2020 Hyundai SonataBrian Harper / Driving NEW ORLEANS It might seem that the entire buying public has abandoned the automobile in favour of crossovers and SUVs, but of course, that is not the case despite GM and Ford all but giving up on products that used to be their bread and butter. Sure, all-wheel-drive rigs have certainly taken the wind out of the car market, but there is still a solid following for the sedan, the coupe, and the hatchback.That Hyundai hasnt lost interest in chasing its share of the automobile segment is very much evident in the new, eighth-generation Sonata, its nearly full-sized (4,900 millimetres long) family sedan. The 2020 Sonata has shucked the latent styling conservatism of its predecessors, showcasing Hyundais sensuous sportiness design philosophy with a look that is sleek and indeed sensuous. Longer, lower, wider ironically a page from Detroits 1960s design philosophy the four-door is clearly set to challenge the market domination of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima.As one of Hyundais first and most successful nameplates, the companys design team wanted the Sonata to be special and memorable in all attributes, particularly styling, active safety and leading technology. Styling sees inspiration from the stunning Le Fil Rouge four-door-coupe concept shown at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the new Sonata profiling a similar coupe look, one that has worked so well for German automakers.The exterior exhibits what Hyundai calls performance-led proportions. That said, the Sonata which is just arriving at dealerships now is very much a family sedan, its powertrains competitive with those of its main rivals, albeit not class-leading. During the 2020 calendar year, though, Hyundai will bolster the model lineup with both a hybrid version, as well as a performance-oriented N Line model with 290 horsepower. For now, two engines are offered. The base Preferred 2.5L is powered by a normally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder that turns out 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The other three models Sport, Luxury and Ultimate get turbo power in the form of the Smartstream 1.6 turbocharged and direct-injected inline-four. This new four-cylinder trades horsepower for low-end grunt (and better fuel economy) 180 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 195 lb.-ft. of torque starting at 1,500 rpm. In both cases, the engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, one that uses shift-by-wire technology to eliminate the need for a physical gear lever. Furthermore, four different drive modes Smart, Normal, Sport and Custom make slight alterations to steering effort and engine/transmission mapping.Our 500-kilometre route first in a topline Ultimate model and then a Sport started at Hyundais manufacturing facility in Montgomery, Alabama, headed south through Mississippi to the Gulf Coast before making a hard right and following the coastline into New Orleans. The drive was mostly interstate highway, reinforcing the companys desire that the Sonata be treated as a family sedan. The speed limit on a good portion of the journey was 70 miles per hour, or 112 km/h, with much of the American pre-Thanksgiving traffic moving along at 10 to 20 km/h over the limit. Not only was the 1.6L turbo-four more than capable of keeping with the flow and easily accelerating up to speed when merging, it proved remarkably fuel-efficient. Just before running into rush-hour traffic on the outskirts of the Big Easy, the indicted fuel economy readout was registering a parsimonious 5.8 L/100 kilometres, the final reading pulling up the hotel still a thrifty 6.1.Hyundai notes the Sonatas smoothly efficient shape results in a coefficient of drag of just 0.27, with a flat under-floor covering and a range of body enhancements, such as small fins across each taillight that help improve fuel efficiency. The cabin was sufficiently quiet for the most part, with minor wind noise sneaking in at higher speeds. Hyundai engineers designed the Sonatas suspension to provide a quiet, solid ride at highway speeds, concentrating of chassis rigidity and improving response. The sporty-ish driving dynamics make the 2020 model more nimble than the outgoing car.The Sonatas interior, notably the Ultimate, has a rich ambience that matches the sedans exterior design. Sliding behind the wheel, the slim, full-width dashboard is dominated by a customizable 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster, and above the centre stack, a large, 10.25-inch high-definition touchscreen provides easy interaction with the infotainment system. This screen can also split to allow audio and navigation to be displayed simultaneously. All Sonata models, except the Preferred, include five years of complementary BlueLink services. Audiophiles will appreciate the 12-speaker Bose Premium sound system. Audio and EQ adjustments are made automatically, depending on the cars speed, while Boses Centrepoint surround technology and
Origin: First Drive: 2020 Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai
Power Trips: An electrifying road trip in a Hyundai Kona EV
