Hyundai Sonata

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Hyundai claims another honor via J.D. Power's customer loyalty crown

Hyundai has claimed another honor, the time it's been ranked highest among all automotive brands in J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Customer Retention Study. Now in its ninth year, the study measures the rate at which automotive brands retain their existing customers and examines the reasons why customers remain loyal. Hyundai earned the top spot in the study, improving its retention rate by four percentage points from 2010 to 64 percent in 2012. According to J.D. Power and Associates, Hyundai's increased retention rate is shaped by its expanding model lineup, as well as the fact that perceptions of the brand's quality and appeal have continued to improve during the past decade. The 2012 Hyundai Elantra was a top pick among

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Hyundai shines in 2011 with Sonata, Elantra driving 20 percent sales increase

Hyundai Motor America had a record year sales year in 2011. In addition to the Hyundai Elantra selling more than one million units worldwide, the South Korean manufacturer had its largest-selling in the United States with a sales increase of 20 percent over 2010 totals. The Alabama-built Sonata and North American Car of the Year finalist Elantra both set full-year records with sales of 225,961 units (up 15 percent) and 186,361 (up 41 percent), respectively. Seven of the 10 vehicle styles Hyundai sold in the United States in 2011 had increased sales, with the Azera and Santa Fe the only styles that sold few units in 2011 than in 2010. The 2012 Hyundai Veloster joined the Hyundai lineup in 2011.

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Hyundai, Toyota shine among TheWeeklyDriver.com's 2011 Top-10 Cars

TheWeeklyDriver.com had its most successful year in 2011. We posted plenty of car news and automotive trends articles, and we incorporated a good supply of independently produced videos to complement the approximately 100 vehicles we reviewed. As editor and publisher of the site, I reviewed 29 cars and trucks in 2011. I drove more than a dozen other vehicles at press launches for several automakers, and I want to thank the nearly dozen manufacturers I worked with in 2011 for their continued support. Thanks also to Michael Dobrin Public Relations, Page One Automotive and STI Fleet, for their continued logistics and manufacturer liaison assistance. In July, I traveled to the Tour de France for the 13th time. There's no better

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Hyundai sets record yearly sales mark in 10 months

Hyundai, capitalizing on the increasing popularity of its Sonata, Elantra and new Veloster models, has eclipsed its previous yearly sales record after the first 10 months of 2011. Hyundai sold 538,228 vehicles in the United States in 2010, but through October this year has sold 545,316 vehicles — an increase of 27 percent from October, 2010. Year to date, Hyundai sales are up 21 percent versus the 2010 in total, and up 31 percent at retail. Sales to fleet accounts represent 11 percent of the total sales year-to-date and eight percent for the month of October. Thirty-seven percent of Hyundai vehicles sold in October achieved 40 MPG fuel economy ratings. Santa Fe and Tucson, Hyundai’s crossover line-up, registered sales increases

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Hybrid market expands in 2012, Toyota Prius v to BMW

Citing impressive statistics, the Auto Channel on MSN.com has a comprehensive listing of 2012 hybrids, from the industry standard Toyota Prius to its new sibling, the Prius v, as well as debuting high-end offerings from Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. MSN.com states as many as 50 hybrids could be on the market by 2015 and that ghe overall hybrid market share has nearly doubled in 2011 to about two percent. Here, for example. is what MSN.com said about the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Toyota Prius v: Hyundai Sonata: "This impressive hybrid entry is fast gaining converts, and it's not hard to see why: The Sonata is a fully equipped, smartly designed midsized fuel sipper, comparable to but cheaper than hybrid versions

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Hyundai lands three models on Forbes' best used cars list

Hyundai has three vehicles among the best value used cars available in the U.S. market, according to a new report on Forbes.com. The Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Sonata all made the list among the 11 best 2008 cars selected. According to Forbes, the supply of used cars has diminished in recent years because car owners are keeping cars longer for economic reasons. Forbes also reports the average price of a 1-to-3 year-old used car has increased from about $15,000 in 2008 to about $23,000 in 2011. As one example, Forbes wrote about the 2008 Hyundai Elantra: "While the previous generation Elantra compact sedan isn’t as expressively styled as the current model, it performs well in most respects and

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LA Auto Show, 2011: BMW i8 Concept to Toyota Prius Plug-in

Fuel Efficiency and Green will be among automakers' key topics at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show — from entry level brands to high performance machines. As the first major North American auto show of the season, the 2011 L.A. Auto Show is scheduled Nov. 18-27 and will host some of the industry's most important new vehicle debuts. New entries into this fuel-efficient category include the Hyundai Veloster, the 2012 Kia Rio and the 2012 Mazda3 with SKYACTIV technology. Mazda's new SKYACTIV powertrain and chassis technologies will also be featured in the North American Debut of its all-new CX-5 crossover. BMW will introduce new, more-powerful, four-cylinder engine technology, but placed in popular performance cars-the Z4 and 528. Both boast improved

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Toyota Avalon, 2012: New year, no changes from 2011

One year after its redesign, the 2012 Toyota Avalon arrives unchanged with a 268-horsepower V6 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and an EPA highway estimate of 29 miles per gallon Avalon’s 106.9 cubic feet of passenger space and 14.4-cubic foot trunk put it in the EPA’s "large car” category and it's about nine inches longer than the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata. The 2012 Avalon is available in two grades, Avalon and Avalon Limited. Both are equipped with leather-trimmed interior, eight-way power driver’s seat, back-up camera, dual zone automatic climate control with air filtration, moonroof and 17-inch alloy wheels. The Avalon Limited in addition features heated and cooled front seats, an eight-way front passenger’s seat with lumbar support,

