2007 Hyundai Elantra: Small Sedan With Big Features

2007 Hyundai Elantra: Small Sedan With Big Features

The newest generation Hyundai Elantra is larger than its predecessor and surprisingly sophisticated, and it delivers small-sedan value like nobody's business. The Elantra boasts a roomy interior, premium comfort and convenience features, and a top-notch warranty.

ABOUT THE HYUNDAI ELANTRA: Body style: Sedan Trim lines: GLS, SE, Limited Price: $13,395-$17,295 (tester, a fully loaded Limited) Drive: Front-wheel Seating: Two in front, two or three in back Engine: 2.0-liter, four-cylinder Transmission: Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic Miles per gallon of fuel: 28 city/36 highway

Car and Driver: "all new for 2007, the fourth-generation Elantra follows Hyundai's success formula. Even base models come with standard ABS, power mirrors, power windows and six air bags. The latest Elantra is bigger than the previous edition, and if it's not exciting, it is a good value. The spacious interior seats four adults comfortably, with lots of standard features and a comprehensive array of safety equipment."

WHAT'S SPECIAL: The Elantra's added size -- about 2 inches taller and wider and about 112.1 cubic feet of total interior volume -- puts it among the leaders for sedans in its class. Also on the inside, there is more dramatic flair, with blue-lit gauges and classy, ergonomically correct controls.

WHAT WE LIKE: The abundance of standard safety features on the Elantra is worthy of applause. Stand and cheer for head-curtain and side-impact air bags, anti-lock brakes and front-seat active head restraints, all at no extra charge.

WHAT ISN'T THERE: A gas-guzzling engine. Say goodbye to your local convenience-store clerk -- it will be awhile between visits with the Elantra getting 28 mpg city, 36 highway. That's all thanks to an efficient 2-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve engine.

YOU OUGHTA KNOW: The Elantra is practical, sure, but it's not without its fun side, too. Take it out on a winding road and check out its rigid suspension and precise cornering ability. Its motor-driven power steering was engineered to improve fuel economy. Hyundai knew what it was doing when it included all those standard safety features: The Elantra gets a five-star (top) rating in government crash tests.

EXTRAS: This thing just oozes convenience. There are storage areas in the dash, console and seatback pockets. There are dual front cup holders and a rear armrest with cup holders. There's also an auxiliary input jack for iPod fans. If it's luxury you're into, indulge in the leather seats, the heated seats or the power sunroof. Also, enjoy the standard XM Satellite radio. Bluetooth connectivity is coming.

Edmunds.com: "A compact economy sedan, the 2007 Hyundai Elantra comes in GLS, SE and Limited trim levels. Aimed at dealer advertising fodder, the base GLS is sparesly equipped: It wears 15-inch steel wheels and has power windows, mirrors, and locks, but offers neither air conditioning nor a stereo as standard, which must be added via a preferred equipment package. In contrast the midrange Elantra SE is nicely equipped."

AND ANOTHER THING: Hyundai continues to stun observers with its revamped vehicle lineup, safety ratings, warranty program and high-quality rankings.

By ROB DOUTHIT
Cox News Service
February 2, 2007

G. Chambers Williams III: Putting the 'V' in value

G. Chambers Williams III: Putting the 'V' in value

In the late 1980s, when I helped my then-teenage daughter purchase a used Hyundai Excel as a first vehicle, those cars were selling new for about $4,000.

The used one I found for her, which was already 2 or 3 years old, was a quite affordable $1,800.

This past week, I tested the new, 2007 Hyundai Veracruz crossover utility vehicle with a price tag of $38,020 -- nearly 10 times as much as a new Excel 20 years ago -- and marveled at how far this once-struggling South Korean brand has risen.After some early quality problems that have long since been corrected, Hyundai steadily has been building its reputation and product lineup to the point where the company is almost on the same scale as the top Japanese brands.

In the late '80s, I couldn't even envision a Hyundai vehicle in such a premium price range as the Veracruz. In fact, Toyota was just entering that lofty position with its new Lexus line of upscale vehicles, but there were no Toyota-branded vehicles at the starting price of the Veracruz, which is just $26,995 (including freight).

The 2007 Veracruz is an all-new midsize crossover SUV from Hyundai. It comes with a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Designers benchmarked the Veracruz against the Lexus RX 350 luxury crossover.

2007 Hyundai Veracruz The package: Midsize, five-door, five- or seven-passenger, V-6 powered, front- or all-wheel-drive crossover utility vehicle. Highlights: This is Hyundai's new midsize crossover utility vehicle, which comes in three trim levels -- including the upscale Limited model that offers more standard amenities than the Lexus RX 350. It is built on the platform of the Sonata sedan and has carlike ride and handling. Negatives: Can get pricey with all the options. Length: 190.6 inches. Curb weight: 4,266-4,431 pounds. Engines: 3.8-liter V-6. Horsepower/torque: 260 HP/257 foot-pounds. Transmissions: Six-speed automatic with manual-shift feature. Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock. Electronic stability control: Standard. Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; side curtain for all rows, standard. Cargo volume: 6.5 cubic feet (behind third seat); 40.0 cubic feet (third seat folded or not present). Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds. Major competitors: Ford Edge, Toyota Highlander, Subaru Tribeca, Suzuki XL7, Honda Pilot, Acura MDX, Nissan Murano. Fuel capacity/type: 20.6 gallons/unleaded regular. EPA fuel economy (2007 formula): 18 miles per gallon city/25 highway (2WD); 17/24 (AWD). Base price range: $26,305-$34,005 plus $690 freight. Price as tested: $38,020, including freight and options (Limited, V-6, AWD). On the Road rating: 8.7 (of a possible 10). Prices shown are manufacturer's suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.

Inflation is, of course, the reason for much of the increase in car prices during the past 20 years. But that's not all. You'll definitely get a lot more vehicle for the extra money in today's market.

Our test vehicle was the top-of-the-line Veracruz Limited all-wheel-drive model (base price $34,695 with freight) with an options package that ran the total up, making it just about the highest-priced version you could find.

Whether U.S. consumers are ready to pay more than $38,000 for a Hyundai sport utility vehicle remains to be seen, considering that there are a lot of crossover competitors at this price (including a Lexus).

But at the starting price, with very few (if any) options tacked on to the sticker, the Veracruz comes across as a bargain.

Hyundai says that while the Veracruz was being developed, it was benchmarked against the Lexus RX 350, whose 2007 model begins at $38,115 (with freight) for the front-drive model, and $39,515 for the all-wheel drive.

Adding the options that were either standard or included on our Veracruz, though -- including leather interior and a rear-seat entertainment system, sunroof, backup warning system and 18-inch alloy wheels, among other things -- would push the all-wheel-drive RX 350 into the upper $40,000s.

The problem, of course, is that the Veracruz is not a Lexus, and the Hyundai name is not the attention-getter that Lexus is. But with prices starting $11,000 less than those of the RX 350, and with a similarly equipped Veracruz running $7,700 less than the base RX, Hyundai surely wins the value race.

Granted, those who would buy a Lexus and those who would buy a Hyundai are entirely different customers. But the point is that anyone who does choose the Veracruz can feel good about the purchase. This is a lot of vehicle for the money, no question.

The Hyundai also stacks up well against other popular crossovers that Veracruz shoppers might consider -- the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Murano and Ford Edge. The base Veracruz GLS model with front-wheel drive lists for $3,265 less than a similarly equipped 2007 Highlander, and $3,712 less than the '07 Pilot.

And while Hyundai might have a hard time taking customers away from Honda, Toyota and Nissan, it can offer a great crossover with lots of standard equipment to those who can't quite afford one of those Japanese brands. The Veracruz really is on the same level, but with a lower price.

This is the third SUV in the Hyundai lineup. It joined the entry compact Tucson and midsize Santa Fe. The Veracruz is built on a stretched and widened Santa Fe chassis to allow for a roomy third row of seating, giving it a maximum capacity of seven.

There is more cargo volume -- 86.8 cubic feet with the second and third seats folded -- than in all of the Veracruz's direct competitors except for the Pilot (87.6 cubic feet).

Under the hood is a 3.8-liter V-6 engine rated at 260 horsepower and 257 foot-pounds of torque. That's more than the 244 horsepower of the Pilot and 240 horsepower of the Nissan Murano, and close to the power of the redesigned 2008 Highlander. (The 2007 Highlander has just 215 horsepower, however.)

The V-6 engine is connected to a new six-speed automatic transmission, another feature distinguishing the Veracruz from its competitors. Most of them have five-speed automatics, including the Pilot and the Highlander (including the 2008).

The Veracruz automatic comes with a clutchless manual-shift feature, however, which isn't available with the Pilot, Highlander or Murano.

Fuel-economy ratings are quite decent for a roomy seven-passenger SUV. Using the 2007 EPA formula, the Veracruz is rated at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway vs. 18/24 for the Pilot, 19/25 for the '07 Highlander and 19/24 for the Murano.

Inside, the Veracruz is quieter than the Pilot, with levels of noise and vibration that nearly match those of the Lexus RX, Hyundai says.

The Veracruz already has achieved the top five-star crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in frontal- and side-impact testing for all front and rear passengers. It scored four stars in the rollover rating, which is the highest any of the crossovers have received.

Among standard safety features are electronic stability control with traction control, four-wheel disc antilock brakes, and side-curtain air bags for all three rows of seats. Hyundai is the leader in providing stability control as standard equipment on its vehicles, with 73 percent of its 2007 models so equipped vs. 42 percent of Honda's vehicles, the closest competitor.