The 2019 Hyundai Kona EV at Seattles iconic Gas Works Park, that features the remnants of the Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant that supplied power to the city from 1906 to 1956.Andrew McCredie (Editor’s note: This is the first in an occasional series called Power Trips, in which we go on a road trip in an electric vehicle to explore the pros and cons of traveling along the ever-expanding EV highway.)It was out of curiosity, not necessity that we pulled into the I-5 rest stop some 10 kilometres south of the Canada-USA border.Wed left North Vancouver an hour earlier with 422 kilometres of range in the 2019 Hyundai Kona EV, and as we pulled up to the rest stops two Level Two Webasto charging stations, the readout showed a robust 368 kilometres still remaining, more than enough to cover the 167 kilometres to our weekend destination, the Kimpton Alexis Hotel in downtown Seattle. But I was curious to see if anyone was plugged in, and sure enough a Kia Soul was getting a charge while its owner sat in the drivers seat reading a newspaper and drinking a coffee. The other station was not in use. With a full-charge range north of 400 kilometres, there was no need to plug the Kona EV into the Level 2 charging at an I-5 rest stop. Andrew McCredie Back on the road, we were quickly up to speed that limit, incidentally, being 112.65 km/h, or 70 mph with a museum visit and lunch in Bellingham next on the travel itinerary. Less than a half-hour later, we pulled into a parking spot right in front of the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention located in the heart of the university town.Again, no need to look for a charging station, so into the museum we went to check out the incredible collection of electrical innovations and device from the past 100-plus years. In particular were some true Holy Grails from the technology, including Thomas Edisons first successful electric light bulb and a section of Edisons DC power cable installed in New York City in 1883 and unearthed following the World Trade Centre terrorist attack in 2001. These priceless artifacts are part of the War of the Currents exhibit, which chronicles the battle between three of the worlds greatest engineers Edison, George Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla to determine the electric technology that would power the world AC or DC. That story is told in the Hollywood movie The Current War, which opened in October. Another electrifying exhibit is the nine-foot Tesla Coil that emits four million volts of lightning. Thats some 3,999,644 more volts than the Kona EVs maximum voltage generated from the 64.0 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. After visiting the Spark Museum and driving off in the Kona EV, it was difficult not to feel a stronger connection, and certainly a more profound understanding, of the 21st Century technology Hyundai engineers have packed into the tidy crossover. Try as we might, we couldnt find a Bellingham restaurant with an over-riding electric theme, so we opted for our favourite local haunt, the Boundary Bay Brew Pub.Fueled on a bowl of beef stew and still no need for a charge up we were back on I-5 for the final push to the Emerald City, a 140-kilometre straight shot south along the Pacific coast. It should be noted here that there was no hyper-miling involved in this road trip nor will there ever be in our Power Trips series as speed limits were maintained, and admittedly exceeded during some highway sections I was just keeping up with the traffic flow, officer. Likewise, the onboard systems from navigation to sound system to climate control were all used with no thought to their affect on battery range. To that last function, when we left North Vancouver it was zero degrees centigrade, so the heat was blasting and the heated seats and heated steering wheel were turned up all the way.Traffic was surprisingly light for Black Friday, and in less than two hours the Konas Nav system had us pulling up to the Kimpton Alexis Hotel, just a couple of blocks south of the iconic Pike Place Market. One note on that Nav system: like most systems circa 2019, it conveys plenty of real time information, including traffic conditions on the road ahead. But its real appeal comes from the EV-related information, including nearby charging station icons displayed on the map and your current range in relation to the destination you have inputted into the system. Ive been driving EVs on a very regular basis now for almost a decade, and I still fret over range, often checking out current battery charge and doing quick calculations to ensure all is well. Of course, with most new model EVs touching, some cresting, a 400-kilometre full-charge range, this seems quite illogical and unnecessary. After all, how often do you look at your current range when driving a gasoline-powered vehicle? But, the fact remains that if you run dangerously low in gas, theyll most likely be a gas station at the next off-ramp. True, there might also be a
Origin: Power Trips: An electrifying road trip in a Hyundai Kona EV
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line is coming, but a full-fat N is not
