What's New for 2012: All Makes
2012 Hyundai Accent: The all-new fourth-generation 2012 Accent subcompact debuted this spring at the 2011 New York Auto Show. It's available in two body styles: four-door sedan or four-door hatchback. No matter which style you choose, there's only one engine option: a new 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder rated at 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. It comes paired with either a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic with a fuel-economy-boosting Eco mode. EPA fuel economy ratings with either transmission are an impressive 30 city and 40 highway mpg.
The sedan is offered only in base GLS trim, while the hatchback comes in GS and the top-line SE trims. The GLS sedan comes equipped with 14-inch steel wheels, power door locks, a tilt steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, a trip computer and an audio prep package with four speakers.
The Premium package offered on automatic-equipped GLS models bundles together foglights, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, premium cloth upholstery, upgraded interior trim, a center storage console with sliding armrest, cruise control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and Bluetooth.
The GS hatchback adds body-color mirrors and door handles, a rear window wiper, keyless entry and a driver seat armrest to the features included with the GLS Comfort package. Stepping up to the SE hatchback adds 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a rear spoiler, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and the equipment from the Premium package.
2012 Hyundai Azera: The Azera receives a complete redesign for 2012. The large sedan is scheduled to debut later this year at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and go on sale in early 2012.
2012 Hyundai Elantra: For 2012, the Elantra receives Hyundai's Active ECO System that the automaker says modifies engine and transmission control to smooth out throttle response, improving fuel economy by up to 7 percent. Steering has also been recalibrated for better on-center feel. Other changes to the Elantra are minor, including a new horn with improved toot, and foglights and a passenger-side sun visor extension have been added to the GLS Preferred package. Paint choices now include Indigo Night, Midnight Black and Shimmering White, and Hyundai is offering an optional roadside assistance kit.
2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring: The five-door Elantra Touring keeps things simple for 2012. The Preferred package replaces the Popular Equipment package, 16-inch alloy wheels with P205/55R16 tires added are added to the Preferred package, and a roadside assistance kit is added to the options list. Two new exterior colors debut for the Touring: Volcanic Red and Dove White.
2011 Hyundai Equus: Hyundai's most expensive car ever now comes with the Korean automaker's most powerful engine ever. Rated at 429 hp, the 5.0-liter gasoline direct-injection (GDI) Tau V8 engine is mated to a new in-house-developed eight-speed automatic transmission. Aside from the big-boy engine, the Equus was lacking nearly nothing for 2011. Changes for 2012 are limited to satin chrome trim on its small side windows, and power rear side window sunshades have become standard equipment on the Equus in Ultimate trim.
2012 Hyundai Genesis: Hyundai adds a 429-hp, 5.0-liter V8-powered R-Spec model to the Genesis lineup, which includes special 19-inch machine-finish alloy wheels, optional Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position summer performance tires and sport-tuned transmission, suspension and steering calibrations. The Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine also gets a bump this year, with direct-injection technology added, resulting in a 15 percent improvement in output, up to 333 hp. Both engines now come mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission standard across the board.
Additional updates include a more aggressive grille and front fascia design, new headlight design with LED accents and daytime running lights, folding mirrors with integrated puddle lamps, redesigned rear taillights, a redesigned rear fascia with integrated dual asymmetrical exhaust tips, and a new 17-inch alloy wheel design for the Genesis 3.8. Inside, wood-grain colors have been improved to coordinate with Black, Beige and Saddle leather interiors, and on the outside, Twilight Blue Pearl exterior paint replaces Sapphire Blue Pearl.
2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: Hyundai will unveil a more powerful 2012 Genesis Coupe at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The coupe is also expected to display a freshened exterior.
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe: As with the larger Veracruz, the Santa Fe also receives a new front grille for 2012, but little else changes. Downhill Brake Control (DBC) has become standard equipment, as have 17-inch wheels and low-rolling-resistance tires for the GLS trim. Final updates include a new premium leather shift knob and two new exterior paint options: Venetian Red and Cabo Bronze.
2012 Hyundai Sonata: The 2012 Sonata returns with an all four-cylinder engine lineup with a 2.4-liter gasoline direct-injection engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that boasts as much as 200 hp, and a 274-hp 2.0-liter turbo. Engines have been recalibrated this year for slightly better fuel economy. The base 2.4-liter engine is rated at 28 city/highway mpg combined, and the 2.0T earns 26 mpg. The Sonata Hybrid Blue Drive model earns 37/40 city/highway mpg.
Other changes include standard BlueLink, Hyundai's new telematics service, a higher-resolution 7-inch touchscreen display for the optional navigation system and a three-piece panoramic sunroof now standard on the Limited trim level.
2012 Hyundai Tucson: Enhancements to the 2012 Tucson are mostly concentrated around improving the crossover's fuel economy. The Tucson now averages an estimated 22 mpg in the city/32 mpg on the highway. This improvement is attributed to a new Active ECO System, low-rolling-resistance silica tires, high-efficiency air-conditioning and a larger-capacity fuel tank (14.5-15.3 gallons). Additional mechanical changes include larger front disc brakes and larger rear suspension bushings for improved ride quality. Solar glass is now standard on all Tucsons to cut down on the need for air-conditioning.
2012 Hyundai Veloster: The Veloster is an all-new hatchback from Hyundai, built on a heavily revised version of the Elantra platform. Although a turbo model is expected to be added in 2013, power will initially come from a direct-injected 1.6-liter four-cylinder rated at 138 hp at 6,300 rpm and 123 lb-ft of torque at 4,850 rpm. Transmission choices include the standard six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed dual-clutch automated manual. EPA ratings are predicted to be 30 city/40 highway mpg for the 2,584-pound car.
Further enticing to the youth market is a standard multifunction 7-inch touchscreen display, Hyundai's BlueLink telematics platform, Pandora Internet radio capability, Gracenote display technology with voice recognition, video game console connectivity with a 115-volt power outlet, and Bluetooth with voice recognition. The Veloster's eclectic color palette includes the following exterior paint options: 26.2 Yellow, Boston Red, Century White, Electrolyte Green, Ironman Silver, Marathon Blue, Triathlon Gray, Ultra Black and Vitamin C.
2012 Hyundai Veracruz: Hyundai's large crossover now shares the European version's massive front grille and adds 18-inch hypersilver wheels to further distinguish it from last year's model. Additional updates to the Limited trim include standard heated second-row seats and an available Alpine navigation system.
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