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Archive for the ‘Hyundai’ Category

The Hyundai Palisade is the new flagship of the range, so it needs to be very good. It has a distinctive face that sets it apart from other Hyundai models and clearly can’t be mistaken for another brand. However, it’s not its striking fascia put on an otherwise familiar big SUV shape that’s important here, but the amount of room inside and how pleasant it is to travel in.

With seating for up to eight people, the Palisade offers one more than some competitors, and if you fold down all of its seats, you can get a pretty van-like loading bay. It also looks and feels well appointed inside, with no dramatic design touches – It’s just clear, functional, and minimalist.

It needs to face tough adversaries that have several generations of models behind them and, with it being a completely new nameplate, it may struggle a bit. Its exterior appearance blends a funky face with a more traditional overall aesthetic, but the interior may feel reminiscent to what you may see in a high-end German brand like Mercedes, Audi, or BMW, and its rivals will struggle to match the same feel inside their cabins.

Update 06/12/2019: Hyundai has released pricing for the all-new 2020 Palisade, and it looks like our estimates were spot on. Check out the details in the “Prices” section of our review below!

The weekend is upon us, and that means it’s time for a new wallpaper of the day. This time around we’re going with the Hyundai Venue. Of course, it’s the smallest SUV in the Korean brand’s stable, and it’s undeniably a Kia, but it definitely has a certain design element the just resonates good intentions. The one thing we’re not too fond of is how out of place the overly flared rear wheel wells look, but overall, the Venue is a relatively attractive little crossover. And, since it’s Kia, it’s more premium than its price tag would lead you to believe, so that’s always a nice touch. Either way, we figured why not give the 2020 Hyundai Venue some love on the screen. We’ve picked out our favorite wallpaper and placed it below, but you can choose your favorite from the gallery at the bottom of the page!

As we have covered in out piece on the brand game in the automotive market, a lot hinges on the weight your brand can carry when it comes to sales. It was on the strength of this well-established marketing fact that a while back Hyundai decided to detach its luxury cars from its own brand and present them under the banner of Genesis – a sub-brand taken from the name of their first true luxury model. But as I’m sure you know, things did not go very smoothly.

Part of the problem was the way Hyundai went about the whole business of separating Genesis from the rest of the lineup. That name was already associated with a production model of some reputation, and so it was (and to some extent still is) confusing to some people. But that was the name they decided to go with, and so they instructed their dealers to launch standalone marketing campaigns for this brand and even make dedicated showrooms – all of that for a brand that makes exclusive, limited volume, and rather pricey models. It made so little sense to most Hyundai dealers, who were used to the high volume regular models form the company, that it resulted in a botched launch for the brand. You kind of felt like they deliberately didn’t want to raise awareness about the brand until the infighting was resolved as to how to promote it.

That aside, we reckon Hyundai’s decision to distance itself from the Genesis models was wrong. It revealed how insecure they still are about the main brand, even though they have come a long, long way since the days when the name Hyundai provoked belly laughs in all automotive circles. We think they should have owned the fact that Hyundai is now making cars as cool and luxurious as the G70 and G80 and G90. Those models should be called the Hyundai Genesis G70 and Hyundai Genesis G90, and not just Genesis G70 and Genesis G90. And if they don’t believe in themselves enough to put their name on their fine products, how can the customers? Instead of reinforcing the brand’s image as the innovative, powerful, and resourceful car maker that Hyundai now is, that move revived and reinforced the old stereotypes.

They should have taken a leaf from Mercedes-Benz book there. Mercedes doesn’t call their AMG model just AMG. They make sure the name and logo are secured in a prominent position even on the stand-alone AMG models. Of course, you might argue that comparing the Mercedes brand to that of Hyundai is ridiculous because the former has a different kind of heft to it. But that fact is, Hyundai Genesis models are really, really great cars. And in order to make people understand and believe that, they should be a little cocky about it. Otherwise, they would launch the brand and put out a couple of models and a couple of years on nobody would no about then… wait a minute, isn’t that exactly what happened?

Now, before you take issue with us stating that Genesis models are as fine as those produced by the celebrated German auto makers, we have to point out that we have based that solely on the value. Just go and check out a G90 and compare it price relative to the kit you get to an S-Class. Things get a lot more interesting when you check out the older models, Hyundai Genesis, and Centennial or Equus. These are reliable, powerful, extremely well-equipped and very reliable luxury saloons, and you can have them for under $20K. Honestly, why would anyone spend 30 or 35 grand on a new mid-size sedan or crossover with barely any equipment, when for under 20 grand you have the Korean S-Class? You would understand a luxury buyer not wanting a Hyundai because of the image. But someone who buys a Ford Focus instead of those Hyundais is completely mad.

And that’s the problem for Hyundai. What they have done with the Genesis brand is create excellent second hand buys for people who can wait two or three years. Today a brand-new G90 costs around $75K, but because it’s a car with no identity, most people prefer to spend that money on a lesser E-Class or 5-Series. That means the G90 will depreciate faster than it accelerates, and a few years down the line you can pick up a low-mileage one for peanuts and enjoy Maybach levels of luxury. Yes, the brand will still be crappy, but hey…

The post On Genesis and Its Rocky Start as a Brand… appeared first on Motorward.

