Hyundai Sonata Review
It’s difficult to imagine, but Hyundai worries that even if it has one of the highest customer faithfullness ratings in the industry, attracting new purchasers into the showroom has been a real challenge. The new Sonata slogan is: “A Hyundai you’ve never seen before” and it is true that the Sonata which was redesigned has more power, more space and better fit and finish than it has ever had previously.
Its Advantages are:
- Acceleration - The possibility to avoid accidents - Comfort and convenience - Gas mileage
There are two acceptable disadvantages:
- Suspension noise - Handling
Reliability and Maintenance
The Sonata is easy to take care of, with very little in the way of programmed maintenance until 100,000 miles is reached, unlike oil changes at regular intervals.
It is backed by one of the longest powertrainn warranties in the automotive industry at 10 years or 100,000 miles.
Performance and Handling
The new Sonata is adequately equipped with a standard 4-cylinder which offers 162HP. The 3.3-liter V6 with 234HP is smooth but responsive and reaches average speed with little effort.
Acceleration is brisk in the four-cylinder and it is surprising in the V6. Hyundai officials say the V6 will turn 0-60 miles per hour times of about 7.5 seconds, with a maximum speed of 130 mph. Shifts are executed easily with the five-speed manual, and the front tires are chirped even more easily. Kicking down for passing with minimal hesitation, the Shiftronic automatic transmission moves between gears smoothly. When the engine bumps up against redline, and it declines to downshift at all, leaving that to the driver’s preferences,in manual mode, the Shiftronic will upshift automatically.
It provides more room and power than previous years. However, there is a least favourite feature, cheap interior look with fewer features, and new external redesign. But let’s see the positive aspects of Hyundai sonata.
Even if the interior seems cheap and bare compared to 2002-2005 models, seats are comfortable and the general aspect is all right for those who prefer simplicity. The on road performance and handling of this car is very good.
The Hyundai Sonata’s new interior marks a major step up the quality ladder. You can notice some rough edges on a few plastic molds and a less-than-lustrous finish on some dash panels. But the overall look is highly competitive with most in the class and better than some.
Three round dials in the hooded instrument cluster communicate the necessities of operational data to the driver, with the largest the speedometer which is positioned inside a polished circle. To its left is the tachometer, and to its right conjoined water temperature and fuel gauges. In the lower dash to the left of the steering column are a bank of five switch plugs, one of them is the dash-light rheostat, and there also can be seen a flip-down storage bin. The ignition key slides into a slot placed properly, in the dash to the right of the steering column instead of on the steering column itself.
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The Nissan Murano offers the roominess and practicality of a sport utility with the handling, power and smoothness of a sporty sedan. Murano comes well equipped and its luxurious ambience gives it the feel of a luxury SUV.
The Murano was recently honored with the Automotive Lease Guide’s 5-Star Depreciation Rating, the highest rating in its category. This award recognizes vehicles predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price based upon anticipated depreciation, current market conditions and prices, including incentives.
Nissan Murano is also the Winner of Strategic Vision’s 2005 Total Quality Award in Best Medium Crossovers. Its V-6 power, all-wheel drive, and advanced technology helped Murano reach the peak of new car ownership satisfaction for Medium Crossover vehicles, while cutting-edge design helped Murano look good doing it. The Murano also won the Vincentric’s Best Value in America awards for over $28,000 segment and under $28,000 too.
The 2006 Nissan Murano is available in three models: S ($27,450), SL ($29,000), and SE AWD ($31,550). The S and SL come standard with front-wheel drive (2WD); all-wheel drive (AWD) adds about $1,600 more. The SE comes with all-wheel drive as standard equipment. All models are powered by the 3.5-liter V6 mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that Nissan calls the Xtronic. All Murano models come with features above the class standard.
Safety features include dual-stage frontal air bags with seat belt sensors, front-seat side-impact airbags, full-cabin curtain style head-protection airbags, and active front head restraints. Rollover sensors for the airbag system activate the airbags in the event of a pending rollover.
