The Hyundai Elantra Driveway Decision Maker

Send an Elantra to your home and you could WIN IT! Watch this video for more details.

Hyundai RE:MIX LAB 2012: Chicago

Hyundai RE:MIX LAB is back for another round of parties, music and tricked-out wheels. First stop: Chicago.

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Looks like we've earned another repeat customer! Kudos to Lilian.

"This by far was the BEST car purchasing experience that I have ever had! Our sales Rep Lilian O'Kouri was extremely friendly, informative and helpful throughout the whole process" --hogaboom

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Hyundai Azera is a Stylish Ride

With the second-generation Azera full-size sedan, Hyundai is serving notice to a long list of worthy adversaries that it is serious about competing at the high end of the midsize market.

Hyundai has been here before — with the XG300 in 2000 and previous-generation Azera that debuted in 2006. Both cars demonstrated Hyundai’s ability to compete, but didn’t dent.

A renewed effort proves the new car may be on the right road.

 

“The previous-generation Hyundai Azera was a decent car, but it lacked style,” said Tom Murphy, executive editor, Wards Auto World magazine. ”The all-new Azera corrects that shortcoming. It hails from the Hyundai design studios with flash, sizzle, substance and proof there is no substitute for premium materials. The Azera serves notice to luxury brands everywhere that Hyundai aspires to be known for much more than great value.”

Wards named Azera to its 10 Best Interiors list for 2012. The big sedan has the same twin-cockpit design that wraps around the driver and front passenger as in other Hyundais, but dresses it up with soft-touch padding, faux carbon fiber around the seat controls and a center console that runs into a concealable storage cubby at the bottom of the control stack. Passengers in all four outboard locations have ample room to stretch out.

Standard heated leather front and rear seats keep everybody comfortable, although front passengers can opt for ventilated seats while those in back can block the sun with standard manual side window shades and a power rear screen. Nine standard airbags, including a knee bag, protect everyone.

Wards Auto World magazine named Azera to its 10 Best Interiors list for 2012. (Credit: Hyundai)

Technology abounds. Azera comes standard with navigation, rearview camera and Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition. SiriusXM Satellite Radio, HD radio and USB input for MP3 players bring in the groovy tunes. All vehicles are equipped for Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics platform that enables voice text messaging, POI Web search download, turn-by-turn navigation and monthly vehicle reporting. Like GM’s OnStar, Blue Link features an agent-assisted voice recognition system for advanced requests.

Owners requested refined style and they got it.

Hyundai says the sedan’s “Fluidic Sculpture” exterior style takes inspiration from “the mechanics of flight.” It is a beautiful car with a side profile that rises from the flowing chrome grille through a steeply raked hood and windshield, over the arching roofline, and gracefully exiting at the decklid’s trailing edge. It looks sleek and light — like a more expensive version of the Sonata. Which, I imagine, is exactly the point.

The rising rear beltline gives the car a unique element, as do the wraparound LED taillights, HID headlamps and 19-inch alloys. Rear fenders are sculpted in a way that almost hints at a ’58 Chevy Impala — muscular, yet elegant.

In every way, the big sedan projects the air of a very contemporary luxury car.

As stylish as it is, Azera backs up the flash with substance. In this case, a smooth-running 3.3-liter V6 that generates 293 horsepower at a high-revving 6400 rpm and 255 lb.-ft. of torque at 5200 rpm. Any engine moving nearly 300 hp to the front wheels is sure to be a fun ride.

The six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual control is almost as smooth as the engine. Fuel economy rates 20/29 mpg city/hwy — most excellent for a full-size luxury car.

On the open road, Azera feels much like what it is – a larger Sonata. The chassis is sure-footed over almost any surface, but can feel a little unsettled over the rough stuff. Some may find it slightly too firm for a comfy car, but I enjoyed it.

Steering is precise, if lightly weighted. The front-drive vehicle architecture can twist and squirm as full power is applied to the wheels, but electronic stability control, traction control ABS with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution keep everything in check. Azera does not pretend to be a sports car, but it drives sportier than you might imagine.

It’s easy to figure out to whom Hyundai is serving notice. Among the Azera’s intended competitors mentioned in press materials are the Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, Nissan Maxima and Lexus ES350. I would add the Toyota Avalon, Acura TL, Volkswagen Passat and upcoming ’14 Chevy Impala.

The full-size “near luxury” market is getting crowded and the Azera will have to work to find its place. Sleek styling, posh interior, loads of equipment and Hyundai’s renowned 10-year/100,000-mile warranty should give it a head start. Price as tested came to $36,875.

 

-Courtesy of Indy Star

How To Change A Flat Tire

Tools needed: Spare tire, jack, lug wrench.

1. Park your car on a flat surface. If you get a flat while on the road, pull your car as far away from traffic as possible . Make sure to put on the emergency brake. It’s also recommended to put a block on the tire opposite of the flat tire. Put to use that fruitcake from Aunt Gertie you’ve been toting around in the trunk. Here’s a blocking example: if your right rear tire is flat, put the block on the front left tire.

2. Remove the hubcap. If your car has a hubcap, remove it so you can get to the lug nuts. Use the hubcap to hold the nuts.

3. Loosen the nuts. Grab your lug wrench and place it on the flat tire’s lug nuts. Loosen them up by turning them counterclockwise. The nuts are probably on there really tight, so you’ll have to use all your strength to unscrew them. Loosen the nuts a few turns, but don’t take any of them off yet!

4. Place the jack underneath your car. Check your owner’s manual for the correct placement of the jack. Turn the hand crank at the end of the jack to raise the jack until it comes into contact with your car’s frame. Make sure it’s touching a sturdy spot.

5. Jack it up! Start cranking the jack until the wheel is high enough above the ground to remove the tire.

6. Remove the flat. Remove the lug nuts from the wheel. You should be able to do it by hand because you’ve already loosened them. Remove the flat tire and lay it flat. You don’t want the wheel to roll into traffic during rush hour and cause a thirty car pile-up.

7. Slap on your spare. Take your spare tire and line up the lugs, or bolts, with the holes in the wheel and slide the wheel on. Once the wheel is on, take your lug nuts and tighten them by hand until you meet firm resistance.

8. Lower the car. Lower the jack until the wheel is firmly on the ground.

9. Finish tightening your lug nuts. These babies must be on super tight so the wheel doesn’t come flying off while driving to the tire shop to get the flat fixed.

 

-Courtesy of Art of Manliness

A Texas toll road has been approved for an 85-MPH speed limit, now making Texas the state with the highest speed limit in the country.

A Texas toll road has been approved for an 85-MPH speed limit, now making Texas the state with the highest speed limit in the country.

Fans, in your honest opinion, how fast is too fast for speed limits?

Automatic VS Manual!

Automatic VS Manual!

Some people believe driving a stick can be safer because you are forced to pay attention and consciously and actively drive your car, while others believe you can be just as absent minded and distracted, resulting in even more dangerous situations. What do you think?

HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS: "Wristbands"

AutoMax is 15 years old this month!