The 2020 Hyundai Venue is the company’s smallest and most affordable crossover yet. Introduced at the 2019 New York Auto Show, it slots right under the 2018 Hyundai Kona, but it sports a boxier design inspired by the full-size 2020 Hyundai Palisade.

Designed to compete against the 2020 Kia Soul and the 2019 Nissan Kicks, the 2020 Hyundai Venue is only available with a single four-cylinder engine that’s not overly powerful. However, the crossover offers substantial value for the money through numerous standard features, modern technology, and plenty of options usually available with more upscale vehicles. Let’s find out more about it in the review below.

The Hyundai Kona isn’t the first car that comes to mind when the word “cool” is uttered. It might not even be the 10th or 100th car that we think of. But such is the power of the aftermarket tuning scene that regular cars like the Kona can look cool when provided with the right amount of aftermarket help. We see a good example of that with this particular Kona, which we spotted from the Instagram page of WABBP_Exhaust, a Korean based tuner that specializes in aftermarket exhaust systems. The Kona looks particularly aggressive in the photos posted by the company, and if you stick around long enough to watch the accompanying videos, you’ll be able to hear what a WABBP_Exhaust can do to the crossover’s otherwise pedestrian 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

The 2019 New York Auto Show was not a very exciting event this year, perhaps because it clashed with the Shanghai Auto Show. But out of the few positives from the show, the 2020 Hyundai Sonata managed to hog a lot of limelight. Hyundai has taken a big stride in terms of the design and technology of the Sonata, and the results are evident. There is nary a thing that goes wrong with this car. So, will Hyundai be able to tip over the rivals with this new sensation?

For me, one of the big revelations of the 2019 New York Auto Show was the 2020 Hyundai Sonata coupe-like sedan, which we finally got to see in detail. I love everything about the design, including the crazy daytime running lights that go halfway up the hood, the car’s sleek side profile, and the tapered back too, but there’s one thought that keeps nagging me when I look at this new three-box Hyundai – this would make such a good coupe, with only small alterations to the formula (and the removal of the two rear doors, obviously).

Few automakers have experienced such sustained and exponential growth (especially in terms of image and how it is perceived) over the last decade as Hyundai has. The Korean manufacturer has managed to bring about this shift through its own hard work and dedication but also by hiring bright engineering minds with experience working for rival automakers. Now it’s done it again as it has co-opted Tyrone Johnson, the chief engineer that oversaw the Ford Focus RS project and spent 33 years at the Blue Oval.

The midsize Hyundai Sonata has been around since 1985, and the latest eighth generation is definitely the most exciting of the bunch. However, it looks like Hyundai will add even more heat to the four-door with a new N Line edition next year, as revealed during the 2020 Sonata’s debut at the New York Auto Show.

As one of the most essential Hyundai sedans, the new 2020 Hyundai Sonata debut marks a pivotal moment for the Hyundai brand. With a revolutionary and bold design, new technology on board, and all-new architecture under the metal, some would even say that the Sonata reaches for the premium segment. While completely redesigned, and now inspired by the gorgeous Le Fil Rouge concept, the Sonata features a few bold styling novelties we have never seen before. More importantly, Hyundai stretched its wheelbase and length a little bit, while lowering the car as a whole. This is the trick everyone takes into account when making a clean, planted car. As a final touch, Hyundai reworked the interior to offer significantly more upscale ambiance and equipment.

Hyundai’s new entry-level SUV, the Venue, made its global debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show. Slotted under the Kona, the Venue isn’t notably smaller, but Hyundai aims to attract customers with cool features and an affordable sticker.

The Hyundai Venue is a new crossover that the Korean company will unveil at the 2019 New York Auto Show. Set to become the brand’s entry-level SUV, it will slot below the Kona and compete against vehicles like the Kia Soul and the Nissan Kicks.

Hyundai launched a couple of teasers and sketches before the unveiling, but they aren’t very revealing. However, the Korean describes the crossover as “a great fit in accommodating busy lifestyles with an abundance of playful and practical features including seamless safety, versatility, and connectivity. Fortunately, the mini SUV was spotted testing in the wild, and the paparazzi managed to take a peek under the covers. The Venue will debut on April 17, so stay tuned for a full review of the crossover. Until then, let’s have a look at what we already know about it.

You should know by now that many European or U.S. vehicles are launched with longer wheelbases in China. Sadly, most of them aren’t available outside this country. Hyundai recently jumped on the bandwagon with a slightly longer variant of the Santa Fe, but there’s more to this SUV than a few extra inches between the front and rear axles. Hyundai went wild and completely redesigned the rear end.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe represents the fourth generation of Hyundai’s most noticeable SUV. On the market since 2000, we’ve seen it transform from a basic, compact SUV into something that’s a little closer to being midsized but also closer to the premium category. For 2019, it’s more attractive and more advanced than ever. With a new exterior look, more upscale cabin (with more space than ever), and a lineup of fuel-efficient drivetrain choices, you really can’t go wrong with the Hyundai Santa Fe. We actually got our hands on a 2019 model and put it through the paces. Our tester was a 2.0T model, so we had the turbocharged engine that was very enjoyable to drive. As you’ll find out from our driven review below, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is easy to enjoy.

