Release Date: 02/23/2010

? SMALL SEDAN: Hyundai Elantra SE. The Elantra SE ($18,695) made the Top Picks list for the third time this year. It is a solid, all-around car that's relatively comfortable, quiet, and roomy, and provides good fuel economy and plenty of features for the money. The SE comes with standard ESC, a critical safety feature that's absent on other small cars (including the lower-end Elantras).

? FAMILY SEDAN: Nissan Altima. The Altima ($23,970 to $30,335) has been a Consumer Reports top-rated family sedan for a couple of years, but lacked easily available ESC. A 2010 freshening made it better and improved gas mileage and for the first time provides standard ESC in all trim lines. It offers an appealing balance of comfort and performance, while getting some of the best fuel economy in its class: 26 mpg overall in four-cylinder models and 24 mpg with a V6. The cabin is roomy, wellfinished, and quiet. And the secure handling, comfortable ride, and spirited acceleration make the car enjoyable to drive.

? SPORTY CAR: Volkswagen GTI. Freshened for 2010, the GTI ($27,504) is the sport version of the Volkswagen Golf (formerly called the Rabbit). The GTI is exhilarating to drive and easy to live with. It delivers the agile handling, spirited acceleration, and responsive steering of a true sports car, along with a decent ride, a well-finished interior, and the cargocarrying practicality of a hatchback. Good fuel economy of 27 mpg overall is another plus, although premium fuel is required.

? SMALL SUV: Subaru Forester. The Forester ($20,972 to $28,860) provides one of the most carlike driving experiences of any SUV. It combines agile handling with the most comfortable ride in its class. Passengers are treated to a spacious cabin, with a roomy rear seat and excellent visibility. The 2.5X provides an impressive 22 mpg overall with an automatic, 24 mpg with a manual. And the turbocharged 2.5XT delivers effortless acceleration and 20 mpg, but it takes premium fuel. The 2.5X has had excellent reliability, while the 2.5XT's is average.

? BEST CAR OVERALL: Lexus LS 460L. The LS ($76,572) scored an outstanding 99 out of 100 in Consumer Reports road tests, making it the highest-rated vehicle. It provides a comfortable ride and luxurious driving environment, including a roomy, well-crafted and exceptionally quiet interior. It offers a plethora of electronic amenities, including an optional self-parking system. Yet, its controls are easy to use. Its efficient 380-hp V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission deliver smooth, brisk acceleration and a relatively good 21 mpg overall. All-wheel drive and a hybrid version are available.

? FAMILY SUV: Chevrolet Traverse. The Traverse ($39,920) stands out as an impressive overall package with a quiet, spacious cabin that can comfortably seat up to eight adults and leave room for cargo. It provides a pleasant ride, communicative steering, and responsive handling. The tested model returned 16 mpg overall, which is respectable for its size. Rear visibility isn't great, but small convex side mirrors and an optional rear-view camera help.

? SPORT SEDAN: Infiniti G37. The G sedan ($37,225) tops this category for the fourth straight year. It is one of the highest-rated sedans tested, with a score of 95 out of 100. It provides agile handling, blistering acceleration, a refined powertrain, a fairly comfortable ride, and a highquality, luxurious interior. The G37 is as inviting to drive on a twisty road as it is on the highway. But compromises include a snug cabin and small trunk. Rear-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional. Coupe and convertible versions are also available.

? FAMILY HAULER: Mazda5. The Mazda5 microvan ($23,805) offers lots of practicality in a compact, affordable package. With three rows of seats and sliding rear side doors, it combines the convenience of a minivan with the maneuverability and stingy fuel economy-24 mpg overall-of a wagon. The interior is airy, with good fit and finish. It's fun to drive, with a nimble feel and a comfortable ride. The addition of standard ESC for 2010 improved its emergency handling. If you need more room, consider the Honda Odyssey minivan.

Hyundai Assurance

Certainty In Uncertain Times!!

