2011 Hyundai Equus Ultimate: August 2011

Our 2011 Hyundai Equus long-termer continues to pile on the miles in the effortless fashion that one expects of a premium sedan. August's main outing was a weeklong stint in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, about 800 miles from Detroit. All-in, the trip accounted for over 2,000 miles, during which the Equus stretched its legs as a capable freeway cruiser and even was pressed into undignified service as a surfboard transport (see above). In case you're wondering, no, an eight-foot rental longboard won't fit in a luxury sedan (not in this or any other we can think of), so you'll be forced to do the shish-ka-windows-and-empty-side-road-creep with the hazard lights on if you don't have any alternatives.

With the exception of a modest bit of track time at Hyundai's Seoul proving grounds in a few prototypes, this was your author's first experience with the Equus. As one might expect, it acquits itself better over-the-road than on the track, delivering a comfortable ride and plush confines in which to while away the miles.

What was surprising for this driver was how much attention our Equus garnered – it's rather innocuously styled, after all. But we hadn't been driving further than our first rest stop when a couple of attractive twenty-something ladies stopped to ask about our car as we got out in the parking lot. "What is it?!" they gushed. "Believe it or not, it's a Hyundai," we answered. Puzzled looks. "Wait... really? Well... it's still really nice, though!" We laughed a little inside and moved on, but their reaction was telling – "It's still really nice, though!" is both a credit to what a pleasant surprise the Equus is for Hyundai, as well as a subtly backhanded ding at the company's "off the radar" standing among many consumers. The same rest area yielded a discussion with a very enthusiastic Genesis sedan owner, and subsequent conversations were held at stoplights with frantic arm-waving Toyota Avalon drivers and more random people in parking lots, including a BMW E60 5 Series owner fed up with his ownership experience. We have to admit, we viewed the Equus as something of a generic knockoff design-wise, but our conversations suggest that the general buying public doesn't feel the same way (or doesn't care).



We do have some nits to pick with our big white whale, however. Others have mentioned this, but it's worth pointing out again – the adjustable lumbar support seems to be in perpetual state of overinflation. No matter how much we tinker with the air bladder controls, it just feels too prominent on our lower backs. It's so uncomfortable that it's led to both your author and Editor-In-Chief Neff to ponder drastic, pin-shaped countermeasures. We wouldn't, of course, but it's still bothersome. The best solution for long-distance comfort seems to be extending the bottom cushion a bit longer than we normally might, as this somehow alleviates the stress.

Otherwise, the interior offers plenty of amenities and creature comforts, though the controls, finishes and design aesthetic lack the same sort of aura of refinement as rivals. Overall, our Equus Ultimate succeeds at feeling like a great value, but stops short of feeling like a great full-size luxury sedan. That's partially due to the interior and partially due to the 4.6-liter Tau V8. Its 385 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque certainly aren't anything to sneeze at, but this is 4,600-pound mass of Korean real estate, and it simply feels adequate. Other media outlets have tested the Equus and found 0-60 times in the mid-to-high six-second range, so it's certainly not slow, but the ECU and transmission tuning makes both off-the-line acceleration and highway passing feel more leisurely than we'd expect. More chutzpah isn't far off, thankfully – the 2012 model is widely expected to adopt the 5.0-liter V8 and eight-speed automatic gearbox recently introduced in the updated Genesis sedan.

Despite sustained higher speeds, traversing Pennsylvania's Alleghany mountains, negotiating a dead-stop traffic jam and a lot of pottering along in beach traffic, we averaged a solid 21 miles per gallon, smack in the middle of the 18/22 city/highway mix the EPA predicts. During that stint, we saw sustained freeway running with indicated mpgs in the mid-to-upper 20s without even trying, suggesting that it's likely quite easy to beat the Equus' official fuel economy estimates if you take it easier than we did.

2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited

The journey has been arduous and fraught with disappointment, but it appears we've finally reached our destination. Welcome to The Golden Age of Compact Motoring. Gone are the days of mostly cheap and poorly executed C-segment entries. Ye Olde "It's the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and everybody else" mindset is finally history, too. All of a sudden, new car buyers can choose from a bumper crop of smart new motors, including the all-new Civic, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, the 2012 Ford Focus, the larger and more affordable 2011 Volkswagen Jetta and the always entertaining Mazda3. And that's not all – there's also a new wildcard in the compact segment, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.

