2007 Hyundai Veracruz Review

The seven-passenger 2007 Hyundai Veracruz SUV is the biggest vehicle in the Korean automaker's stable. Unlike the days of old when "Hyundai" was just a synonym for "cheap," the Veracruz limited edition's list of standard features include leather upholstery, climate control over two zones, parking sensors to the rear, heaters in the seats, and a tailgate with power (among other amenities.)

Look under the hood and you'll find a V6 configured as a six-speed automatic (that can be shifted manually) pumping out 260 horsepower. Test drives show the Veracruz has good acceleration and responsive steering, traits that compliment the overal smoothless of the SUVs ride.

Reviewers have reacted well to the vehicle's handling and safety features as well as the ease with which passengers can get in and out of the second and third rows. Both fold flat by the way, yielding up an impressive 86.8 cubic feet of flexible room for cargo.

The Veracruz stacks up beautifully against the mid-sized crossover competition against which it's aimed. Compare it to the Pilot by Honda, Toyota's Highlander, the Outlook by Saturn, Ford's Edge, and the Lexus RX350. You won't find the Hyundai lacking. Expect to spend between $26,305 to $34,005 for the 2007 Hyundai Veracruz. You'll get gas consumption of 18 mpgs for your in-town driving and 24 when you hit the open road.

2007 Hyundai Tucson Review

The 2007 Hyundai Tucson, a sport utility vehicle accommodating five, lends itslef to a wide-range of activities and is offered in three models - the GLS ($16,895), the SE ($20,895), and the Limited edition ($22,245). The GLS has a two-liter, sixteen-valve engine generating 140 horsepower. The SE and Limited are outfitted with a 2.7 liter 24-valve V6 producing 173 horsepower. A manual transmission with five speeds is standard on the GLS and an automatic with four speeds is used on the other models.

The manual transmission with five speeds and FWD on the GLS shows 23 mpg city and 28 highway with the 4WD version registering 22/26. The FWD automatic on the GLS gets 22 and 27 on the GLS, 20 /26 on the SE and limited. The 4WD on the SE and Limited shows 19 mpg city and 24 highway. The GLS has a 15.3 gallon fuel capacity with the SE and Limited jumping to 17.2 gallons.

The Tucsons come standard with a six-airbag system including double front bags and those that are mounted in the seats to shield against impact from the side. In addition, there are curtain bags mounted in the roof. All models have disc brakes on all the wheels with ABS.

Head room in all models of the 2007 Hyundai Tucson is 40.3 inches front and 38.8 rear with leg room at 42.1 and 37.2 respectively. Overall passenger volume is 102.6 cubic feet with cargo volume at 22.7 with the rear seats up and 65.5 when the seats are stowed.

2007 Hyundai Tiburon Review

The 2007 Hyundai Tiburon is available in four models: the GS ($16,595), the GT ($19,295), the GT Limited ($21,595), and the SE ($21,995.) The GS is powered by a 2 liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine generating 138 horsepower. The GTs and SE have a 2.7 liter, 24-valve V6 producing 172 horsepowerp. A manual transmission with five speeds is standard on the GS, GT, and GT limited with a manual with six speeds on the SE. (The GTs can be outfitted with an automatic with four speeds.)

The manual with five speeds returns 23 mpg city and 31 highway on the GS with 19 and 27 respectively on the GTs. The manual with six speeds on the SE registers 18 city and 26 highway. The automatic with four speeds shows 22 city / 30 highway on the GS and 19/26 on the GTs. All models have a 14.5 gallon fuel capacity.

All 2007 Hyundai Tiburon models have 28 inches of headroom in the front (36.5 with the optional sunroof) and 34.1 rear. Leg room is 43.1 front and 29.9 rear with complete passenger volume at 81.9 cubic feet. Cargo volume is 14.8 cubic feet. All models feature a twin airbag protection system for the front seat as well as bags mounted in the seats to shield against impact from the side. The all-wheel brakes with power assistance technology come with standard ABS.