In designing the Veracruz, Hyundai went with an exterior quite similar to that of several of the newer crossovers, including the RX 350, Edge and Acura MDX, which is an upscale version of the Pilot. The styling was a product of Hyundai's California studio and was tailored for American tastes.

Luxury abounds inside the Veracruz. There is nothing cheap or cheesy looking. The leather seats are optional on the base model, but standard on the Limited. Our vehicle also had woodgrain interior trim that gave it a premium look.

Standard on our Limited model were several items that usually are found only on premium brands, and then sometimes only as options. Among them were a power rear liftgate, automatic climate control and a backup warning system.

Base models come with a single-disc CD player that is MP3-capable, and it also has an auxiliary jack for connection of an iPod or other audio player. XM satellite radio is standard.

Our Limited model came with the uplevel Infinity audio system with a six-disc CD changer.

The rear DVD entertainment system on our test vehicle was part of the Ultimate Package ($3,200), which also added a premium black and saddle interior, adjustable pedals, power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, 115-volt power outlet and a keyless entry/start system. The key can be left in the pocket, and the doors unlock as the person with the key fob approaches the vehicle.

No navigation system is offered yet with the Veracruz.

All-wheel drive adds $1,700 to any trim level, which means that the Limited with just front drive would start at $32,995 (with freight).

I would expect that most Sun Belt buyers would choose the two-wheel drive model. But the all-wheel drive system is of value even outside the snowy climates.

It can direct up to half of the torque to the rear wheels, and there is a lock switch on the dash that can force it into the 50/50 mode. The Veracruz has 8.1 inches of ground clearance, which makes it suitable for some light off-road use; but as with most crossovers, this vehicle is not designed for rugged off-road use.

Besides the base and Limited models, there is the midlevel SE, which begins at $28,695 (with freight).

09/09/2007
San Antonio Express-News

Hyundai Motor America Reports Best August Ever

Hyundai Motor America Reports Best August Ever

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 09/04/2007 Hyundai Motor America today reported its best August ever with sales of 45,087 vehicles, an increase of one percent over August 2006. Vehicle sales were led by the all-new Santa Fe with sales of 10,570 for the month, up 55 percent over last year, followed closely by the Sonata with sales totaling 10,348. Tucson, with sales up 13 percent and Entourage with sales up six percent, also reported strong August sales. The all-new Veracruz once again had a strong month with sales of 1,739.

"Considering the gloomy economic indicators for August, we are elated that Hyundai was able to record a best August ever," said Dave Zuchowski, Hyundai Motor America's vice president, National Sales.

All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty. Hyundai buyers are protected by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 7-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty and 5-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance protection.

Following is the sales breakdown for August 2007:

CARLINE	AUGUST/2007	AUGUST/2006	CY2007	CY2006
ACCENT	3,731	4,705	26,092	26,181
SONATA	10,34	13,184	92,808	114,584
ELANTRA	8,812	10,371	66,726	73,065
TIBURON	1,646	1,861	10,614	13,095
SANTA FE	10,570	6,838	62,509	39,054
AZERA	1,992	2,090	15,938	18,577
TUCSON	4,954	4,368	28,756	36,065
ENTOURAGE	1,295	1,218	14,785	4,254
VERACRUZ	1,739	N/A	6,965	N/A
TOTAL	45,087	44,635	325,193	325,875

Hyundai - Setting The Quality Benchmark

Hyundai - Setting The Quality Benchmark

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 09/05/2007 In 2000, when Hyundai announced major reforms aimed at significantly boosting the quality of its vehicles, the company's goal was to become one of the world's highest quality automakers. To achieve this, a worldwide quality initiative was launched, focusing on three key areas of quality leadership: intelligent ergonomic engineering, obsessive customer focus and acceptance of the need for continuous change. It is the embodiment of this quality initiative that has fueled Hyundai's significant improvements in vehicle quality over the past several years, as well as its tremendous sales growth worldwide.

Hyundai's strategic focus on quality, backed by more than 900 Hyundai quality-dedicated engineers, is now integrated throughout all phases of vehicle development - research, design, engineering, production, distribution, customer delivery and beyond. This quality leadership initiative is spearheaded by Hyundai Motor Company's Quality Department in Korea, with coordination and continual cross-functional interaction with its many other established quality teams throughout the world.

Quality and the North American Market

For vehicles destined for the North American market, implementation of Hyundai's quality initiative has meant significant input from and involvement by dedicated quality experts at Hyundai Motor America (HMA); Hyundai North American Quality Center (NAQC) in Chino, California; Hyundai Automotive Technical Center (HATCI) in Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of America (HMMA) in Montgomery, Alabama. Working together, these entities have established a system of quality procedures to assure all Hyundai vehicles meet the highest standards that American consumers have come to expect - and demand - when purchasing a new vehicle.

During the design phase, HMA, HATCI, NAQC and HMMA meet regularly with Hyundai's Quality and Research and Development Departments in Korea to review what is termed "the voice of the consumer" - extensive research, market analysis and feedback data from vehicle owners and prospective buyers. These cross-functional information sharing and intensive problem solving sessions continue throughout the engineering, development and production stages, so potential problems or situations that might impact vehicle quality can be immediately identified and addressed. Sometimes these sessions uncover potential problems that require unexpected changes or part modifications. These "on the fly" changes, though not purposely planned at the outset of the design and engineering phase, are now embraced as a necessary step of a much more dynamic and flexible development process that expects - and immediately addresses - necessary changes to assure quality is never compromised.

Once early Hyundai prototype vehicles are produced, they are rigorously tested and evaluated for quality in a number of areas, including exterior and interior fit and finish; performance under varying conditions; joint welding; paint quality; noise, vibration and harshness; electrical connections, among other items. Hyundai's testing facilities in Namyang, for example, include three wind testing tunnels, allowing simulation of wind speeds of 125 mph and re-creation of rain, sleet and snow, to test inclement weather effects on vehicles. Quality test teams at HMA, HATCI and NAQC put extensive miles on vehicles, run additional evaluations on Hyundai's test track in Fontana, California, and conduct hot and cold weather tests in the Mojave Desert and International Falls Minnesota, locations known for their extreme temperatures. Test results and accompanying data are then relayed to Hyundai Motor Company's Quality Department, so that any needed vehicle modifications and changes can be immediately addressed.

Testing doesn't end, however, with prototype vehicles. Once production begins, the cross-functional, data-driven feedback loop and interaction continues, as quality teams review and incorporate additional changes and other improvements based on feedback from U.S.-based marketing focus groups, media preview tests, early consumer reactions and other data.

Quality assurance is also incorporated throughout the vehicle delivery process. For vehicles produced in Korea, quality audits are initiated on the assembly line and continued at the Port in Ulsan and through the ports of entry into the U.S. In Alabama, all vehicles off the assembly line receive an immediate inspection by HMMA's Quality Assurance Department, as well as a test track evaluation. Another quality inspection is also conducted by Hyundai's Alabama shipping processors. Once vehicles are in transit to dealerships via truck or rail, dealers have been trained to initiate another 51-point inspection on vehicles received, assuring that no quality issues have occurred during vehicle transit. After customers purchase a Hyundai vehicle, Hyundai Motor America representatives contact them within several days to inquire about their dealership experience, as well as to discuss any problems or quality issues they may have with their vehicle. Again, this information is looped back to all Hyundai entities involved in the quality assurance process for immediate review and evaluation.

Hyundai Quality - Backed by America's Best Warranty

Given this rigorous and complete quality program means that Hyundai can confidently back the quality and craftsmanship of every vehicle in its lineup the Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty. Provided on every new vehicle since the 1999 model year and currently covering more than 2.75 million vehicles nationwide, The Hyundai Advantage - an industry first when introduced - is now further complimented by another industry first, the new Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty. Introduced in May 2007, the pre-owned program boasts a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty on used vehicles dating back five model years that have less than 60,000 miles.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 750 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.

CarMax Names Sonata One of the Best Cars for College Students

CarMax Names Sonata One Of The Best Cars For College Students

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 08/27/2007 CarMax, Inc. has named the Hyundai Sonata as one of the top 10 cars for college students. To help students and parents find the best car, CarMax, Inc., the nation's largest retailer of used cars and Driver's Edge, a national nonprofit organization that provides youth driver education, have teamed up to recommend the top cars based on safety features, cost, reliability and style. These recommendations also take the vehicle's National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration ratings into consideration.

"Sonata is the only midsize sedan under $20,000 with lifesaving Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment," said Dave Zuchowski, vice president, national sales for Hyundai Motor America. "The American-made Sonata is a smart choice for parents in the competitive midsize sedan segment and the car's styling and value characteristics will appeal to the students as well."

This year's CarMax.com top car recommendations for college students fulfill both the parents' safety and reliability demands and the young drivers' requirements for looks and performance.

All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty. Hyundai buyers are protected by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a seven-year/unlimited-mile anti-perforation warranty and five-year/unlimited-mile roadside assistance protection.

ABOUT CARMAX

CarMax, a fortune 500 company and one of the FORTUNE 2007 "100 Best Companies to Work For," is the nation's largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 81 used car superstores in 38 markets. The CarMax consumer offer is structured around four core equities: low, no-haggle prices; a broad selection; high quality vehicles; and consumer-friendly service. During the twelve months ended February 28, 2007, the company retailed 337,021 vehicles and sold 208,959 wholesale vehicles at its in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at www.carmax.com.

ABOUT HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide.