In March 2019, Hyundai confirmed it will bring a new crossover to the New York Auto Show. The Koreans confirmed that it will be called Venue and released a not-so-revealing teaser. Come April, and we can see how it looks like before the official unveiling thanks to a batch of leaked photos. Specifically, someone managed to take photos of a prototype with some of the camouflage removed and the “Venue” lettering on the tailgate confirms that this is indeed the company’s upcoming crossover.

Hyundai has to be one of the most determined manufacturers in the world, and its ascent through the automotive ranks in recent years stands testament to that. The South Korean automaker is definitely praiseworthy for its business model and the feeling of high ambitions its officials always exude during interviews and press conferences, so if it were to now announce it was making a Mazda MX-5 Miata rival, we really wouldn’t be all that surprised.

Hyundai is preparing an all-new crossover for the masses. The crossover, called the Venue, will make its début at the 2019 New York Auto Show. Once launched, the Venue will slot below the Kona in the Korean automaker’s expanding crossover lineup, making it the smallest crossover in Hyundai’s entire portfolio. Limited details are available, but expect to hear more about the Venue in the weeks leading up to the New York Auto Show. The Hyundai Venue premieres on April 17, 2019.

Granted, Hyundai seems to be putting out a new Sonata almost every other week now. But the latest, newest version, to be released this month in Korea and later the world, is something quite special. This model takes the Sonata a few steps up in the game, making it almost unfair for the other competitors in the affordable sedan segment.

This is not the first time Hyundai has amazed us with their ability to change and improve. Those of you who remember the early Sonatas know what we’re on about. One day we woke up and Hyundai was no longer the maker cheap and crappy sedans you bought because you couldn’t afford anything less horrid. Hiring European designers and enhancing their production methods which resulted in a remarkable boost in quality, Hyundai products gradually became a byword not just for affordability, but reliability and convenience. They invested a lot in getting their act together, but it paid handsomely. The money they made the world over with their fine new sedans and SUVs turned Hyundai-Kia conglomerate into one of the world’s most profitable businesses.

But these Koreans are cleverer than that. Rather than being content with what they had achieved, they are keeping up the momentum by ceaselessly trying to improve their game. The all-new 2020 Hyundai Sonata is the perfect example of this. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the current Sonata (relative to the class it competes in) and one could safely say it has at least three more years of juice to give in terms of marketability. But Hyundai, following the recipe that has served them well so far, took the car back to the drawing board and gave it a complete makeover. Not only have they redesigned the whole thing, they have engineered it like a brand-new product and crammed it with some much high-tech stuff, you’d think this is a Genesis and not a Hyundai. They certainly have come a long way, these “industrious little fellas!”

Looking somewhat like the American luxury sedans of the 90s but a lot more refined, the 2020 Sonata features a distinctive new face with Daytime Running Lights, embedded with Hidden Lighting Lamps, complemented with a four-door coupe-like side profile, and a deluxe rear-end. The upper class theme continues inside where you find a brand-new dashboard and steering wheel as well as much improved switch gear and multimedia system. Inside is where the new Sonata shines best, showing off its multitude of technology features. Besides the wide central screen, you also get a digital binnacle with an active monitor which gives a whole new dimension to safety features such as blind spot monitoring. The car is also incredibly smart, available with a smart key system that basically makes the keyfob obsolete and opens and starts the car via your smartphone.

As for the technical highlights and performance numbers, we best wait for the Euro and American-spec versions to come out. The KDM variants usually get engines you see nowhere else in the world. Rest assured, there will be a new hybrid variant, arguably the best variant of the modern Sonatas, with improved economy and power. You look at this car and you have to ask yourself, do you really need more?

The post Hyundai Rewrites the Rule Book (Again) with the 2020 Sonata appeared first on Motorward.

The Hyundai Tucson becomes the third model to receive the N Line treatment, following in the footsteps of the i30 and i30 Fastback that came before it. The launch of the Tucson N Line marks as a coming-of-age for the Korean automaker’s resident compact SUV. A unique appearance package bolsters the more aggressive-looking SUV. Hyundai also added some subtle interior upgrades and improved the SUV’s driving setup, ensuring that the Tucson N Line can live up to the performance billing that comes by having the “N Line” name attached to it. The Hyundai Tucson N Line arrives to European markets later this year. Unfortunately, the U.S. market isn’t getting it.

Hyundai has lifted the veil off its all-new eighth-generation 2020 Sonata sedan in Korea and what we’ve been shown is a new and revolutionary direction for the model. Not to say the outgoing seventh-gen Sonata isn’t a striking car, but it frankly isn’t aging that well (it looks like a melted Subaru,) and this 2020 model has a completely different vibe about it both inside and out.
Hyundai has improved on its design a whole lot.