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Toyota Camry, 2012: More spacious, more powerful

Toyota has launched the seventh-generation Camry, the perennially best-selling sedan. The Japanese manufacturer hopes it will again fare well in the competitive car segment that includes top rivals Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Chevrolet Malibu. If history repeats itself, the Camry will sell well. More than 15 million Camry models have sold worldwide since the car debuted in 1983. The 2012 Camry features increased interior room and will offer improved driving and a quieter driver, according to the manufacturer. "The all-new 2012 Camry blends an evolution of the car's values — such as comfort, efficiency, reliability and safety — with a more appealing design and engaging driving experience," said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general

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Hyundai Azera 2012: Redesigned sedan set for LA debut

The redesigned 2012 Hyundai Azera, the poorest-selling of the hot-selling manufacturer’s models which will be available early next year, will be unveiled in November at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. “We’re in the final stages of ride/handling tuning for the 2012 Azera, and it’s dialing in nicely,” said John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, on the company’s Twitter account. Hyundai Azera Specs Not Available Hyundai has not released details of the new design, but a company spokesperson to the automotive site Inside Line that the Azera will get get the “fluidic design language of the Hyundai Sonata, Elantra and Accent.” Some automotive websites have reported the Azera may get a new 3.3-liter direct-injection V6 producing around 300 horsepower.

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Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2011: car review

Its lithium polymer battery technology was first showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show three years ago. And the result is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, the South Korean manufacturer’s first hybrid. The Sonata Hybrid, which debuted in February, features a 2.4-liter engine with six-speed automatic transmission, a 30kw electric motor and lightweight lithium polymer batteries. Like many of its siblings, the Sonata Hybrid had an impressive arrival. With its new sloping design and other innovations, the Sonata was among five finalists for the 2011 Green Car of the Year. Yet, despite gaining substantial acclaim from publications ranging from the New York Times to Edmunds.com, the Sonata Hybrid’s first five months have been unheralded. Reasons are two-fold: the Nissan Leaf and

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Hyundai Sonata, 2012: Better mpg, more standard features

Hyundai, the hottest-selling manufacturer in the United States, has further intensified the midsize sedan segment by increasing gas mileage and including Blue Link as a standard feature on the 2012 Sonata. Blue Link® from Hyundai provides up-to-the-minute traffic and weather information and is a lifeline to emergency services and roadside assistance. Synched to a smart phone, Blue Link will let the owner know where their Sonata is in a crowded baseball stadium parking lot or shopping center. In addition to Blue Link, the 2012 Sonata will feature more safety, technology and convenience offerings including, HD Radio Technology and new seven-inch touch-screen navigation. Source: hyundaiusa.com. Facts & Figures: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Specification Details Engine 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder Transmission Automatic 6-spd Drivetrain

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Hyundai Accent 2012: 40 mpg, 138 horsepower, $12,445

With the new 2012 Hyundai Accent debuting this summer, the South Korean carmaker will have an industry-leading four models expected to receive 40 mpg mileage estimates. In addition to the Accent, which had another unveiling at the New York International Auto Show, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Veloster are predicted to join the 40 mpg fraternity. The 2012  Hyundai Accent, will feature a a 138-horsepower, 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine paired with standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. Standard safety will include: six airbags, stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes. The Accent GLS with a six-speed manual ($12,445), will place the entry level Hyundai in rare company as among the lowest priced cars available in

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Ford, Hyundai top fastest 2011 cars under $30,000

Forbes.com compiles innovation car lists, best used cars to most cost effective hybrids. The business website’s latest car list in the top-10 fastest 2011 cars that cost less than $30,000. The list extends from the Ford Mustang GT to the Hyundai Sonata SE, one of most increasing popular cars in the United States. Forbes.com used 0-60 mph times for 2011 models tested by Edmunds’ InsideLine.com. The 10 fastest that cost $30,000 or less made the cut. As Forbes.com stated, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage (4.1 seconds) and Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid (3.1 seconds) are too expensive for the list. Here’s the information on the Hyundai Sonata SE, the 10th-fastest car with a price less $30,000, as well as the complete

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Hyundai Sonata, Buick Regal among best 'budget luxury' cars

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (113.5KB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe once standard belief a luxury car was defined by price is no longer valid. The current average price of a new car in the United States, slightly more than $29,000, is also slightly less than the former $30,000 launching point for a luxury vehicle. More pertinent today for a vehicle to be considered a luxury car are its features, comfortable interior to smooth ride to quality lists of option packages. Which is why CNNMoney.com has listed the Buick Regal, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Taurus, Kia Optima, Subaru Legacy and Chrysler 300 as 2011 cars it calls “budget luxury.” The site describes the Buick Regal (turbo), priced at

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Mazda3 2011 awarded IIHS top safety pick rating

The 2011 Mazda 3 sedan/hatchback, after earning the top rating of good for roof strength in rollover crashes, qualifies as a Top Safety Pick among small cars by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). The Mazda3, which previously earned good ratings for front, side, and rear crash protection, is the manufacturer’s first car designated as a Top Safety Pick since the Institute made the criteria more strict by including a requirement for a good rating in the roof strength test. Two tests were conducted in order to rate the 4-door sedan and hatchback versions. The sedan’s roof withstood a force equal to 5.32 times the car’s weight. The hatchback’s roof withstood a force equal to 5.09 times its weight.

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