Hyundai Wins Four AutoPacific 2007 IDEAL Vehicle Awards

Hyundai Wins Four AutoPacific 2007 IDEAL Vehicle Awards

Sonata, Elantra, Tucson And Entourage Earn Top Category Honors

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 09/05/2007 Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific announced today that Hyundai has won the 2007 Ideal Vehicle Award in four product segments:

- Most Ideal Premium Mid-Size Car: Hyundai Sonata
- Most Ideal Compact Car: Hyundai Elantra
- Most Ideal Compact Crossover SUV: Hyundai Tucson*
- Most Ideal Minivan: Hyundai Entourage
  *Hyundai Tucson also took home the Vehicle Satisfaction Award

AutoPacific's second annual Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) ranked auto manufacturers for how closely their 2007 model year cars or trucks came to matching owners' expectations and criteria. The vehicles that customers said they would change the least were considered the most "ideal." Measurements for the award include consumer trust, anticipation, expectations and reality.

"Hyundai has done an outstanding job understanding their target buyer and is creating the product that is 'ideal' for its buyers," said AutoPacific's President, George Peterson.

"These awards are a reflection of Hyundai's continued commitment to our customers," said John Krafcik, vice president, Product Development and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "The Hyundai brand stands for industry-leading quality, superior standard safety technology, and great value - with these values we'll continue to work hard to meet the expectations of our customers."

To determine the winners, AutoPacific asked owners to rate their new car or truck on how close it came to "ideal" in the following areas: exterior size; passenger roominess; cargo space; driver's seat comfort; driver's seat visibility; interior technology; power; ease of getting in and out; interior storage compartments; and tires and wheels. The IVA ratings reflect input from buyers of new vehicles purchased from September 2006 through December 2006. Over 24,000 respondents provided input for these awards.

AUTOPACIFIC

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. Every year it publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies for the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Additional information can be found at www.autopacific.com.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 750 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.

Hyundai Takes on Lexus - Really

Hyundai takes on Lexus - really

Its target is the RX350, a big station wagon with lots of leather and gadgets.

For the consumer, it's just a Hyundai. It's a name people still confuse with Honda and it's a brand that conjures up zero images of upscale, prestigious or even plain luxury automobiles.

Hyundai tries and tries. With its Azera, it's trying to zip past Toyota's Avalon and even take a whack at BMW. We had an Azera for a week last year and it was a terrific car. Yet nobody looked at it.

With its Sonata sedan, Hyundai is going after Honda's Accord or Nissan's Altima and, to a certain degree, succeeding at the task, for a lot less money.

Now it's the Veracruz, Hyundai's new truly luxo SUV, a car that is taking dead aim at that holy of holies, the Lexus RX350, which really is a benchmark for quality big station wagons that smother you in leather and electronic gadgetry.

The Veracruz is apparently named for the state in Mexico (Hyundai, whose other SUVs are the Tucson and Santa Fe, really does have a thing for the Southwest), and it is actually the real item, when it comes to upscale SUVs.

This is not some gussied-up truck, embellished with items plucked from the parts bin of an upscale assembly line. It is, from the ground up, designed to swaddle you in broad seats (yes, leather is available), drown you in silence and make sure you are entertained (the requisite booming stereo for everyone; the optional DVD player for the second- and third-row passengers).

Yes, third row passengers. It's standard on the Veracruz, allowing the car to carry seven people. And the seats fold easily into their own compartment.

Need more room in back? The second row seats have outboard handles that, when pulled, allow the seatbacks to quickly fold forward, giving nearly 87 cubic feet of stowage behind the front seats.

The Veracruz is a crossover utility vehicle and, as such, has enormous competition, even if it does set its sights mainly on the RX350, which costs thousands more but does have that imprimatur of Lexus, a brand that has surpassed Mercedes-Benz in terms of equation with luxury, valet parking, Ritz-Carlton hotels, etc.

When you get inside the Veracruz, you do see the similarities.

The seats are generously proportioned, the console has the double cubbies - a shallow one, on top, and a deeper one below - that help stow all that stuff you will find you never need anyway, and the steering wheel has electric up/down, in/out adjusting.

The most striking thing about this car - and I use striking advisedly since most of the car blends in with everything else out there - comes at night when you open the doors. On the chrome sill plate, the word "Veracruz" lights up in brilliant blue. On all four sill plates.

Saturday, August 25, 2007
By Michael Taylor
San Francisco Chronicle

Top 10 Safe vehicles for Less Than $25,000

Top 10 Safe Vehicles for Less Than $25,000

Safe bets for low rollers.

Saturn Astra

Scion xB

Hyundai Sonata

Volkswagen Rabbit

Mini Cooper

Toyota Camry

Volvo C30

Dodge Charger

Honda Accord

Mazda CX-7

We live in a nation of unparalleled personal-injury litigation, of warning labels on curling irons that must specify "for external use only," and of waivers that must be signed before engaging in death-defying activities like roller skating. We are slightly more lax, however, when it comes to transportation. Traffic accidents trail only cancer and heart disease as the leading killer of Americans, and according to a recent New York Times article, we rank 11th in the world for fatalities per mile, more dangerous than countries like Poland and Estonia. This is even with quantum leaps in safety technology made and mandated in the past decade; it's fairly tough to buy a patently unsafe vehicle nowadays. Some, however, are safer than others.

Like prime real estate and good medical care, the safest cars go first to those who can pay for them. The latest and greatest safety technologies often debut on more expensive marquis models (think BMW 7-series, Volvo S80, Lexus LS460) and migrate downstream and across the market within a few years, as parts-bin sharing lowers costs and these technologies increasingly become worth their weight in marketing gold. Where Reaganomics failed as an example of trickle-down theory, the automotive industry shines. Save the fat-wallets first, and then get those on more moderate incomes later.

Vehicular safety is focused in two areas: accident prevention and crashworthiness. Factors such as handling, braking performance, and stability control play into the first; airbags, chassis deformation, and crumple zones the second.

Stability control uses data such as steering-wheel position and yaw and roll rates to detect a skid and then uses anti-lock braking and traction-control systems for prevention and recovery. Stability-control systems across manufacturers work with greater and lesser levels of complexity, sophistication, and efficacy, but they do work. Thanks to a mandate from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every vehicle sold in this country by model year 2012 will be equipped with such a system.

The U.S. government dictates a minimum of two airbags protecting the front-seat passengers in a frontal impact; many vehicles also come with airbags to protect occupants in side collisions. To make our list, vehicles must have stability control as well as curtain airbags for head protection, bringing the minimum to six. Most of these vehicles feature six airbags as standard; for those that don't, we’ve built the option into the price, as we've done with stability control. Several cars meet the $25,000 price ceiling in four- or six-cylinder trim, which we've noted.

NHTSA and its European counterpart, the New Car Assessment Programme (incidentally, also the name of the NHTSA branch responsible for crashing cars), rate the crashworthiness of cars on a five-star scale, five stars being the best score. NHTSA scores cars for driver and passenger protection in frontal impacts and front and rear occupant protection in side impacts; the European NCAP grants cars a single overall protection rating.

Now that you know, choose well, hang a St. Christopher from the rearview mirror, and remember that the single greatest variable in vehicle safety is the loose nut behind the steering wheel.

Saturn Astra 3-door
Estimated base price: $16,000

It's tough to contain our excitement about a car that's actually "Euro tuned." The only difference between Europe's best-selling car, the Opel Astra, and what will shortly turn up on Saturn lots are Gulpinator-sized cup holders, inevitably crappy all-season tires, and a piece of plastic on the hatch marking it a Saturn. It would be tough for the Astra to do worse than the Ion it replaces, but we think it will instead do much, much better, offering a premium product, with premium safety equipment, at a solidly 'Merican price. Compact-car renters rejoice.

Stability control is standard on the sportier three-door, optional on the five at an undisclosed price. NHTSA hasn't thrown one into a wall yet, but the European NCAP crowned the Astra the safest compact sedan in Europe, earning a score better than even the BMW 1-series. Again assuming parity with the European hardware, the stability control system even features "Understeer Control Logic," which knows to increase brake pressure on the inner rear wheel. Neat.

Scion xB
Base Price: $16,230

The '08 xB didn't get a makeover as much as a redefinition; the result is longer, wider, nicer, and a full 582 pounds heavier. With the boost in proportions came an increase in content, including standard stability control and a bump in engine displacement of almost a liter, meaning the traction control might even have wheelspin to contend with. NHTSA gives the xB four stars in frontal crashes, and a full five for side impacts.

2008 Hyundai Sonata
Base price: $18,195

When it was introduced in 2006, Hyundai's current Sonata waltzed up to the dons of the family car segment and popped them in the schnoz, offering astonishing quality and style at a price thousands less than a comparably equipped Accord or Camry. Most notably, the Sonata--even in the cheapest possible configuration--comes with standard stability control.

NHTSA handed the Sonata a perfect five stars in both front- and side-impact protection, one of three vehicles on this list to do so. The V-6 model starts at $21,645 and so equipped, makes merging a worry-free operation. A well-maintained car helps ward off equipment failure and resulting accidents; Hyundai's 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will help with that.

Volkswagen Rabbit 5-door
Base price: $18,200

Just over $18K will, in theory, have you sitting in a Wolfsburg-built, five-door Rabbit with stability control. Good luck finding one so priced, however: Floor mats aren't even included at that price. Stability control is a bargain option at $450.

