Tag Archives: Hyundai

2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport M/T (1171)

12-12-2016Autolove No comments

Overview:
This is the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport M/T (Manual Transmission). I’ll repeat myself in noting that in the early years of the industry cars were equipped only with Manual Transmissions and in the early 1950s when automatic transmissions began to be popular Manual was recognized as ‘Standard’. Today of course you’d have to special order a manual shift transmission on most cars.

There is an informative article on the subject of Manual Transmissions at this link: http://www.cartalk.com/blogs/bestride/these-are-all-manual-transmission-cars-available-today

In summary the article states that Americans don’t buy manual transmissions anymore. 96% of the cars, trucks and SUVs sold in America have automatic transmissions. Some segments in the market don’t offer a manual at all, regardless of the model.

You used to be able to save a few bucks buying a cheap car with a manual transmission, and enjoy better fuel economy. Not true any longer and rather some will even cost more than an automatic. These days, the fuel mileage almost never gets better when compared with an automatic transmission.

General Information: It is assembled in Ulsan, Korea; Parts – US/Canadian 0%, Korea 97%; Engine & Transmission – Korea; Classification is Midsize Cars. Cars from Hyundai: Accent, Azera, Elantra, Elantra Coupe, Elantra GT, Equus, Genesis, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, Tucson and Veloster.

Opinion:
When you spend as much time in cars that we in America do, it’s amazing how much you can learn just by observing. I’m certain you notice the same things I do on the highway.

One observation is that many drivers do not pay as much attention as they should while driving. The result is, of course, accidents and most are caused by distractions. Even seasoned drivers can err, especially with all the new technology we have. Tweeting, texting and phone calls are a few things unavailable just 2 decades ago. And when you are being distracted it takes place at ever increasing speeds.

Driving is a serious responsibility and your mistakes can put others’ lives at risk, including your own. Even if you have passed driving classes with flying colors, the majority of your driving skill is learned over time. Ironically both ends of the spectrum – Youth and Old age – complicate the problem even further. On top of that the roads are replete with newcomers to our busy highways from societies where they rode bicycles or walked or used public transportation. The variety therefore of levels of driving skills from a myriad of cultures is mind boggling and it’s a wonder there aren’t even more collisions than we must painfully endure already.

So please pay attention when you get behind the wheel. Avoid any distraction you can. Be safe.

Handling & Performance:
Super-fast and fabulously fun to drive. Good turning radius. It is also easy on gas.

Styling:
It has that “Today” look that is clean and smart but in many cases almost boooring. Hyundai and Kia (sister companies) are as good as it gets in design.

Fit and Finish:
Very good assembly and fitting components.

Cost:
This Elantra is an excellent value at about $20,000. If you want a sunroof and automatic temperature control and some other upgrades in sound system etc., you will spend less than $2,500.

Conveniences and comfort:
One of the more convenient features is quite simple – keyless entry and push button start. Ok, so even early cars had a simple ignition. Turn the key and push a button on the dash or on the floor and wa la you were off and driving. Real advancement will come shortly when the car recognizes your voice when you say car – start or you say it to your iPhone Watch as you walk to the car.

The first drive will impress you. The first think I noticed was the contour of the driver seat. It hugs you gently and it is especially appreciated with a Manual Shift car. For me it was a Flashback to Corvette.

What I missed in this test vehicle was “Hill Start” assist that is particularly helpful with a Manual Shift car. However for those who’ve never driven a manual transmission car this Elantra, as well as some others, you will be prompted for the best time to shift. Kinda like having training wheels on your bicycle.

Consumer Recommendations:
If your budget is $25,000 or less this is a fantastic value for a 5 seat sedan. It has relatively spacious seating and the trunk is very good size.

Recognized Competition:
Hyundai Elantra Sport M/T $21,000, Buick Verano $24,000, Honda Civic $21,000, Mitsubishi Lancer $21,000, Kia Forte$17,000, Nissan Sentra $18,000, Chevrolet Cruze $22,000, Mazda 3 $19,000, Toyota Corolla $23,000.

Good News:
Well priced – a lot of bang for the buck. It is fast and fun to drive, and among the top in fuel economy.

Bad News:
n/a

Standard Equipment:
1.6 liter Turbo GDI, 201 hp 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, stability control, traction control, blind sport mirror, rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, 18” alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights and taillights, 7” display audio system with AM/FM/HD/ & 6 speakers, Sirius XM radio, Android auto & Apple CarPlay, USB charging data and power, Bluetooth hands free phone system, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls, leather seating / heated front seats, alloy sport pedals, illuminated vanity mirrors, hands free smart trunk opener, keyless push button start / stop.

Gas Stats:
$2.50 / Gal avg. December 10, 2016
www.fueleconomy.gov
for more information.
22 City and 30 Highway MPG

Pricing:
MSRP $21,650.

