I’ve been a fan of the Veloster Turbo from Hyundai since I drove the inaugural version several years ago through the winding canyon roads surrounding San Diego. I recently had the 2016 Rally Edition for a week and got to experience the vehicle again, this time with plenty of routine city and highway drive time along with some more challenging roads. The car is just as fun as I remember, though I do miss those SoCal roads.

Exterior

My Veloster Rally Edition came with Matte Blue exterior paint with black wheel rims that made the car stand out as I drove through town. The Veloster is still in its first generation, so there haven’t been significant design changes to the exterior, which still features the unique third door for easy access to the back seats. The unique look and body shape gives the Veloster more interior room, as the designers weren’t wed to tradition sports car dimensions, while the headlamps and large grille provide a powerful look for the vehicle.

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I first drove the 2015 Hyundai Sonata last summer when the all-new design was introduced, and I noted then how much I liked the evolution of the Sonata design. The Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language led to a more refined and upscale look for the Sonata that should help the vehicle stand out in the crowded mid-sized sedan market.

I recently had the opportunity to drive the new Sonata for a full week and this experience reinforced the positive impressions I had last summer. I tested the Sport 2.0T which features a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that is optimized for lower-RPM drivability and produces 245 horsepower and 260 lb. ft. of torque. I pointed out in my original review that you could feel the difference driving the turbo over the standard 185 horsepower engine so I was happy to have the turbo for the week. It won’t blow you away with its performance but the consistent responsiveness made this an appealing every day vehicle.

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How many times have you confused the Elantra with other cars on the road? Probably seldom, as the 2014 Hyundai Elantra Limited is a standout that is smooth as silk and incredibly affordable. The award-winning Hyundai Elantra has been refreshed for 2014 with extensive design upgrades and new powertrain options. We tested the new 2014 Hyundai Elantra Limited in black diamond pearl and came away very impressed! A host of new features have also been added, while still maintaining the roominess, warranty and safety that has made Elantra a recipient of numerous awards.

The design flow of the new 2014 Hyundai Elantra Limited is unique and eye-catching, as this sedan just keeps getting better! For 2014, the Elantra has received a host of exterior design changes. The front and rear styling of the 2014 Hyundai Elantra have been altered for a more stable, balanced look. Up front, a new open-mouth lower bumper, grille, more technical foglights and projector headlamps with LED accents add a dynamic, precise feel to the car. The whole L-shaped foglight graphic stabilizes the front end and gives it a more grounded look, all while maintaining a greater sense of width that forces the eye to the corners. The headlamp and taillamp LED accents were also given a more technical appearance to give the Elantra a stronger attitude. From the profile, a chrome beltline molding and new sets of 17-inch alloy wheels on the Elantra Limited as tested and Sport accentuate the Elantra’s premium image. A new black, two-tone rear diffuser also sharpens the look of the 2014 Elantra.

As good as the exterior appears on the 2014 Hyundai Elantra Limited, we were just as impressed with the cabin space. Inside, refinements in design give the entire 2014 Hyundai Elantra a more premium feel, with an all-new third-generation navigation and audio technology, available aluminum accents and new HVAC controls. Subtle changes to the placement of HVAC vents, controls and the height of the front center armrest lend a higher-quality, simplified look. Providing a more upscale environment is accomplished with a slightly darker, more neutral beige interior color choice, aluminum pedals on the Sport and aluminum door sill plates on the Sport and Limited we had the pleasure to drive.

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When Hyundai released the all-new Genesis sedan a few years back, folks in the auto business wondered out loud whether the car would pay off. Well, with the second generation Genesis on the market, it only takes one look to realize something special was accomplished. The 2015 Genesis represents a bold step forward for Hyundai, continuing to build upon its successful strategy of marketing its premium models under the Hyundai brand umbrella, rather than a costly separate luxury brand sales channel. The new Genesis is incredibly well-equipped in every configuration, offering even more content than the first-generation Genesis. This additional content includes a generous suite of standard safety and convenience features, unsurpassed in its class.

Since its 2009 debut on the Sonata sedan, Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy has been continually enhanced and refined, progressively influencing every model in the Hyundai lineup. The all-new Genesis is the first Hyundai to embody Fluidic Sculpture 2.0, the second-generation of this convention-shattering design theme. Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 encapsulates a trio of main design elements: fluid aesthetics, the modern Hyundai look and a premium ambience. Fluidic forms are still present but with a more refined and precise presentation. This latest design philosophy is adaptable to a wider range of vehicle types and sizes, from CUVs to premium-luxury flagships. The all-new Sonata sedan, to debut later this year, will also clearly manifest the Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design philosophy. You have to tip your hat to Hyundai as the sleek sculpture of the 2015 Hyundai Genesis AWD 3.8 is an eye-catcher from every angle.

The 2015 Hyundai Genesis expresses a truly modern design through distinctive exterior styling with a sleek, upscale appearance. Evoking a premium feel, the design cues display a new Hyundai family aesthetic: simple and harmonious design with refined fluidic elements. The design features the modern Hyundai look, with a striking hexagonal front grille as a key geometric element, a dynamic crease accent running along the flanks of the car, and a dynamic rear design. Design surfaces convey a kinetic elegance, relying more on voluminous body sections than surface details to create dramatic forms. Proportions demonstrate a long dash-to-axle length, longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs than its predecessor. These proportions clearly convey the performance rear-drive configuration beneath the sheet metal. The single-frame 3D-hexagonal grille ensures the front end of the all-new Genesis is not only striking, depicted in semi-gloss chrome, but also encompasses available HID headlamps, LED indicators and fog lamps. In profile, the Genesis daylight opening is more expressive, with fluid lines and blended surfaces, a sleek C-pillar helping to emphasize the sporty styling. The rear of the all-new Genesis benefits from a sculptural aesthetic with jeweled, full-LED tail lamps.

The cabin space in the 2015 Hyundai Genesis AWD 3.8 certainly carries a wow factor that rivals costing 20K more could only dream of achieving. The cabin layout of the all-new Genesis has been designed to benefit all occupants with a spacious, comfortable ambience. The simplification of the switchgear and instrument panel ensures an intuitive layout and open feel. This user-centric design has sought to connect the various interior parts effectively, particularly the center stack with the console, upper-instrument panel and B-pillar with the headliner. Genesis displays ultra-precise fit and finish, with ergonomic seat design and a generous, natural feel. Particular design attention has been paid to the storage of practical items such as mobile electronics of all shapes and sizes, along with the flexibility of the cup holders. The steering wheel design and grip has been improved and onboard switchgear was redesigned; a number of switches previously found on the center console of the original Genesis were relocated and reshaped on the Genesis. Further ergonomic improvements to ensure ease of reach and control have been meticulously evaluated and executed using a specially-designed laboratory tool created to measure occupant operational force for ergonomics.

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Hyundai keeps moving forward. That’s the big takeaway from my drive of the all-new 2015 Hyundai Sonata on a beautiful summer day in Michigan. Hyundai has been on a roll with its bold, fluidic structure design language, and now we’re seeing an evolution as Hyundai introduces a more sophisticated and refined version of that design with the new Sonata.

Exterior

Hyundai refers to the design evolution as its Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language. Everything starts with the new front facia of the Sonata, with cleaner lines and sharper edges. The previous model gained attention by looking trendy while the new Sonata looks more elegant. The new design makes the Sonata one of the more attractive mid-sized sedans on the market and it will likely get more attention from professionals.

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