Eh, nothing special..

They say, if you can’t afford the Merc CLS or the Porsche Panamera, then aim for the VW CC, well if you can’t afford the CC, here’s a hyundai! based on the leaked images, that’s what they are aiming for…

Conservative? 0.o

I’d like the new look if it was a bit thinner. If the beltline was dropped and the rear pillar a bit thicker. It would make the car look a lot “lighter” in terms of visible girth. The coupe-ness looks is nice, but I’m not liking all of these designs with the high belt lines and HUGE headlights. Reminds me of a rounder Peugeot 407

No sir, I don’t like it. Of course, i probably wasn’t going to no matter what. I’m just not a fan of the design direction of a lot of he cars in this segemnt, save for the Malibu (for the most part) and the new Fusion.

Seems like an ok car, should do well with people looking for a lower class sedan just looking to get from point A to point B.

Lexus , this is how you do things , hire some designers with the ability to see .

The exterior does seem to gather style from the CC (nice call JSi) and the interior seems to draw from the CTS IMO. If this car drives as good as it looks, then others beware. Hyundai is on a roll…all the way to the bank.

Hey Chevy, that’s how you integrate the tail lights. Not the cobbled mess that is the back of the Malibu.

I think it looks damn sharp, compared to what it’s up against (Camry, Accord, Fusion, Malibu, et. al) and would definitely take over a Malibu or Fusion any day – just make it black w/black leather.

@johnny… amen to that.

I like this…. as others have called, clear CC influence in the exterior design. The interior is an evolution of the current Elantra interior (which isn’t so bad)…..perhaps expect all the soon to be refreshed hyundais to get this interior. At first I was happy about the 2011 Sonata because that would make the 2010s dirt cheap next summer, but now I am a bit confused because this is better than the 2010.

You can call me a pervert (and probably will be right) but I really don’t like this car. I am not a fan of the “4 door coup” thing altogether, so obviously it does not grab me. I reminds me of last RWD Impala mistake of automotive design.

Johnny, those Malibu taillights still look to me like stick-on adhesive reflectors from Autozone.

I said yesterday that this car is a bit awkward. It’s way better than the cmary or accord, but the profile on the nose is somehow large, it looks a bit fleshy, and that grill (at least in the pics) is way oversized as well as the headlights. Might come off better live, though. Also, that character line in the profile goes whacky in how it integrates with the front door handle, but the back end looks great as does the greenhouse and the creases on the hood. I think the whole package looks a lot more cohesive than the VW CC. This car will sell like hell and cut a dent mostly into Toyota and Honda, I think.

holy smokes that thing looks pretty damn good….

Bravo Hyundai, you have played the defensive roll for a long time, now time to take the offensive and strike with somethin to shake up the playing field, if the genesis line didnt do that…this most certainly will

i really like the character line that sweeps from the sides of the car over the top of the rear light cluster…very nice…

I like Hyundai’s ford grill more than Ford’s ford grill.

A poor man’s CLS or CC. I like it a lot based on the interior and exterior shots. Too bad I’m not in the market for this type of care anytime soon.

This just made the Camry and Accord, not to mention the Fusion and Malibu, look dated. I like seeing the CC bug getting some more prey. There’s still hope for good design in the future even though Toyota and Honda seem to be falling off a cliff. Things don’t have to be awkward to look good! VW’s proved that for years, and now Ford – GM (future products) and Hyundai are coming out as styling champs.

I like it! In a overcrowded segment of mostly sleep inducing designs (which I guess is what sells in this segment), Hyundai has created something expressive and interesting. It probably won’t exactly break the dominance of the Camry and Accord in this segment (unfortunately, the soul-less appliance cars will still dominate the mainstream midsize segment), but it will give Hyundai a solid alternative for those who appreciate something a little more unique than the everyday bland commuter sedan.

I think it looks pretty good and I’m no fan of Hyundai.
I just don’t think I could ever get over their symbol-an H on LSD.

BTW, does Hyundai and Kia compete for the same buyer, or is one brand consider higher up the ladder than the other? Anyway it goes they are attacking from all sides and having no mercy.

Hyundai is moving directly to DI on its 4 bangers? sweet.

It doesn’t look bad, but it reminds me of another car, ohhh , but wait a minute, all hyundai do, never mind.

kia is the lower segment, generally speaking…you’re not going to see a kia competing with the equus, genesis sedan or coupe, etc…

of all things to get hung up over on a car, the symbol? really? it’s not like you get the symbol tattooed on yer forehead, and they’re pretty small badges in the grand scheme! ;P

as most have said, I see clear influences from the CC on the exterior. The interior has Lexus lines/curves, and the instrument cluster area also looks very lexus-ish…to me at least!