2020 Hyundai SonataBrian Harper / Driving During our first drive of the next-generation Hyundai Sonata, we learned an N-Line version of the car would soon be coming to the lineup but also learned a full-blooded N performance model is not in the cards.I dont see it happening in the future; thats not our intention with the Sonata, Motor1 got a product planner to confirm on record.This makes perfect sense its a family sedan, not an all-out performance vehicle with track capabilities. Hitting the twisties is better left to other cars in Hyundais range, like the Veloster N, and sister company Kias Stinger.The still-sporty N-Line should be good enough for most people, especially since Hyundai plans to put a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood, making 290 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. All that power will be sent to the front wheels only, via an active torque vectoring system. For now, that powertrain will be exclusive to the Sonata N-Line. On top of the power upgrades, the N-Line will also look and sound the part, thanks to quad exhaust tips and 19-inch wheels, an upgrade from the 18-inch units on the standard Sonata.We drove the N-Line at the same time as the regular Sonata, but unfortunately, were not allowed to talk about it yet its still in camouflage mode.What do you think, is the N-Line enough for you? Or were you hoping for a full-blooded performance sedan from
Origin: The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line is coming, but a full-fat N is not
Hyundai Nexo sets hydrogen fuel-cell long-distance record
Within the category of zero-emissions options, the hydrogen fuel cell is constantly being eclipsed by electric power. But Hyundai at least thinks it’s worth some attention. The South Korean company’s Nexo SUV recently drove 484 miles (779 km) across France, setting a new world record for the longest distance traveled in a hydrogen-powered vehicle on a single tank. Hyundai chose Bertrand Piccard – Swiss psychiatrist, balloonist and president of the environmental foundation Solar Impulse – to take the wheel of the Nexo. As a champion of zero-emissions travel, Piccard has already circumnavigated the globe in a hot air balloon and a solar-powered plane. “With this adventure, we have proven that with clean technologies, we no longer need revolutionary experimental prototypes to break records,” Piccard said. “Everyone can now do it with standard zero-emission vehicles. A new era in performance is beginning, for the benefit of environmental protection.”The drive took Piccard – along with some famous passengers including government officials and European royalty like H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg – along a tour of Northeastern France, allegedly purifying about as much air as 23 adults breathe in a day and keeping the approximately 111.2 kg of carbon dioxide a gas-powered vehicle would’ve emitted over that distance out of the atmosphere.The Hyundai Nexo also made news earlier this year for its stellar performance in the IIHS crash tests, where it not only didn’t erupt into a fiery ball, but also scored a Top Safety Pick+ award on top of multiple “Good” and “Acceptable” ratings for its safety setups.LISTEN: Electric vehicle clubs have been around for decades, and up until just recently their memberships consisted of backyard tinkerers converting gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles. Now that most global automakers are producing EVs, where does that leave these clubs? In this week’s episode of Plugged In we talk with Bruce Stout of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association about that and much more. Plugged In is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.Is the player not working? Click
Origin: Hyundai Nexo sets hydrogen fuel-cell long-distance record
Long-Term Test Update: 2020 Hyundai Palisade
Is it wrong to confess how brilliant I am for picking my long-term test vehicle?Hockey season is in full swing, and between my sons experiment with the goalie position while coaching his team and my own beer league excursions, the Hyundai Palisade is the large crossover I never knew I wanted. The best thing about it, however, is that despite being large and accommodating in terms of passenger and cargo space, it doesnt feel large to drive the seating position is high and commanding, but the turning circle is nice and tight, the steering is linear and quick, and best of all, the excellent outward visibility, 360-degree cameras, and parking sensors make parking easy and stress-free. Even with the third row up, theres room for a couple of kids hockey bags and my coaching gear, so its carpool friendly even for hockey excursions. After enjoying the Palisade myself for a few weeks, I sent resident crank David Booth off with the Palisade for the weekend and the most criticism he could come up with was: The engine is not as smooth or as powerful as I expected. When hauling, theres more noise than expected and not as much fury as the cacophony promises. This criticism isnt even unanimous both my wife and I find the power level is entirely reasonable, and the throttle appropriately responsive in every mode. For example, even in Eco which I use frequently on my commute there is good jump off the