2008 HYUNDAI NEW CAR MODEL GUIDE

Hyundai of South Korea skews vehicles directly toward the American market, thanks to an array of production facilities in the United States, such as a new assembly plant in Alabama, studios for research and design in California and a technology and engineering center in Michigan. Hyundai's 2008 collection of nine vehicles gains equipment for safety and rider comfort, as a new crossover utility vehicle (CUV) emerges in the seven-passenger Vericruz.

Accent
Mellow Yellow is the latest paint chip for Hyundai's subcompact cars, which includes a four-door sedan and three-door coupe. Each stocks safety equipment like curtain-style air bags. Trim levels available for the Accent include the sedan's well-equipped GLS, the coupe's GL and a special edition SE, which stocks a sport shifter by B & M Racing. A new instrument cluster drops into the GLS and SE, with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) now stock on every Accent. Power for all models stems from Hyundai's 1.6-liter, four-in-line engine with its 110 horsepower tied to a standard five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic.

Sonata
Hyundai's mid-size sedan has premium features and lots of safety equipment like electronic stability control (ESC) and six air bags, including curtain-style inflators in the roof. The Sonata shows three trims with the GLS, SE and Limited. Powertrains available are the 2.4-liter, four-pack with CVVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing) for 162 horsepower or a 3.3-liter V6 worth 234 horsepower. Both plants are available with every trim. For the 2.4 plant, a five-speed manual is standard with a four-speed Shiftronic automatic optional, while the V6 ties to a five-speed Shiftronic automatic. Limited upgrades include the Infinity AM-FM-XM audio and a sunroof.

Azera
The luxurious flagship of Hyundai is a premium performance sedan sculpted with aerodynamic sheetmetal and crafted with a five-seat, leather-lined cabin. The cabin has front buckets seats and a rear bench with split folding seatback. The Azera offers trims of GLS Premium, Limited and the Ultimate Package. The engine for all models is a dual-cam, 3.8-liter V6 delivering 265 horsepower through a five-speed automatic Shiftronic transmission. For 2008, Azera Limited scores a new sunroof as standard equipment, plus body-colored sideview mirrors and an Infinity audio kit. Safety features like ESC and eight air bags go into every Azera.

Santa Fe
Hyundai's front-wheel-drive (FWD) CUV comes with a variety of powertrain choices and class-leading standard safety features. The base 2.7-liter V6 produces 185 horsepower, while the 3.3-liter V6 spins out 242 horsepower. Electronically controlled all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction is optional with the larger V6, and safety equipment includes an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD), ESC skid controls and curtain-style air bags. The spacious cabin of Santa Fe structures enough space for three tiers of seats with an optional third-row bench. The ultimate edition Limited gains new options like a navigation and touring package with video entertainment kit.

Vericuz
The seven-passenger CUV from Hyundai rolled out in 2007, and comes back this year with more standard content on the deluxe Limited issue. Additions include memory settings for power controls on the driver's seat and power mirrors, adjustable gas and brake pedals, rain-sensing wipers and lighted door scuff plates. There are three trim steps on the Vericruz with the entry-level GLS, the SE edition and the top-tier Limited. Vericruz's powertrain is a 3.8-liter V6 pumping 260 horsepower in concert with a six-speed automatic Shiftronic transmission. Traction choices are FWD or Hyundai's electronically controlled AWD system.

Tucson
Riding on a car's platform and packing extensive standard safety features, Hyundai's small-class CUV presents a shapely, sheetmetal package and flexible passenger compartment with seating for five and tag cargo. Tucson offers a four-cylinder and V6 powertrain option distributed across three levels of trim — the base GLS, upgraded SE and deluxe Limited. The Tucson GLS gets Hyundai's 2.0-liter, four-in-line CVVT with 140 horsepower and a five-speed manual or optional four-speed Shiftronic automatic. The Tucson SE and Limited use Hyundai's 2.7-liter V6 for 173 horsepower. The CUV also supports two traction formats with FWD or AWD.

Entourage
Hyundai's first North American minivan joined the Class of 2007 and returns again this year with more equipment aboard. The Entourage rides on a platform with a long wheelbase and broad track, setting up spacious quarters in the cabin. There's room for seven, with second-row seats that flip and fold and a rear bench split 60/40, disappearing into the flat floor. A twin-cam, 3.8-liter CVVT V6 motivates this minivan with 242 horsepower and ties to a five-speed Shiftronic automatic. Standard safety features range from curtain-style air bags for outboard seats, to four-channel ABS with EBD and ESC.

Elantra
Hyundai's compact-class four-door sedan and five-door wagon scored a make-over last year, which produced striking new body styling on the expanded package with more standard safety gear aboard. For 2008, the Elantra SE Premium with Leather Package replaces the Elantra Limited trim. The base model is tagged as Elantra GLS. The engine for all Elantras is Hyundai's 2.0-liter, four-cylinder plant with CVVT and a power rating of 138 horsepower. Stock gear for all include four-wheel disc brakes linked to ABS with EBD and six air bags including curtain-style air bags in headliners. ESC skid controls are now standard to the Elantra SE.

Tiburon
Hyundai's slick sports coupe wears an extended hoodline and hatchback roofline tapering to a stubby tail. The Tiburon GT trim carries a dual-cam, 2.7-liter V6 rated at 172 horsepower with five-speed manual or four-speed Shiftronic automatic. Top performer Tiburon SE teams the V6 with a sporty six-speed manual stick. It also has a spoiler on the tail and a cockpit fitted with aluminum pedals, extra gauges and a Kenwood audio package. Price-leader Tiburon GS uses Hyundai's 138 horsepower, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with five-speed manual shifting. The newlyl available XM satellite radio service comes with a free three-month subscription.

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