda and Toyota. The deal looks a bit less impressive when one adds options for the Sonata but ideally the base Sonata will work for most buyers. The older Sonata was not all that refined and is less appealing especially with the updated 2009s which is better in almost every way. The newer Sonata is a very good deal for an inexpensive relatively large car.
My Score(2007, 2008): 7/10 - A pretty good deal but overshadowed by the 2009s improvements.
My Score(2009): 10/10 - Very well priced and far more refined than before, very hard to argue against recommending it.
Overall(2007, 2008): 25/50 - A so-so boring car with reasonable value
Overall(2009): 35/50 - A pretty good budget value mid sized sedan with one of the nicest interiors in a while, easily the most well updated car Ive ever encountered.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
2008 Kia Sportage Hyundai Tuscon
Normally I consider a Kia and Hyundai to be different from each other. This is one of the few examples where I almost couldnt find a single difference, as a result I will review both since theyre almost identical.
Introduction: The Kia Sportage is the older name of the two, it was originally a rugged off-roader built in 1993 and actually managed to stay in production until 2002. The original Sportage was one of the models to receive Mazda and Ford parts due to the Ford-Mazda-Kia partnership. When the Sportage was discontinued in 2002 it had no direct replacement. In 2004, Kia now under the direction of Hyundai due to South Korean government interference revived the Sportage name, however Hyundai also released the Tucson. Both use the same Elantra platform particularly the 3rd generation Elantra, the earliest car I reviewed. The result for the Sportage was that it no longer was capable of going off-road. As with other similar Kia and Hyundai vehicles, theyre both manufactured from different South Korean factories. Hyundai has scheduled a redesign of the Tucson for 2010 due to be on sale soon, its unknown if the Sportage will receive similar treatment outside of Europe.
By the time I drove the Tucson and Sportage Ive come to distingush Korean cars with the old being the bad ones and the newer being the good ones. The Sportage and Tuscon belong on the old column.
Performance: The Sportage and Tucson both share the exact same engines from the 2.0L 4-cylinder to the 2.7L V6. For this review Ive only driven the 2.7L V6 which produces 173 hp and 178 lb.ft of torque. Unlike the Santa Fe, I dont feel this V6 moves this SUV very well. Its just too low powered even for a 2.7...I mean Chryslers V6 of this size is very old and does 190 in both stats. The acceleration is pretty poor for both going from 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds. Its not a particularly nice sounding engine either, sort of coarse for a V6.
My Score: 3/10 - Disappointingly slow for a high end engine.
Handling: Both of these SUVs use the old Elantras platform as a result these SUVs are not very rewarding to drive but rather feel like tools. Neither is particularly terrible taking the corners but it always seems like a chore to do so driving these. The steering feel is somewhat lacking especially compared to the Santa Fe.
My Score: 4/10 - Not particularly horrible...but then again it could be so much better.
Interior: Normally this is what sets Kia and Hyundai apart, but for these SUVs theyre extremely similar. Usually Hyundai build quality is slightly better, but due to the similar parts its just not noticeable. The seats are pretty decent and theres adequate room for passengers of average size. The stereo is the old Hyundai/Kia unit and its still as bad as Ive said. The plastics however are not adequate, they age particularly badly when shown beside Hyundais current plastic trim. Theres nothing clever or anything interesting to note aside from this.
My Score: 4/10 - A regular SUV interior with some low quality materials and a bad stereo.
Styling: The Kia has a slightly more agricultural look but the plastic bumper sort of ruins that image. The Tucson is more like a normal crossover but not particularly interesting. The Tucson also shows its plastic front bumper which I dont find very appealing.
My Score: 4/10 - Pretty generic with a cheap looking bumper.
Value for money: As inexpensive SUVs both the Sportage and Tucson seem like a good deal. The weak engine is not very appealing to people who do research their cars. Those who want a practical vehicle wont find these SUVs to be appealing either due to their small size but pretty conventional layout. A Legacy Wagon or Outback is more practical and in my opinion better at everything. The only people who will want these vehicles are those who want the high driving position but dont want to pay a lot.
My Score: 4/10 - Few of these vehicles seem like good value compared to a wagon, most appealing to those who like a high driving position.
Overall: 19/50 - A result of being outdated, the 2010s and Hyundais rise seem more promising...best to wait for those.
Read more »
Introduction: The Kia Sportage is the older name of the two, it was originally a rugged off-roader built in 1993 and actually managed to stay in production until 2002. The original Sportage was one of the models to receive Mazda and Ford parts due to the Ford-Mazda-Kia partnership. When the Sportage was discontinued in 2002 it had no direct replacement. In 2004, Kia now under the direction of Hyundai due to South Korean government interference revived the Sportage name, however Hyundai also released the Tucson. Both use the same Elantra platform particularly the 3rd generation Elantra, the earliest car I reviewed. The result for the Sportage was that it no longer was capable of going off-road. As with other similar Kia and Hyundai vehicles, theyre both manufactured from different South Korean factories. Hyundai has scheduled a redesign of the Tucson for 2010 due to be on sale soon, its unknown if the Sportage will receive similar treatment outside of Europe.