While entries like the Cruze and Focus have garnered lots of attention, the Elantra has quietly established itself as a worthy alternative in this suddenly competitive segment. The redesigned Hyundai caught our attention with its expressive styling, an improved cabin and 40 miles per gallon highway rating. It sounds like a winning game plan to us, but does this revitalized Hyundai live up to its impressive stat sheet? We spent a week with an Elantra Limited to find out for ourselves.

The 2011 Elantra utilizes the same "Fluidic Sculpture" design language of its larger Sonata sibling, with a sleek profile that includes a coupe-like roofline and pronounced crease that spans the side body panels. Up front, the vehicle features a pair of large, stylized headlights and a rounded lower fascia opening framed up by a pair of well-placed fog lamps. The rear looks equally attractive, with an almost hatch-like profile and a pair of taillights that are every bit as imposing as the peepers up front. A range-topping Limited example like our tester is rounded out with 17-inch aluminum wheels mated to Continental P215/45R17 tires.

From the outside, the Elantra couldn't look more different than its milquetoast predecessor, but we're just as impressed with what Hyundai designers have done to transform a formerly bland and nondescript cabin. Climbing into the Elantra is no longer like a trip to Accountant World, where the rides are forgettable and the imagination nonexistent. In place of drab scenery and ho-hum materials, Hyundai designers have added plenty of aesthetic flair, with interesting instrument panel lines that draw the eye towards a well laid-out center stack. Dash materials are cushy and nice to touch, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel falls easily to hand. Admittedly, the leather covering the seats isn't of the highest quality, but these chairs are very comfortable and surprisingly well bolstered. We can live with less than luxury-level leather, especially when considering our loaded tester's reasonable MSRP of $22,110. Besides, the Elantra Limited comes standard with heated seats for front and rear passengers, so our leather-backed bums will be grateful when the weather turns cold.

$22,110 is a very competitive price for a top trim compact these days – a bit less expensive than a comparably equipped Focus ($23,680 for SEL model with moonroof and navigation) or Civic ($25,754 for EX-L model equipped with 17-inch wheels).

Ergonomics in the cabin have been well thought-out, with everything available to the driver without the need to reach very far. We especially liked the HVAC controls – it's nice to heat or cool the cabin without having to take your eyes off the road to hunt for the right button or setting. The Elantra also deserves kudos for a quiet interior that makes holding conversations with rear seat occupants easy. These are the sorts of touches that make a compact sedan feel less like an econobox and more like a luxury rig.

The Elantra Limited we tested also featured Hyundai's optional Technology Package, which stickers for $2,100. The Elantra Limited already comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and USB and auxiliary ports for a smartphone or MP3 player, but the Tech Package adds a seven-inch LCD touch screen with navigation, rear-view camera, 360-watt sound system and push button start. That's a lot of kit for a reasonable package price, and we found the technology intuitive to use and easy to understand.



While we generally have few complaints concerning the Elantra's interior, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the discount switchgear all around. If you park, say, a Focus next to the Elantra Limited and scrutinize the switchgear and power window controls, the Focus clearly features superior equipment. We'd also like a few more inches of legroom for rear seat passengers, as 33.1 inches is less than nearly every major competitor. Finally, we were also a bit turned off by the oddly placed black accents on the doors. They didn't match the gray tone of the dashboard and were hard on the elbows.

Rear legroom was probably the biggest issue we had with the Elantra's cabin, but we remain more interested in what happens from directly behind the steering wheel. The story begins with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder rated at 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. Buyers have a choice of a six-speed manual (GLS model only) or the six-speed automatic transmission that comes standard when specifying the Limited trim. The 1.8-liter and automatic combo performs well together, with smooth shifts and plenty of power to spin the front wheels of this 2,877-pound sedan.



If you're thinking that nearly 2,900 pounds is a bit heavy for a compact car, we don't disagree, but the Elantra is actually one of the leaner entries in its class. The good news is that the base $14,995 GLS model is over 200 pounds lighter. And besides, even with the extra tonnage, the Elantra Limited still feels peppy off the line, with an estimated 0-60 time under nine seconds. The figure certainly isn't land-speed record material, but it's more than fine for an inexpensive runabout, and the quiet cabin makes it all seem less harried.