We liked the Rabbit enough to place it at the top of a 2006 small-car comparison, noting its responsive handling and excellent braking performance, both key elements in accident avoidance. The NHTSA hasn't crashed a three-door yet, but liked the five-door enough to grant it four stars for frontal crashes and a perfect score for side-impact performance.

Mini Cooper
Base price: $19,200

Who says small cars aren't safe? Newton? Point taken. We'd still rather be in a svelte vehicle like the Cooper than an Escalade. With its superior stopping ability and driving dynamics, you're less likely to marry your undercarriage with the wheelbarrow sitting in the fast lane. Diminutive proportions aside, the Cooper is a safe machine packed with some of the best construction and safety technologies from parent company BMW. Stability control is a $500 option, whether you select a base Cooper or the turbocharged S model. Sometimes the only way out of a dangerous situation is quick and complete use of your right foot, so the more acceleration that move inspires the better. Make ours an S.

NHTSA has not yet biffed a reworked '07 Mini, which fared just okay the first time around (four stars, and the rear seat was too small to properly seat the crash test dummy); Europe's NCAP, however, gives the new model five stars for passenger protection.

Toyota Camry
Base price: $19,740

Refrigerators are safe, so their vehicular equivalent should be too. And it is. Toyota's best-selling, bread-and-butter sedan has been carefully tweaked over its twenty-four-year lifespan to offer the most family-friendly, innocuous, safe, and least involving experience possible. The only real danger here is falling asleep at the wheel or losing your Camry in a parking lot.

The newly upsized version got perfect marks in NHTSA's front- and side-impact tests. It's commendable that Toyota builds a Camry that sells for under $20k, even if we'd never buy a stripper Camry (like eating boiled potatoes and foregoing a pinch of salt). Strangely, stability control is never standard, but a $650 option. You can pick up a LE V-6 model and still come in at under $25K; with 268 horsepower on tap, your forgettable journey will be forgotten that much faster.

Volvo C30
Price: $23,445

No company's name is more inexorably tied to the word 'safety' than Volvo. Okay, maybe Aeroflot, but for different reasons. Innovations that aren't even thought of as safety features anymore--laminated windshield glass, padded dashboards, and three-point seatbelts--were Volvo firsts. The C30 is essentially a three-door hatchback version of the S40, and shares the sedan's safety features. Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) is standard, as are six airbags and Volvo's whiplash protection system.

According to Volvo, the C30 crashes as well as the S40, which means well; the only place it didn't score five stars was in the driver's side front impact, where it scored four. Kids, work hard to sell this little barnstormer on its safety merits to your parental units: A 2.5-liter, turbocharged engine pulls the C30 to 15-second quarter-mile times.

Dodge Charger
Base Price: $24,510

The Dodge Charger shares a platform with the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, which is in turn based on the Mercedes E-class chassis and thus expectedly good. Mercedes sedans crash consistently well, so it's little surprise that the Charger does too, earning five stars in all categories except for the front seat in side-impacts, where it earns four. Side and curtain airbags are part of the $1235 Protection Group package, which requires the additional purchase of stability control for $1025.

Though traffic laws can perhaps be sometimes followed loosely, the laws of physics are tougher to skirt. While crashing in a small car isn't inherently unsafe, the Charger's generous proportions provide ample sheetmetal to crumple and dissipate energy before it's your body's turn.

Honda Accord
Estimated base price: $19,000

It's no secret we're a fan of this car, which has won more 10Best honors than any other. Of all the family sedans out there, it remains one of the more involving drives, with a nimble character that pays dividends in fluidity and the kind of moves that can help you avoid an accident at speed.

The Accord is all new for 2008 and even the most basic four-cylinder models will come equipped with VSA, or Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control, and our minimum six airbags. Although details on the new model have yet to be released, NHTSA has run a 2008 Accord into a wall already and awarded it five stars for frontal collisions and four for side impacts.

Mazda CX-7 Sport
Base price: $24,345

The CX-7 is the one vehicle on this list to bear the ignominious title of SUV, subset crossover. Don't worry, it doesn't suffer the hideous driving characteristics of an SUV; to the contrary, it's more agile than most vehicles on this list. We had to select the least expensive CX-7, the Sport, to make the $25K cutoff, but it's like selecting a non-vintage bottle of Veuve Clicquot: still good. Getting in or out of trouble is made easier by 244 horsepower, a necessarily healthy number given the CX-7's slightly porcine 3710-pound curb weight. The CX-7 joins the Sonata and Camry in earning perfect scores from NHTSA for frontal and side impacts. And despite being categorized as an SUV, the CX-7 has, according to NHTSA, the same probability of rollover in a single-vehicle crash as the Scion xB.

BY JARED HOLSTEIN - August 2007

Hyundai Motor America Presents "HUUUUUGE" Help to Rochester Researchers Fighting Childhood Cancer

Hyundai Motor America Presents "HUUUUGE" Help to Rochester Researchers Fighting Childhood Cancer

Next week, Hyundai Motor America and its dealerships will present Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong with a check for $40,000 to aid the hospital's pediatric cancer research efforts.

Hyundai's nationwide 2007 Hope On Wheels tour will visit 30 cities this fall, with donations nearing $1.5 million; Rochester, New York is one of five Northeastern cities that serve as tour stops, along with Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York City. Hope On Wheels is the united effort of more than 750 Hyundai dealers to raise awareness for kids battling pediatric cancer.

Beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21 outside the hospital's main entrance off Elmwood Avenue, the hospital will host a symbolic "handprint" ceremony that celebrates the children's lives and treatment milestones by capturing their colorful handprints on a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Since the inception of Hope On Wheels in 2004, the tour has visited more than 70 hospitals nationwide and collected more than 300 handprints at "handprint ceremonies." Hyundai and its dealers have contributed more than $8 million dollars to research institutions across the country to date. In 2007, Hyundai expects to reach $10 million in total contributions.

"We are excited to receive this donation and appreciate Hyundai's continued commitment to pediatric cancer research," said Nina Schor, M.D., Ph.D., and pediatrician-in-chief at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. "These funds will play a vital role in the success of our research efforts as we battle to eradicate childhood cancer."

"We are proud to make this donation to an organization that has clearly shown leadership and dedication to the fight against pediatric cancer," said Peter DiPersia, general manager of Hyundai Motor America's Eastern region. "We hope that this program not only raises funds for these deserving institutions, but also raises awareness on a national scale so that other organizations are inspired to make a pledge against pediatric cancer."

The complete list of 2007 Hope On Wheels tour stops, including benefiting hospitals will be posted on www.hopeonwheels.com.

GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT STRONG

Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong is the region's only children's hospital, providing care for thousands of children in Rochester and the surrounding 17-county Finger Lakes region. Located within Strong Memorial Hospital, 124-bed hospital is a division of the University of Rochester Medical Center; it offers a vast array of state-of-the-art technology and world-class treatment in its specialty areas, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ( NICU ), the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit ( PICU ), the Adolescent Unit, the Children's Unit; the Children's Heart Center; and in the Pediatric Ambulatory Unit.

Research underway in the hospital's pediatric division of the Department of Hematology/Oncology includes exploring if vaccine therapy or other immune therapies can reduce the risk of relapse of leukemia after bone marrow transplant, how to best tailor palliative care to meet the needs of children approaching the end of life, and how to reduce the risk of infection in patients undergoing various combinations of marrow transplants, chemotherapy and radiation. The division also participates as a full member of the Children's Oncology Group and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute leukemia consortium, cooperating in various group and multi-site trials.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide.

( Journalists are invited to visit our news media web site: www.hyundainews.com )

Hyundai is the Next Target

Hyundai Is the Next Target

Isn't it thrilling that we live in a day and age when the line between bargain basement and luxury consumer goods is getting incredibly blurry? Take Target, for example. I remember when places like Kmart, Wal-Mart and Target were considered equally low-end retailers. Since then, Target has risen up, and now (at least amongst my circle of friends) it is the cool place for hip moms to shop for designer clothing and home goods on a budget. You get all of this while sipping a latte from the store's Starbucks.

The Hyundai Veracruz is the Target of the automotive world. Don't get your hopes up, ladies! There isn't a Starbucks located inside Hyundai's cars or even its dealerships (although I like that idea). What I'm trying to say is that the Veracruz is much like that sweet pair of Mossimo wedges I recently purchased: Pewter metallic strappy sandals with cork wedges, and they even have a driving heel -- how perfect is that? The point I was trying to make before I so rudely allowed myself to get distracted with euphoric fantasies of shoe shopping was that the Veracruz is a budget-esque crossover masquerading as a luxury one. It does so well that I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the Veracruz is almost as nice (and in some respects even nicer) as the Lexus RX -- for a base price of more than $10,000 lower. Meowwww!

During my two weeks in the Veracruz, I was surprised by every new feature I uncovered. Initially, I was just thrilled to be driving the first offering from Hyundai with three rows. Imagine how my excitement rose when I slid one of the rear seats forward to climb into the third row and found an incredibly thoughtful handle perfectly placed on the back of the sliding seat for me to grab and hoist myself into the vehicle. The third row, despite being a bit tight, was certainly more comfortable than the sardine-can seat I'm sitting in right now on the airplane while writing this review. While the seat belt receptors in the third row were easy for my kids to buckle on their own, unfortunately, I can't say the same about the ones in the second row. I ended up having to buckle in my youngest every time.

The second row seat belt annoyance was quickly forgotten when I found a slew of my favorite car features all standard in the Veracruz, including a backup warning system, power tailgate, a conversation mirror that offers a view of all the rear passengers, steering wheel mounted audio controls, lighted storage compartments and cupholders, a chill zone in the center console to keep my kids' string cheese cold and -- I'm getting way too typeractive here -- let me just slow down and collect myself a bit before continuing.

