Not long ago, Hyundais XG350 seemed like just another luxury sedan. Now, its threatening to run circles around the competition.
Kia raised eyebrows with its 10-year, 100,000-mile drivetrain warranty, not to mention its Optima sedan.
And now comes Suzukis new Reno, a five-door compact crossover that supports a multitude of recreational and lifestyle pursuits.
Heres why refined style and work-a-day value are driving Northwest consumers toward the best and brightest models of Asian manunfacturers.
Hyundai. Hyundais award-winning Santa Fe sport utility vehicle has been freshened, upgraded and refined for the 2005 model year.
The Santa Fe is a three-time winner of the AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award in the Standard Midsize SUV category, and the Santa Fe finished first in Strategic Visions 2004 Total Quality Index for the small SUV category.
The stylish Hyundai Tiburon sport coupe receives significant packaging adjustments and several design enhancements for 2005, just two model years after the launch of the all-new 2003 Tiburon. The Tiburon is now available in three trim levels: GS, GT and SE.
Hyundais best-selling car, the Elantra, adds a new model for 2005. Joining the GLS 4-door, GT 4-door, and GT 5-door models is a new GLS 5-door that features sport suspension and rear disc brakes as standard equipment.
The value-packed, award-winning Sonata adds additional features and continued refinement in 2005 to the Highest Initial Quality Entry Midsize Car in the 2004 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. The last major revision for the Sonata was for the 2002 model year.
For 2005, there are three Sonata trim levels available: GL, GLS and LX. All Sonatas are standardly-equipped with front seat-mounted side-impact airbags; power windows, locks and mirrors; remote keyless entry system with alarm; and an AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers.
The luxurious XG350 is Hyundais flagship sedan in the U.S. For the 2005 model year, the XG350 adds additional refinement and feature content.
There are two models available: XG350 and XG350L. The XG350 offers an extensive list of standard equipment including leather seating surfaces, power driver and passenger seats with lumbar support, five-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission with manual shift override, AM/FM/cassette/CD audio system, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Suzuki. The all-new Suzuki Reno targets discriminating buyers of all ages who want a fresh, five-door compact crossover design able to support a multitude of recreational and lifestyle pursuits and priced to start at $13,000.
The all-new model follows the Suzuki trend, forged with the Verona and Forenza, of combining genuine European design with the performance, interior space and standard features of competing models typically costing thousands of dollars more.
Designed by Ital Design as a new breed of compact crossover blending five-door functionality with the style of a European sedan, the Reno is the third of nine new vehicles Suzuki will debut to triple sales to 200,000 vehicles by 2007.
With European styling, engineering and a generous list of standard equipment, the all-new Suzuki Forenza is poised to take on front-runners in the premium compact class.
Against such cars as the Honda Civic DX, Toyota Corolla CE and Ford Focus LX, Forenza has the largest standard engine of the bunch, four-wheel disc brakes, power door locks, heated power mirrors and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls all standard.
The Forenza design takes a have-it-all approach, offering AM/FM CD/cassette audio system with eight speakers, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, air conditioning with micron air-filtration system, power windows, and power door locks typically expected in upscale sedans, and often only as extra-cost options.
Forenzas large greenhouse has a sporty appearance and provides maximum visibility. Rear styling creates a trunk thats aerodynamically friendly on the outside and cavernous on the inside at 12.4 cubic feet.
Forenzas exterior look is finished off with sleek taillight modules that flow seamlessly into the lines of the car.
Forenza owners can get comfortable for long-distance motoring with a tilt-adjustable steering wheel and an eight-way adjustable, supportive bucket seat. Passengers enjoy ample space by all measures, but legroom is particularly generous. This allows everyone, including rear passengers, to stretch out. The 12.4-cubic-foot trunk is complemented by split-folding rear seats that reveal an extra-large trunk pass-through designed for easy loading of large objects.
Kia. Sportage, Kias progressive, contemporary sport utility vehicle, has the strengths of a sport utility, smooth ride and handling of a sedan and the functionality of a minivan. It has been completely redesigned for 2005.
Adding to our quickly expanding full product line-up, the all-new Sportage will reinforce our SUV offering together with the tremendously popular Sorento, thereby boosting Kias brand reputation in the SUV category, said Yong-Hwan Kim, senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kia Motors.
Its well-combined powertrain offerings include a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder and 2.7-liter V6 engine as well as a 2.0-liter diesel engine. Powertrains include a manual or H-Matic four-speed automatic transmission (automatic only for the V6) with electronic full-time four-wheel drive system with torque on demand.
The Kia Sportage is definitely high on performance.
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