2011 Hyundai Azera Gets a Facelift and More Horsepower!

Hyundai is on a roll with refreshing their entire lineup. After the recently introduced Tucson and Sonata comes a refreshed 2011 Azera. The new Azera, which is having its debut at the Chicago Auto Show benefits from a slight facelift and revised engines. The 2011 Azera is available with either a 3.3L or 3.8L V6 engine. The 3.3L puts out 260 horsepower and 233 lb-ft. of torque, while also getting 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The more powerful 3.8L V6 puts out an estimated 283 horsepower and 263 lb-ft. of torque, while getting 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Both engines are mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission. With more focus on fuel economy, Hyundai has added a fuel economy indicator in the 2011 model. The "Eco Indicator" displays a green light to indicate when driving habits are contributing to good fuel economy.
The exterior of the 2011 Azera gets new headlights, taillights and foglights in addition to new bumpers, wheels and a revised trunk lid. The 2011 Azera will be available this spring.

All-New 2011 Hyundai Sonata Starts at $19,195

Hyundai has announced the pricing for the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata starts at $19,195 and will hit dealers in the next few weeks. The all-new Sonata ditches the old model's boring three-box design for a much "sexier" silhouette. Besides the new styling, the other big news is that the Sonata is no longer going to have an available V6 engine. Slow sales of the V6 model prompted Hyundai to not offer it on the new generation. Instead at launch the Sonata's only engine offering is Hyundai's new direct injected 2.4-liter inline-four that puts out 198 horsepower (SE puts out 200-hp). The 2.4L can be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

2010 Hyundai Tucson Impresses

In addition to the striking new 2011 Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai has unveiled the next-generation 2010 Tucson. The 2010 Hyundai Tucson is a welcome departure from the current generation. The new Tucson, which was designed by Hyundai's Frankfurt-based European design studio is a much better looking crossover than the one it replaces. The 2010 Tucson is only marginally bigger than the last-generation. Its 3.3 inches longer and one inch wider but manages to weight 61 pounds less. It is now the lightest crossover in its class.

The Tucson is powered by Hyundai's Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine. It puts out 176-hp and 168 lb-ft. of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. The Tucson has a 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway fuel economy rating when mated to the six-speed automatic.

The 2010 Tucson will be arriving in dealer showrooms in the next few weeks.

LA 2009: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Throws out the Bland

We've already seen photos of the new Hyundai Sonata mainly in Korean-spec. Hyundai has officially unveiled the 2011 Sonata at the LA Auto Show.

Right off its clear that the new Sonata is a huge departure from the last generation. The new Sonata features a new, much sexier exterior that draws inspiration from the Volkswagen CC and Mercedes CLS. The three-box design of the fifth-generation Sonata has been replaced by a car with a more coupe-like roofline.

Under the hood the big change is that a V6 engine will not be offered. At launch the only engine that will be offered is the recently announced 2.4-liter direct injected four-cylinder. 90% of the previous Sonatas were sold with four-cylinder engines, so it makes some sense that Hyundai has decided to fore go the V6 with this generation. In GLS and Limited trims the four-cylinder puts out 198 hp and 184 lb-ft. or torque. The SE model gets dual tailpipes and an extra two horsepower and 2 lb-ft. of torque. Hyundai estimates that the 2011 Sonata will get 23 mpg city and 35 mpg compared to 22/32 mpg for the 2010 model.