Hyundai Motor America has announced lowered prices for its 2010 Elantra Touring 5-door compact cars, an ideal entry-level car that is sportier for the motorists looking for cost-efficient cars today. The Hyundai Elantra actually won the 2009 JD Power Initial Quality Survey for compact cars and is expected to be at dealers by the third quarter of this year.

Here is the list of their retail pricing

• GLS M/T – 5 Speed: $15,995
• GLS A/T – 4 Speed: $17,195
• SE M/T – 5 Speed M/T with B&M Sport shifter: $18,995
• Touring A/T – 4 Speed A/T $19,795

Among the new equipment included in the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring include a new trim and roof rails. Standard features include air conditioning, power windows, heated mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry with alarm, four-way adjustable driver’s seat and plenty of storage compartments, including a cooled glovebox.

(Source) Press

Tags: air conditioning, compact cars, efficient cars, glovebox, Hyundai, hyundai elantra, hyundai motor, hyundai motor america, jd power initial quality survey, motorists, power windows, remote keyless entry, retail pricing, roof rails, storage compartments

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Sending your kids off to college would normally point towards getting them the right vehicles to drive around campus. But before giving them the car that they want, you can be assured that they will have preferences and a guide to which car they have in mind will surely be something useful.

AutoWeek Magazine enumerates the possible cars for teens heading off to campus. And admittedly, they are cars that will surely give you problems since all of them are dream cars that teens would surely love.

The recommended cars:

• 2009 Hyundai Elantra Sedan
• 2009 Honda Civic
• 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
• 2009 Ford Escape
• 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid
• 2010 Kia Soul
• 2009 Dodge Caliber SE
• 2009 Ford Focus
• 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan

(Source) Press

Tags: autoweek, autoweek magazine, best cars, Chevrolet, chevrolet cobalt, Dodge, dodge caliber, dream cars, ford escape, ford focus, honda civic, Hyundai, hyundai elantra, Mitsubishi, mitsubishi lancer, sending your kids, toyota prius

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Hyundai was the first one to honor the cash for clunkers program and it looks like the gamble is paying off. Out of all the cars that were preferred by car buyers after the trade-in, Hyundai Elantra stood tall. The Elantra topped the likes of other cars such as Ford and Dodge. Hyundai accounted for 41% while Ford 32%.

Apparently the price disparity had a bearing here. After the trade-in, they Hyundai Elantra ran a total cost of $8,620. Remember, though many people are hesitant on what car to get after the car rebate program, they will always consider the cost of the new vehicle. Though there will be exceptions such as brand preference, hard times means wiser buying.

Ford ran second but it still had quite a number of buyers. So if other car manufacturers should follow, who knows which other car would make the grade? Again, it depends on the price after discount, something which for now, points motorists to the Hyundai Elantra.

(Source) Press

Tags: brand preference, car buyers, car manufacturers, car purchases, car rebate, Cars, disparity, Dodge, exceptions, Hyundai, hyundai elantra, motorists, new car, rebate program

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Much has been said about the celebrated Cash for Clunkers program and now, there is one company that has officially announces entertaining customers who wish to avail of such a program. Hyundai, known to be among the first in business and a lot of unique programs to entice sales breaks the ice as being the first official company to entertain customers who will avail of the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS).

In fact there was already a first customer. Katherine Michon of Arlington, Virginia was the first to trade-in an eligible clunker for a new Hyundai, replacing her 15 mile-per-gallon 1995 Ford Explorer with a 26 mile-per-gallon Hyundai Elantra Touring, at Alexandria Hyundai in Alexandria, Virginia.

Hyundai buyers will receive the full rebate allocated under the CARS program (also known as “cash for clunkers”) when an eligible trade-in is exchanged for a qualifying Hyundai model. Hyundai is the first automaker to extend the government incentive to consumers, accelerating its implementation by several weeks by backing dealerships with short-term cash advances as the government organizes the rollout of the program industry-wide.

(Source) Press

Tags: 1995 ford explorer, alexandria virginia, arlington virginia, automaker, car allowance, cash advances, clunker, consumers, doors, ford explorer, government incentive, hyundai elantra, implementation, mile per gallon, new hyundai, rebate system, rollout

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You can add two more vehicles added to the 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award winners circle as the Hyundai Genesis and Elantra have likewise been voted in. Yesterday, we had posted about the Ford and the Porsche that were initially given the said distinction and today, two more familiar car models join them in this special citation.

