Hyundai Sonata
Driven: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ 2.0T
Until now, Chevy only offered its Malibu as a mild-hybrid Eco and a rather tepid 2.5-liter four-pot. The arrival of the 2.0T delivers a healthy power boost to the Bowtie’s bread-and-butter sedan.
Quick Drive: 2012 Hyundai Azera
If you can get over the engine (and I can), then the Azera is an excellent big sedan. Its ride balances being smooth and quiet without feeling completely detached from the road like a Toyota Avalon or Buick Lacrosse. Wind and road noise are well controlled, as well.
Driven: 2013 Nissan Altima
Over the next 15 months, Nissan will be rolling out 5 all-new models. As the brand strives to take over 10 percent of the total market share in the next few years, it has got a lot riding on these new cars, which will make up the bulk of Nissan’s sales. First up is the new 2013 Altima, which we were invited to drive in Nashville, where the company’s North American headquarters are located. For us, this opportunity to drive the new sedan is like a small glimpse into the future, so we headed down to Music City to try out this automotive crystal ball.
First Look: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai has given a massive revamp to its Santa Fe range at this year’s New York Auto Show. Two different body styles and three different engines are just a few of the changes for 2013.
Driven: 2012 Hyundai Azera
Hyundai has done with the Azera what it did with the Sonata, Genesis, and Equus. It’s built a car that is exceptionally styled, packed with technology and standard features, and bestowed with a comfortable, quality driving character. Considering the last-generation Azera’s anonymity, this new car represents a significant leap forward for Korea’s largest car manufacturer.
Quick Drive: 2012 Toyota Camry XLE 3.5
Now, make no mistake, this Camry is no sports sedan. The car is “all motor,” by which I mean the only really fun/dynamically distinguishing feature of the vehicle is the power it offers, and the quickness with which it lays that power down. The rest of the package is very subdued, soft, and quiet in terms of driver feedback.
Quick Drive: 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport
The Suzuki Kizashi is the best car Suzuki has ever sold. The Suzuki Kizashi is the best driver’s car in the mainstream (not premium) mid-size sedan segment. The Suzuki Kizashi is probably a better driver’s car than a handful of sports sedans in a much higher tax bracket. This is a goodly powered, versatile, attractive four-door, with subtle-yet-aggressive handling characteristics, and no bad driveline options (I thoroughly enjoy both the AWD/CVT car, and the FWD/6MT, for different reasons).
Quick Drive: 2012 Chevrolet Volt
I’m always impressed by the smoothness in the Chevy Volt’s ride. It feels like it glides across the surface of the road, but in a way that doesn’t feel floaty or unstable. The smoothness of the power delivery compounds this sensation, and anyone I’ve had in the car with me has made mention of it. For reference, another car that offers a remarkable gliding sensation would be the Hyundai Sonata Turbo.
Driven: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
This Sonata may lack the power and involvement of its siblings, but still makes a sound case for itself as an attractive, high-mpg device.
Blog: Car Shopping, Differentiation, And The Mazda6
If you have or are actually shopping for a mid-sized, mid-priced sedan, what are the “need to know” items that you want us to delineate in a review of a car like this? What are the “make or break” criteria you’re looking for? Or do you agree with the first impression that there isn’t much difference on offer here, and you decide by price and small personal preferences? Leave your answers below, in our comments section.
Quick Drive: 2011 Kia Optima EX
Here comes Optima, one of the best-looking sedans from the 2011 model year, hot on the heels of the Sportage and the Koup, two of the best looking entries in their respective market segments, too. All offer exterior design that manages to be a little bit edgy without stepping far enough outside of the mainstream to risk polarization. That’s a fine line to tread, and one that the Kia folks have tight-roped beautifully for two years now.
Quick Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T
The good news is that these “mainstream” turbo cars are lighter, more fuel efficient, and every bit as powerful as the larger displacement-motored vehicles they’re meant to replace. The bad news, at least for the enthusiast, fun-seeker, is that cars like the Sonata 2.0T haven’t actually been developed with the chassis, suspension, braking, etc upgrades to make them feel truly hot.
Finalists For North American Car And Truck Of The Year
The organizers of the North American Car And Truck Of The Year Awards have announced the three finalists for each category. The winners will be announced in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Hyundai Prices 2011 Sonata Hybrid
Hyundai has announced that the 2011 Sonata Hybrid, which carries a combined EPA rating of 37 mpg, will start at $25,795.
Driven: 2011 Hyundai Elantra
The newest generation of compact cars in America is virtually unrecognizable from the vehicles that wore that class designation in years past. Long regarded as the purview of those who could just barely make the cut as new a car buyer, the compact segment has, for decades, featured some of the slowest, cheapest, most undesirable cars available. Even for enthusiasts, who tend to understand a bit better the advantages to be had via lower curb weights and shorter wheelbases, the really attractive small car propositions often could only be found in European or Japanese Domestic Market fare.
Driven: 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS 6MT
It’s no secret to those who have been paying attention that Hyundai is on something of a roll, as exemplified by the flagship Genesis sedan and coupe, but also continuing down to some of the more mundane sedans and SUVs in the line. So, we suppose we shouldn’t have been surprised that a short while after Hyundai handed us the keys to a base Sonata we were thinking “this is pretty nice”. The surprise continued through our week with the car, with the growing recognition that this is an all-around win, not just a good effort that falls short but is well priced to compensate the buyer for his trouble.
Quick Drive: 2010 Buick LaCrosse CX
The Buick LaCrosse is not a driver’s car. If you are looking to tackle your favorite backroads with any measure of enthusiasm, definitely look elsewhere than this car, especially with the four-pot engine. It was not designed with this sort of driving in mind.
Spy Shots: Hyundai Sonata Touring Tests In The Alps
Our vigilant spy photographer has again caught the Hyundai Sonata wagon (perhaps to be called the Sonata Touring) out in the wild.
Quick Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited
The Sonata has huge potential in a highly competitive marketplace. The arrival of turbocharged and hybrid models is only going to help that. But those will remain relatively niche vehicles. The bread-and-butter model is going to be the naturally-aspirated, gas-only Sonata, and with a bit of improvement, Hyundai has another game changer on its hands.
Spy Shots: Hyundai Sonata Touring Looks Good
Over the long weekend, our spy photographer was hard at work getting these photos of the Hyundai Sonata Touring.
Winding Road Issue 57 Is Now Available
In this issue of Winding Road, we drive the 2011 Ford Mustang GT, and rejoice in the return of the 5.0.
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