By the time I drove the Tucson and Sportage Ive come to distingush Korean cars with the old being the bad ones and the newer being the good ones. The Sportage and Tuscon belong on the old column.
Performance: The Sportage and Tucson both share the exact same engines from the 2.0L 4-cylinder to the 2.7L V6. For this review Ive only driven the 2.7L V6 which produces 173 hp and 178 lb.ft of torque. Unlike the Santa Fe, I dont feel this V6 moves this SUV very well. Its just too low powered even for a 2.7...I mean Chryslers V6 of this size is very old and does 190 in both stats. The acceleration is pretty poor for both going from 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds. Its not a particularly nice sounding engine either, sort of coarse for a V6.
My Score: 3/10 - Disappointingly slow for a high end engine.
Handling: Both of these SUVs use the old Elantras platform as a result these SUVs are not very rewarding to drive but rather feel like tools. Neither is particularly terrible taking the corners but it always seems like a chore to do so driving these. The steering feel is somewhat lacking especially compared to the Santa Fe.
My Score: 4/10 - Not particularly horrible...but then again it could be so much better.
Interior: Normally this is what sets Kia and Hyundai apart, but for these SUVs theyre extremely similar. Usually Hyundai build quality is slightly better, but due to the similar parts its just not noticeable. The seats are pretty decent and theres adequate room for passengers of average size. The stereo is the old Hyundai/Kia unit and its still as bad as Ive said. The plastics however are not adequate, they age particularly badly when shown beside Hyundais current plastic trim. Theres nothing clever or anything interesting to note aside from this.
My Score: 4/10 - A regular SUV interior with some low quality materials and a bad stereo.
Styling: The Kia has a slightly more agricultural look but the plastic bumper sort of ruins that image. The Tucson is more like a normal crossover but not particularly interesting. The Tucson also shows its plastic front bumper which I dont find very appealing.
My Score: 4/10 - Pretty generic with a cheap looking bumper.
Value for money: As inexpensive SUVs both the Sportage and Tucson seem like a good deal. The weak engine is not very appealing to people who do research their cars. Those who want a practical vehicle wont find these SUVs to be appealing either due to their small size but pretty conventional layout. A Legacy Wagon or Outback is more practical and in my opinion better at everything. The only people who will want these vehicles are those who want the high driving position but dont want to pay a lot.
My Score: 4/10 - Few of these vehicles seem like good value compared to a wagon, most appealing to those who like a high driving position.
Overall: 19/50 - A result of being outdated, the 2010s and Hyundais rise seem more promising...best to wait for those.
Monday, October 14, 2013
2011 Hyundai Sonata
2011 Hyundai Sonata looks sleek, and thanks to a 270HP powerplant, drives with more muscle than you would expect.
For just under $20,000, the base 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a smart buy. The sleek styling, with a slight curve on the side and a low-angled front, recall a BMW 5-Series. A few choice tech features, including a dedicated 30-pin cable for your iPod Touch or iPhone, help keep you connected. And, fuel economy is outstanding at 24MPG in the city and 35MPG for highway driving. Yet, for those who want more muscle, the new Sonata Limited Turbo 2.0L, priced at $27,245, almost matches the BMW for speed as well, and only shaves 2MPG off fuel economy.
Now, to clarify: Hyundai is not in the same class as a BMW. The South Korean car company has set its sights on Honda and Toyota for some time. Some would argue that Japan fell asleep at the wheel and Hyundai is encroaching on their space. Still, you should not expect any luxury features such as a high-performance surround-sound stereo system or adaptive cruise control. Both the Sonata and the 2011 Kia Optima do have a BMW look and feel, though, especially compared to the 5-Series.
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a midsize family sedan available in GLS, SE and Limited trim levels. Standard equipment on the GLS includes 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, air-conditioning, cruise control, full power accessories, heated sideview mirrors, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a trip computer, a 60/40-split rear seatback, a six-speaker stereo (with CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, iPod/auxiliary audio jacks and steering-wheel-mounted controls) and Bluetooth with phonebook download.
Two optional equipment packages are available. One adds alloy wheels, automatic headlights and an eight-way power driver seat. The other includes all these plus a navigation system and upgraded speakers for the audio system. The sporty SE features all the above (except the navigation system and premium speakers) and adds 18-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, foglights, a dark chrome grille, a sport-tuned suspension, keyless ignition/entry, leather/cloth upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Opting for the turbocharged engine will also add dual-zone automatic climate control. An optional package bundles a navigation system with premium speakers and a sunroof.