Ahhh. Deep breath. Other fabulous features I found in the Veracruz were an available DVD entertainment system with rear controls so capable backseat passengers could play around with it without distracting the driver for instructions. I also appreciated the under-floor storage bin in the cargo area, good rear visibility and luxuriously tactile fit and finish inside the vehicle.

The main thing that I think would make the Hyundai Veracruz -- and, honestly, any Hyundai for that matter -- any better would be for them to be on sale at Target. Stick with me on this for a moment. Hyundai could be the next designer brand to pair up with Target. Imagine a world where you could drive up to one store and purchase a new convertible five-point harness to replace the one with the inexplicable odor emanating from it (despite washing the cover three times), a hand vacuum that plugs into a car's cigarette lighter to suck up the endless supply of loose Cheerios, and the car to put these things into. All this while sipping a latte from the store's Starbucks kiosk.

*For more information on the Hyundai Veracruz and its safety features, visit Cars.com. With questions or comments regarding this review, write to editor@motherproof.com.

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LET'S TALK NUMBERS

Latch Connectors: 2

Seating Capacity (includes driver): 7

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample

Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample

SENSE AND STYLE

Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great – Excellent

Fun Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove On): Groove On

Specs
2007 Hyundai Veracruz AWD Limited
Base price:	$34,005
Price as tested:	$38,020
Engine:	260-hp, 3.8 liter V-6
Fuel:	17/24 mpg
Length:	190.6"
Width:	76.6"
Ground Clearance:	8.1"
Turning Radius:	18.3'
Cargo space:	6.5 - 86.8 cu. ft.

NHTSA Crash-Test Ratings
Frontal Impact
Driver's side:	5 Stars
Passenger's side:	4 Stars
Side Impact
Front occupant:	5 Stars
Rear occupant:	5 Stars
Rollover resistance:	4 Stars

By: Kristin Varela
www.motherproof.com

Hyundai Elantra and Mazda3 Shine in New Consumer Reports' Tests

Hyundai Elantra and Mazda3 Shine in New Consumer Reports' Tests

YONKERS, NY August 29, 2007; The redesigned Hyundai Elantra outscored the Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Sentra, and Scion xB in Consumer Reports' testing of a group of four small sedans and wagons for the October issue. The Elantra now ranks sixth overall among the 14 small cars that CR has tested recently.

Also, Consumer Reports ranked the Mazdaspeed3 as its top-rated sports car following tests of three sporty vehicles for the same issue. The Mazdaspeed3 was tested against the redesigned Mini Cooper S and the Saturn Sky Redline.

"The redesigned Elantra is well-rounded, roomier, more fuel-efficient, and has a more pleasant interior than many more expensive cars," said David Champion, Senior Director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut.

The Honda Civic remains CR's top-rated small car, followed by the Ford Focus and Mazda3 in that order.

Prices for vehicles in the small-car test group range from $17,515 for the Mitsubishi Lancer to $18,855 for the Nissan Sentra. Prices for the three sporty cars ranged from $25,195 for the Mazdaspeed3 to $30,289 for the Sky.

The Elantra achieved a "Very Good" overall test score. The Lancer also earned a "Very Good" score, though at the lower end of the range. The Sentra rated "Good" overall. The xB, the only wagon tested, earned a "Very Good" overall score. It ranks second among the wagons and hatchbacks that CR has tested, behind the Mazda3. Among the sports and sporty cars, the Mazdaspeed3 earned a "Excellent" overall rating. The Mini Cooper S rated "Very Good" overall and the Sky Redline rated "Good" overall.

Two of the seven vehicles rated for this issue are recommended by Consumer Reports--the Scion xB and the Mazdaspeed3. CR is predicting that the xB will have above-average reliability based on the previous generation xB. Similarly, the Mazdaspeed3 is recommended based on the better-than-average reliability of the Mazda3. Consumer Reports doesn't have reliability data yet on five of the other vehicles, the Elantra, Lancer, Sentra, Mini, and Sky. (The Sky is built on the same platform as the Pontiac Solstice; reliability for the Solstice has been well below average.)

Consumer Reports only recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Car Reliability Survey of its own subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

Full tests and ratings of the test group appear in the October issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale September 4. The reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org.

Like other recent offerings from Hyundai, the Elantra mimics many Toyota qualities: It has user-friendly and clear controls; very good fit and finish; a comfortable, quiet ride; and handling that is safe if not agile. Unlike other recent new cars from Hyundai, the Elantra also gets good fuel economy for its class, 27 mpg in CR's own fuel economy tests. The Elantra GLS ($17,555 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price as tested) is equipped with a 138-hp, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that provides good acceleration. Its four-speed automatic transmission is both smooth and responsive. The brakes are very good overall.

With its enormous backseat, spacious cargo area, easy access and relatively powerful engine, the Scion xB is a logical alternative to a similarly priced small sedan, and it's a good value. The xB ($18,360 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 159-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes the xB one of the quicker small cars available. The four-speed automatic transmission delivers both smooth shifts and quick response. The xB delivered 23 mpg overall in CR's tests, which is less than the previous generation xB. The new model feels more grown up and is a good value for the price. Brakes on the xB are very good.

While it's an improvement over the old model, the redesigned Lancer still scores only midpack in its class. The Lancer's handling is quite agile and the steering is responsive, lending the car a sporty feel. But the ride borders on being too stiff, the engine is noisy, and the brakes were a disappointment. The Lancer also had subpar fit and finish and mediocre fuel economy. The Lancer ES ($17,515 MSRP as tested) is equipped with a 152-hp, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine was good. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was smooth. The Lancer's brakes are good overall.

The Sentra is a pleasant small sedan in everyday driving. It has a comfortable ride, quiet cabin, roomy backseat and well-designed interior. But CR's engineers found the Sentra tricky to control in a simulated emergency maneuver, with a tendency for the tail to lose grip too easily and slide. The Sentra 2.0S ($18,855 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 140-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine matched with a continuously variable transmission. The powertrain delivers good performance and smooth and responsive shifts. Braking was also unimpressive.

Sporty Cars: Big Fun in Tiny Packages

Of the three sporty cars that CR tested this month, engineers and editors rated the Mazdaspeed3 best. It's based on the already fun-to-drive and practical Mazda3, but has a stronger powertrain and a sport-oriented suspension. The Mazda rides tautly but is well controlled. The Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring ($25,195 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 263-hp, turbocharged, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers excellent acceleration. Its six-speed transmission is very good, though the gated shifter caused some drivers to miss shifts. Braking on the Mazda is also excellent.

Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. It conducts the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Web site; the magazine's auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To subscribe to Consumer Reports, call 1-800-234-1645. Information and articles from the magazine can be accessed online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Long-Term Wrap-Up: 2006 Hyundai Tucson

Long-Term Wrap-Up: 2006 Hyundai Tucson

Another adventurer took our Tucson to Colorado over a holiday weekend. He wrote that freeway ride quality was smooth, allowing passengers to easily doze off. As the road took him higher in elevation, it started to snow, and the Tucson really began to shine. In near-whiteout conditions with little traction on the road, it "was nothing short of phenomenal -- over icy, windy, snowy roads, the vehicle was perfect, never giving us any white-knuckle moments."

Additionally, our Tucson went to Mammoth Lakes, a popular summer and winter destination five hours north of Los Angeles, where it served as pack mule for an editor who embarked on a multi-day camping trip with friends and family. "I was impressed with the amount of gear the cargo area held -- the rear became downright cavernous with the second row folded," she logged.

More often than the occasional out-of-town excursion, the Tucson was enlisted to battle Los Angeles traffic. Not surprisingly, its compact size made it easy to maneuver around our busy, congested streets and a piece of cake to parallel park and fit into tight spaces. For that reason alone, it was always a popular choice among staffers, but there were a few discouraging details worth mentioning.

The 2.7-liter V-6 is small and offers a respectable amount of horsepower, but for such a small vehicle it still felt sluggish and didn't offer the fuel economy we would've expected. In fact, the Tucson only got one mpg better average fuel economy than the much bigger and heavier 3.5-liter Honda Ridgeline V-6. Of course, this small V-6 is one the Hyundai's had for a while, and we'd expect a newer generation engine soon. Likewise, the four-speed automatic seems to slip away much of the available power, and it sure would be nice not to buzz at near 3000 rpm at highway speeds.

Likewise, editors cited the lack of storage areas and cubbies in the doors and center console. As for overall ride and handling, comments were mixed: Some staffers felt the steering was comparable with that of other vehicles in its class, while others found themselves correcting halfway through most turns, usually having to dial in more input than expected. Some of that, we suspect, is in the suspension design, while some is probably inherent in what a compact SUV's design parameters will allow, especially at this price.

Our Tucson went through four standard service procedures, and not once did we have additional issues for the dealer to investigate. That says a lot for its reliability.

In summing up our experience with this Hyundai, one editor noted, "It's easy to say the Tucson is a good value -- it's got a V-6, airbags, stability control, good interior room, back-country capability, all for under $24,000. But there are a few other good vehicles also in that ballpark."

Maybe Hyundai isn't the first name that comes to mind for most shoppers, but this little SUV served us well for the 12 months and 23,000 miles we had it. Worth a look if you're ready buy in this segment.

