Hyundai has been on a roll lately with one new vehicle launch after another. The All New Hyundai Sante Fe is next to be redesigned and Hyundai will debut the Santa Fe at the New York International Auto in April. Enjoy the these images until the full reveal next month.

Hyundai’s Genesis is building quite a new reputation for itself, and with the new 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec, things can only get better. We had the chance to spend a week behind the wheel of the new R-Spec and have plenty to say about this sport luxury sedan.

Exterior
The R-Spec has the new look of the Genesis and some options only available on this model. The first thing I noticed on it was the unique 19-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, which look absolutely stunning. Also featured on our test model were HID Xenon adaptive cornering headlights with LED accents with dark chrome inserts to help the Genesis stand out from the rest. Combined with the platinum metallic paint job, this car was making impressions before we even stepped inside. For the front view, the grille has been enhanced, sporting a more aggressive front fascia with larger intake openings developed to make lasting memories for those checking out the car in their rearview mirror and heated auto dimming outside mirrors with turn signal indicators. The overall look of the 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec screams power and attitude!

Check out the full review!

With the New Year brings new sheet metal and Bullz-Eye has identified 20 Cars to Look for in 2012!

Dodge Dart
Following the daft Dodge Caliber, Dodge is looking to redeem itself in the small car segment with the Dart. The Dart also marks the first fruit of Chrysler’s merger with Fiat, because underneath the Dodge skin lies Italian bones. And not just any bones either, but the platform of the Alfa Romeo Guilietta. The Dart will be powered by a host of new engines and transmission choices, also supplied by Fiat. No hatchback version will be offered, unfortunately, but the Dart is shaping up to be a serious contender in the small car marketplace.

Check out the rest of the 20!

Just when you thought you’ve seen it all from Hyundai this year, here comes the 2012 Veloster Ecoshift DCT with her three doors, aerodynamic design in a hatchback coupe! If you are a leader and definitely not a follower, take this Veloster for a test drive.

Exterior
What you read above is correct, as the Veloster is both a coupe and a hatchback but offers a revolutionary passenger side forward hinged rear door. In the past, some coupes have used limited access rear hinged access doors. These coupes have required opening the front door before the rear door could be opened, an inconvenience for drivers and passengers, and difficult to use in tight parking lot situations. Hyundai’s new thinking implements a conventionally hinged door on the passenger side, providing safe and easy access to the rear seats and a hidden door handle to maintain its coupe design. You have to do a double take to even notice the neatly designed door into the curved exterior of the Veloster. Our century white test model sported 18 inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, chrome grille surrounded with piano black headlights and front fog lights. From the hood scoop to the muscular and athletic appearance this car is a looker!

Read the full review.

Hyundai is keeping the pedal to the medal with millions of dollars in television advertising being earmarked for the upcoming Super Bowl. This is a great way to increase brand awareness and to work your way deeper into Amercian Culture. if done correctly it can work as with the Chrysler 200 pairing with Eminem last year!

From the Detroit News:

Detroit — Hyundai Motor Co. is hoping that five television spots before and during the Feb. 5 Super Bowl game will help to bolster its rising brand recognition and continue big sales gains from the past few years.

North American CEO John Krafcik says the fast-growing brand is working on a 60-second spot that will run right before kickoff, plus two ads on the pregame show and two during the first and third quarters of the game.

He wouldn’t say how much the Korean automaker is spending on the ads, which will compete with the most creative spots American companies have to offer during one of television’s highest-rated and most expensive sporting events. Last year Super Bowl ads cost companies about $3 million for 30 seconds.

Chrysler Group LLC’s two-minute spot featuring rapper Eminem was among those that created the most Super Bowl buzz last year, and it helped kick off what has been a strong sales year for the recovering company. The cinematic third-quarter ad showed Eminem driving through Detroit and introduced a new car, the Chrysler 200 sedan, amid gritty scenes of the city. A voiceover talked about how the city has survived going through “hell and back.”

Krafcik said Hyundai hopes to have standout spots as well, but it will focus more on a brand message rather than going for entertainment value.

Read the full article.

Hyundai has been on a roll with its new models as we’ve noted in our recent reviews. With its emphasis on aggressive and unique styling, leading gas mileage and overall value, Hyundai is being rewarded with steadily increasing sales. The Veloster coupe is no exception as we discovered when we drove this newly introduced model last week in Michigan.

Exterior
The styling of the new Veloster is truly impressive. As you can see from the photos, Hyundai is going for a new generation of buyers with Veloster. The front end is very assertive with the wraparound headlights and prominent lower grille. LED headlight accents also come standard. The rear view is equally aggressive, and I liked the centered placement of the rear exhaust pipes. Veloster comes with 17-inch alloy wheels standard and optional 18-inch wheels with painted inserts that match the color of the vehicle. Consumers can also personalize body graphics when ordering their Veloster which should appeal to younger buyers.

The hidden third door stands out however as my favorite styling feature. The door is located on the passenger side and the door handle is hidden in the top left corner in the black trim area when you stand facing that side of the vehicle. With this convenience the coupe is much more functional as back seat passengers can avoid crawling in and out of the vehicle. The executives at Hyundai were non-committal when asked by reporters about the possibility of adding a fourth door on the driver’s side, but that’s hardly necessary.

Read the full article.

Tom Orlando of Bullz-Eye.com breaks down the 2011 Hyundai Equus Signature from inside out.

