Hyundai Highlights - 2010 and 2011

by Nathan Adlen from Vehix.com Friday, January 15, 2010

Hyundai has stood in the shadows too long. They are already competitive with any foreign or domestic automaker and have shed any lingering memories of their entry-level past.

Hyundai placed two vehicles in the JDPower.com 2010 Buying Guides. The 2010 Hyundai Elantra (view photos) picked up awards in the compact and sedan buying guides. Perhaps more remarkable is that the 2010 Hyundai Genesis (view photos) took its rightful place with Lexus and Mercedes in the 2010 Luxury Buying Guide as well as Sedan Buying Guide.

With the advent of these impressive machines, Hyundai is on the verge of becoming a world-class automaker. This is a title very few automakers deserve or attain.

From what we’ve seen, Hyundai is nearly there.

Every year their designs improve, engineering takes a step up and their sales increase. Hyundai is clearly doing something right. Considering they are one of only a few automakers that posted recent sales gains, perhaps others should take notes.

Below are three Hyundai vehicles that caught our attention at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

2011 Hyundai Sonata

It’s easy to get lost in the fantasy world of concept cars at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. One vehicle that stopped us in our tracks and registered as a concept vehicle is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. But this car is no concept; it’s the real thing.

This 2011 Hyundai Sonata is simply stunning.

No, it’s nothing like the agreeable 2010 Hyundai Sonata (view photos) that is comparable to top cars like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry – this is a very different machine. Hyundai is aiming higher than Toyota and Honda with this one. Pictures simply do not do the new Sonata justice. We wondered if this design was used in a Spielberg Sci-fi movie… but it truly is going into production.

Hyundai built the 2011 Sonata big, really big. Its overall size rating by the EPA is considered a “large” rather than a “mid-sized” car. It’s ultra modern too, with a direct-injection, 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine that produces a meaty 198 horsepower. Gas mileage is expected to be 23 mpg city and 35 mpg highway (with the automatic transmission), which is excellent for a vehicle this size.

Better still, there will be a 6-speed manual transmission available. There is also a brand new, Hyundai-designed 6-speed automatic that will have paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

A sportier version will be available with 200 horsepower, larger wheels and sporty suspension. In the near future, Hyundai will offer a more powerful turbocharged engine and a hybrid.

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a car worth seeking out in the near future.

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a successful blend of comfort, practicality, utility and value. This is an excellent vehicle that I have abused several times in the Rockies with nothing but good results. Although the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe’s external design remains mostly unchanged, the powertrain and transmission have undergone significant transformations.

New for 2010 is the Santa Fe’s 276 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 transmission, which marks a major gain over the old engine. The V6 makes the Hyundai Santa Fe capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds. A brand new 175-horsepower four-cylinder engine is available, which produces 169 pound-feet of torque and is capable of 20 miles per gallon and 28 highway. This places the Santa Fe at the head of its class.

Two six-speed transmissions are available for the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. Although the V6 strictly gets the automatic 6-speed transmission, the 4-cylinder can include a 6-speed manual transmission. What a novel and fun idea. No word on whether Hyundai will make an AWD version of their 4-cylinder with a manual transmission.

2010 Hyundai Tucson

This is a completely new vehicle with styling so aggressive and chic that more than one observer had to recheck the badge. Folks, this is a sharp looking, sophisticated machine replacing a somewhat timid forerunner. Nothing like the 2009 Tucson.

Currently, the only engine available is a 176 horsepower 2.4 liter 4-cylinder. Rumor has it that Hyundai may add a turbocharged engine to the Tucson (view photos) as a high performance, optional upgrade.

A new 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission is available. Both are developed in-house by Hyundai. We expect the manual transmission will only be available with the front wheel drive (FWD) Tucson. These transmissions are said to be extremely smooth and efficient.

Interior materials are comparable to many higher-end automakers like Acura and Volkswagen. The interior design is far more sporting than any mid-market crossover SUV has a right to be. We were profoundly impressed.