A decade ago Hyundai pioneered America's Best Warrranty to show you the faith we have in our cars.  Today, in addition to our warranty, we're introducing Hyundai Assurance, to show you the faith we have in you.  Right now, buy any new Hyundai, and if in the next year you lose your income*, we'll let you return it.  That's Hyundai Assurance.
OVERVIEW
Hyundai was the first automaker to offer a vehicle return program in the U.S. that allows you to walk away from your loan or lease without having to worry about negative equity.  It lets you return your vehicle in case of certain life-altering circumstances.  That's the Hyundai Assurance.
PROGRAM DETAILS
*Available on all new Hyundai vehicles
*Available to everyone regardless of age, health, or employment history
*12 months complimentary on every new Hyundai vehicle loan or lease
*Covers up to $7,500 in negative equity
COVERAGE IN CASE OF:
*Involuntary unemployment
*Physical disability
*Loss of driver's license due to medical impairment
*International employment transfer
*Self-employed personal bankruptcy
*Accidental death
HOW IT WORKS
1) You file a benefit request with Hyundai Assurance.
2) Your benefits specialist will determine the value of your vehicle based on average of your dealer's appraisal and the values from leading industry guides.
3) Provided you have made at least two scheduled payments on your loan or lease, you pay for the amount above the Hyundai Assurance benefit (if anything) and any car payments that were due prior to you filing for the benefit.
4) After such payment (if any) and upon benefit approval, you return the vehicle to the selling dealer.
5) You walk away without further financial obligation or negative impact to your credit!

For more information visit www.HyundaiUSA.com or contact the Hyundai Administrator at 1-800-443-2570.

See dealer for Limited Warranty details.  Hyundai Assurance is valid on any new Hyundai model financed or leased at participating dealers only, for up to one year after purchase.  Restrictions apply.  *See your participating dealer or the program certificate for complete coverage details.  Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor America.  All rights reserved.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe - Driving Impressions

New two-door handles as good as it looks.

By Jim Hall "Road and Track" Magazine

Korean car giant Hyundai's Super Bowl commercials appear to have been a hit with consumers...at least the ones I watched the Steelers down the Cardinals with. It was a fitting American introduction to the new 2-door version of the award-winning Genesis sedan, as this fun, frugal and attractive coupe is sure to have buyers exclaiming "touchdown" as they drive off of dealer lots.

For our upcoming test of the Genesis Coupe (look for it in the June 2009 issue), we were able to put several hundred miles on a top-of-the-line Track model out on the highway, city streets and even a few laps around the Streets of Willow track at Willow Springs Raceway. The car's excellent grip (a fairly high threshold of adhesion at the front before understeer sets in, but especially good bite at the rear), crisp steering feel and very little body roll make for a very entertaining driving experience when cornering hard. The springs and shocks are also dialed in for a smooth, comfortable ride at steady-state cruise out on the highway.

Inside, the sport-style front seats offer a solid degree of both comfort and torso support. Shifting is nice with acceptably short throws (we did experience an odd electronics-related hindrance during our hard acceleration runs in testing - read more about this in our June 2009 feature). The materials and finish overall are very nice throughout the cabin, but the plastics seem lower-grade when compared to those in the Lexus-level Genesis Sedan. And that lovely sloping roofline makes for child-only head room for rear occupants.

The list of standard features is impressively long: Active front headrests, remote keyless entry with alarm, XM satellite radio with USB/iPod jack, cruise control and Bluetooth are included at no additional cost.

Hyundai's vehicles have long been regarded for their good value, but the new Genesis Coupe is especially enticing from a financial standpoint: A base 2.0-liter turbo model starts at $22,000 (5-speed automatic model with manual gear selection is $23,250); the same car in "Track" guise runs $26,750. The base V-6 model is $25,000 with the Track edition priced at $29,500.

What's Hot:

• Looks as good as it handles
• Affordable, more fuel-efficient 4-cylinder turbo model
• Feels well built

What's Not:

• V-6 lacks midrange torque
• Interior not nearly as plush as Genesis sedan's
• Child-size-only rear seat head room

Cars to Compare:

• Chevrolet Cobalt SS
• Infiniti G37
• Scion tC

2010 Hyundai Tucson - Driving Impressions

A worthy new cadet in the small crossover ranks.

By John Lamm "Road and Track"  Magazine

December 10, 2009

Stories of automotive optimism have been rare of late, but folks are smiling over at Hyundai. Market share is up, sales are encouraging and a North American Car of the Year trophy sits in the display case.

Hyundai has something else lacking at many automakers: momentum. And the newest step ahead is the redone Tucson small crossover SUV, the South Korean automaker's shot at the segment leaders, Honda's CR-V and Toyota's RAV4.