The 2011 Hyundai Equus Signature is large and luxurious with the confidence necessary to compete in the full size sedan luxury market. We spent a week behind the wheel of this gorgeous automobile and came away with the following impressions.

Exterior
The 2011 Hyundai Equus Signature sparkled in the sun with its Black Noir pearl finish. The chrome accents and stealth design provoke a “what is that car” reaction everywhere. This flagship had to make the statement that the Equus can compete with the big boys. There is no doubt that the exterior design is on the mark. Our model sported 19-inch chrome alloy wheels with P245/45R19 and P275/40R19 tires, HID Xenon headlights with auto leveling, auto cornering, power folding heated auto and dimming mirrors with turn indicators. There is a smooth flow to the sheet metal with the front grille sporting the striking logo. Heading to the rear, the Equus takes cues from her rivals but still holds on to her own identity. This car is long at 203 inches but the design team did well by keeping the look of the 2011 Equus just as refined as it is luxurious.

Interior
The sheer size of the cabin on the 2011 Hyundai Equus Signature grabbed our attention immediately. Our media test model came equipped with cashmere premium leather seating surfaces and an exquisite micro suede headliner. Together these surfaces set the tone for an upscale feel that you normally find in much more expensive models. The Equus Signature was loaded with amenities like 9 airbags, lane departure warning system, smart cruise control with proximity key entry with push button start, power-tilt and slide glass sunroof, front and rear parking assistance system with rearview camera, 12-way power driver seat with lumbar/ 10 way passenger seat. The incredible driver’s seat had a massage system, was heated and cooled and sat in front of a heated heated wood rimmed leather wrapped steering wheel.

Read the full review.

Equus is the top of the line in a growing and stylish Hyundai brand. We were very impressed with the largess, design and luxurious appointments of the Equus. The moment you get behind the wheel it’s very clear that the Equus is a serious player in the luxury market. While we test the 2011 Hyndai Equus check out this gallery and watch out for our full review.

Check out the full article.

Bullz-Eye.com’s Tom Orlando reviews the 2011 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 Sedan!

Hyundai dramatically improved their 2011 lineup with a refined and more powerful Hyundai Genesis. After a week behind the wheel of this gem, we were officially fans. We recently drove the coupe model and were very impressed, so naturally we were interested to see how the sedan stacked up.

Exterior
Our test model was metallic titanium gray sporting 18-inch hyper silver alloy wheels and from the time you first lay eyes on this sedan you can’t help but admire the overall sleek design. The smooth and silky exterior is dressed to impress with HID xenon adaptive headlights, illuminated door sill plates and a front end that much more expensive autos can only envy. Dogleg rear pillars and the angular body design keep admirers wondering which luxury brand this vehicle belongs to. The chrome accents only increase the appeal of the 2011 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 and raises expectations when entering the cabin.

Check out the full review.

In a recent Consumer Reports test, the new Honda Civic scored too low for them to recommend. The Honda Civic has long been a CR darling for an infuriatingly long time, until now. They report:

So what happened? The new Civic feels insubstantial with a cheap interior. You don’t get much feature content for the $19,405 that our Civic LX automatic costs, either. That’s a problem given the high bar set in this class by the new-to-market Chevrolet Cruze, the redesigned-for-2012 Ford Focus, and the redesigned-for-2011 Hyundai Elantra.

But a savvy buyer could sit in a showroom and realize those Civic shortcomings. The problems that really hurt the Civic’s score run deeper and they showed up at our test track. Stopping distances are long. The steering is lightly weighted and comes up short on feedback. Body lean appears early in the corners. The ride is marred by frequent short pitches. And road noise still remains an annoying companion.

So, why now? Well, the Civic is fresh off a lukewarm redesign that saw a few bits like the interior and exterior tweaked, while the engine and suspension were either unchanged or softened. These changes were somehow deemed sufficient against an incredibly strong field of competitors. It is almost as if Honda was a procrastinating college freshmen during finals time. They waited until the last night, got drunk, and then tried to turn in what they did last time.

The worst part of this news is the timing. The Civic’s mediocrity comes during the strongest small car market to date. The Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, are ALL better then the dowdy Civic and the geriatric Corolla. At least the Civic is still ahead of the dreadful new VW Jetta.

It is with mixed feelings that this news is viewed. It is saddening to see what was once such a fine product be tarnished by ignorant product planners. Such talent wasted. It is especially to hard to realize that what made Honda great- clean styling, great driving dynamics, in a cheap and efficient package- is gone. It is like watching your favorite sports star phone it in on the court, night after night, or like the career of LeBron James.

On the other hand, this news brings much glee. Now, it is out in the open about the Civic and Honda’s mediocrity. For far too long, they have ridden reputation and marketing to hold onto their spot in the marketplace, instead of having a superior product. The domestic and Korean competition has been leagues better, yet the ignorant car buying public refused to see the evidence. Now, there is nowhere to turn. The most objective source available has called your “tried and true choice” a turd.

So yes, a bit of schadenfreude is in order. It is enjoyable to see a car that was undeserving of its praise be knocked down a few pegs. It is also enjoyable to see companies like Ford, Chevy, and Hyundai receive the recognition they deserve for doing the math and making great cars. Here’s also hoping that this news spurs Honda to start making great cars again, instead of using marketing muscle to spin their way to undeserved praise.

Source: Consumer Reports