-Leftwing: Thanks for clearing that up for me. As of late Hyundai seems to be stretching up and up the ladder and I was thinking where does that leave Kia. Could it be possible that one day Hyundai could be Kia’s Acura?

Glad to hear other people comment about the Malibu’s taillights. Love the rest of the car but always thought they looked as bad as what Toyota did to the 1995 Camry

The Hyundai looks good, at least it isn’t a carbon copy of all the other sedans out there. Oh wait, except for the rear. Looks like the former Lexus ES series. Still it makes the Camry/Accord even duller now

Not bad at all! Pretty gutsy I must say.

However, if I had to have an import four-door, I’d get a 2010 Legacy AWD turbo-6 speed.

I could never buy anything called ‘Hyundai.’

Some of these foreign companies should consider changing their names before selling in America.

Overall, still a positive step in the right direction… Just wait till the next generation of Hyundai’s come out – they should be looking quite nice indeed!

These guys are on a roll….

http://www.auto123.com/ArtImages/101609/2009-Jeep-Compass-001A.jpg

And chrysler/dodge/jeep is headed in the same old direction WHY????????

DAMN! wrong post… idiot….

BUT does anyone wanna see the sketch of this car?????

>of all things to get hung up over on a car, the symbol? really? it’s not like you get the symbol tattooed on yer forehead, and they’re pretty small badges in the grand scheme! ;P
<

Its right on the steering wheel in front of my face-deal killer right there, unless it was an American company. Then I would deal with it.

wish it was comin out sooner, im excited for this design to hit the highways, and could find one in my driveway

Compete with VW CC: Yes
Compete with Camry/Accord: No

If they’re going to use this to swing at the big dogs, this will swing and miss
More questionable judgement by Hyundai
DrFill

I have to admit that I am big on badging as well. I think Ford has the ugliest. Hyundai isn’t much better but I do like the car. A good example is the new Lacrosse, very nice vehicle….ugly badging! What gets me is that people don’t like it just because it’s a Hyundai. Put a different badge on it, depending on taste, and people will love it. I always wish the auto industry would do a test. Have Mercedes design a vehicle and put a Chevrolet or Kia badge on it and everyone or most will hate it. Do a swap, a Chevrolet or Kia designed vehicle with a Mercedes badge? Well you get it.

I like how they’re trying to look different, and it’s not too bad looking either.

This is a breakthrough design for Hyundai. This is the vehicle that kicks arse and takes name! Toyo/Honda should be afraid.

This does not look like a cheap car.

The Pill
Toyota and Honda would be afraid
If they dropped acid all day and night

Hyundai has talent
But not the brains to mess with the best
They learned everything they know from ‘Yota’s TPS anyway

But they didn’t learn how to sell!
Some lessons don’t get taught to the children
Class dismissed!
DrFill

Ford’s badge is really boring and fuddy duddy looking, never liked it either.
Buick’s I don’t mind. I wish caddy would drop the Wreath and just place the crest in a black circle.

it’s still a symbol, man…i don’t care if it’s on the steering wheel, your eyes should be on the road…99.99999% of the parts of a car matter more to me than a symbol…but that’s just me, i guess…

Rich, Poor or in Between, who cares? If this car drives well, looks good (my understanding is that the US grill will be more “relaxed”) is safe and get good mileage numbers – then what more can you ask for at a reasonable price? If labels are so important, just wear all your clothes inside out to feel better about yourself! I’ve never owned BMW’s for what they are, I owned them for what they do and if this car delivers I certainly would buy one. The new Tuscon and a Sonata for one BMW…I just may take that deal. Good-be BMW service department; besides I can always come back if I’m not happy.

Like them or don’t, this (and the upcoming Optima) are the game-changers that HyunKia have long planned to finally distinguish the brands from each other, and make everything else on the road look so “two thousand and late”. Toning down the grille would be a mistake IMO..

SEXY!!! Wagon version perhaps?

Well, this more like it ranther than the FUGHLY!! Honda Crosstour. It may be a little too sleek or racy forthe typical Sonata customer. No wonder Hyundai’s sales are growing.

Quite frankly, I’m surprised at Hyundai’s strategy here. Not long ago with the “refresh” of the Sonata, Hyundai execs were quoted as saying that the current Sonata has made major headway in market share and they didn’t want to mess with a good thing. I think they should forget about that gawdawful Equus, keep the Genesis as Flagship, let the current Sonata ride out its success as is and attack the “5-series/A5″ segment with this car as a replacement for the long in tooth Azera.

