Hyundai (17)
Compact cars do not dominate auto sales, but there is still a market for them. And for many of the folks who do crave a smaller ride, one key element they are focused on is strong fuel mileage/eco-friendly features.
Beyond hybrids and electric vehicles, most automakers offer some sort of standard gas-powered vehicle that would appeal to this crowd.
One vehicle that qualifies in this segment is Hyundai’s 2018 Elantra sedan, specifically the Eco trim level with highway fuel mileage of 40 mpg.
I recently tested the 2018 Elantra Eco, and I’m back with a full report on what it has to offer.
LOOKS
In the grand scheme of the small car segment, the Elantra’s outside looks are among the best in the segment. You get an eye-catching design, with unique headlamps and grille.
The Elantra Eco comes with 15 inch tires, plus LED daytime running lights.
Not all vehicles named Santa Fe are the same. Knowing that one size won’t fit all SUV shoppers, Hyundai aims to please all potential buyers with both a three-row Santa Fe model, plus a two-row Santa Fe Sport model -- because for many people that third row would never be used.
I recently spent some time in a 2018 Santa Fe Sport, and I’m back with a full report on how it stacks up in the SUV landscape (hint: pretty well).
LOOKS
If you’re looking to make an impression, the exterior profile of the 2018 Santa Fe Sport really does stand out in the class. While not overly fancy, it’s got an attractive grille and headlight design, and a somewhat sleek package for an SUV.
The vehicle I tested, a 2018 Santa Fe Sport 2.0T Ultimate AWD, featured 19-inch alloy wheels, roof side rails, LED daytime running lights, fog lights, auto HID headlights, LED taillights, and power side mirrors with turn signal indicators.
Inside, there were sharp wood highlights spread throughout the interior, plus truly comfortable leather seating, not to mention an attractive panoramic sunroof that lets you appreciate the outside world more while driving. Leather was also featured on the steering wheel and shift knob.
Contrary to what you may be hearing, not everyone wants to drive an SUV. Sure they take over more and more the sales charts each year, but don’t discount the fact that some folks out there don’t need to carry a bunch of people around or a lot of cargo space. They want a small, fun, sporty ride that they can enjoy.
Enter a couple of contenders in this arena, which I recently was able to test:
In this corner, the new 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport, a capable ride with a strong level of nimbleness. In the other, the 2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring, which annually draws solid support from those of us who love to drive (and from buyers, as the Mazda3 is the top selling Mazda worldwide).
Here’s a full rundown of what each of these vehicles has to offer to those looking in this segment.
In the arena of compact vehicles, Hyundai makes sure to have you covered at all angles. Their Elantra lineup features everything from a Euro-styled GT hatchback model, to an Eco sedan, to a Sport sedan … and then there’s the old standby, a regular compact sedan.
That final one is the version I recently tested, the 2018 Elantra SEL, and I’m back with a full report on how it measures up in the compact sedan segment.
LOOKS
The big difference when you go to the standard sedan, as opposed to the hatchback version of the Elantra, is less storage space.
By comparison, the GT hatchback offered 25 cubic feet of storage even with the back seats up. In the SEL sedan I tested, that number is 14.4 cubic feet. So if storage is a dealbreaker for you, you need to go the GT route. If you don’t plan to haul a lot of things in the back of your vehicle, you can go the sedan route and save a few grand.
Hyundai has added the 2018 Plug-in Hybrid model to its Ioniq line-up for the 2018 model year, along with new features for Ioniq hybrid and electric models. The growing eco-focused Ioniq line-up is the first to offer three distinct electrified powertrains on a single, dedicated vehicle platform. The Ioniq Plug-in hybrid is priced starting at $24,950.
Powertrain choice
Developed for high-energy efficiency without compromising driving performance, every Ioniq powertrain represents a unique and uncompromising solution towards a cleaner means of mobility.
The new 2018 Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid provides an all-electric range of more than 29 miles, 119 MPGe in EV mode and 52 MPG in hybrid mode based on EPA estimates, powered by a potent 8.9 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid features a new Kappa 1.6L direct-injected Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with a thermal efficiency of 40 percent and delivering an estimated 104 horsepower and an estimated 109 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine has been specifically tailored to the hybrid application and is combined with a quick-shifting six-speed double-clutch transmission – differentiating Ioniq from its key competitors with a more dynamic and engaging driving experience. The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid’s estimated 45kW (60 horsepower) electric motor is coupled with a 1.6-liter direct-injected Atkinson four-cylinder Kappa engine. The high-efficiency electric motor can operate at speeds up to 75 MPH and delivers instantaneous torque at low speeds, with available power-assist at higher vehicle speeds.
There seems to be an endless stream of midsize sedans available these days, so it’s easy to lose sight of some of the better options. One such diamond in the rough is the updated 2018 Hyundai Sonata, which faces tough competition but holds its own against the Camry/Accord/Fusion/Mazda6, etc. brigade.
Here are a handful of key points you need to know about the Sonata if you’re shopping for midsize sedans.
Stellar safety ratings
Let’s talk crash test numbers. You get a 5-star government safety rating overall; and 5 star ratings for front crash (driver and passenger sides) and side crash (front and rear seats); The only non 5-star rank is the 4-star rollover rating. Not too shabby.
In addition, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is now standard equipment on the Sonata. That’s something that’s only optional on the competition, so it’s a score for the Sonata. Other safety features such as forward collision warning, lane keep assist and auto emergency braking are optional.
No ifs, ands or buts about it: When Hyundai came up with the new Ioniq -- which comes in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV-only varieties -- it had one thing on its mind: Siphoning buyers away from the Toyota Prius.