2017 Hyundai Genesis G80 (1169)

06-12-2016Autolove No comments

Overview:
This is the 2017 Hyundai Genesis G80. Surely it is one of my favorite cars and one that I could see myself buying. Does that sound odd since the world makes many great cars. European cars like Mercedes, BMW and Audi and American cars like Cadillac and Buick are all sought after luxury brands. Those are all well-known names and we assume they have to be good cars or why would they be so popular, right? They are great companies and cars – So why am I so bullish on Korean made cars like this Genesis?

Many will remember the 1960s when Japanese cars were little known in the US. The Japanese were hungry and dedicated to rebuilding their country after World War II. They did do some dishonest things like renaming one city in Japan to USA (ooosa) to fool people to buy products so marked thinking they were made in America. Overshadowing such marketing moves was the passionate work ethic of the common people who were the workers that would resurrect the “Rising Sun”. Soon that dedication would allow the Japanese to shake off the image of “Cheaply Made” products in the early days.

They got into the ‘big leagues’ and managed to put out exceptional cars that would be sold in America (the largest car market in the world). All the while the “Big Three” in America – GM, Ford and Chrysler were arrogant fat cats who were slumbering while the Japanese were working. It would be a second sneak attack, but this time an economic bombardment on the mainland of America in the form of automobiles. I met with some in Japanese industry folks in the late 1950s in Japan and was impressed, so much so, I would buy one of the first imports to America – Datsun. Japan had put Capitalist principles to work in rebuilding and they never looked back.

Well, today, there is a new kid on the block – Korean industry is on the move. Hyundai may well take the lead away from Japan by producing new passionately built cars. They have earned the accolades as many have found Hyundai and Kia (sister companies) to be exceptional cars. Like Japan was in the 1960s, the Korean’s are driven.

I can’t help but make the observation that South Korea is a perfect example of how Capitalism, that brought Japan out of the ashes has also made Korea superstar industrialists. One only need look north of the 38^th Parallel to see the contrast between the south and the Socialist North Korean wacko government.

Now in the early 21^st Century I have had the great opportunity to meet with Korean business leaders who have embraced the same economic principles that made America the exceptional industrial nation it is. What I took away from the most recent meeting with Hyundai was they are Good People. They are industrious, they are friendly and they are serious about earning their place in the world market.

Let’s face it, it is not the common folks, but corrupt governments that ruin it all for “We The People”. It has always been the hard working people who have made Capitalism work so well in all of history, in all the world.

General Information: It is assembled in Ulsan, Korea; Parts – US/Canadian 2%, Korea 88%; Engine & Transmission – Korea; Classification is Large Cars. Cars from Hyundai: Accent, Azera, Elantra, Elantra Coupe, Elantra GT, Equus,Genesis, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, Tucson and Veloster.

Handling & Performance:

Genesis delivers a smooth, comfortable, powerful ride.

Styling:

Fit and Finish:

Excellent.

Cost:

As equipped it is a great value.

Conveniences and comfort:

This Genesis has top of the line features that satisfy nearly all things I look for. But you can expand (non-essentials in my view) with options that can add nearly $10,000 to the price. Such features include a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, sunshades and larger touchscreens, for example.

Consumer Recommendations:

I’m impressed with the MSRP on this model considering all the standard equipment. Therefore, I’m not interested in the options, but others will. I suspect if I wanted to upgrade I may want to consider a move to the Equus (top of the Hyundai line) but then the price jumps over $20,000 more. Look but I think the Genesis is a lot of luxury for the money.

If Equus and Genesis don’t fit your budget, you may want to look at the Sonata that is about $10,000 less than the Genesis. Nice.

Recognized Competition:

Hyundai Genesis $44,000, Buick LaCrosse $41,000, Chrysler 300C $44,000, Toyota Avalon $41,000, Dodge Charger $35,000, Chevrolet Impala $31,000.

Good News:

Affordable luxury level, great group of safety and comfort features, powerful and a super comfortable ride.

Bad News:

n/a

Standard Equipment:

3.8 liter 311 hp V6 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission with shift-tronic, drive modes: Eco, Normal, sport & Snow mode, 18” Alloy wheels, stability management, stability control and traction controls, 9 airbags including driver knee airbag, emergency braking, blindspot detection and rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist and lane departure warning, smart cruise with start / stop, Xenon lights with high beam assist, leather heated seating, climate control, heated power 12-way front seats with power lumbar support, memory settings for driver seat, side mirrors and steering column, leather wrapped heated power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 8” touchscreem navigation and rearview camera, Andriod auto and Apple car play, 4.3” color multi info display, Bluetooth hands free phone, system, AM/FM HD radio, CD, MP3, audio system with 7 speakers, SiriusXM radio, hands free smart trunk.

Gas Stats:

$2.56 / Gal avg. November 26, 2016

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

16 City and 25 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $43,900.

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe LTD ULT FWD (1165)

02-11-2016Autolove No comments

Overview:

This is the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe LTD ULT (for Ultimate) FWD. Who makes up these designations? ULT – oh well. Whatever! As the kids say.