Murano comes standard with four-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS, Brake Assist and electronic brake-force distribution. Option safety equipment: Vehicle Dynamic Control, which helps the driver correct skids, a Traction Control System, and a tire-pressure monitoring are all part of the Dynamic Control Package, which can be added to models with the Premium package.
For the best deals on Nissan models, new and pre-owned contact your favorite Nissan Dealer, Bob Howard Nissan, Oklahoma City, OK. [PRWEB]
tagTRAX: nissan murano | continuously variable transmission | traction control system | airbags | models
The redesigned 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid is debuting at dealerships nationwide with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $30,990.
The Accord Hybrid receives an extensive face lift for 2006 as well as a host of new features and enhancements, highlighted by a better emissions rating (now AT-PZEV/Tier-2 bin2, previously ULEV-2/Tier-2 bin5), new exterior and interior styling, a power moonroof and more.
Now in its second year, the Accord Hybrid gains the same improvements as all 2006 Accords and more exclusive features that help to further differentiate it from other Accord models. Additionally, several new standard features have been added including Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and a temporary-use spare tire.
The Accord Hybrid utilizes Honda’s third-generation of the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system in combination with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) cylinder deactivation technology to deliver high levels of fuel efficiency for a V6 engine - on par with a 4-cylinder mid-size sedan - along with highly responsive and powerful V6 performance. The 3.0-liter V6 engine with IMA is rated at 253 horsepower (SAE net rev. 8/04) and achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 25/34 city/highway miles per gallon.
“We’ve listened to our customers and added the features they told us they wanted,†said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. “The Accord Hybrid is unique in that it delivers performance and environmental responsibility without compromising one for the other.â€
In keeping with Honda’s industry-leading “Safety for Everyone†initiative, all Accord Hybrids also come equipped with a comprehensive list of advanced safety features including dual-stage, dual-threshold driver and front passenger airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, first and second row side curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes (ABS). Like all V6-equipped Accords, the Accord Hybrid receives Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) for the 2006 model year. [PRWEB]
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tagTRAX: honda accord hybrid | curtain airbags | honda | v6 engine
The redesigned 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder convertible, which goes on sale in March, has a base price of $25,984, including shipping. The base GS model has a 2.4-liter inline-four engine that can produce 162 hp. It is mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
The 3.8-liter V-6 engine in the GT model makes 260 hp and is mated to a six-speed manual. Its price starts at $28,864, including shipping. Mitsubishi Motors North America expects sales to be evenly split between the two models.
Designed to appeal to convertible and sports car enthusiasts of all ages, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT echoes the concept-car design of its coupe sibling with sleek, taut, muscular lines and engaging details such as bright finish LED tail lamps and monocle-lens head lamps.
“The new Eclipse Spyder GT captures the essence of Mitsubishi by offering customers a stand-out design and performance at an affordable price,” said Rich Gilligan, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America. “Its high-quality automatic top makes Eclipse Spyder GT a convertible for all seasons and is more like a top you would expect to see on a $40,000 car than one that starts at under $26,000.”
The Eclipse Spyder GT challenges more expensive sports models with its 260-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 engine mated to either a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic. The GT’s 258 lb-ft of peak torque gives this model “right now” off-the-line response. With the standard six-speed manual transmission, the Spyder GT can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds.
The 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT arrives in Mitsubishi dealerships in April.
For the best deals on Mitsubishi models, contact your favorite Mitsubishi Car Dealer, Manly Mitsubishi in Santa Rosa, CA. [PRWEB]
tagTRAX: mitsubishi eclipse spyder | mitsubishi motors | mitsubishi | inline four | seven seconds
The new Xterra utilizes a modified version of the F-Alpha platform, developed for the full-size Nissan Armada and full-size Nissan Titan pickup, tailored to suit this application. For its use in Xterra, the platform utilizes an independent double-wishbone front and solid axle leaf spring rear suspension, standard 4.0-liter DOHC V6 rated at 265 horsepower and 284 lb-ft of torque, and a choice of 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmissions. [PRWEB Mar 4, 2005]