^^high: I get what you are saying but why not kill the Azera. I thought the Genesis was made to replace it anyhow. IMO the Genesis is better suited to attack the 5-series. The Equus would be the flagship going after the 7-series.

Dr Fill,

You sound A LOT like GM did in the ’70’s: These foreign car companies, well, we don’t have to worry about them, hell, we’re GM. Trust me, Dr Fill, that’s exactly the approach that Hyundai wants Honda/Toyota to take. Arrogance and complacency is expensive. Right now, Toyota is asleep at the wheel and Honda’s design team is raiding that stash of acid to gear up for their next Crosstour/crazy bizarre design. Only takes a few years to lose what has been built over decades.

Hmmm, not sure what to think just yet so I will reserve my comments until I see more pics.

Only difference is Toyota is still at or near the top in quality
GM was monkey crap in quality, monkey crap in design, and was waiting to be taken
Toyota doesn’t have that problem
They make many of the best vehicles available for sale here
And have for 15-20 years

Toyota is not GM
Toyota is not WalMart
Toyota is not sexy
Toyota is not cheap
Toyota is just solid
Solid sells a lot of cars

You guys need to make analogies that make sense
That would be nice
DrFill

@ RickyB

Wagon version is coming to Europe. However, if there is demand in the US, they will bring that over as well.

Make it AWD and I may just have to buy one of these!

johnny, Chevy has screwed up the taillights on the Cruze even more.

Dr Fill,

Toyota is falling fast in quality and it’s no secret…the quality chirade is over.

GM was king of the hill despite your claims of quality and design, and Toyota could only hold the top spot for how long??? Please. Just opened the door once more for GM…thanks for keeping the seat warm for us, but you can leave now.

Toyota is fast becoming the geezer-mobile. Toyota is not sexy, you’ve never been so right about anything in your entire life. You know it’s bad when a Buick looks 10 times better, in every way, than a Toyota…no matter what model you pull out of your hat.

Toyota is not Walmart either (Walmart is still at the top and has been for some time).

Toyota is just solid? What does that mean? Makes many of the best vehicles for sale here? I don’t care about 15-20 years ago. I care about right now. How is Toyota right now? Faltering in quality. Toyota makes bland, non-sexy, boring cars…period. And that’s an opinion…my opinion…and many others..including your CEO’s opinion (boring).

My analogy was right on. But, I just love the way you changed the topic. I sense you protest too much.

But, back on topic! Hyundai is definitely making a run at Honda and Toyota. They are producing a line of vehicles that, IMHO, are of similar blandness, but do it for thousands less. And the only thing you can come up with is “they don’t know how to sell”? That’s it? That’s all you got? Yep. I smell fear….and so does Hyundai.

Chuck, Why I think they should keep the Azera is that for all intents and purposes the Equus is more like a long wheelbase version of the Genesis. Back when it came out, it was the Azera which was touted as “having more interior room than a BMW 5 series” and was even billed as the Hyundai Flagship, just as the Genesis is being marketed today, only difference is the Genesis IS actually on par with the LS460 and S Class in terms of interior volume and power. That said the Azera has actually done surprisingly well for how generic it is and I think giving it a refresh like this would make more sense than A) Changing the design of your main bread and butter to something so polarizing and B) Introducing YET ANOTHER completely redundant new model at the top of your line which already seems to have some identity issues

Hyundai still has a LONG way to go to make me forget their early days in the US (think Excel), regardless of the styling, reliability, warranty, performance, or anything else about their current offerings. I lump Hyundai one notch above Kia (current bottom of the barrell in the US).

All this talk about the CC is ironic considering the CC lifted its roofline/greenhouse from the CLS.

Also, the Sonata’s C-pillar makes it more like a rakish A6/Azera than the CC (in the same vein, the Ian Callum XJ design has a very similar roofline/greenhouse to the Sonata, but even more rakish).

Having said that, the front fascia of the Sonata is a little too busy/overly stylized for my taste – but it definitely has a presence that the Camcord doesn’t have.

@ChuckTown86/leftwingagenda

Kia is supposed to be the more sportier brand (think Nissan) to Hyundai which is more akin to Toyota.

Kia is coming out a large sedan (the VG) which will take on the Maxima and a RWD sports sedan which will be as upscale as the Genesis, just smaller..

@ChuckTown86

The staid Azera will eventually be replaced. The Kia VG sedan is based on the next-gen Azera platform.

Dr. Fill is still a moron.

While Toyota’s quality is still pretty good, it’s been slipping (rash of recent news stories about Toyota’s quality).

@higerhiq

W/ a post like that, your handle seems pretty silly.