When we used to talk about cars from this part of the world, we always said “Japanese Cars”. However, now we have cars made in Korea, China, and India. So, time to start saying “Japanese cars made in other countries”, because we can’t say it any differently. I even accidentally called Hyundai “Japanese” in talking to someone today. How rude.
I remember when Hyundai hit the America streets. The Excel, made of leftover tin foil from schoolchildren’s lunchboxes and some old bicycle parts, it was a feast of misery to behold. For $5000, you got none of your money’s worth.
Fast forward around 2006. Hyundai had 8 regular models, and a roughly semi decent reputation. It’s to the point where you can admit you bought one to save money, and when you drop your kids off at school, there was a good chance the other kids wouldn’t beat up your kids and steal their lunch boxes. That would be bad since you have to turn in the tin foil wrapping the sandwich to the Hyundai dealership so they can build another car…..oh, wait, scratch that.
Hyundai was swimming in a sea of mediocrity. The Hyundai Sonata registered 733 problems, other models weren’t far behind, and of course, don’t forget about its little ugly brother K-k-k-k-Kia (sung to the Chia Pet commercial theme song).
They needed a boost. So, they came up with a plan. They wanted to knock Honda off the top. They wanted to become #1. They set a goal to do it in 5 years. Well, they didn’t make it in those 5 years…..it took 6! From strong advancements in Quality Control to of course throwing in their 100,000 mile warranty, this gave a strong boost in consumer confidence and certainly critical acclaim. Plus, their strong gameplay in sending a bunch of hitmen to kidnap Audi’s Design Chief in the middle of the night and drag him off to Korea, that helped as well. I hear that they still don’t let him off the factory property in case he tries to escape. The Korean version of The Shawshank Redemption.
In 2012, Honda was cutting back on its quality control to save some money, and they also seemed to send out a memo to their designers telling them “Our cars are decent looking, that needs to change. Make them weird and ugly”. With Civic and Accord falling, Hyundai pounced up and grabbed ratings over Honda. They did it. Call Adrian, play the Rocky theme. Hyundai made #1 in quite a few car lists. They achieved their goal. I always have strong appreciation for anyone who sets a lofty goal and then makes it.
Hyundai starts really getting brave. Their Hyundai Genesis Sedan and Coupe, with 0-60 times at 5 seconds, holy smokes, Asian cars can’t do that. They are supposed to have soft accelerator pedals, loud whiny engines, horrible exhaust notes, and transmissions that thud on every gear. Well, except for Lexus, they just aspire to be more exciting than taking a bath in warm mud or than painting everything you own Beige.
Or back to the Sonata. The first 5 generations of Sonata looked like warmed over lunchboxes. Really the worst that you could design. Even the dog wouldn’t want to go for a ride in the car, he would be beat up and have his lunch money stolen when you dropped him off at Obedience School. However, the first time I saw the current model version, I really thought it was a Lexus. The 2009 Sonata was long, sleek, with a rolling dashboard and nice interior. Two refreshes and it still looks good.
Now Hyundai is the fourth largest automaker in the world! Plus, fourth “most admired” behind BMW, VW, and Daimler. Although, that probably is different now, thanks to VW blowing a bit too much smoke.
So, for my first Hyundai review, with all this quality, all these great cars, I am going to review…..an intermediate-sized CUV. Hmmmm……ok, better get some coffee to wake up from this. I could be doing a new G90, or even the fast and fun coupe. Nope, give me a Seven Seat Mommy mobile. Comes standard with preset milk and soda stains on the seats so when the kids throw their drink bottles, it just blends in. Handy, kudos to Hyundai for thinking of that.
Again, I was up in north country, rental car, needed 4WD or AWD, and the rental car company had the Hyundai Santa Fe. They call it an intermediate SUV, but if you put this next to a Chevy Yukon or Dodge Durango, it is definitely not a match.
Well, first things first, dual pipes out the back, ok, nice visual acuity. Throwing in the 200lbs of luggage (traveling with wife, she loves to bring everything, including the beige hair dryer) was easy. I just pulled a couple straps and the third row seats dropped. To put them back up, just pull on the cord. Not bad. I also noticed that when we later on put our young cousins back in the Suicide Seat Row (think 1970’s station wagon), when you pulled the rear seat forward, it moved very easily. The third row is nice.
Now, back up to the first row of seats. As this is of course a basic fleet model car, no major bells/whistles. It did have a touch screen for the stereo. Of course, prerequisite for the wife of Butt Warmers (heated seats). Gauges are laid out nicely and I have plenty of room for my normal 6’ man size frame, even enough for how big I got after eating many MANY tasty Italian dinners. Did you know eating Chicken Parmesan adds 20 inches to your waist? I didn’t…..until now. Or was it the pasta, and wine, and cookies. Oh, who’s counting other than Jenny Craig and occasionally Oprah every 5 years or so.
Driving is pretty steady. It actually has a surprising amount of power for a family truckster, 0-60 in about 7.5 seconds, and I even got it over 100….oh, wait, the rental company may be reading this……Disclaimer: the author is lying his butt off, it never broke 55mph, and that imprint of a stop sign on the hood, it was there when I took the vehicle from the airport, I swear.
Driving it around town, and in some snowy/icy conditions, the all wheel drive did very well. No major understeer/oversteer situations. It comfortably rolled right along.
So, my first Hyundai review, I have to say that if you are a soccer mom looking for an affordable family beast to haul your 3 kids, 2 strollers, 5 soccer balls, diaper bags, 79 changes of clothes for the kids, 3 Happy Meals, 4 dogs, a deer a female deer, Mommy Medicine (bottle of Jack Daniels hidden in the rear compartment), and occasionally your husband, this is a competent vehicle for you.
Uh oh, rental car company read this, they are ringing my phone…….RUN AWAY RUN AWAY! Did I purchase the Loss Damage Waiver, aaarrrgghh!