Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Hyundai, South Korea

Commercials are a great way to learn about culture; since a seller has maybe 30 seconds to get something across, you see what people think is the most important thing to convey and the best way to convey it.

Having said that, we have no clue what's going on with some of the South Korean ads for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. In a couple of them, a genteel pair - we'll call them Run CUV and Jam Master Hyundai - lays down some mad lyrics, presumably about the Santa Fe. When they're not rapping, they're set in short episodic dramas to demonstrate the crossover's features. We're not sure if the pair are famous in Korea and frankly, we have no idea what they're talking about, but they look fun while they're doing it.

Scroll down for your Asian commercial fix for the day. You won't be disappointed.

Continue reading Hyundai raps rhapsodic about new Santa Fe in Korean ads

Hyundai raps rhapsodic about new Santa Fe in Korean ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, Hyundai

Motor Trend reports Hyundai has confirmed that its next-generation Santa Fe will bow at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The third-generation Santa Fe is expected to hit dealer lots by the end of the year as a 2013 model. Hyundai hasn't disclosed exactly what we can expect from the vehicle when it arrives, though spy shots suggest a vehicle more in-line with the automaker's current design language. MT believes the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe will continue on with the same powertrain options found in the current vehicle, which means buyers can look forward to a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai may squeeze a bit more performance or fuel efficiency out of those engines, however. Some reports have also suggested the 2013 Santa Fe may bow with a new turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood as well. That engine is currently found in the likes of the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T where it produces 274 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque.

Finally, our intelligence still suggests that Hyundai will eventually market a stretched three-row variant of the Santa Fe as the de-facto replacement for the slow-selling Veracruz, but it isn't clear whether that vehicle (or strategy) will be disclosed in New York.

Next-Gen Hyundai Santa Fe will debut in Big Apple originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV

Motor Trend has been around since 1949, and during that time it has handed out a fair share of awards to various automakers and vehicle models. More recently, the print publication has gone online by way of its web site, Youtube page and various social media networks. One network in particular has stuck a chord with the buff book and it's choosing to leverage the power of Facebook to announce the winner of its 2011 Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year award.

M/T has been steadily rolling out its top 15 contenders, with the announcement of the winner to be made on October 19th, 2010 at 12:01 a.m EST. Why Facebook?

"We want to foster a two-way dialogue with our audience," said Angus MacKenzie, Editor In-Chief of Motor Trend, "and Facebook was the next logical step to engage our community even further."

The currently revealed contenders are:

• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Infiniti QX56
• Hyundai Tucson
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Ford Edge
• Honda Accord Crosstour
• BMW X5 xDrive 35i
• Acura MDX

Past winners of this title include the Subaru Forester and the Mazda CX-9. Hop the jump to read M/T's press release.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Motor Trend getting ready to announce its 2011 Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year Award...on Facebook

Motor Trend getting ready to announce its 2011 Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year Award...on Facebook originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Etc.

Dog owners looking for a new set of wheels can take heart; the American Automobile Association has taken the time to pick a handful of vehicles best suited to moving your furry friend from one place to another. With around 45 million households across the country boasting at least one dog in the family, it should be no surprise that the ability to conveniently and safely move a pet plays a big role in which vehicle consumers choose to buy. A total of 11 SUVs, crossovers and wagons have made the AAA list, each divided into categories like luxury, active lifestyle and efficient and fun.

While we weren't surprised to see cars like the Subaru Forester and Honda Element make the cut, others, like the BMW 3 Series Touring and the ever fun-to-fling Mazda3 five-door were vehicles we wouldn't have necessarily thought of as doggie rides. Thrifty buys like the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube found particular favor on the AAA list, thanks in part to their ability to serve up plenty of space with their rear seats folded down. We still say a Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon would do just fine - at least for a low-profile dog like a dachshund or beagle. Hit the jump for the press release after checking out our complete gallery of canine-correct-carriers below.



[Source: American Automobile Association]

Continue reading Bang for Your Bark: AAA picks best canine-friendly cars

Bang for Your Bark: AAA picks best canine-friendly cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Crossover, Hyundai

While the Hyundai Veracruz is a perfectly competent vehicle, the upscale three-row crossover hasn't been selling particularly well, making it stick out like the proverbial sore thumb on the Korean automaker's otherwise white-hot sales charts. What to do? Well, Autoblog has learned that while the CUV will soldier on largely unchanged for another couple of years, it is almost certain to be replaced by a long-wheelbase version of Hyundai's popular Santa Fe.

The move is unusual for a crossover but not without precedent. In other markets, Nissan has added a stretched version of its well-liked, hard-to-pronounce Qashqai known as the Qashqai+2. Of course, other automakers have also offered extended-wheelbase models of their body-on-frame SUVs (think: Cadillac Escalade ESV) for many years.