“Hyundai has created two vehicles that owners say are nearly perfect just the way they are: their ideal vehicle,” said George Peterson, president, AutoPacific. “Owners of the Genesis and Elantra indicated through AutoPacific’s survey that they are driving a vehicle that meets their expectations, meaning they desire little to no change to their vehicle.”

Hyundai’s Genesis is in the premium car category with a starting price of just $33,000. This model boasts of performance and luxury features which one would normally find in high costing cars in the market today.

For the Hyundai Elantra, it has employed a safety standard in the compact segment and is equipped with six standard airbags. Elantra includes many extras such as the standard audio auxiliary input jack that are enhancements considered as great additions to a car full of features.

(Source) Press

Tags: additions, autopacific, auxiliary input jack, award winners, car models, Cars, distinction, enhancements, Ford, hyundai elantra, luxury features, Porsche, segment, winners circle

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When Hyundai initially unveiled the Elantra Touring, it is notable that the compact sport wagon went barely noticed. But now, it seems Hyundai is reaping the benefits of this vehicle as more shipments of the said model were reportedly heading Canada’s way.

Now, shipments are heading here and president Steve Kelleher couldn’t be happier. “The compact segment is huge in Canada,” says Kelleher, noting sales in this segment account for about half of all cars sold in this country, “and 25% of that segment is five-door models. We haven’t had a product in that segment — and now we do.”

In fact, with global auto sales shrinking, Kelleher has been promised he’ll get as many Elantra Tourings as he wants from the factory in Ulsan, Korea. “This is the first time we’ve been able to get as much product as we want, so we’re excited. We’re ready to go after the market.”

The 2009 Elantra Touring is a long-wheelbase version of the Hyundai I-30, which is sold in Europe and elsewhere. It was developed at Hyundai’s design centre in Germany and its DNA is apparent — it rides and handles like a European product.

The Touring GL, starting at $18,795, adds heated power mirrors, front tweeters to the audio system, a height adjuster and lumbar support to the driver’s seat, trip computer, fog lights, cruise control and a security curtain for the cargo area, plus a tilt and telescopic steering wheel.

(Source) Canada.com

Tags: auto sales, compact sport, cruise control, curtain, fog lights, global auto, height adjuster, Hyundai, hyundai elantra, lumbar support, sport wagon, steering wheel, steve kelleher, wheelbase

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With Earth Day just around the corner, focus shifts on the top vehicles in the market today. NADAguides.com announces its Top Five Cleanest Conventional Cars of 2009, simply suggesting that hybrids aren’t the only choice for those who wish to minimize the environmental impact of their driving.

NADAguides.com is a huge proponent of hybrid and alternative fuel technology, but given that the industry will be highlighting hybrids for Earth Day the company wanted to show that there are conventional vehicles that can help cut down on air pollution.

To provide consumers with an alternative to alternative fuel vehicles, the NADAguides.com Market Data Analysts evaluated fuel economy and emissions data and determined that the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, MINI Cooper, Pontiac G5 and Hyundai Elantra are the Top Five Cleanest Conventional Cars of 2009.

“It is no surprise that on Earth Day the automotive world will be focused on the latest and greatest hybrid vehicles, but the fact remains that consumers are still overwhelmingly buying and driving conventional gasoline cars,” said Michael Caudill, spokesperson for NADAguides.com. “The Top Five Cleanest Conventional Cars show that consumers have options for vehicles that are easy on the environment without the higher price point of emerging hybrid technology.”

(Source) Press

Tags: air pollution, alternative fuel vehicles, chevrolet cobalt, conventional cars, conventional gasoline, conventional vehicles, earth day, emissions data, ford focus, fuel economy, fuel technology, gasoline cars, hybrid technology, hybrid vehicles, hyundai elantra, nadaguides, pontiac g5, technology source

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If you are among the SUV buffs, here is a great guide you can bank on before making any purchase. Consumer Reports has named the top picks for 2009 that included two new models–the Toyota Highlander and the Chevrolet Avalanche, as top choices for midsized SUVs and pickups.