2006 Hyundai Tucson 4wd Limited
Base price	$18,445
Price as tested	$23,320
Vehicle layout	Front engine, AWD, 4-door, 5-pass
Engine	2.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6
SAE net hp @ rpm	173 @ 6000
SAE net torque @ rpm	178 @ 4000
Transmission	4-speed automatic
0-60 mph, sec	10.7
EPA, city/hwy	19/24
Total mileage	23,105
Average test mpg	18.1
Observed worst mpg	10.8
Observed best mpg	24.9
Average distance per fill-up	190.9
Average cost per fill-up	$29.76
Average cost per gallon	$2.90
Number of services	4
Overall service cost	$332.48
Problem areas	None

By Scott Mortara
Photography by Julia LaPalme

Hyundai Announces Name of Future Five-Door

Hyundai Announces Name Of Future Five-Door

All-New 2009 Elantra Touring Moves A Popular Nameplate In A Sportier, More Functional Direction

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., 08/08/2007 Hyundai Motor America Vice President of Product Development and Strategic Planning John Krafcik, speaking at the Center of Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars, announced Hyundai's all-new five-door compact will be named "Elantra Touring." Elantra Touring will reach dealers in the spring of 2008 as a 2009 model year vehicle. The "Touring" name captures this all-new model's combination of high-function and fun-to-drive character. Elantra Touring will once again extend Elantra's product line into the compact five-door segment. (The previous generation also featured a sporty five-door model). Elantra Touring will come with class-leading standard safety technologies, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and six standard airbags, including side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. The vehicle will be the first compact five-door with standard Electronic Stability Control.[1]

Elantra Touring will have the most interior volume (passenger volume plus cargo space) of any five-door in its class and will be powered by the same fuel-efficient 2.0-liter, in-line four-cylinder found in the Elantra sedan. This newest Hyundai will also feature unique sport suspension and steering tuned for greater response and handling, while offering Hyundai's first USB port, along with a standard auxiliary jack and standard XM Satellite Radio®. Elantra Touring's competition will include the Toyota Matrix, Dodge Caliber and Mazda3.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide.

[1] Based on AutoPacific mainstream compact 5-Door segmentation

2007 Hyundai Veracruz

2007 Hyundai Veracruz

Hyundai is successfully changing the way Americans look at their product line.

During the past decade, the Korean automaker's lackluster build quality and stodgy designs have given way to sophisticated styling and improved fit and finish -- the likes of which mimic their Japanese competitors.

"Our company is experiencing the fastest quality improvement in its history," Hyundai Product Manager Miles Johnson said. "Our entire organization is fanatical about quality."

Hyundai's redesigned Sonata sedan and Santa Fe sport utility are current samples that have helped fuel the company's annual U.S. sales growth from 91,217 units in 1998 to last year's 455,520 units.

The newest member to join the Hyundai product line is the midsize 2007 Hyundai Veracruz crossover vehicle outfitted in GLS, SE or upscale Limited models.

Veracruz is larger than its Santa Fe brethren with a 4-inch-longer wheelbase and 6-inch overall length increase that yields a car-like ride quality akin to most large sedans. Cabin acoustics and body sound insulation absorbs engine and road noise to whisper levels.

Unlike a sedan however, Veracruz can manage up to seven passengers with a standard third row 50/50 split-folding seat that accommodates adults for short jaunts, but caters best for children. Second row occupants enjoy adult-size head, leg and knee room with split seats that slide and recline to suit their comfort needs.

Second and third row seats easily fold down to create a cargo hold that swallows everything from bicycles to building material.

Up front, user friendly controls greet the driver with easy-to-read gauges that turn to a soft blue hue for nighttime driving.

Supple cloth seat cushions and soft-textured materials create a pleasing and comfortable ride for all passengers. Limited models are available with two-tone leather upholstery.

Veracruz teams a 260-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission that propels its standard front-wheel drivetrain managed by 17-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in all-season rubber. All models are available with all-wheel drive.

Electronic stability control with traction control, anti-lock brakes, front and three-row side curtain airbags are standard.

Veracruz is equipped with power accessories, steering wheel audio controls, air conditioning with separate rear climate controls, cruise control, rear window wiper and a keyless entry system.

Popular option packages include a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, rear-obstacle detection system, power sunroof, heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers and power adjustable pedals. Bluetooth hands-free phone system, auxiliary iPod jack and XM satellite radio also are available.

The 2007 Hyundai Veracruz GLS enters the crossover segment at $26,995, followed by the SE model for $28,695. Limited stretches the bottom line to $32,995. Add $1,700 for all-wheel drive.

Sunday, July 29
BY JIM JACKSON
Times Auto Writer

Hyunda's Global Brand Value Rises

Hyundai's Global Brand Value Rises

Hyundai Brand Value Ranked As Eighth Most Valuble In Auto Industry

Seoul, Korea, 07/27/2007 Hyundai Motor Company's brand power continues to rise as it was ranked 72nd in the 2007 Best Global Brands survey jointly conducted by Interbrand, a leading consultancy in branding and BusinessWeek, the New York-based global business media organization.

With a brand value estimated at $4.5 billion, the power of the Hyundai brand now surpasses several competitors when measured on a global basis. Among the world's top automotive brands, Hyundai ranked eighth, ahead of Porsche, Lexus and Nissan.

The rise of the Hyundai brand on the global stage has been meteoric. The brand made its debut appearance on the Best Global Brands list in the 2005 survey where it ranked 84th.

"Our brand management is supported by continuous improvement in the quality of our products and diversification of our model lineup," said Brandon Yea, Hyundai's vice president for brand strategy.

Public perception of the Hyundai brand has been transformed as a result of dramatic improvements in the quality of Hyundai vehicles. In turn, this has fueled a steady increase in sales and confidence in the brand among both customers and dealers.

Hyundai's pursuit of a better balance between quantitative and qualitative growth has made brand management a top priority. Brand management issues now influence decision-making in styling, marketing and communications as well as at the retail and after-sales service levels.

2007 Interbrand Ranking
Top 100 Ranking	AutomotiveRanking	Brand	Brand Value(US $ Bill)
6	1	Toyota	32.1
7	2	M. Benz	23.6
13	3	BMW	21.6
19	4	Honda	18.0
41	5	Ford	9.0
54	6	VW	6.5
68	7	Audi	4.9
72	8	Hyundai	4.5
75	9	Porsche	4.2
92	10	Lexus	3.4
98	11	Nissan	3.1

Interbrand (www.interbrand.com), the leading brand consultancy and authors of the annual ranking of "The Best Global Brands" in partnership with BusinessWeek was founded in 1974. Interbrand has offices in over 30 cities in more than 20 countries around the globe and clients from among the most respected businesses.

BusinessWeek is a leading global business media organization which was founded in 1929 and is published by the McGraw-Hill Companies, BusinessWeek has more than 4.8 million readers each week in 140 countries. Local language editions include Chinese, Russian, and Bahasa Indonesian.

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group which was ranked as the world's sixth largest automaker in 2006 and includes over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Employing over 68,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor posted US$29.4 billion in sales in 2006 (on a non-consolidated basis, [US$68.4 billion consolidated]). Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 5000 dealerships and showrooms. Further information about Hyundai Motor Co. and its products is available at www.hyundai-motor.com.

Veracruz Does it Right

Veracruz does it right

I see trouble on the horizon. Not for you or me, but for the likes at Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc. A few years ago Hyundai was not much of a concern to any car builder since they were not high on quality ratings. All that changed a few years ago, and today they are among the best vehicles made, and presto! They are selling faster than a dime dance at a lumber camp.

Hyundai is perhaps the fastest growing vehicle company now and ranking third in the J.D Power survey for overall quality just behind Porsche and Lexus, which gives potential Veracruz buyers a big incentive to buy that first Hyundai product. Hyundai has added five entirely new models in the past 10 years, and the latest one is an upscale SUV that continues the Hyundai western name theme.

The Veracruz moves Hyundai's growing line of SUV's into a more pricy company and a loaded Veracruz could reach around $38,000. As I found out at a Hyundai briefing, the move into the higher-price vehicles is apparently where Hyundai intends to go in the near future. The Veracruz is targeted at the upscale Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot SUV's. After the testing period, we see trouble for not only them but about everyone else along the SUV road. A lower price and more standard accessories, plus equal or better performance, will be the big selling points for the 2007 Veracruz. Actually the Veracruz should be labeled a 2008.

The styling is safe and should not engender any resentment but still exhibits some excitement at the tail-end with the last pie-shaped side-glass. The wheel-openings have an accented radius that adds to a sporty appearance.

Inside the Veracruz glows with the appointments that are found on SUV's that cost about another eight to ten thousand more. Nice leather and luxury appearing upholstery abounds, and most of the highly desirable accessories are standard like a 315 watt AM/FM/MP3 compatibility on the base GLS edition.

The top-line Limited can be optioned up to a 605-watt sound system with all of the above, plus a six-disc CD player XM satellite radio and 10-speaker surround sound, supported by a big chest-pounding sub-woofer. Our local movie theater doesn’t even have that fine of a sound system. An optional DVD player with an eight-inch screen is located on the headliner for the rear seat passengers enjoyment.

On that note; all Veracruz come with a third-row seat, something we think is unnecessary for most buyers and maybe a deterrent considering it adds cost to the base price. The third-row seats can be stowed and all but unnoticed; however, it still requires otherwise useful space. With the third-row and second-row seats laid-out there is about 87 cubic-feet of possible cargo room.