That’s no easy task, with the Prius having carried the banner for hybrids for two decades now, but it’s a task Hyundai is taking seriously.
Of the three versions of the Ioniq, I tested the one that is most accessible and likely to succeed, the hybrid, and I’m back with a full report.
LOOKS
If we’re talking hybrids and the topic is looks, there’s bound to be some shade thrown in the process. That’s because these vehicles often have what I can only call “unique” looks, that won’t always sit well with everyone. Thankfully, the design of the Ioniq hybrid is somewhat tame compared to the goofier/bolder design of the Prius, which may be a blessing for Hyundai if people cross-shop. Even those who love driving a Prius often mention the looks as something that could be improved, and I would say the Ioniq wins the beauty contest, both inside and out, over the Prius.
Special editions are often a topic of debate among automotive aficionados -- some see them as gimmicky and unnecessary, but others applaud the diversity of models that they bring.
One particular trick that you see automakers pull out from time to time is the all-black look, and that’s what Hyundai did for its “Night” edition of the 2017 Tucson, which I recently spent some time in.
So what’s the verdict? Read on for the details.
LOOKS
As you might guess from its name, the Hyundai Tucson Night is black all around. That includes the exterior (Black Noir Pearl to be exact, a particularly striking shade of black), its 19-inch alloy wheels and their black finish, and black interior seating.
Put me in the camp of loving these special editions, especially when they come together this well. The Tucson Night looks super sharp, by any measure. It’s got an almost aggressive look to it, which fits well with the paint scheme.
A mainstay of the compact car segment for a quarter-century, Hyundai’s Elantra comes in many forms, from its base SE model to the Eco version to the Sport version, and a few in between.
But for 2018, the lineup gets another shakeup, this time with the introduction of the Elantra GT, a compact hatchback which ups the performance aspect a bit compared to the other choices.
I recently spent some time in an Elantra GT, which is based off the European version of the Elantra, and I’m back with a full report on how it measures up against other small hatches.
LOOKS
Being a hatchback, a form which is growing more common in this segment, the focus is going to be on storage space, and the Elantra GT delivers. You get ample trunk room (55 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, 25 with them up; numbers that rival some small SUVs).
But as far as using the back seat, you better have some kids or short adults sitting there. Such is the woe of the compact car segment -- you usually have to choose between more trunk or more back seat, and rarely if ever do you get both.
On the plus side, front seats are quite roomy and comfy, interior materials are above average quality, and the exterior of the Elantra GT is somewhat attractive for the segment, particularly up front. The vehicle offers 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, and projector headlights.
And for a smaller vehicle, there is a generous amount of storage locations for your keys and wallets and drinks and things (unlike some other vehicles, where that seems like an afterthought, or something not even thought about).
The successful all-electric car is the elusive white whale of the auto industry, with a variety of automakers chasing the dream with limited success over the years.
But the battle is heating up again and some strong contenders are emerging. Including a somewhat surprising entry, the brand new Hyundai Ioniq. New for 2017, it features three varieties: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric.
I recently tested the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, and I’m back with a full report on how it measures up.
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Hyundai has come a long way over the years to get the American public to respect its brand as reliable and a strong option to consider when purchasing a vehicle.
Now, it wants to show us its fun side. Enter the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport, a compact sedan with a big personality. I recently spent some time in one, and here are five things you need to know about the Elantra Sport if you’re in the market for a compact sedan.
1. Bigger than it looks
As far as sedans go, it’s pretty attractive by comparison, but not overly distinctive (few vehicles are these days).
The bladed front grille does stand out some, you get a decent amount of trunk space, and unlike some compact sedans rear space impresses.
You can sit three people in back and they’ll actual feel pretty comfortable for the most part (though I wouldn’t take it on a long road trip with that setup). Getting people around town is possible in this vehicle, unlike some other vehicles where the back seat is pretty useless.
If you’re looking for an SUV, Hyundai has probably got you covered. There’s the three-row Santa Fe offering (which is technically a mid-size SUV); the two-row Tucson (a compact SUV), and also the two-row Santa Fe Sport, which falls in the middle of the other two in terms of size and doesn’t really have a category.
Part of the confusion comes in because the Tucson was recently given a bit of a boost in size, pushing it closer to the Santa Fe Sport -- so the question becomes; If you were to choose between the two, which one is better?
Having recently spent time in both vehicles, I’m back with all the details on how to answer that question.
LOOKS
The difference here is best told in numbers.
You’ll get more cargo room in the Santa Fe Sport than in the Tucson (35.5 cubic feet, vs. 29.5); You’ll also enjoy a bit more rear legroom in the Santa Fe Sport, which is quite roomy for the segment (overall vehicle length is 185 inches, vs. 176 on the Tucson).
In addition to the length difference, the Santa Fe Sport is an inch wider and an inch taller. Weight is about 300 pounds more (3,760 vs. 3,475).
Inside both vehicles, Hyundai did a great job with quality of the interior design, which felt and looked high-end for the price range.
“Fun” is not the first word that comes to mind when you think midsize sedan, but Hyundai apparently didn’t get that memo.
With the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T, the experience is actually quite enjoyable and you’ll forget at times that this is a vehicle that can work as your family ride.
I recently spent a week driving a Sonata Sport 2.0T, and I’m back with a full report. With some strong competition like the Ford Fusion and the Mazda6, how does it hold up in comparison?
When piecing together the look and powertrain of a family-oriented ride like a crossover SUV, automakers have be careful to strike a balance. It’s got to be safe and sturdy, but still at last a little bit fun to drive. Not racecar-type fun, just a little punchy.
That’s the look and feel Hyundai is going for with their Santa Fe Sport, which I recently tested. How does it measure up against a bevy of crossover competition? I’m here with a full report.
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