Some compacts have developed a reputation for offering a sporty ride and handling, but while the Elantra certainly looks the part, this Hyundai is in practice more of a comfy cruiser than an expert corner carver. The front suspension consists of MacPherson struts with coil springs, while the rear hardware is comprised of a torsion axle with gas-filled, hydraulic monotube shocks. Sportier rides tend to feature a multi-link setup out back, but going the torsion beam route lets Hyundai keep prices down and still supply a compliant ride.



The Elantra does feel tight enough, though, with little body roll and plenty of grip. While we can live with its less-than-sporty chassis, we can't as easily dismiss its brake or steering feel (or lack thereof). In the case of the latter, we've sampled plenty of electronically controlled setups, but the Elantra's helm seems to lack an actual connection to the road. The wheel does have a bit of heft to it, but the weighting feels artificial.

While there are plenty of new and renewed competitors in this segment, none can boast an EPA rating of 40 miles per gallon across their entire model range. Hyundai is hanging its hat on the fact that competitors must resort to special high-fuel economy models or diesel power to net the big 4-0 on the highway, and they've been positively champing at the bit to remind you that whether you purchase a manual or automatic, every Elantra boasts 29 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway. That's impressive, but when the rubber met the road, we were only able to average about 31 mpg during our week of mixed driving with the car. That's still rock-solid, but a bit below the EPA's combined estimate of 33 mpg.



To be clear, if you're the type of driver that prioritizes a sporty feel and sharp handling, there are more appropriate places to spend your money in this segment. Hyundai has taken a calculated bet aimed squarely at the fat part of the compact car buying bell curve, prioritizing fuel economy, styling, technology and an attractive price tag over backroad thrills. The Korean automaker may have neglected the enthusiast niche here, but it only takes a passing glance to know that Hyundai is serious about the compact sedan segment. While we're still hoping for an inexpensive drive with a bit more flavor, the new Elantra's off-to-the-races sales figures suggest that Hyundai is definitely on to something.

SEMA 2010: Hyundai Genesis Coupe

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a tuner favorite at SEMA. GogoGear showed off its racing Genesis Coupe, while ARK Performance has created a performance Genesis Coupe more appropriate for cruising the Vegas Strip. There's even a bit of overlap between the two, as GogoGear's entry uses a carbon fiber bodykit, headers, shocks and coilovers from ARK Performance. Getting the rest of the coupe ready for kerbs are the upgraded V6 churning out 380 horsepower, carbon fiber roof, 18-inch Konig Kilogram lightweight wheels and a Racepak IQ3 data logger dash.

ARK Performance went street with a carbon grille, hood and rear diffuser, with ARK SFX bumpers, skirts and fenders. Stoptech brakes scrub the speed, and Alpine, Apple and Infinity provide the audiovisual buffet in the cabin. JsDesigns can be thanked for the little guy on the hood, and his rear is warmed by the heat of a supercharged 3.8-liter, 585-hp engine with 330 pound-feet and dual headers and downpipes.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Competitors: Honda Accord and Toyota Camry

Engine: V6-equipped 2.0 and 2.4-liter engine

Mileage: 36 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway




Other Info: Sonata is a sedan that has always shown up with the kind of styling, efficiency and price this low which make consumers to scurry for their checkbook.

All new 2011 Sonata can also be driven in all electric mode. Hyundai says that the Sonata Hybrid can cruise on all-electric at speed of up to 62 mph, and company's engineer indicated that the car might do even better. Hyundai did this by converting its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine to the Atkinson Cycle and added a 40-horsepower electric motor, which is good for a combined 206 horsepower and 193 pound-feet of torque, but the main thing is the car's battery pack.

Instead of cull out the cheaper nickel-metal hydride cells, Hyundai's choice was costlier lithium-polymer cells with a total of 72 cells into the pack, which weighs a relatively 96 pounds.

Paris 2010: Hyundai teams up with Brabus for sportier i20

After a 2008 introduction, the Hyundai i20 is back at the Paris Motor Show but this time it's got a bit of an attitude. Hyundai has teamed up with Brabus to create the i20 Sport Edition. So far the only details released involve the appearance changes. The front skirt and wheel arches take on an angrier appearance while Yokohama rubber gets wrapped around a set of 17-inch Brabus alloy wheels. The black mesh looks good next to the black bezel around the headlights, as well as the added LED daytime running strips.