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Review

The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe is available in three models: the GLS ($21,045), the SE ($23,745), and the Limited ($26,045). The GLS is outfitted with a 2.7 liter, 24-valve V6 producing 185 hp. The SE and Limited have a 3.3 liter V6 generating 242 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard with AWD controlled automatically as an option. The GLS comes standard as a manual transmission with five speeds (an automatic with four speeds is optional) while the SE and Limited are offered as five-speed automatics only.

All models feature electronically controlled stability as well as systems for traction control. The all-wheel breaks have both ABS and power assist. Both the FWD and AWD have manual transmission with five speeds on the GLS registering 20 mpg city and 25 highway. The FWD automatic shows 21/26 on the GLS and 19/24 on the SE and Limited with the AWD getting 19/25 on the GLS and 19/24 for the SE and Limited. All models have a 19.8 gallon fuel capacity.

Seating capacities for the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe models are five to seven with passenger volume ranging from 108.3 cubic feet to 142.3. Cargo volume measured posterior to the front seats is 78.2, to the second 34.2, and to the third10 cubic feet. All models incorporate two airbags covering the driver and front passenger as well has bags mounted in the seat for side impact and those in the curtain position.

2007 Hyundai Entourage Review

The 2007 Hyundai Entourage is available in three models starting with the GLS at a MSRP of $23,795. The SE goes for $26,295 and the Limited edition for $28,795. All models are powered by a 3.8 liter 24-valve engine generating 250 horsepower and using an automatic transmission with five speeds. EPA mileage estimates are 18 city and 25 highway for the Entourage, which has a 21.1 gallon fuel capacity.

Interior volume on the model is 172.3 cubic feet with cargo volume at 141.5 when the second row seats have been taken out and the third row stowed in the folded position. With only the third row put down, cargo volume is 80.2 cubic feet. With seating for seven passengers, the Entourage comes standard with half a dozen airbags: two covering the driver and passenger from the front position, two placed in the seats to deploy to the side, and two in the curtain position to protect outboard passengers.

All models of the 2007 Hyundai Entourage come standard with a combo audio unit playing across six speakers. A Infinity Logic7 Surround Sound system with a changer in the dash capable of handling six discs and an amplifier with twelve channels is an option on the SE and Limited as is a DVD system for the benefit of back passengers included a screen that flips down and wireless headphones.

2007 Hyundai Elantra Review

The 2007 Hyundai Elantra is available in three trim levels the GLS ($13,395), the SE ($15,845), and the Limited ($16,845). All are equipped with a two liter, four-cylinder engine generating between 132 and 138 hp. Each Elantra comes standard as a manual transmission with five speeds and have an option for an automatic with four speeds.

Head room in the front of the car is 40 inches and in the rear 37.6; leg room measures 43.5 and 35. Cargo volume is 14.2 cubic feet. Estimated gas mileage is 28 city, 36 highway for both the manul and automatic transmissions. All Elantra fuel tanks have a 14-gallon capacity.

The Elantra series has all-wheel disc brakes that incorporate technology for anti-locking with additional technology to distribute force. There are six airbags standard - two covering occupants in the front seat and including a system to classify those occupants, two in the front mounted in the seats so as to protect against impact from the side, and two bags on the side in the curtain position for outboard passengers. Locks on the rear doors are rated as child safe and car seats are held in place by the standard LATCH anchoring system.

Audio options on the 2007 Hyundai Elantra include a 182-watt combo unit playing across six speakers or a premium system of 200-watts that includes a changer capable of handling six discs. Both MP3 capability and XM Satellite Radio are options.

2007 Hyundai Azera Review

The 2007 Hyundai Azera SE carries an MSRP of $24,535 with the Limited edition selling for $27,135. Both are powered by a 3.8 liter V6, generating 263 horsepower as an automatic transmission with five speeds and overdrive. The engine returns 19 mpg city and 28 highway on a 19.8 gallon fuel tank.

The Azera has 40.2 inches of head room front and 38.2 rear with leg room of 43.7 and 38.2 respectively. Overall passenger volume measures 106.9 cubic feet with a total cargo volume of 16.6 cubic feet. From one curb to the next, the Azeras have a turning diameter of 37.4 feet.

