Hyundai Execs Keep Careful Watch on Brand Rivals

As it continues to introduce vehicles across the global marketplace, Hyundai is skilled at targeting specific customers. The brand is astute at identifying needs, preferences, and market demands. And that’s exactly why Hyundai’s lineup puts an emphasis on the small and mid-size vehicle categories.

The compact Elantra sedan continues to be a strong performer in the lineup. And with 2024 updates to the midsize Sonata, Hyundai ensures that sedans continue to be a cornerstone of its vehicle offerings. Meanwhile, Hyundai responds to consumer preferences for SUVs and crossovers. The offerings include Venue, Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade. And Kona and Santa Fe both got a complete redesign for 2024.

As always, Hyundai’s goal is to deliver more car for the same or lower price than rivals. And they back all vehicle with a warranty no one else can match. That’s a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-year powertrain warranty.

The Savvy Drivers Had the Recent Opportunity to Drive All of Hyundai’s Newly Updated Models

The Sonata Refresh:
A Simplified Lineup with Enhancements to Design, Performance, and Technology

Sonata’s base SE trim is discontinued. This makes the former mid-tier SEL trim now the 2024 base model. And gone is the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine . So the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine is the new base powertrain. Plus, the SEL with 2.5L engine is now available with all-wheel drive.

To give the new Sonata the sporty look that modern buyers seek, it now has a lower profile and wider stance. The front fascia features a full-width LED light bar and a more aggressive grille design. All Sonatas feature heated power-folding exterior mirrors and remote keyless entry.

Besides the SEL, the 2024 Sonata is available in three other trims. The N Line features include a sporty turbocharged powertrain. The SEL Hybrid and Limited Hybrid come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s paired with an electric motor for an EPA-combined rating of 47 mpg.

Inside, you’ll enjoy remote push-button start, power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats. There’s plenty of legroom for both front and rear passengers, and a good amount of storage. And Sonata now leads the class for standard infotainment screen size and responsiveness with a curved display housing a digital instrument panel and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity are new for the 2024 model year. And Sonata’s standard safety features now include forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping system, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear automatic braking.

For our week-long test drive, we rode comfortably in the Sonata Hybrid Limited.

Both hybrid options come already equipped with wireless device charging, a power-adjustable passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and Hyundai Digital Keys that let you use your smartphone instead of a physical key to lock, unlock and start the vehicle.

The Limited Hybrid added a navigation system and upgraded the standard 6-speaker audio to a 12-speaker premium Bose sound system. Other additions include Bluelink connected services with voice recognition, head-up display, heated steering wheel, leather seating, ventilated front seats and a sunroof. Added safety features include rear parking sensors, Highway Driving Assist, and remote Smart Parking Assist that allows you to remotely guide the vehicle into a parking spot using a smartphone app. And that let absolutely nothing more to add to the MSRP price of $37,200.

The All-New 2024 Hyundai Kona Targets Buyers That Value Style and Agility Over Sheer Utility

The Kona features a sleek, ultramodern exterior with LED headlights. The new model adds two inches to the wheelbase and six inches overall. Size-wise, Kona still slots between the smaller Venue subcompact SUV and the larger Tucson compact SUV. But Kona is distinctly marketed as subcompact crossover due to a sloping roofline that give it a more car-like aesthetic.

Kona comes in SE, SEL, N Line and Limited trim levels with two engine options. The SE and SEL come standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower to power the front wheels using a CVT transmission. N-Line and Limited get a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine delivering 190 horsepower matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. An all-wheel-drive system is optional with all trims. Hyundai also offers an electric version of the Kona.

Inside, the new Kona’s larger platform provides more room for passengers and cargo.

And it comes well stocked with features its target buyers will value delivered with a modern and upscale look. An integrated screen setup combines a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen. Kona’s advanced technology includes a digital instrument panel, wireless smartphone integration. Two USB ports in each row are standard and a wireless charging pad is optional. Smartphone controlled digital key technology is also available on the Kona.

Even the base Kona with MSRP of $24,895 has a nice list of standard driver assist features, such as driver attention warning, forward collision warning with auto braking, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, lane keeping assistance and rear seat reminder. Adaptive cruise control and several others can be added on SEL. They were included on our Limited AWD tester.

Limited features the zippy turbocharged engine rated at 26 mpg combined. And it adds upgraded exterior lighting, synthetic leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera, parking sensors and the automated parking system. Its MSRP was $33,150. And after adding special paint and floormats, its total price with delivery was $35,145.

Hyundai Santa Cruz Gets an Even Bolder, Stronger Design

Texas Truck Rodeo Photos by Kevin McCauley

The annual Texas Truck Rodeo held by the Texas Auto Writers Association provided The Savvy Drivers with an opportunity to drive the all-new 2024 Santa Fe. And appropriately for that driving event, Hyundai brought its Santa Fe XRT, an outdoor-focused sport model tailored to the diverse needs of adventure-oriented enthusiasts with confident capabilities.

This latest-generation XRT model adds dark chrome and black trim elements and cladding throughout the exterior, including black roof rails, for a rugged, ready-for-adventure appearance. It also adds a 30-inch all-terrain tire fitment, with 245/60R18 tires. This XRT boasts nearly 1.5 inches of additional ground clearance and when properly equipped with the towing package, is rated at 4,500 lbs. of towing capacity.

More From the Family at Truck Rodeo

The Hyundai Motor Group encompasses three primary automotive brands: Hyundai, Kia and Genesis. The structure allows for resource sharing and collaboration among Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, while enabling each brand to maintain its distinct identity and cater to specific market segments. While Hyundai focuses on a broad consumer base with a diverse lineup, Kia emphasizes youthful design and innovation, and Genesis targets the luxury segment with premium offerings.