At this time, it's not clear how much the next-generation model will be stretched to accommodate the third row, or what name the longer model will take, but it will almost certainly maintain the Santa Fe descriptor and styling in order to build nameplate equity and control costs. Oddly, the Santa Fe was itself offered with three rows up until it received a modest refresh for model year 2010, but that option was dropped due to a very low take rate. Presumably, buyers are looking for more space for third-row occupants, and a longer passenger cell will have buyers considering a next-generation three-row Santa Fe anew.

In other Santa Fe news, the CUV figures to be a prime candidate for the new lithium-polymer hybrid drivetrain that Hyundai has developed for the 2011 Sonata. While our sources won't confirm that the model will go gas-electric, they do admit that the company is keen to spread out development costs through added scale and they also acknowledge that the CUV's size would make packaging an easy and natural fit.

Source: Hyundai Veracruz to be replaced by long-wheelbase Santa Fe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Taking a look at Hyundai’s 2010 model line, the South Korean automaker seems to have a car that should satisfy the needs of most any car buyer. The fact that Hyundai accomplished this feat in under a decade is startling, but when did this all start? In 2000, Hyundai had three sedans and a coupe. Starting in 2001, Hyundai introduced the Santa Fe, a small sport ute. The Santa Fe was a success, and a second generation followed in 2007. Today, the Santa Fe is positioned between the smaller Tuscon and larger Veracruz, but remains Hyundai’s best selling SUV. For 2010, the Santa received a refresh, but has Hyundai managed to bridge the gap to the competition?

The exterior of the Santa Fe sports a new grill and tail lights-minor stuff, but parked side by side, it does keep the car looking fresh. Our test car was finished in a rich looking Pacific Blue Pearl, which was pleasing to look at, but dark colors seem to obscure the gentle curves and character lines of the car. Checking out brighter colored Santa Fe’s was like looking at a different car-even in subdued silver, it pops in a way our test car did not. The Santa Fe is clean and simple in appearance-all trim is either body color or black, and the only chrome you will find is on the Hyundai symbol and Santa Fe name tag.

For years, the automotive press has described Hyundai’s as feature-laden cars, but always a few steps behind the competition in terms of fit and finish. With the Santa Fe, this is no longer the case. Hyundai now stands on even ground with the competition, while still offering an impressive list of equipment. Bluetooth, steering wheel controls and USB audio jacks are now standard on all Santa Fe’s. Build quality, and the feel and texture of the materials were excellent. Our SE test car came standard with a unique cloth/leather interior. No hard plastics were to be found, and the mix of ‘wood’ trim, chrome bits and painted aluminum all contributed to an interior that was fairly rich looking for this price point. Sound quality from the standard stereo was quite good and the XM satellite radio was a welcome standard feature. Other thoughtful features like his and hers sunglasses holders, and cupholders designed to ‘hug’ cups of different sizes also impressed.

While the quality and features rival the best of the Santa Fe’s competition, the interior does have a few flaws. It took a couple of days until I was finally able to find a comfortable driving position, something I can usually achieve in about half a minute in other cars. And despite the contrast of cloth and leather, ‘wood’ and ‘aluminum’  trim, the Santa Fe’s interior was dreadfully dark, and with the color our test car had, black is your option. Even the gauge cluster was dark. Many manufacturers have gauges that light up when you start the car, and Hyundai would be wise to include this on the Santa Fe. The Santa Fe is the only car I’ve driven on a sunny day where I could see the instruments better with the lights on than off.

The big news for the 2010 Santa Fe is found under the hood. The base GLS offers a 2.4L four rated at 175hp, which can be paired with a six-speed manual  (FWD only) or automatic. The SE and Limited models come standard with a new 3.5L V-6 rated at 276hp, coupled to a six-speed automatic. The new V-6 offers more power and greater fuel economy than the engine it replaces. I found the V-6 to have plenty of oomph, good passing power, but was smooth in operation-never intrusive. Honda and Toyota have reason to be concerned how close Hyundai has come to offer a V-6 that is nearly as refined as theirs. The new six-speed automatic is seamless in operation. A V-6 Santa Fe can tow up to 3,500 lbs. Our test car was a front-wheel drive model. Living in New England as I do, I would insist on all-wheel drive, which is a $1,900 option on the SE.

As for ride and handling, I hesitate the call the Santa Fe typical SUV, as the ride is a little firmer than say, a Chevy Equinox. From the driver’s seat, you get a decent amount of road feel, but Hyundai engineers still put the emphasis on comfort. Overall, the Santa Fe is easy and predictable to drive with no surprises.

Our front-wheel drive Santa Fe SE came with an as-tested price of $26,915, which included a respectable standard equipment list. The Santa Fe is priced at a very appealing price point. If a Honda CRV is a size too small, and the Pilot is too large and expensive, the Santa Fe is a perfect fit. Hyundai has managed to package a new, smooth V-6 with just right proportions that all combine for a compelling choice for most families. With the Santa Fe, Hyundai has shed its bargain-bin status for good, and is a no-excuses, legitimate threat to the competition.