Having proven reliable in its first year since a major redesign, the top-rated Toyota Highlander dethroned the Hyundai Santa Fe, last year’s winner in the midsized SUVs category, while the improved reliability of the new Chevrolet Avalanche helped it to replace the Chevrolet Silverado as top pickup.

Despite the arrival of more gas/electric hybrids, the Toyota Prius remains Top Pick in the “green” car category for the sixth straight year. The Prius’s 44 overall mpg is the best Consumer Reports measured in any five-passenger car.

Here, by category, are the 2009 Top Picks.

SMALL SEDAN: Hyundai Elantra SE. The Elantra SE ($18,695) is a comfortable, roomy small car that provides good fuel economy, a quiet and nicely finished interior, and plenty of features for the money. Only the SE version comes with standard electronic stability control, which is absent on many other small cars.

MIDSIZED SUV: Toyota Highlander. The Highlander ($26,000 to $41,000) is a very refined and versatile vehicle. It provides a comfortable and quiet ride, a nicely finished interior, three rows of seats, and decent fuel economy for its class. The Highlander Hybrid’s fuel economy, 24 mpg overall, is among the best of any SUV in Consumer Report’s Ratings. First-year reliability has been excellent.

PICKUP TRUCK: Chevrolet Avalanche. The Chevrolet Avalanche full-sized crew cab ($36,000 to $47,000) is one of the most versatile and comfortable pickups that Consumer Reports has tested. Its unified bed and cab helps give it a solid feel and a comfortable, quiet ride. Its innovative partition, between the cab and the bed, can be folded to allow longer cargo to extend into the back of the cab.

BEST OVERALL VEHICLE: Lexus LS 460. With a road test score of 99 out of 100, the Lexus LS 460 ($64,000 to $77,000) is Consumer Reports’ highest-scoring vehicle. It provides a luxurious, uncompromising driving environment, with a supremely comfortable ride and a roomy, well-finished, and exceptionally quiet interior. The LS is brimming with electronic amenities, yet the controls are easy to use. Its 380-hp, 4.6-liter V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission deliver smooth, quick acceleration and relatively good fuel economy.

FAMILY SEDAN: Honda Accord. The Honda Accord ($21,000 to $31,000) is a roomy, well-rounded sedan that’s easy to live with and enjoyable to drive. It offers a comfortable ride, agile handling, and efficient, refined four- and six-cylinder powertrains. Electronic stability control is standard, and crash-test results are impressive.

UPSCALE SEDAN: Infiniti G37. One of the highest-rated sedans tested, the G37 (33,000 to $36,000, formerly G35) combines sportiness and luxury in a very appealing package. It has a very lively powertrain, agile handling, a comfortable ride, and a nicely appointed interior. For 2009, it also has a larger, 328-hp, 3.7-liter engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission, which improves fuel economy.

FUN TO DRIVE: Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Miata ($22,000 to $29,000) is a true sports car at a reasonable price. With quick, precise steering, a crisp-shifting manual transmission, and balanced handling, it virtually tied the Porsche Boxster in test scoring, but it costs about half the price.

SMALL SUV: Toyota RAV4. Thanks to a larger and more powerful four-cylinder engine and other upgrades for 2009, the RAV4 ($23,000 to $30,000) narrowly outscored the Subaru Forester to remain our Top Pick for the third straight year. It provides agile handling, a roomy and quiet interior, a comfortable ride, and an optional third-row seat. The four-cylinder version gets the best fuel economy of any automatic, nonhybrid SUV CR has tested.

MINIVAN: Toyota Sienna. The Sienna ($26,000 to $38,000) offers a spacious, versatile, and comfortable way to carry up to eight people. Consumer Reports found that the quiet, well-finished interior rivals that of some luxury sedans. Electronic stability control is standard. This is the only minivan available with all-wheel drive.

GREEN CAR: Toyota Prius. Despite the arrival of more gas/electric hybrids, the Prius ($22,000 to $24,000) leads this category for the sixth straight year. The base model’s 44 overall mpg is the best Consumer Reports has measured in any five-passenger car. The interior is roomy and versatile, and reliability remains excellent. A redesigned Prius will arrive in early summer.

(Source) Press

Tags: chevrolet avalanche, chevrolet silverado, electric hybrids, electronic stability control, fuel economy, green car, hyundai elantra, hyundai santa fe, lexus ls 460, small cars, top choices, toyota highlander, toyota prius, versatile vehicle

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