While the outside sports that subtly-cool hot-hatch look, the inside looks it was "designed" by the Great Pumpkin after a night spent throwing one too many back. Though the orange-black paint scheme is a little much, the sporty Recaro seats, leather-lined surfaces and seven-inch touchscreen are welcome additions.

We're still waiting to hear what is powering the Hyundai i20 Sport Edition, but with Brabus involved we can only hope for the best. The car will enter production during the first half of 2011, and it will be released as a limited-edition model, available in both three and five-door versions

Paris 2010: 2011 Hyundai ix20 is neat, nifty, compact

Hyundai's fluidic design language makes a little car quite handsome, and the ix20 MPV at the Paris Motor Show is the latest to benefit from the rhinoplasty. To our American eyes, it's a tiny piece of kit to be called an MPV, but the market for European B-segment people-carriers is robust.

Aimed at Continental families, the wheels pushed out to the corners provides a pleasantly roomy interior for a car with its dimensions. Four powerplants can be placed under the hood, two gas engines and two oil-burners ranging from 75 to 122 horsepower. Hyundai has also found room for plenty of safety features, with ESP, ABS, and Hill Start Assist making the list of standard kit.

Hyundai is hoping any further worries will be allayed by the five-year, unlimited mile warranty, and wants to sell 55,000 units of the ix20 annually.

Hyundai: Sonata 2.0 Turbo hits 60 in 6.5 seconds, returns 34 mpg highway

According to Hyundai, its new 274-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine for the 2011 Sonata sedan is going to be a real gem. To wit, the Korean automaker says the boosted-four will propel its midsize sedan to 60 miles per hour in just 6.5 seconds. That's serious speed for the segment and it means the Sonata will at least have the accelerative chops to stick with the rest of the sport sedan competition.

Of course, these days frugality is just as important as horsepower, and Hyundai assures us that its 2.0T-powered Sonata will be able to return the promised 22 miles per gallon in the city and 34 on the highway – all on regular-grade fuel. For those who like to keep track of such things, Hyundai claims those figures are 16% and 17% better respectively than the outgoing 3.5-liter V6.

Want more? Well, that's all we can share for now... but our initial driving impressions will be on their way just as soon as Hyundai gives the word. Stay tuned.

[Source: Hyundai]

Beijing 2010: 2011 Hyundai Accent debuts as Verna across the Pacific

Hyundai's fluidic sculpture design language has now spread to the smallest vehicle in its lineup, and the new sub-compact slated to take the place of the aging Accent was unwrapped on the floor of the Beijing Motor Show. We've been seeing spy shots of the next generation Accent for some time and it very clearly follows the same design path as its big brother the Sonata.

The little sedan, badged the Verna outside the U.S., has the same rounded coupe-like greenhouse and rising crease up the sides. Inside the Verna/Accent definitely has a more attractive, higher-quality feel than the current model, although calling it up-scale would be slightly disingenuous. We'll have to wait and see what kind materials the North American model gets before making a decision.

Power is slated to come from either a 1.4- or 1.6-liter inline-four, producing 106 horsepower and 120 hp, respectively, with a standard five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic. Expect the U.S. version to come packing the larger four-pot when it goes on sale early next year.

Kia Forte awarded IIHS 'Top Safety Pick'

Much like parent company Hyundai, Kia has been working hard to revive its brand image. New products like the Soul and Forte have been relatively well received so far, and with new stunners like the 2011 Sportage and Optima on the way, Kia should benefit from a healthy boost in sales. But strip away the sleek new designs and clever interior packaging, and you'll find that Kia's core value of crafting extremely safe vehicles is still holding strong, especially now that the 2010 Forte sedan has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Forte received ratings of "Good" (the highest achievable) in front, side, rear and rollover impact crash tests – something that safety-minded buyers will surely appreciate. What's more, this gives the Forte more ammo to compete head on with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, its two main competitors, which have also been dubbed as Top Safety Picks by IIHS. Curiously, only the sedan was mentioned in the IIHS study, so we can't say if this prestigious honor carries over to the two-door coupe Koup.