2019 Hyundai Sonata Se on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Hyundai hydrogen fuel-cell SUV spied nearly naked

Back in August, Hyundai showed what seemed to be an extremely thinly veiled concept version of a hydrogen-powered crossover SUV at a special event in Seoul. Besides its showy gold paint and two-toned interior, it definitely looked like something that could roll down the production line with minimal effort. Well, judging by these spy photos, that looks like it'll be the case. Hyundai didn't even really bother to camouflage these test mules. The intricate taillight clusters carry over from the concept, as do the distinctive grille and Tesla-like extending door handles. Heck, even the wheels look to be exactly the same. And if we were to make a guess based on its proportions and size, this shares a lot with the Kia Nero. Featuring Hyundai's fourth-generation hydrogen fuel-cell technology, the FCEV (or whatever the compact crossover will eventually be called) features a 20 percent power increase over its Tucson hydrogen FCEV predecessor and is more capable in cold weather. The new FCEV will also have greater hydrogen capacity, featuring three tanks instead of two. (If you want to learn a little more about how hydrogen fuel cell vehicles work, our Honda Clarity first drive is a decent place to start.) The spy photographers didn't get a glimpse inside, but the "concept" back in August showcased a pretty production-looking cabin. If the exterior's any indication, it should look exactly like that. We've included pictures of that "concept" at the end of the gallery above so you can easily compare the "transformation." Expect the final product to be unveiled at CES in January. Related Video: Featured Gallery Hyundai FCEV Hydrogen SUV Spy Shots View 19 Photos Image Credit: KGP Photography Green Spy Photos CES Hyundai Crossover SUV Concept Cars Future Vehicles Hydrogen Cars fcev

Hyundai Rockar dealership concept a kinder way to buy a car [w/video]

The simple car-buying battle line these days usually centers around dealerships versus some alternative method, like online, that bypasses the dealer. A few manufacturers are trying ways in between those two poles, so that customers can visit a retail concept brick-and-mortar location but avoid the negative associations they have with dealerships; Audi's done it in London, BMW's done it in Paris and Tesla is doing it all over. After two years in development, Hyundai has done the same with its Hyundai Rockar store in the Bluewater shopping mall in Kent, England. Hyundai UK partnered with Simon Dixon on the venture, Dixon being a 20-year veteran of the car industry who was frustrated by the experience of having to buy a car at a traditional dealership. Rockar, tucked between a Disney store and a Body Shop, keeps three vehicles in the store; if you prefer, you can handle the entire car-buying transaction online at home, or at computer stations in the store with the help of "Angels," otherwise known as salespeople. Focusing on the retail experience, however, the Angels don't have car backgrounds; they've been trained in the product, but we're told they aren't there to push it on you. Car hunters who want to trade in can input their car to get fair trade value; Rockar says all of its trade-ins go straight to auction, so values are based on dealer auction guides, and every customer gets a no-haggle purchase price. There's a test-drive facility in the mall's enormous parking lot, and prospective customers can go for a spin without a salesperson. It will also attend to routine service needs: owners can book appointments, bring their car to the mall, amuse themselves for a few hours and pick it up the car it's completed. Rockar says it will do routine maintenance on any car, not just Hyundais. Echoing Audi and BMW, Hyundai UK says this isn't about replacing the dealership, but trying to find a better, easier, and less stressful way for potential customers to interact with the brand and buy a car. Bluewater gets 27 million visitors per year, and in just over a month of being open more than 4,000 of them have stopped into Rockar, with three buying a car. Rockar says it will provide free service for three years for the first 100 buyers, and Hyundai expects it to be one of its UK's top ten dealers by the end of 2015. The video has more on the concept. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Hyundai prices three-row Santa Fe from $28,350*

Each extra inch in the wheelbase of the six- and seven-passenger 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe, compared to the five-seat Santa Fe Sport, will cost you $1,000. The larger version of Hyundai's new people carrier is 3.9 inches longer, and whereas the Santa Fe Sport was priced at $24,450, the roomier Santa Fe comes in four flavors that start at $28,350 for the front-wheel drive GLS version. Adding all-wheel drive to the GLS tacks on another $1,750, stepping up to the front-wheel Limited takes you to $33,100, the all-wheel drive Limited topping things out at $34,850. For the true price, you'll need to add *$845 to those prices for freight.
The base price is the same as Hyundai's previous seven-seater option, the Veracruz, slapped on a vehicle with much better looks and more features. Compared to the Santa Fe Sport, the six- and seven-passenger option has 8.5 extra inches in overall length, 1.9 extra inches of second-row legroom and that third row of seating in its hind quarters. The second row can be had as a traditional bench or captain's chairs on the Limited. Under the hood is the same 3.3-liter direct-injection V6 with 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed Shiftronic transmission, and the same EPA estimated 25 highway miles per gallon for the FWD version.
You also get extra standard amenities like a 115-volt socket, power liftgate and rear-seat climate controls. Check out the press release below to find out all about them.