My little lady co-tester gives a thumbs, up for the power lift gate that is standard on the Limited model. I like the "proximity key" so I do not need to go digging for the keys to get going down the road. I don't even need to use the remote to unlock the doors, just have the key thing in my pocket and tap the door handle to unlock and climb-in. The 110-volt outlet is becoming a more frequent accessory, and I could have run my lap-top or blow-dry my hair with it. With summer finally here the duel drink holders will keep your Dr. Pepper chilled from the air-conditioning port located there for that purpose.

Hyundai does not offer a navigation system, and I can see why considering the factory price on most of them is around $2,000. Plus, the advent of the portable navigation at around three hundred bucks, and you can remove it to the next vehicle or even put it in your pocket for a guided walk around Chicago. All three Veracruz models are available with all-wheel drive at $1,700. The Veracruz has a base price of $26,995 and was $33,110 as tested.

The 260 horsepower V-6 engine is linked to a standard six-speed automatic transmission and that combination delivers plenty of performance. You forget how quiet a SUV can be in the Veracruz and that will be welcome on longer trips. Add to that the luxury of a comfortable ride that levels-out the bumps, and while the Veracruz may not corner like a Porsche we will opt for the comfortable ride and take the corners just a little slower. Keep your eye on Hyundai; they are going places.

July 26, 2007
BY ED NOBLE Special to Pioneer Press

Santa Fe Reflects Hyundai's Pursuit of Luxury

Santa Fe reflects Hyundai's pursuit of luxury

There has been a trickle-up effect at Hyundai as it takes aim at building luxury-class vehicles.

This engineering is easily seen and felt in the company's new and largest SUV, the Veracruz. But Hyundai's pursuit of luxury is also felt in its smaller SUV, the Santa Fe, today's test vehicle.

It is not as richly appointed as the Veracruz, but the solid engineering is noted in the Santa Fe's ride quality that is separated from road harshness and engine noise. What is under the skin gives an impression of superior quality. And that refinement is also applied to what users see and touch.

Santa Fe is new for 2007 and a bit less than 3 inches wider and a little more than 3 inches longer. It makes an ideal alternative to a sedan, with roomy cargo space and an option to add a pair of third-row seats.

Front headroom is generous at 40.2 inches, and there's a commanding view over the hood. Rear-seat legroom is generous at 38.6 inches, the seat backs recline and the center seat position is decent with adequate foot room provided by the low exhaust/transmission tunnel.

Interior design isn't gimmicky. All switches and controls have ergonomic placement and are easily understood without continual references to the owner's manual.

And its Santa Fe is covered with the Hyundai warranty of five years/60,000 miles for basic coverage with roadside assistance. And 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain.

A basic front-wheel drive, manual transmission Santa Fe with a 185-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 has a starting price of $21,715. Add $1,200 for a four-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission and the fuel economy goes up 1 mpg from the manual in city and highway driving to 21/26 mpg.

As a basic, grocery-getting, kid-hauling or kid-driving transportation, the Santa Fe GLS is well-endowed with standard safety features including electronic stability control, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, traction control and six air bags, including side curtain bags.

Other standard equipment includes remote locking, air conditioning, tilt-telescopic steering wheel, rear privacy glass, six-speaker CD-audio system, power (heated) outside mirrors and windows, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

For another $1,500, the midrange SE is more of a keeper and adds a five-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission and a 242-hp, 3.3-liter V-6. Also included are extras such as 18-inch wheels, an auto-dimming inside mirror with compass readout, fog lights and automatic headlights, steering-wheel audio controls and a cargo net.

The top-line Limited with all-wheel drive - $28,045 - is the choice for those buyers who could afford to buy a larger vehicle but prefer driving richly in a smaller package. There is a little more chrome on the outside, the leather is attractive and the front seats are heated with power lumbar for the driver.

As equipped, the Limited seems almost too well-appointed to allow unruly children to scuff up or to toss bags of potting soil into the cargo area.

About the only option Hyundai doesn't offer is a navigation system.

Unlike some luxury-brand SUVs, buying the Santa Fe can be justified as a lifestyle need - but it's classy enough to satisfy a want.

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SPECS

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD

Body style: compact, five-passenger SUV, two- or all-wheel drive

Engine: 242-horsepower, 3.3-liter V-6

Transmission: five-speed Shiftronic automatic

EPA estimated fuel mileage: 19 mpg city, 24 highway; 87 octane recommended

PRICING

MSRP: $28,715; price as tested, $28,810

Options on test car: carpeted floor mats, $95

Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles basic coverage with roadside assistance; 10 years/100,000 miles powertrain; 7 years/unlimited miles for rust protection.

Where assembled: Montgomery, Ala.

Competition: Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander, Saturn Vue, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.

By Mark Maynard - Wednesday, July 18 2007

Gary Rome Hyundai Announces A Free Car Seat Clinic

GARY ROME HYUNDAI ANNOUNCES A FREE CAR SEAT CLINIC

HOLYOKE, Mass. - Gary Rome of Gary Rome Hyundai announced a Car Seat Clinic for Wednesday July 25th, 2007. Gary Rome Hyundai in conjunction with Baystate Children's Hospital and Safe Kids of Western Massachusetts invite area parents to learn how to prevent injuries to children in motor vehicle crashes.

All children ages 12 and under should be properly restrained in a back seat on every ride. Volunteers from Westfield, Pittsfield and South Hadley Police Departments and technicians from Greenfield Ambulance Service will be on hand for the free clinic.

Visitors will learn how to correctly restrain the child as well as learn the proper installation of any car seat. Massachusetts has traffic laws the average parent may not fully understand. This clinic will clearly educate parents about age requirements, exemptions, enforcement procedures and penalties.

For more information and appointments call Baystate Children's Hospital at 413-794-2255. The Car seat Clinic is open to the public Wednesday July 25th between 10am and 2pm at Gary Rome Hyundai 1000 Main Street in Holyoke. No appointment is necessary.

Information is also available on the Gary Rome Hyundai website: www.garyromehyundai.com.

2008 Hyundai Veracruz Adds Navigation

2008 Hyundai Veracruz Adds Navigation

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., When introduced in 2007, the all-new 7-passenger Veracruz took the auto industry by storm, raising the bar on what consumers could expect in the premium, midsize crossover segment. Building on that momentum, the Veracruz gets even better for 2008, adding an all-new navigation system, designed for Hyundai by LG, one of the world's leading electronics manufacturers.

NEW EQUIPMENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2008
* LG navigation system
* Previously optional equipment on Limited model, now standard

    - Memory settings for power driver seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel
    - Power tilt/telescopic steering wheel
    - Adjustable gas and brake pedals
    - Proximity key with immobilizer
    - Rain-sensing wipers
    - 115-volt power outlet
    - Lighted door scuff plates

* Power tailgate and 115-volt outlet now available on SE model

Also for 2008, the Veracruz Limited model adds several high-demand features to its long list of standard equipment. This equipment includes: memory settings for the power driver seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, adjustable gas and brake pedals, proximity key with immobilizer, rain-sensing wipers, 115-volt power outlets and lighted door scuff plates.

A unique blend of substance, luxury and style, the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz targets the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, while offering the kind of upscale amenities and premium craftsmanship found in the Lexus RX350 and Mercedes-Benz ML.

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL

The Veracruz demonstrates Hyundai's product expansion and global design evolution through its continued use of organic forms to create a refined and luxurious exterior appearance. Fluid lines, which combine with integrated headlights and taillights, help create a unified aesthetic for the vehicle.

Up front, the sculpted bumper creates the appearance of additional height. Three-tiered headlights complement the design. The grille combines a flat-lined upper chrome bezel and a curved lower bezel. Distinctive character lines and a fast profile enhance the stylish, yet functional imagery of the vehicle. Adding to its appearance is the Veracruz's seductive beltline, which ascends from the wraparound headlights, around the tapering body, then down to the prominent tail lights. Chrome trim is strategically applied to highlight some of Veracruz's design features, but also works to create an elegant, luxurious presence for the vehicle. The prominent wheel arches house 17- or 18-inch wheels.

Smooth and solid in its stance, the Veracruz even impresses as it departs. The integrated rear fascia has a sculpted section that blends seamlessly into the sides of the tail lights. The tail lights angle towards the character line highlighting the rounded back glass and dual exhaust tips. A rear spoiler enhances the Veracruz's sporty profile.

INTELLIGENT INTERIOR

Inside, passengers are coddled in a rich, sophisticated environment inspired by boutique hotels. The result is an interior that could be found in the finest luxury sedans, thanks to intelligent ergonomic engineering, intuitive design, and superior craftsmanship by Hyundai designers and engineers. Hyundai has crafted a winner, combining space with elegance and including conveniences that exceed expectations.

Every major component of Veracruz has been designed to reduce cabin noise below that of the whisper-quiet Lexus RX350. To isolate outside noise, Hyundai applies acoustic dampening sheets to the doors and unibody, a steel plate beneath the engine and four layers of carpet padding. Engine noise is reduced through an electronically controlled engine mount, a multi-curvature dash, custom hood insulation and a pillow tripod joint, which lessens vibrations from the driveshaft at idle.

Seating for seven adults is made possible because of Hyundai's standard Hideaway™ third-row seat. Access to the third row is simple with the flip of a lever to slide the second row forward. Additionally, a well-thought out design means cargo space is abundant in the Veracruz. Although 9.7 inches shorter than the Mercedes Benz GL, the Veracruz still has more cargo volume.

Available dual-zone climate controls for driver and front-seat passenger further enhance the Veracruz's luxury credentials. Second- and third-row passengers enjoy a new level of comfort, due to B-pillar-mounted adjustable vents, rear HVAC controls and roof-mounted vents.

