2022 Hyundai Sonata N Line on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Hyundai Group design chief wants more differentiation between models and brands

Luc Donckerwolke, the man who oversees design at Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, is determined to get more differentiation into the model range. He not only wants greater visual separation between all the models in the range, he also wants more distinction between Hyundai Group cars and others in the respective segments, and global distinctions so that a Hyundai in China doesn't necessarily look like one built for North America. He told Autocar, "We will not have a global design language because otherwise it's too rigid. [The alternative is] more work, but it's more flexible." Donckerwolke gets an extreme look at the results of homogeneous design, because an enormous number of cars on the road in South Korea are Hyundai Group products. "[Our] core task is to differentiate the design philosophy of the three brands, not least because we have a big [around 70%] share in Korea. We need to differentiate each model, otherwise the landscape is too homogeneous." Top-down, each brand gets a design brief. Hyundai will be Hyundai's "sexy, seductive and sensuous, sporty, eager and stylish," holding onto its value proposition while adding emotion. Kia will be "young, challenging and cool — cooler than before," said brand design chief Byungchul Juh, with Donckerwolke adding that it's about "streetwear — bold, fresh and young." And Genesis is "haute couture." Donckerwolke characterizes the design philosophy as not "Russian dolls but ... chess pieces, with a look that reveals its own charismatic character. For example, Kia's used to be about the tiger nose grille, separate headlights and the lower intake. Now it's going to be more of a mask that will deliver sportiness and a presence." Kia designer Juh said, "There will be a distinct version of tiger face for each segment, and we'll keep the tiger nose grille. In principle it's the same, but there's a different interpretation for each segment, and more of a 3D feeling. We're moving from a nose to a face." The sketches we've seen of Kia's coming small global crossover take a first step, and we're told the next Sportage will make more impact than the new Tucson. As for Hyundai, the next Sonata will "be the design flag-bearer." We wait to see how much of the vehicle all of this affects. But right now, look at the 2020 Elantra and Sonata from the front three-quarter; ignore their front fascias, and they're two sizes of one sausage.

Hyundai recalls 24k Genesis sedans over electrical issue

An electrical problem has prompted Hyundai and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a recall for the 2015 Genesis. The problem arises when water leaks into the taillight assembly, which – in a way that would only make sense to an electrician – could cause the incorrect gear to be displayed on the instrument panel or even a delay in switching from Park to Reverse or Drive. Needless to say, if the driver doesn't know into which position the transmission has shifted, that could increase the likelihood of a crash. The issue affects an estimated 24,400 units of the 2015 Genesis in the United States – specifically those manufactured between February 21, 2014, and January 24, 2015. Owners of those vehicles can expect to hear from their local dealer to arrange the installation of additional waterproofing pads to prevent the troublesome moisture from leaking in to the taillights. RECALL Subject : Water may Leak into Rear Combination Lamp Assembly Report Receipt Date: FEB 19, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V097000 Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , POWER TRAIN Potential Number of Units Affected: 24,400 Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America SUMMARY: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015 Genesis vehicles manufactured February 21, 2014, to January 24, 2015. Water may leak into the rear combination lamp assemblies and cause an incorrect gear display on the instrument panel or a delay in the engagement of the selected gear when the vehicle is shifted from Park to Reverse or Drive. CONSEQUENCE: If the incorrect gear is being displayed, the vehicle may move in an unintended direction, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will apply pads to prevent water intrusion into the combination lamp housing, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 128. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Toyota tops Consumer Reports best, worst used car values

We often mock Toyota for building boring, soulless cars, but a new study by Consumer Reports suggests that regardless of whether that's true, the company has some of the best used cars on the market. In its report on used cars from 2004-2013, the Japanese automaker had 11 vehicles among its brands on the list - more than any other automaker.
CR breaks the list down by cost and vehicle size, and Toyota has at least one entry at every price point and in nearly every segment. To score a recommendation, a vehicle had to perform well in the magazine's initial tests and score above-average reliability results. It also tried to only suggest cars with electronic stability control. Of the 28 recommended vehicles, Honda/Acura had the second most mentions at six, and Ford, Hyundai and Subaru managed two each.
The Detroit brands also made it to the list, but not in a positive way. Consumer Reports compiled a list of 22 vehicles it wouldn't recommend because "they have multiple years of much-worse-than-average overall reliability." General Motors had the most unrecommended models on the list at six, but Chrysler and Ford weren't far behind, with five cars each from their brands not making the grade. The full list of recommendations is available on CR's website.