Exterior design of the Tucson arguably puts it a step head of that Japanese pair, though the Hyundai's grille looks somehow unfinished...or maybe about to take a bite out of something.

Hyundai claims interior measurements for the Tucson that are more generous than the larger BMW X3. It's a typical layout, with individual front seats, a split folding second seatback and good cargo space. Visually it's well done, the materials looking rather upscale for its class. There are a few ergonomic foibles, but generally controls are properly segregated by function-sound, climate controls, nav, etc.-and easy to use.

Why is it that less expensive vehicles often seem to have proper ergonomics, while higher-end interiors often get jumbled controls that are high on design and low on usability?

The only engine available in the Tucson is a 2.4-liter four with 176 bhp and 168 lb.-ft. of torque, right in the heart of the competition's 4-cylinder playing field. Six-speed transmissions-manual or automatic-are offered and all-wheel drive is an option. Mileage for a front-drive automatic Tucson is 23 city/31 highway.

As with the competition, acceleration is not neck-snapping and you wouldn't want to tow a big boat, but it's certainly adequate for most conditions.

With the CR-V as the ride/handling target and the RAV4 the noise level bogie, Hyundai ended up with a package that is a good balance. Handling is quite good for this class and the ride comfortable for backsides on most road surfaces.

Prices range from $18,995 for a base front-driver with a manual 6-speed to $28,695 with all-wheel drive and every option box checked.

2010 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 Introduction - Long-Term Road Tests

We welcome the Genesis, Hyundai's new luxury sedan, into our long-term fleet.

By Shaun Bailey

December 15, 2009
The Genesis is, by definition, a coming into being. That it's the name given to both the coupe and sedan is fitting. It seems to us that Hyundai has finally achieved its goal of becoming a respected full-line automobile manufacturer, and as such has chosen a name that says so. Forgotten is the Hyundai Excel-that, well? it didn't. To put this belief to the test, we've decided a Genesis Sedan will be the second Hyundai to endure our long-term scrutiny (the first was the Hyundai Elantra, circa 1992).

We knew from our early exposure to the car that it has some minor issues. Our First Drive and subsequent Road Test made it pretty clear that the Genesis Sedan is not as sporting as we'd expected and Hyundai's style still isn't all its own. The taillights look to be borrowed from BMW and its interior's center console, Infiniti, but unlike previous models that are just an unbalanced amalgamation of design elements, the Genesis is a harmonious blend that might just define the brand.

What we are sure of, though, is that this big rear-drive sedan brings a lot to the table for very little in exchange. Our test car is top of the line and fully outfitted, meaning it has the one option available for the V-8-powered car, a $3500 Tech Package.

Not that the base V-8 model isn't well equipped; standard fare isn't over the top, but includes navigation, seat memory, dual climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, 14-speaker Lexicon audio, automatic wipers, power rear sunshade and, of course, safety in the form of ABS and stability control. The Tech Package ups the audio system's speaker count to 17 and adds a DVD changer, and also includes smart cruise control, headlamps that turn, parking sensors and-my personal favorite-driver's seat cooling.

We've seen all these features before, albeit not on a car that has 80 percent of its parts sourced from Korea. The rumor was that the Genesis Coupe and Sedan could have created an all-new brand, much as Lexus serves for Toyota, but Hyundai opted to keep the cars in the family. (As the Korean conglomerate already has Kia, it probably didn't need another brand.) Not only is this car all new, it's completely different from anything we've seen from Hyundai. The lack of front badging is probably a subliminal nod to this.

In proper luxury sedan configuration, the Genesis' powerful 375-bhp Tau V-8 sits up front and drives the rear wheels through a smooth-shifting ZF-sourced 6-speed automatic, a gearbox that lacks paddles and a rev-matching downshift feature. However, without a sport suspension to go with it, such features seem pointless. Hinting at the car's potential are large brakes and a slight snarl emitted on startup of the dual overhead cam, all-aluminum engine. But don't get too excited because the exhaust note immediately recedes to a near silent idle that allows passengers to marvel at the simplicity and quality of the interior. You can almost hear them thinking, "This is a Hyundai??" That's probably the coolest feature of the car, the effect it has on preconceived notions.

