Hyundai Santa Cruz concept is part compact crossover, part pickup truck, 100% unexpected | Auffenberg Hyundai O'Fallon IL

With an efficient diesel engine and an extendable bed, the Santa Cruz aims to be a compact pickup for millennials who don't want or need a truck.

Hyundai has built a pickup truck. That's crazy, right? The Korean brand isn't the first marque that most think about when looking for a truck, but the Santa Cruz concept is proof that the automaker is at least thinking about diving into this space.

The automaker states that the concept is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine that is good for 190 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is estimated to be in the "high 30 mpg range." The Santa Cruz also offers Hyundai's HTRAC all-wheel drive system, a useful addition for the sort of muddy, dirty or snowy conditions that pickup trucks often find themselves in.

Oddly, Hyundai states that the Santa Cruz concept isn't a true alternative to a truck, but an extension to the utility of a crossover. Towing, payload and ground clearance were not Hyundai's primary goals, so the Santa Cruz hunkers close to the ground for easier access to the cabin. From nose to tail, the Santa Cruz looks about as long as Hyundai's Tucson and features double doors on either side that butterfly open to reveal seating for four souls.

2015 Hyundai Genesis Expert Review | Auffenberg Hyundai O'Fallon IL

Redesigned, roomier with sharper looks, all-wheel drive.

If the badge were missing, one might easily mistake the 2015Hyundai Genesis for a European luxury sedan. All-new for the 2015 model year, the Genesis, already impressive in its previous incarnation, gets even better.

First introduced for the 2008 model year, the Hyundai Genesis sedan received much acclaim in the automotive press. It was refreshed for 2012 and is completely redesigned for 2015.

Size-wise, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan grows in length by only 0.2 inches, but the interior is roomier thanks to a wheelbase that's been stretched by nearly three inches, allowing for more room in the cabin and shortening overhangs for improved performance. It's longer and wider than other midsize sedans, and is technically classified by the EPA as a large vehicle. That's good news when it comes to space, but it also means more bulk.

Unlike most new versions of cars that boast lighter, more aerodynamic designs, the Genesis takes a different tack. It feels solid and substantive, and despite the use of some new lightweight materials, the Genesis manages to gain about 100 pounds. Hyundai argues the gain is, in part, to boost safety ratings, and despite the increase, the 2015 Genesis manages to improve fuel economy by 1 mpg.

Two engines are available on the 2015 Hyundai Genesis and carry over from the previous generation (pre-2015), but have been heavily revised for the 2015 models. The standard 3.8-liter V6 produces 311 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque and runs on Regular gasoline. It's available in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants. The 5.0-liter V8 makes 420 hp and 383 lb.-ft of torque with Premium fuel, or 407 hp and 372 lb-ft with Regular gas. Both engines are naturally aspirated.

All models use Hyundai's 8-speed transmission with paddle shifters (Shiftronic), which uses fuel-saving measures like skip-shift technology help to reduce emissions.

We found the V6 perfectly capable, and the best choice for most drivers. Available all-wheel drive makes the Genesis even more appealing for those in snowy climes. The V8 is silky and satisfying for those looking for even more power.

Fuel economy for the 2015 Hyundai Genesis is 18/29 mpg for the 3.8-liter RWD model and 16/25 mpg City/Highway for the 3.8-liter AWD model. With the 5.0-liter V8, fuel economy understandably suffers, with 15/23 mpg City/Highway.

In the cabin, materials are of good quality, and the layout is attractive and intuitive. Standard leather upholstery on the base model is nice, but not buttery-soft like one might find in more expensive luxury cars; we prefer the upgraded leather that comes on the 5.0. Rear passengers have adequate headroom, though rear legroom falls short compared to some. Cargo space is plentiful at 15.3 cubic feet.

Infotainment controls are modeled after those of German cars. A knob on the center console, similar to those found on Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz controls navigation, audio, phone and settings. And unlike those German cars, the standard 9.2-inch LCD display is a touch-screen that allows you to access some features directly by pushing one button, instead of going into an endless series of menus.

Hyundai says it is aiming squarely at German midsize sedans, but although the 2015 Hyundai Genesis offers far more features for the money, those looking for brand cachet still might have a hard time being convinced. We think the Genesis boasts superior driving dynamics to those of the Lexus GS or ES, and the Hyundai comes with more standard features. The new Cadillac CTS offers similar value, but its race-bred powertrain and chassis offer a much more engaging ride, and the available V6 engines are more powerful. Though the Genesis is thousands of dollars less than the BMW 5 Series, the Genesis really can't touch the BMW in terms of dialed-in performance. As for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Genesis comes close with ride and handling and offers many more standard features, but may never achieve the status afforded by the three-pointed star.

The 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan is a handsome, affordable alternative to a more expensive luxury car and comes packed with standard features. The 3.8 offers fine performance and optional all-wheel drive, while the 5.0 offers an abundance of silky-smooth power. We thought the Genesis 3.8 offered the best value and had plenty of power.