The plush Limited has all the SEs features (minus the 18-inch wheels, sport suspension and cloth/leather upholstery) and adds side mirror turn signal repeaters, a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated seats (front and rear), dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an upgraded audio system (with HD radio and CD changer) and unique interior accents (either wood grain or gloss black). Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are also standard. The turbocharged SE variant adds 18-inch wheels, dual exhaust tips and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Limiteds sole optional package bundles a navigation system with a back-up camera and Infinity premium speakers.
Although it’s clear Hyundai has really upped its game with the 2011 Sonata, pricing has changed little from that of the previous generation. GLS models start at a competitive $19,915 with the six-speed manual; standard features include six airbags, ABS and electronic stability control, keyless entry, power windows and locks, heated and powered mirrors, and Bluetooth connectivity. An additional grand will net you the six-speed auto. Stepping up to one like our SE tester will run $23,315 to start and just over $26,000 with the optional Navigation and Sunroof package, which is the only major option. This combination suited us well, but sadly, it cannot be configured with heated leather seats. For that luxury, you must spend at least $26,015 for the Limited model, which also comes with dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming mirrors, vents for rear-seat passengers, and other unique, upscale bits. A $2100 Navigation package adds touch-screen nav, a rearview camera, and a premium Infinity audio system, bringing a loaded Sonata to just over $28,000.
The standard engine on all Hyundai Sonata trim levels is a 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine good for 198 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. The SE, with its dual exhaust, has a bit more power at 200 hp and 186 lb-ft. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the GLS, while a six-speed automatic is optional on that trim and standard on the SE and Limited. A powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is available on SE and Limited trim levels. This engine produces 274 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.
In performance testing, a 2.4-liter GLS Sonata with the automatic transmission accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds. As expected, the 2.0-liter turbo is significantly quicker, requiring only 6.7 seconds.
The Sonatas EPA fuel economy estimates are impressive for a car of this size. The 2.4-liter engine with the manual transmission is rated at 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 28 combined, and 22/35/26 mpg with the automatic. The 2.0-liter turbo, despite its significant boost in power, returns a very impressive 22/33/26 mpg.
The Sonata’s muscular 270-horsepower engine is frighteningly fast, and surprisingly so. We were not believers at first, questioning whether the “turbo” moniker (which forces air into the engine for increased pep) was more of a marketing concept. According to Hyundai, the Turbo accelerates from 0 to 60MPH in about 6.5 seconds – fast enough to cause the tires to squeal and push your head back.
Around corners, the Sonata Turbo provides a comfortable, assured ride. There’s no sense of the vehicle slipping, even going 70MPH on a bend meant for 45MPH, or pushing with too much force. Sure, the Audi A8 uses some advanced tech to relieve even more force on high-speed turns and makes them feel effortless, but the Sonata still does an admirable job of maintaining grip and suspension.
With the Turbo model, Hyundai added paddle shifters to give you a sense of control. They work well and are even easier to find. We had no trouble down-shifting to slow the car slightly around corners. Once again, we’re not talking about a Volvo or BMW transmission; you don’t feel any hesitation when you shift manually and you can willfully change gears anytime you want. But the Sonata does provide a better driving experience for those who want a little more control over the gears.
All Sonatas come well stocked with antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, front seat side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.
In the governments new, more strenuous crash testing for 2011, the Sonata earned a top five-star rating for overall crash protection, with four out of five stars given for front-impact protection and five stars for side impact protection. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata earned a top rating of "Good" for frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength protection.
In Edmunds brake testing, a 2011 Sonata GLS came to a stop from 60 mph in 128 feet. A 2.0-liter turbo model with wider tires stopped slightly shorter at 120 feet. Both stopping distances are slightly better than average for cars in this class.
reference:www.edmunds.com,www.caranddriver.com,www.digitaltrends.com
Sunday, September 29, 2013
2012 Hyundai Veloster Price of 16 000
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is one of the latest version of 2012 Hyundai. 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a 3-door, 4-passenger sports coupe, available in one trim only, the Base. the 2012 Hyundai Veloster is available at price of $17,300 and Invoice price of $16,699. 
Upon introduction, the 2012 Hyundai Veloster is equipped with a standard 1.6-liter, I4, 138-horsepower engine that achieves 28-mpg in the city and 40-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster includes a standard USB/iPod interface, RCA inputs, Bluetooth hands-free, and GraceNote music display technology that lets you request music with voice commands. Hyundais BlueLink suite of services is also included, in a trial subscription, and options include a huge panoramic sunroof, a navigation system, upgraded wheels, and a 115-volt outlet. The 2012 Hyundai Veloster works multiple angles, attempting to charm discerning younger vehicle shoppers with its unique formulation of hip urban design, a sporty driving feel, reasonable comfort, and enough features to satisfy and entertain a crowd thats always connected.
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