line when you plant the throttle, while in ordinary situations it prioritizes smooth, tepid acceleration. Comfort and Smart both provide mildly different balances, and Sport is always ready with quicker throttle tip-in, holding gears longer and quicker downshifts when getting on the go-pedal at most speeds. Booth did agree on that point: I like the modes. There seems to be more differentiation between modes than in most vehicles.The transmission has also been nearly flawless, and only the most severe changes from cruising to braking and then acceleration have generated any hiccups. It doesnt hurt that the 3.8L V6 makes up to 291 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, which doesnt sound like a lot these days, but between the eight-speed automatic and the throttle tuning, I dont feel that it struggles at all with the 2,022 kilogram-plus the weight of the family and gear were carrying around.Booth actually had many more positives to list from his short time, and speaking of transmissions, he noted, I find this the best push button control for an automatic transmission yet. Intuitive and easily deciphered even without looking, the separate park function works well. Here were in agreement, and even when making seven-point parking maneuvers (yes, Im a bit parking-challenged), the Reverse button on top and Drive button on the bottom have become second nature and I barely need to look.As mentioned, we wanted to answer any questions you had, and we had a few on our Driving Youtube channel that Ill share here. Our first question was about refinement: How is the comfort and the cabin noise compared to (the) MDX or GLE? I know these cars expensive to convert to. Just curious. Another viewer also was interested in the noise: Have read comments about some wind noise at front pillar and window, any thoughts? I can confirm the comments about noise: There is some wind noise from the front A-pillars, and as Booth points out, the sound of the engine is unrefined, but the comfort is just right, absorbing rough bumps erasing them without being soft and wallowing in turns. However, it is interesting to see that people are more than willing to compare the Hyundai to well-established luxury brands like Acura and Mercedes-Benz. The Mercedes GLE only starts at $64,000, while the Palisade tops out at $53,999 for this fully loaded Ultimate.The base Acura MDX, which starts at $54,390, is a fairer comparison, but youre trading brand reputation (and likely some refinement) for features like the 360-degree camera system, perforated leather seats that are cooled in addition to being heated (if you have the second row captains chairs, those are also ventilated), various driving aids like blind-spot warning and rear-cross-traffic alert, and the MDX is showing its age as it does not even offer head-up display in any trim, though it does counter with a built-in widescreen in top trim to keep the kids zoned out on long trips.The next question we had was about the technology: How customizable is the digital display? How does the ACC and lane centre work compared to others?” At this point, I have used adaptive cruise quite a bit, and it’s been very good at maintaining the pace of traffic and smoothing changes of speed, without leaving huge gaps or lurching forward when a car moves out of the way. Lane keep assist has also been good, but it does sometimes react a bit late and give a bit of a jerky tug rather than smoothly getting the Palisade back to centred. The digital instrument cluster’s customization is a little disappointing, as I was hoping
Origin: Long-Term Test Update: 2020 Hyundai Palisade
Hyundai Autron’s next-gen autonomous car software to be powered by BlackBerry
2019 Hyundai Elantra GT N LineBrian Harper / Driving Hyundai is tapping Canada-based tech company and former cellphone giant BlackBerry to help develop its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving software. Does this mean the next Elantra will be getting a trackball control for its center screen!? Doubtful. What it does mean is Hyundai Motor Group’s software research and development company, Hyundai Autron, will use BlackBerry’s QNX OS for Safety system, already embedded in over 150 million cars on roads today, to build “competitive automotive and mission-critical systems in a cost-effective and safe manner.” This could impact features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure, smartphone connection and more. “Hyundai Autron develops the Hyundai Motor standard software platform based on the international AUTOSAR standard,” said Dae-Heung Moon, CEO at Hyundai Autron, in a press release. “Powered by BlackBerry QNX technology, together we will deliver ADAS and autonomous driving software platforms that will set a new standard for the automotive industry.”BlackBerry was a major player in the cell phone market of the 2000s (RIP, BBM) but stopped making its popular keyboard and trackpad devices in 2016. Today the Waterloo, Ontario-based company focuses on software solutions and outsources production of phones to partner companies.BlackBerry will demonstrate what this new standard looks like when it showcases the QNX OS for Safety at CES in Las Vegas in January 2020.