Occupants in all models are protected by two airbags in the front with an additional two mounted in the seats as safeguards against impact from the side. Additionally, there are two bags for the rear mounted in the seats protecting the outboard positions as well as bags from the roof in the curtain position. Brakes on all wheels have ABS technology with additional systems to distribute force. The design of the vehicle accommodates the absorbtion of collision energy by incorporating steel of high-tensile quality. There are crumple zones in the front and rear with side reinforcements present.

Both the driver and front passenger seats of the 2007 Hyundai Azera have powered adjustment as well as heating available on the SE and standard on the Limited. The optional system features a changer in the dash capable of handling six discs that plays across ten speakers and incorporates a subwoofer and 315-watt amplifier.

2007 Hyundai Accent

The 2007 Hyundai Accent is offered in the GS three-door sedan for $10,415; the SE three-door for $13,915; and as the GLS four-door for $12,565. All are outfitted with a 1.6 liter, sixteen-valve, four-cylinder (generation 110 horsepower) as both a manual transmission with five speeds or an automatic with four speeds (and overdrive.) The manual transmission returns 32 mpg city, 35 highway with the automatic showing 28 /37.

All models have head room in the front seat measuring 39.6 inches with 37.8 in the rear (leg room is 42.8 front, 34.3 rear.) Overall passenger volume is 92.2 cubic feet with 15.9 cubic feet of cargo volume (12.4 on the GLS.)

The driver seat in the Accent features adjustment on eight levels with head restraints for all seats offering equal flexibility. The driver's seat has an armrest that folds. The rear seatback folds according to the 60/40 configuration. The audio system is a standard combo unit of 172-watts playing across six speakers (optional on the GS). Air conditioning is a standard feature on all models except the GS.

Occupants of the 2007 Hyundai Accent are protected by two airbags in the front as well as two bags mounted in the seats to protect against impact from the side. Additionally there are bags in the side curtain position. The vehicle has beams in the doors as additional side protection with crumple zones in the front and rear and unibody construction.

2008 Hyundai Sonata Review

The 2008 Hyundai Sonata comes in three trim levels, the base GLS, the SE, and the stylish, feature-rich Limited, all of which come with a choice of two engines. The standard configuration is a 162 horsepower, 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine while the optional upgrade, available on all three trims, is a 235 horsepower, 3.3 liter V-6. In previous model years, the V-6 was only available on upper-level trims. According to Hyundai, a Sonata with a V-6 engine can go from zero to 62 mph in under eight seconds.

The GLS and SE both come standard with a five-speed manual transmission, or an optional four-speed automatic with "Shiftronic" manual shifting. If a V-6 engine is chosen, the gearbox it's mated to is a five-speed "Shiftronic"-enabled automatic.

The 2008 Hyundai Sonata is both two inches taller, and two inches longer than last year's model, and has a wheelbase that is one inch longer than that of its predecessor. As well, it has jeweled projector-style head lights, and the dual exhausts on V-6 models are tipped with chrome. The standard wheels are 16 inches, but 17-inch wheels are available on SE and Limited models.

Inside the 2008 Sonata, there is seating for five, with a 60/40 split for the back seat, and a total of 16.3 feet of cargo volume. Distinctive features of this car include the side-opening trunk assists which don't take up valuable storage space inside.

Standard features include an XM radio/CD/MP3 player audio system and a tilting steering wheel, with the SE and Limited trims also including a six-disc CD changer, adding both telescoping functionality and audio controls to the steering column. While all trim levels come with an alarm, heated mirrors, cruise control, power windows, air conditioning, and a keyless entry system, leather upholstery and heated seats are options only available on the Limited version of the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, which also has a power drivers seat and a center arm rest that slides open. A moon roof is also available, as an optional feature.

The safety features on this year's Sonata include active head restraints and side-impact airbags for the front seats, and side curtain airbags as well. Four-wheel-disc anti-lock brakes are a standard feature, as are the stability and traction control systems.