2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Review

MPG-o-Matic 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Review Summary: The 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo takes it up a notch over the naturally-aspirated Veloster. An added cost of approximately $4,500 delivers a whopping improvement in torque and horsepower (HP), with a negligible hit on fuel economy. The Veloster Turbo ups the ante in the affordable Eco Sport segment, but can it go head-to-head with the Fiat Abarth, 500 Turbo and John Cooper Works MINI? Fingers crossed, we’ll put the Euro rivals to the test down the road …

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MPG Fraud : Another Day, Another Lawyer’s Payday?

I was wading through my inbox this morning when an interesting advertisement screamed from the sidebar. The advertisement was from McCuneWright, LLP a Redlands, California-based law firm that’s looking to capitalize on the current MPG (mile per gallon) craze. Apparently, McCuneWright “has filed Federal class action lawsuits against General Motors, LLC, and Hyundai Motor America, for affirmatively misleading advertising of estimated miles per gallon fuel efficiency.” While I’ve grown blind to inbox ads, this couldn’t help but catch my eye … having devoted the last five years of my life to the study of real-world fuel efficiency.

It’s not exactly clear what McCuneWright is after, other than a significant chunk of fees. Yes, a number of manufacturers are stating the highway MPG figure in their advertising and marketing materials, rather than the combined figure. Are they putting undue emphasis on this? Or is the problem more at the local level, where car dealers control the advertising? Can the manufacturers be blamed for lousy radio commercials, banners in dealership windows, billboards, and local newspapers ads – all placed and paid for by the dealerships?

What about the guy that scrawls stuff on the windshields of the cars on the dealership lot? Will his shoe polish hand lettering be drawn into a class-action suit?

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2012 Hyundai Accent Hatchback Review

2012 Hyundai Accent small rooster tail MPG-o-Matic 2012 Hyundai Accent Review Summary: The newly refreshed 2012 Hyundai Accent goes to battle in the highly competitive sub-compact class against fuel-efficient rivals including: the Ford Fiesta, Chevy Sonic, Fiat 500, Honda Fit, and cross-town cousin Kia Rio. The Accent plays the value card, with an entry price of just over $12,500. While the base GLS sedan is spartan, the fully-equipped SE hatchback is kitted out with features you might not expect with a MSRP under $16,000.

The 2012 Hyundai Accent is powered by a 16-valve Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower (HP) and 123 foot pounds of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic is optional. The Accent is offered as a four-door GLS sedan and five-door hatchback models with two levels of trim: GS and SE.

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2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec Sedan Review

Observed MPG / 0-60 MPH - 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec Sedan
2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec Sedan
MPG-o-Matic 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec Sedan Review Summary: The 2012 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec Sedan seeks to stand out in a thinning crowd. In the days when gas was cheap, American streets were dominated by big V8 powered sedans, and Hyundai unknown on these shores. Flash forward thirty or forty years, and the American car manufacturers have slashed their rear-wheel-drive offerings in a market that’s been overtaken by high-end Japanese and European designs. The sporting R-Spec throws down the gauntlet at a cost considerably lower than the competition.

There are three engine choices in 2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan, with 4.6- and 5.0-liter V8s, as well as a 3.8-liter V6. We tested the top-of-the-line Genesis 5.0 R-Spec equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission with shift interlock and Shiftronic, which allows the eight-speed transmission to be manually controlled via leather-wrapped slapstick. Unlike its competition, the Genesis Sedan is only offered in rear-wheel-drive (RWD). All-wheel-drive is not available.

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2012 Hyundai Veloster Review

2012 Hyundai Veloster - 3/4 front view - snowy road MPG-o-Matic 2012 Hyundai Veloster Review Summary: The 2012 Hyundai Veloster hits the sweet spot with style, ride and technology and falls just a wee bit short when it comes to oomph, efficiency and creature comforts. Shortcomings aside, the Veloster is a huge hit in an Eco Sport segment that includes the Chevy Sonic Turbo, Ford Fiesta, Honda CR-Z hybrid, and Fiat 500. Further refinement and more horsepower are due for the Veloster in the 2013 model year for those willing to save a few dollars more and wait.

The Veloster is equipped with a direct-injected 16-valve Dual-CVVT 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower (HP) and 123 foot pounds of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a six-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters is optional. A significantly more powerful turbocharged engine is in the works for 2013.

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