Hyundai is one of my favorite “Cars for the Masses”. They came on the scene as affordable well made cars with a great warranty. If nothing else, it has been Great Marketing for sure. And incidentally Hyundai cars come to us from a very nice company.

I’ve always been a proponent of Cars that come to us from Japan and South Korea, because the world at war that divided our countries also was the reason for joining together to heal. One would have thought the wounds of war would have persisted and festered. But it didn’t happen that way. The times were turbulent but as both countries emerged from war torn conditions they embraced American Capitalism. And whether forced through the occupation or willingly, both flourished economically as was so desperately needed as they rebuilt from the devastation that war brings. Surely from an economic point of view Capitalism has been, hands down, far superior than the autocratic rule before the wars. Capitalism continues to enhance the quality of life for any country willing to incorporate such principles into their culture. We all have choices, eh.

Another observation is how cars start out small and morph into ever larger versions of themselves. Kinda like people do over time. But as gas prices begin to rise (which prices tend to do) vehicle size shrinks again. Since prices hover around $2.50 to 4.00 a gallon in the US, cars in the largest markets like the US tend to get larger in recent years. Consider world prices for gas are currently $7.22 a gallon with prices in oil rich countries are as low as $.57 per gallon while US prices average $2.51 per gallon.

General Information: It is assembled in Ulsan, Korea; Parts – US/Canadian 2%, Korea 90%; Engine & Transmission – Korea; Classification is Small SUV. Cars from Hyundai: Accent, Azera, Elantra, Elantra Coupe, Elantra GT, Equus, Genesis, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, Tucson and Veloster.

Note: although the literature notes it is a ‘Small SUV’ I disagree. 6 or 7 seats isn’t small to me. All in this review are 6 or 7 seat standard size SUVs. I’m thinking the literature has to be wrong or a mistake.

Handling & Performance:

Being a ‘full-size’ SUV (in my judgement) this Santa Fe is a great highway car. It performed well on our journey to the San Diego area of Southern California. I found it comfortable and stress free because of ‘smart cruise control’ and ‘blind spot detection’. It made the journey far better than lesser equipped automobiles.

Fuel economy in class are all within 1-2 mpg of each other and for the size and seating that is in the range of 20-24 mpg average combined.

Styling:

Delightful designs on all models of Hyundai cars.

Fit and Finish:

Excellent.

Cost:

If ‘loaded’ with features as this test vehicle was, the cost is not cheap as you’d expect. It was also beautiful and as ULTimately equipped the cost is nearly $43,000. Base price, however, is very affordable $30,000.

Conveniences and comfort:

I’m very bullish on the current technology that adds more than any other features developed over the past 100 years. The array of great features has blossomed in recent years. The additions are wonderful and continue to get better every year. Smart Cruise (with stop/start), Lane Departure, Blind Spot Detection and the like are a must for my car buying dollar. I’d rather not have a moon roof and put the money into Stability control and all of those features noted above.

Smart cruise has a, not so common, stop / start feature that allows the car to come to a complete stop (say on freeway travel) and start again when traffic resumes moving. Very cool.

Consumer Recommendations:

Include Hyundai and Kia (sister company of Hyundai) in every car buying decision you make where they have product offerings. You won’t be disappointed.

Recognized Competition:

Hyundai Santa Fe $40,000, Nissan Murano $40,000, Buick Enclave $49,000, Jeep Grand Cherokee $40,000, Chevrolet Traverse $43,000, Kia Sorento $41,000, Dodge Durango $44,000, GMC Acadia $45,000.

Good News:

Cost efficient Luxury, great comfort and safety features.

Bad News:

n/a

Standard Equipment:

3.3 liter 290 hp V6 engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, stability management and traction controls, front, front side and side curtain airbags, driver knee airbag, tire pressure monitor, 19” alloy wheels, auto headlights, heated power mirrors with turn indicators, panoramic sunroof, parking sensors, 8-inch tourh screen, Nagigation with Android auto, multi view camera system, hands free smart liftgate with auto open, proximity key with push button start, rear side window sunshades, heated and ventillated front seats, heated steering wheel and rear seats, leather seating surfaces steering wheel and shift knob, 6-passenger seating with captain chairs, 50/50 split third row seats, dual climate control with clean air ionizer, rear vents,integrated memory system for driver seat, third row USB outlet, Bluetooth, power adjustable driver and passenger seat, AM/FM/HD radio, Sirius XM/ CD/MP3 Overhead logic surround sound, Hyundai Blue Link Connected Car system, compass, 115 volt power outlet, smart cruise contol with stop/start, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, electronic parking brake, high beam assist.

Gas Stats:

$2.69/ Gal avg. October 31, 2016

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

17 City and 23 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $42,545.