Origin: Hyundai Autron’s next-gen autonomous car software to be powered by BlackBerry
Hyundai teases more awesome cars for SEMA
Hyundai is starting to pick up a reputation for bringing concepts to SEMA which don’t take themselves too seriously, and this year theyve brought a couple vehicles that put fun above all else.The VelosterRaptor N was created in partnership with Bisimoto Engineering, a renowned tuning firm famous for turning the boost up on various vehicles, and this project is no different.Thanks to upgraded turbocharger internals, a high-performance intercooler, a high-flow intake, a water-methanol kit, optimized ECU, mass airflow modifications and a sports exhaust, the VelosterRaptor N makes over 320 horsepower.Apparently, the parts installed are customer-friendly and easy to install, which means this Type R Killer is a vehicle you could potentially build in your own garage.Hyundai is also bringing a tricked-out Kona to the show, built by Rockstar Performance Garage. To fit the King suspension, the Kona had to be extensively modified; 16-inch Motegi wheels with 30-inch Mickey Thompson tires have been fitted. The body has been coated in Bulletliner, and up front theres a small bumper bar with fog lights.Apart from the aesthetic upgrades, a Magnaflow exhaust and a billet intake from KN were installed, along with a Race Chip tune and high-performance brakes.Although theyre just renders for now, the real vehicles will be on display at SEMA in Las
Origin: Hyundai teases more awesome cars for SEMA
The Hyundai Veloster N Concept channels its inner Civic Type R
Hyundai has brought a few strange concepts to SEMA the past few years, with jacked-up Santa Fe SUVs and hypermiler-inspired Ioniqs, but this year the theme is Veloster, and theres a new performance version thats sure to garner some attention.Its called the Veloster N Performance Concept, and to us it looks like Hyundais stopped in Japan for some upgrade parts on the way to Las Vegas.With a huge, angular rear wing; large intake scoops adorning the fascia and hood; and air deflectors on the front bumper and side skirts, you could mistake this thing for a Honda Civic Type R. All parts are made by KWA.Like the Type R, the changes arent just skin-deep. An HR coil-over suspension and Daewon anti-roll bars have been fitted, as well as upgraded brakes with 15-inch rotors and six-piston calipers in the front, 14.2-inch rotors and four-piston calipers in the rear.Four 19-inch OZ wheels wrapped in 235-section-width Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires keep it stuck to the pavement. A cat-back exhaust from Capristo and a WIF chassis brace stiffen up the body.As if a performance car needed more luxury, this one has been fitted with a crazy amount of Alcantara and aluminum. Exterior parts are accented with orange instead of red pinstripes.The vehicle wont be for sale in this spec, per se, but Hyundai says tthe upgrades have a high potential for aftermarket availability, meaning youll probably be able to put one together by yourself in an afternoon or
Origin: The Hyundai Veloster N Concept channels its inner Civic Type R
Long-Term Test Introduction: 2020 Hyundai Palisade
Its been quite some time since Driving.ca last had a long-term test, but with the ever-increasing complexity of vehicles, all to often one week is barely enough to scratch the surface and really get to know it. With a family vehicle in particular, settling in to a routine and seeing how it holds up after weeks and months of harried schedules and never-ceasing activities reveals just how much it enables peace of mind or builds frustration.After a pair of glowing reviews and a Comparison Test victory, we still couldnt get enough of Hyundais entirely new 2020 Palisade. Hyundai has been delivering ever more refined products behind its Hyundai badge and making impressive first steps into the luxury market with its Genesis brand, and the Palisade makes a much more convincing play in the midsize-large-ish three-row SUV arena than the awkwardly styled Veracruz and undersized Santa Fe XL. There has certainly been a lot of interest in the Palisade, both from my colleagues in the office and hockey parents from my sons team, so we hope to