In the first 6155 miles since the delivery of our Sterling Blue Metallic steed, it has been trouble-free. It has proven practical, comfortable, reasonably fuel efficient-with an EPA rating of 17/25 city/highway-and surprisingly fast, if not especially nimble. The Genesis is a foray by Hyundai into a different league of automobile; it's a luxury car not pretending that it's a sports sedan. It seems to us that Hyundai is following in the footsteps of Lexus, where exceptional performance means ultra quiet and super smooth. The engine pulls hard and sings a wonderful tune at full bore, with an exhaust that won't wake the neighbors. The dash is noticeably absent of clutter, thanks to a central control knob for the navigation/multimedia system. If anything, there's an unusual lack of buttons and knobs for a luxury car.

With its blend of power, comfort, size and sophistication at a price considerably less than that of key rivals, the Genesis seems just right. Combine that with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and the Genesis is starting out on the right foot.

First Test: 2010 Hyundai Tucson

January, 2010

 / By Nate Martinez "Motor Trend' magazine

Comparing the the all-new 2010 Hyundai Tucson to the previous rendition is quite a shock to the system. First, there's the exterior. Its European-designed sheetmetal boasts flowing natural lines from Hyundai's recent "fluidic sculpture" mantra, meaning there's more than a bit of flair infused in this functional Korean crossover. Secondly, it's more fuel efficient than its demode predecessor, offering more bang for the buck. And lastly, after we spent a few days behind the wheel, it proved itself to be a thoroughly evolved player that's primed and ready to shake up the fierce crossover class populated by the Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, and Toyota RAV4.

Yes, that is a rather dramatic assertion. But take a glance at the model compared to last year's, and you'll get a good understanding of just how much Hyundai wants to fit in with the segment's fashionable boys and girls. Its lines sweep back considerably from the short, rounded nose, giving the vehicle's outline an impression of sleekness and sportiness. Long gone is the rugged crossover look the brand previously possessed. Say hello to the era of the dapper, softer-roading urban dweller.

It pulls off the Euro-chic look pretty well, we have to say, though we would have preferred lower body-colored bits and a bigger wheel and tire package to better fill out the generous wells. (Our Diamond Silver GLS tester came standard with optional 17-in. alloys wrapped in Kumho Solus KL21s.) Then again, potential buyers can step up to the Limited trim level for standard 18-inchers to take care of the latter.

Ride quality was on the stiffer side for a compact CUV. It was, however, never jarring to the point of severe annoyance or kidney pain. Some bumps and potholes communicated rather harshly during our stay together, but nothing too bad. Bigger front stabilizer bars likely were the culprits for the mildly firm ride. These gripes noted, we ventured into more curvaceous environments and appreciated the Tucson's spry demeanor. Its electronically controlled steering felt more assured than on our First Drive impression (a subsequent calibration might have made this so), with turn-in well prescribed and manageable.

Designers continued the "fluidic sculpture" throughout the passenger space. Catching our eye was the distinct instrument cluster set behind the leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel. The unit features blue-lit gauges recessed within twin pod-like structures. Central dash controls were as easy to use (and find) as they come. Standard features like iPod hookup boded well with our passengers looking for a complete plug-and-play music solution. Though our GLS didn't feature the optional navigation system with backup camera, the whole was put together cleanly without any chaotic lines, extra hard plastics, or mysterious shapes. There's also plenty of storage and cupholders -- we counted 19 total -- for thirsty pack rats. Road noise was still higher than we would have expected for a redesigned model.

The 60/40 folding rear seats are clad in leatherette. Our 6-ft-plus friends had no problem fitting inside with ample room, thanks to the model's extra 3.3 in. in length and 1 in. in width over the outgoing model. Cargo room was never a problem during our last-minute holiday shopping. Granted, its volume with passengers in tow (25.7 cu ft) is smaller than that of the Honda CR-V (35.7 cu ft) or Chevy Equinox (31.4 cu ft) and could pose a foreseeable problem when transporting containers bigger than our small-to-medium sized gifts. However, the Tucson is shorter than the Honda by 6.1 in. and the Chevrolet by a whopping 14.6 in., so the days of averting mall parking spaces labeled "Compact" are over.

So is the 2010 Tucson what Hyundai needs to grow its meager 2-percent CUV market share in America? Considering all the factors, the simple answer is "Yes." We can't wait to put the new Tucson up against some of its hottest new adversaries, so stay glued to MT Online for the full report.