A Look at CarPlay and Android Auto | Auffenberg Hyundai O'Fallon IL

Smartphone “projected experiences” are poised to change how we interact with our cars. As these devices continue to be central hubs for nearly everything, drivers are also using them more during commutes. Bluetooth and auxiliary cables make it easy to stream music and take calls while behind the wheel, but other activities still require interaction with the smartphone itself, often making the experience cumbersome.Earlier this year, tech giants Apple and Google worked with select automakers to reveal features that enable deeper smartphone integration with the car, allowing drivers to access their Apple iOS or Android smartphones easily and safely. These features, named Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leverage the vehicle’s integrated controls to help drivers access core functions like navigation, media, messaging and calling while also adding some new features.

Shoppers are excited and we’re working closely with both companies to bring these features to market as soon as possible. Since this summer, we’ve spent a lot of time demonstrating the latest versions of CarPlay and Android Auto to media and customers in our 2015 Sonata. The feedback has been great and we’re excited to tell more of the story at 2015 CES in just a few weeks.

Check out this excellent video by KBB’s Micah Muzio from the Los Angeles Auto Show where both Apple and Google engineers each give a tour of CarPlay and Android Auto, respectively, in our 2015 Sonata.

Hyundai hires actor Paul Rudd as pitchman [w/video] | Auffenberg Hyundai O'Fallon IL

The Dude abides, but his deep voice is going to be coming from your TV a little less. After seven years of his earthiness, laid back actor Jeff Bridges is no longer the voice of Hyundai in the brand's advertising. He has been replaced by comedian Paul Rudd who is already narrating the new commercial for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.

"We were looking for a voice that could be recognizable and relatable to a new generation of car buyers," said Steve Shannon, vice president of Marketing, Hyundai Motor America, in the company's announcement of the deal. "Rudd can be serious, humorous, informative and entertaining all at the same time."

According to Hyundai spokesperson Derek Joyce speaking to Autoblog, the deal with Rudd goes for the next three years. "He's our tier one voice, and that's going to affect tone" in the company's ads," Joyce said. The first spot with Rudd is titledCo-Pilot, and it stars a backseat driver losing out to the Sonata's navigation system and safety features at every turn. Rudd isn't physically in the commercial but does the ending voiceover. The company wouldn't say when the next ad with the new pitchman might debut.

Hyundai Reveals the New Sonata Hyubrid Ahead of Detroit, Announces Plug-in Hybrid | Auffenberg Hyundai O'Fallon IL

 

Since its debut in 2011, the Sonata hybrid hasn’t seen many changes. Since there’s a new standard Sonata out, though, an update for the hybrid was inevitable. Unveiled in Seoul, the new Sonata hybrid made its global debut with a new look, an upgraded power system, and more cabin space than its predecessor.

Hyundai will admit that the Sonata is its best-selling vehicle to the point where it will openly admitted that if the Sonata Hybrid doing well, then so is Hyundai. It’s so important to the Korean automaker that it has spent 27 months of research and fine-tuning to get the hybrid version exactly right.

A hybrid version takes that success and adds a potential fuel economy range of more than 42 mpg. This is done with a 2.0-liter GDI hybrid engine combined with a 39-kW motor. The gas engine produces roughly 153 horsepower, getting a combined output of 204 hp. These are slight increases from the 2015 model that claims 40 mpg and 199 combined hp.


Power is transferred through a new six-speed automatic transmission, which is optimized for efficiency by ditching the mechanical oil pump and opting for an electronic one. This way, operations are automatically optimized, eliminating hydraulic losses.

It carries over the same lithium-polymer battery pack from the last generation, but has upped the capacity by 13 percent. The battery has also been relocated to the floor of the trunk, giving owners 10 percent more cargo space in the rear. The new sedan is also an in an inch and a half longer as well as an inch wider than the previous model, so there’s more interior cabin space for people, too.

The Korean automaker will debut the new Sonata hybrid for us here in the U.S. at the Detroit Auto Show in Detroit this January, where we’ll not only see the new vehicle for ourselves, but will also receive detailed info for a plug-in hybrid version that will expand Hyundai’s range of eco-friendly vehicles.

Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/new-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-revealed/#ixzz3MMI4tBEs 

About Auffenberg Hyundai | Auffenberg Hyundai O'Fallon IL

Located just a few miles from the intersection of Interstate 64 and U.S. Route 50, Auffenberg Hyundai has served the St. Louis community with the best Hyundai has to offer. Take advantage of our service and sales experience when checking out our new Hyundai cars and used cars in O'Fallon.

Our dealership is perfectly located near our Belleville, Illinois neighbors and just a few minutes' drive west from St. Louis along Interstate 64 and U.S. Route 50. Stop by and visit us today!

Looking for specific manufacturer recommended parts? In need of service or repair on your new or used Hyundai? Visit Auffenberg Hyundai, located in O'Fallon and let our highly trained and skilled technicians assist you. For your convenience set up a service appointment or order parts online in the comfort of your home! Whatever you're looking for our nearby Illinois Hyundai dealership is here to help.

From the elegance of the Hyundai Elantra to the style and grace of the Hyundai Genesis, you're sure to find your dream Hyundai here at Auffenberg Hyundai. Our large inventory of used and new Hyundai vehicles is sure to please any appetite. Schedule a test-drive today and take any of our new or used Hyundai vehicles for a spin.

Auffenberg Hyundai's auto loan department is here to help you lease or finance a new Hyundai. Our finance team will work with you and local banks to help find you the best rate on a car loan. Our finance department will work with you regardless of good credit, bad credit, or even no credit. Get pre-approved for a new auto loan today.