answer any and all questions we get about its driving characteristics, capabilities and features. While the Palisade lineup starts with a front-wheel-drive model for $38,499 (plus all models carry a $1905 freight PDI charge), we were provided the all-singing, all-dancing, all-wheel-drive Ultimate 7 passenger in a lovely Sierra Burgundy. No matter the trim, the Palisade comes equipped with a 3.8L direct injection V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic. The all-wheel-drive system defaults to front-wheel drive but can shift up to 50 percent of torque to the rear axle, and the available AWD lock can keep a minimum of 20 percent of torque at the rear wheels. We look forward to an early snowfall that will afford us the opportunity to see how the AWD system handles typical Canadian winters.As far as first impressions go, between the 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster, 8-inch central touchscreen infotainment, head-up display and supple quilted, perforated Nappa leather seating and trimI kept thinking to myself: How is this not being sold with a Genesis badge? I cant say Im a huge fan of the grille, but the rest of the design is pleasing, and the interior is simple yet pleasing, neither too busy nor too spartan, and the pale cream leather really brightens up the cabin. Well see how that light colour holds up to messy kids and whether the quality is as good as it looks at first glance. Of course, the interior of such a large vehicle isnt just meant to be pretty, it also needs to carry lots of stuff, and the Palisade certainly has abundant passenger and cargo space. In fact, the very first thing my daughter said when she first got into it was, Can we take this on our next camping trip? She was convinced it had a much larger interior than the Kia Sedona we packed to the rafters for our trip to Killarney Provincial Park this past summer. In reality, its 509 litres of trunk space and 1,297 with the third row folded doesnt hold a candle to the Sedonas 960 L in the trunk, and 2,220 with the third row down. However, passenger space is on another level with massive headroom, legroom and shoulder room, especially for young children, but even for adults, and that translated into my daughters view that she could have brought six more bags of stuffed animals and diversions along for the ride.The Palisade is proving to be an easy companion for family life so far, so stay tuned for updates, a comparison with one of the most popular vehicles in this segment, and perspectives of various staff here at Postmedias head office. If you have any questions or requests, please post them in the comments below, and well do our best to answer or demonstrate in a future
Origin: Long-Term Test Introduction: 2020 Hyundai Palisade
Hyundai teases silly off-road Veloster concept for SEMA
SEMA is typically the place where all the most ridiculous custom vehicles gather to make us gag, but in recent years its actually been a hotbed for manufacturers who want to bring out some factory-built custom cars. And this year Hyundai is bringing a real doozy.Its called the Grappler, aptly named after its chunky tires and off-road looks. Its Hyundais idea of a pre-runner Veloster, and we love it.More than just a set of tires and a lift, the Grappler has seen the front bumper ditched in favour of a skid plate and fog lights. On the roof is a classic tubular roof rack with a spare tire and an LED light bar; according to Hyundai the rack is also the base for a solar panel. This is clearly just an artists rendering of the final product (and a poorly one done, at that) but we fully expect Hyundai to bring this car to SEMA. A few years ago, Hyundai also brought a few customized vehicles to the show, including a jacked-up Santa Fe complete with Rockstar energy drink stickers and digital camo.Hyundai wont likely bring the vehicle to production, but that wont stop us from wanting one. Luckily, it wouldnt be too hard to take the bumper off and add a roof rack to a Veloster to make our own; wed love to see a bunch of these out on the trail embarrassing bros in their massive
Origin: Hyundai teases silly off-road Veloster concept for SEMA
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