Brushed metal accents and blue backlighting for all interior gauges, switches and buttons highlight the modern, integrated interior design. Even the front cupholders are accented with blue light to aid nighttime driving, while soft blue lighting in the overhead console provides subdued mood lighting. Hyundai's focused attention to detail can be seen throughout the interior – console bins and the glovebox are lined with soft flocking material. Powerpoint caps, seatbelt buckles and cupholder inserts are color-keyed for design harmony. Soft-touch, high-quality materials, low-gloss surfaces and zero-tolerance fits are used throughout the interior.

An AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio®/CD/MP3 audio system includes an internal 172-watt amplifier and six speakers and comes standard in the Veracruz GLS and SE. The 315-watt Infinity® AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD-changer/MP3 audio system with subwoofer and external amplifier is standard on the Limited trim and optional in the SE. Audiophiles with even more demanding tastes will be impressed by the Infinity AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD-changer/MP3 audio system that includes a 605-watt external amplifier, 10 speakers and Logic 7® surround sound available on the SE and Limited trim levels.

The new LG navigation system available on Limited models includes touch screen functions, point-of-interest features for all entertainment needs and audio/visual prompts to assist in getting drivers to where they want to go. Other thoughtful convenience features include a proximity key, rain-sensing wipers, auto dimming exterior mirrors, mirror-mounted approach lights, adjustable pedals, memory settings for the power driver seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel, backup warning system, power liftgate, and a rear-seat entertainment system that includes a DVD player and eight-inch overhead LCD.

INNER POWER

On the street, the new Veracruz offers capable, fuel-efficient performance courtesy of a modern 3.8-liter DOHC V6 engine. It delivers 260 horsepower and 257 lb-ft. of torque. To maximize torque across the rev range, the engine utilizes Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on the intake valves and a Variable Intake System which helps cylinders breathe efficiently at both low and high RPM. The engine has an aluminum block and cylinder heads for light weight and thermal efficiency, and features a steel timing chain with no scheduled maintenance.

To reduce vibration, the engine rides on newly developed semi-active engine mounting, which consists of three passive mounts integrated with a controllable element, rpm sensor and solenoid valve. The active mount is vacuum-activated to offset engine vibrations. In fact, Veracruz has less idling vibration and noise than the Lexus RX350.

To help put the power to use, the engine is mated to an Aisin six-speed gearbox with SHIFTRONIC® manual control. The transmission offers silky smooth shifts and a wide spread of ratios that ideally suits the engine's capabilities. Drivers can access the SHIFTRONIC feature by moving the gear selector into a separate gate. Pushing the selector forward or pulling it rearward will shift the transmission up or down sequentially, adding to driver control. An LED readout on the instrument panel shows the gear that is in use. The transmission uses an integrated transmission control unit and low noise gears that help reduce friction.

All of this powertrain technology is put to efficient use in the Veracruz, which achieves a new EPA highway fuel economy estimate of 16 city/23 highway in front wheel drive models, and 15 city/23 highway in all wheel drive models, exceeding the smaller, less powerful Honda Pilot. Veracruz also delivers clean air, with a Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) classification.

CHASSIS FEATURES

Hyundai engineers benchmarked the best crossovers in the world before designing Veracruz's unibody and four-wheel independent suspension system. The rigid chassis and suspension geometry were specifically designed to deliver a supple, confident ride and help isolate the passenger cabin from imperfection in the road. The underpinnings are supported by a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension system.

Upfront, reverse L-shaped lower control arms and high caster angles provide superior steering feel and excellent straight-line stability. Large subframe bushings improve the ride and isolate unwanted noise, vibration and harshness. All four wheels are controlled by coil springs, fade-resistant, gas-charged dampers and front and rear stabilizer bars. The Veracruz GLS is equipped with 17-inch, five-split-spoke aluminum wheels and 245/65R17 tires, while the SE and Limited trims ride on 18-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels and 245/60R18 tires. Add in rack-and-pinion power steering, with a tighter turning radius than the shorter-in-length Lexus RX350 and Nissan Murano, and the end result is a vehicle with precise steering and handling, and a well-controlled yet comfortable ride.

AVAILABLE ELECTRONIC ALL WHEEL DRIVE

Hyundai has added an Intelligent Torque Controlled Coupling All Wheel Drive (AWD) system to propel Veracruz through the elements. Using wheel speed sensors to monitor the road and the driver, this electronic system can sense when and where more torque is required and route it there automatically. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a multi-plate clutch without any extra effort from the driver. An AWD lock mode can be engaged with the touch of a button, providing a 50:50 torque ratio when needed at low speeds.

SOPHISTICATED SAFETY SYSTEMS

The 2008 Veracruz embraces both active and passive safety with a host of leading-edge technologies. The vehicle's advanced engineering provides a high level of precision during all aspects of driving, and is anchored by standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the industry's most important new safety technology. By continually analyzing road speed, steering input, throttle position, lateral yaw rate and other factors, an onboard microprocessor determines if the vehicle is starting to understeer or oversteer, and automatically engages one or more brakes. The system also reduces engine output to help the driver maintain the intended path.

In addition, Veracruz adds large four-wheel disc brakes with a 10-inch tandem brake booster and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) for impressive stopping distance for a vehicle of its size. Brake Assist, which is also standard, maximizes braking force when an emergency stop is detected.

Veracruz's passive safety features are equally impressive, beginning with six total airbags, including advanced dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for all three rows of seating. In addition, active front head restraints help prevent whiplash. All seating positions feature three-point seatbelts, while the second and third rows also feature adjustable head restraints. Security is provided through a standard alarm system and available engine immobilizer.

To absorb impact to the passenger cabin, Hyundai engineers optimized crumple zones and reinforced the architecture's rails, side sill frame, floor cross-members and center pillars. These reinforcements have been tested thoroughly in laboratory and computer simulations. Veracruz has received the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) top five-star crash test rating for frontal and side impacts.

Convenient Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) points allow child seats to be secured in the second-row seats. Additional standard safety equipment includes a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which alerts drivers if one or more tires are under inflated. An illuminated readout on the dash lets drivers know the exact tire needing inflation so corrective action can be taken.

THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE DETAILS

As with all Hyundai vehicles, Hyundai put a great deal of thought and attention into every aspect of Veracruz. One touch opens and closes the available power tailgate, and the proximity key means no more fishing for keys with groceries in hand. Approach lights, sometimes referred to as "puddle lamps," can save your best pair of shoes. An integrated memory system returns the driver's seat to a default setting. Equipping the rear bumper with backup warning sensors makes parallel parking a snap. Aerodynamic wiper blades improve visibility, and two-way nozzles, each with four streams of fluid, provide for remarkably clean windshields. Making wireless phone calls in your Veracruz is easy using optional Bluetooth® wireless technology.

MODEL LINEUP

The Hyundai Veracruz comes in three distinct trim levels: The well-equipped GLS, sporty SE and premium Limited.

VERACRUZ GLS

Veracruz GLS comes well-equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, six-speed automatic transmission, ESC, ABS, rear spoiler, 17-inch alloy wheels and seating for seven. Also standard is a 172-watt AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system (which includes three months of complementary XM service), air conditioning with cabin filter, steering wheel audio/cruise controls, heated power side mirrors with approach lighting and side turn signal repeaters, front solar glass and rear privacy glass, remote keyless entry, and power windows and door locks. Interior safety features include active front head restraints, dual front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags plus side-curtain airbags. Other useful features include a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), a trip computer and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel. The Hyundai Hideaway™ third-row seat folds flat into the floor and is split 50/50, and the second and third row have their own roof-mounted vents and HVAC controls. The optional Premium Package adds a power tilt/slide glass sunroof, power driver seat, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and backup warning system.

VERACRUZ SE - A SPORTIER FLAVOR OF VERACRUZ

In addition to all GLS equipment, the SE includes standard 18-inch alloy wheels, power driver seat, electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and HomeLink®, as well as front fog lights. A streamlined roof rack, center storage console with Cool Box functionality, auto-dimming exterior mirrors and automatic headlights are also standard equipment. An optional Premium & Leather Package adds a power tilt/slide glass sunroof, power tailgate, leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, 115-volt power outlet, a 315-watt Infinity audio system with CD changer and backup warning system. The available Entertainment Package (requires Premium and Leather Package) features a rear-seat entertainment system with an eight-inch LCD monitor, 605-watt Infinity AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD-changer/MP3 audio system with Logic 7® surround sound and conversation mirror.

VERACRUZ LIMITED - PREMIUM FEATURES, OUTSTANDING VALUE

Veracruz Limited includes all of the equipment found standard on the SE and adds standard leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, power front passenger seat, automatic temperature control, a 315-watt Infinity audio system with CD changer, power tilt and slide glass sunroof, power tailgate, chrome door handles and brushed metal door sill scuff plates. New for 2008 are more standard Limited features, including power-adjustable pedals, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, memory settings for the power driver seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel, blue backlit sill scuff plates, a 115-volt power outlet, a proximity key and rain-sensing wipers. An optional LG navigation system is offered for the first time in 2008, packaged with a 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 surround sound audio system.

A rear-seat DVD entertainment system, which features an eight-inch LCD monitor and an Infinity AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD-changer/MP3 Logic 7 surround sound audio package, is also available.

WARRANTY

The 2008 Hyundai Veracruz is protected by the Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty™. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Veracruz buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit), which includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip interruption expenses. There is no deductible on any of this coverage.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide.