Fall Driving Safety Tips

As weather and road conditions change with the season, following fall driving safety tips will help keep you safe as you enjoy the cool crisp air and the beautiful colors of the autumn leaves.

The Dangers of Leaves on the Roads
When leaves accumulate on the roadway and become wet, they can get extremely slippery, making the driving conditions similar to driving on ice. If the temperature drops below freezing, the wet leaves will freeze and turn into dangerous icy leaves on the roadway. Besides reducing the car's traction, causing skidding and the possibility of losing control of the vehicle, leaves often cover the painted road markings, making it difficult to know the locations of the lanes.

• Slow down if you are driving on a road covered with leaves, especially when driving around turns.
• Allow yourself plenty of room to stop in an emergency. Keep a greater distance between you and the car in front of you.
• Leaves make it difficult to see potholes and bumps in the road.
• A pile of leaves raked to the side of the road is an inviting place to a child. Children enjoy jumping into the leaf piles or burrowing down into them and hiding. Never drive through a leaf pile. Use caution going around turns and where children are playing.
• Keep your windshield leaf free to avoid wet leaves getting stuck under the windshield wiper blades.
• In order to avoid the possibility of a fire hazard from the exhaust system or catalytic converter, never park your vehicle over a pile of leaves .

Changing Weather Conditions
In many areas, autumn is a damp, wet season. There are many rainy or foggy days and nights. As the temperatures drop, frost often coats the ground at night.

• When driving in fog, set your headlight to low beam. This setting aims the beam of light down toward the roadway.
• In the fall as temperatures drop, frost often forms on the roadway, causing hazardous driving conditions. Drive slowly and break gently at overpasses and bridges as these areas frost over more quickly than other roadway surfaces.
• Be aware of areas where black ice forms on the roadway.

Adjust for Fewer Hours of Daylight
In the fall there are fewer hours of daylight. In the earlier darkness it is common to see children outside playing or riding their bicycles. People are walking their dogs, jogging or taking late afternoon or evening walks. In the fading light of dusk it is more difficult to see the children and pedestrians.

• Watch out for children at their bus stops in the morning and as they return home in the afternoon.
• Halloween is a fun fall holiday. Take special care where children are out trick or treating. They may be wearing masks or costumes that limit their visibility.
• Always drive defensively.

Vehicle Maintenance

• Keep your headlights cleaned and in proper working order, making sure they are aligned.
• Replace your windshield wiper blades if they show any signs of wear.
• Keep an emergency car safety kit in your vehicle.

Additional Fall Safety Driving Tips

• Always keep a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle. Fall sunrises and sunsets can be very brilliant. The bright sun often creates a large amount of glare, making it difficult to see other vehicles, the roadway or the road's shoulder. Wearing sunglasses during these times reduces the danger.
• If you live in an area where there are deer, they are more apt to run into the roadway especially at dawn and dusk since the fall is an active breeding time. If you see a deer cross the roadway, proceed very slowly as they often travel in groups.

Naturally safe driving practices are essential all through the year. However, being aware of the unique autumn driving hazards and following the fall driving safety tips here will make you a safer driver.

Source: safety.lovetoknow.com

2016 Hyundai Tuscon Boasts New And Helpful Features

Though popular with consumers, crossovers are not the most exciting types of debuts at auto shows. That said, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson packs several neat features that are both unusual and very useful for family shoppers.

1. Protect your knees
A small, soft leather pad on the side of the center stack is designed to serve as a resting spot for the driver's right knee. It stops the driver's knee from rubbing against or bumping into plastic. The passenger is not so lucky: he or she has a small storage cubby in that position.


2. Spill all you want
Yes! Essentials seat fabrics, which have been used in a handful of other vehicles, help resist staining, odors, and static electricity. Given that the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, like most crossovers, will frequently be filled with kids, this seems like a smart way for Hyundai to keep the car a little bit cleaner.


3. Feel free to touch that dial
You'll never miss the first few bars of Blank Slate thanks to XM Tune Start. When 2016 Hyundai Tucson drivers select a satellite radio preset, the system automatically plays the current song from the beginning, rather than jumping into the middle of it.


4. Lean back
In many mainstream crossovers, the angle of the rear seatbacks is fixed. For the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, the automaker has made the 60/40 split rear seats even more recline-able, with a total of 37 degrees of angle adjustment compared to 28 degrees in the outgoing model. So whether you like to sit bolt upright or slouch like, the Tucson has you covered.


5. Open easily
Many modern cars with passive unlocking now provide for hands-free opening of the liftgate, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson goes one step further. With the key in his or her pocket, the owner need only stand behind the crossover for a few moments and the power liftgate will automatically open -- no setting down bulky shopping bags, for instance. The Hyundai Genesis and Sonata also have this feature.

6. Clutch technology
Pun intended. When fitted with the car's optional 1.6-liter turbo-four engine, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson packs a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission borrowed from the Sonata Eco. Very few crossovers offer dual-clutch transmissions, with most sticking to 6- or (in the case of Jeep and Land Rover) 9-speed torque-converter automatics. The Tucson's dual-clutch should provide snappier, more responsive shifting, while its added efficiency will help the crossover achieve up to 33 mpg in the Eco variant and 30 mpg in Sport and Limited trim levels.

Source: www.automobilemag.com

Keep Safe This Fall With These Driving Tips

Fall means a number of wonderful things, like warm, comfy sweaters, foliage, and baking pumpkin pies. For drivers, fall also brings unique dangers to the roads. Find out what makes fall driving dangerous and what you can do to keep yourself safe.

Why Driving In The Fall Can Be Dangerous

Weather conditions can be unpredictable in the fall. A bright, beautiful afternoon can turn rainy and cold in minutes. And with days getting shorter, you could find yourself commuting to or from work in darkness.

Back-to-school traffic
Fall means back to school for kids, which means more cars and buses on the roads. Drivers also need to watch out for increased pedestrian traffic in the morning and afternoon as children walk to and from school and their neighborhood bus stops.

Rain
The first rain in a few weeks can be particularly dangerous, as water pools on top of dust and oil that haven't had a chance to wash away and makes the pavement extremely slippery.

Leaves (and leaf peepers)
Fall foliage is certainly beautiful, but as leaves begin to fall, they litter the roads, making streets slick while obscuring traffic lines and other pavement markings. They also hide potholes and other road hazards. And when it rains, it can make those wet leaves on the roadway as dangerous as ice.

And where there are turning leaves, there are leaf peepers. These leaf-peeping drivers tend to crawl along the roads and make unpredictable stops to admire the changing foliage. If you're driving behind a car with out-of-state plates, give them a little extra space just in case they stop short for a photo.

Fog
Cold fall mornings often lead to fog, which can greatly limit your driving visibility and perception of distance. Fog tends to occur in low places or areas surrounded by hills, water, mountains, and trees. One common mistake drivers make during foggy conditions is putting on their high beams instead of staying with their low beams. This only makes visibility worse because your high beams will bounce off the fog and create glare.

When driving through fog, slow down and stay well behind the car in front of you so you'll have adequate time to stop if you need to.

Frost
During the fall, temperatures tend to drop dramatically during the night, which can lead to morning frost and icy spots on the road. This is especially common on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas of the road.

Sun glare
Fall is also a bad time for sun glare on the roads. Sun glare can impact your sight for seconds after exposure, making it hard to see pedestrians, oncoming traffic, or the car in front of you. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers describe being "blinded" after exposure, and this sometimes leads to accidents or near misses.

Sun glare can also cause problems when the sun sets behind drivers. In this case, sunlight can bounce off your rearview mirror or reflect off traffic lights up ahead, and this can blind you for a split second while your eyes adjust. It can also make it hard (or impossible) to see traffic lights, which can prevent you from knowing if you're supposed to stop or go.

Deer
The fall season brings an increase in deer activity because it's their time for mating and migrating. If you live in a deer-heavy area, watch for darting deer, especially when driving at night.

Fall Driving Tips

• Being prepared for fall's inclement weather and hazardous driving challenges is half the battle.
• Watch your speed: Drive a bit slower when faced with fall driving hazards, especially if you're driving around a school bus.
• Keep your distance: Leave a little more space between you and the car in front on rainy or foggy days, during dawn or dusk, and in areas with wet leaves. This will give you more time to react.
• Stick with low beams: Keep your headlights on low when driving in the fog (and rain). High beams will only cause glare.
• Clear frost away from your windows: Frost can reduce visibility and response time on the road.
• Approach traffic lights carefully: Sun glare can make it harder to see traffic lights change, so approach them with more than the normal care.
• Avoid using products that increase gloss: Washing and waxing with these products can magnify the fall's sunny glare and make it hard to see.
• Clean your windshield, inside and out: When your windshield's illuminated by sunlight, dust particles, streaks, and smudges become magnified, making it hard to see the road.
• Watch for wildlife: especially in the early morning and evening hours.
• Check your tire pressure: Since fall weather rapidly changes from warm to cold, your tires will often expand and contract. This can lead to a loss of pressure.

Source: www.esurance.com

HYUNDAI LAUNCHES RECOGNIZED COLLISION REPAIR CENTER PROGRAM

Participating Collision Repair Centers Restore Vehicles to Manufacturer Specifications, Offering Hyundai Owners Peace of Mind

Hyundai Motor America launched its all-new Hyundai Recognized Collision Repair Center program. This program ensures both independent and Hyundai dealership-owned collision repair centers have the training, tools, equipment, and facilities needed to properly repair Hyundai vehicles after they have been involved in a collision.

Customers can look for the Hyundai Recognized Collision Repair Center plaque at their local collision repair center to know if their Hyundai will be repaired properly and safely to manufacturer specifications. The program will allow Hyundai to refer Hyundai owners in need of collision repair to a recognized center.

“We want our customers to know we have their well-being in mind after they have been in a collision,” said Frank Ferrara, executive vice president, customer satisfaction, Hyundai Motor America. “Hyundai owners benefit from this program through the assurance that centers will ensure the fit, finish, durability, safety and value of the vehicles being repaired. Having a network of recognized shops is critical to make sure our cars are repaired properly.”

Hyundai has teamed up with Assured Performance Network on this program. Assured Performance Network is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that will guarantee both Hyundai dealership-owned and independent collision repair centers meet the program’s specified capability requirements, and pass an annual onsite audit and inspection. Assured Performance Network will also manage enrollment, online support systems, proof of compliance documentation and marketing. Collision repair centers can call 949.221.0010 or visit www.GetHyundaiRecognized.com for more information.

Source: http://www.hyundainews.com/

HYUNDAI EARNS HIGH MARKS IN ANNUAL J.D. POWER APEAL STUDY

Hyundai Ranks Second among Non-Premium Automakers 

Brand Continues to Improve Year-Over-Year

• Sonata finishes in second place in its segment
• Brand finishes in the top two rankings among non-premium automakers for second year in a row

Fountain Valley, Calif., July 22, 2015 – Hyundai followed up last year’s No. 1 ranking by finishing second among non-premium automakers in the J.D. Power 2015 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout^SM (APEAL) Study released today. In its 20th year, the APEAL study examines owners’ assessments of the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicle.

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata ranked second in the midsize car segment. Furthermore, five Hyundai models (Elantra, Genesis, Santa Fe, Tucson and Veloster) increased their scores in this year’s study.

“Finishing among the top two non-premium brands in this year’s J.D. Power APEAL Study shows Hyundai takes design, technology, features and performance seriously across the entire lineup,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Having the best-selling Sonata ranking among the top two in its class is a tremendous achievement and we are committed to delivering the highest customer experience possible to our owners.”

Additionally, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata finished second in the midsize car segment by just two points – 817 v. 819.

Recently, Hyundai ranked second among non-premium automakers and fourth among all brands in the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS). The 2015 Hyundai Tucson was awarded for the highest initial quality in the small SUV segment and the 2015 Hyundai Accent earned the highest IQS honor in the small car segment for the second year in a row.

Source:  http://www.hyundainews.com/

Hyundai previews new Creta crossover in first design sketch

It was barely a week ago that Hyundai announced the name of its upcoming subcompact crossover, the Creta. And now the Korean automaker has released the first sketch.

The design bears obvious links to the larger Santa Fe (which was just unveiled in facelifted form) and the new Tucson (unveiled in Geneva), particularly at the front end with its angular eyes and trapezoidal grille. Hyundai promises "a bold front, voluminous side, [and] sporty rear," with a hidden A-pillar and an overall "premium look."

Called the Creta, the new small crossover is set to take on the likes of the Nissan Juke, Mazda CX-3, Jeep Renegade, and others in an increasingly vital, growing, and competitive segment.

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/

Hyundai patenting speed bump detection

Often patents are more about solving a small, annoying problem than really taking on the big issues. Take Hyundai's recent filing for a system to detect speed bumps, for example. Other than teens with a fresh license and ground-scraping supercar drivers, no one really sees spotting these traffic-slowing devices as the bane of their existence. However, the Korean automaker is out to make driving just a little more convenient for everyone with this tech.

The Hyundai patent combines several pieces of currently available technology in a new way. GPS, a camera, and multiple sensors identify an oncoming speed bump, and they then measure its height, width, and curvature. With that info, the software calculates the appropriate speed to drive over the hump. If drivers are going too fast, then a warning message tells them to slow down.

The patent is a straightforward solution to a problem that doesn't seem to really exist for many drivers. However, while Hyundai makes no mention of this in the documents, this tech could be extremely useful for applications in autonomous vehicles. All the system would need is the additional ability to slow itself automatically, and the driverless car could potentially handle a speed bump just as well as a human.

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/

Here are Five Spring Car Maintenance Tips to Keep in Mind

1. Remove leftover salt

Salt, used on roads to melt ice and snow, can cause serious damage to cars, especially their undercarriages where metal can rust. Take your car to a highly rated car wash to eliminate salt, and check that the business has sprayers that clean the undercarriage.

2. Check alignment and suspension
Driving over potholes can damage your car’s alignment and suspension. You might have a problem if you notice that the car pulls to one side or the steering wheel vibrates as you drive. An alignment check typically costs $25 to $40.

3. Change oil and check fluids

“If your last oil change was before winter, then this is a great time to do it, spring is also an ideal time to flush your transmission fluid. It’s one of the most neglected services. Mechanics say spring is a good time to check your car's fluid levels. Waiting too long to change your fluids can lead to a costly repair. Mechanics recommend changing your car’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.Don’t forget to check window washing fluid levels, as well as your brake and cooling system fluids.

4. Rotate tires and check air pressure
You should check the tire pressure, including the spare should you ever need it. Your car’s tires affect the ride, handling, traction and safety.Mechanics recommend tire rotation every 5,000 miles to keep tread wear even.One of the biggest issues we see is the front tires wearing out prematurely.

5. Inspect brakes
Nothing, perhaps, is more important than having brakes that function properly. Have a technician check the pads and rotors to ensure there are no safety issues. Neglecting them can lead to a costlier repair down the line.

2016 Hyundai Elantra Arrives at Dealerships This Month With New Value Edition

FOUNTAIN  VALLEY, California — The 2016 Hyundai Elantra sedan arrives at Hyundai dealerships this month featuring a new Elantra Value Edition.

The base 2016 Hyundai Elantra SE with a six-speed manual transmission starts at $18,075, including an $825 destination charge. The base price is unchanged from the 2015 Elantra sedan.

The new 2016 Hyundai Elantra Value Edition starts at $20,525, including shipping. Hyundai Motor America said the new Value Edition "bundles customer-favorite features at an attractive $1,000 in value savings."

Features include unique 16-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, a leather steering wheel and shift knob, and heated front seats.

The midlevel 2016 Hyundai Elantra Sport is now priced at $21,075. Although that represents a $1,350 price cut from last year's model, the Sport no longer comes standard with leather seats and a sunroof.

The top-of-the-line 2016 Hyundai Elantra Limited starts at $22,525. Pricing on this model is unchanged from the 2015 model year.

The Elantra Limited now comes standard with a proximity key with push-button start and dual-zone automatic climate control. The new standard features result in a $600 savings, according to Hyundai.

All prices include shipping.

Two engine choices are offered on the 2016 Elantra. They are a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine on the SE, Value Edition and Limited trims, and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine on the Elantra Sport. The engines are linked to a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic transmission.

Key competitors to the Elantra include the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

Hyundai files patent for smartphone feature disabler in proximity to steering wheel

Combatting driver distraction continues to be a hot topic in automotive safety, especially when it comes to young motorists. While simply not using a smartphone behind the wheel would fix much of the problem, automakers are trying to work out complicated ways to make people safer. For example, GM is experimenting with head and eye tracking to make sure folks are paying attention to the road. Now,Hyundai might have come up with a technology that offers a very simple fix: disable the phones.

The Korean automaker explains the idea in explicit detail in a recently published patent. The tech specifically "limits or disables the use of some of mobile device features which could cause distraction to the user," according to the abstract. Depending on variables like the vehicle's speed, the system determines what smartphone functions are safe to use, including texting or voice calls. Based on a plethora of permutations in the document, these restrictions could only be for the area around the driver's seat or for the whole vehicle.

The key to the patent is placing antennas around the vehicle and monitoring for cellular signals. When the system detects them, it can begin selectively deciding what features to allow on the device. The tech isn't a simple on/off switch either, and can possibly detect the time of day or importance of the caller to let messages though. The major downside to all of this is the phone would need to run a specific program or firmware for all of this to work.

With such a recently published patent, it might be years before the tech arrives in Hyundai vehicles, if at all. Still, this is an interesting solution. Of course, it would be far simpler if people just put down their phones.

Hyundai helps daughter send message to astronaut dad in a big way

Hyundai hopes you’ll think its Genesis luxury sedan is out of this world, and it’s pulled off a unique stunt to drive that message home, by sending a message to space the old fashioned way -- like Nazca lines old fashioned.

The automaker had the daughter of one of the astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) handwrite a message to her father, and then used a fleet of cars to almost perfectly replicate it with tire marks on Delamar Dry Lake in Nevada at a large enough scale that it could be spotted from 249 miles straight up.

The note reads "Steph ❤s you!” and was apparently directed at ISS Commander Terry Virts, although he is not identified in the video documenting the event.

To pull it off, Hyundai needed 11 cars wearing studded tires driving side by side to make the lines wide and deep enough to be picked up clearly by the telephoto lens on the astronaut’s DSLR camera. The entire message covers over two square miles, enough to earn it a Guinness World Record for “largest tire track image.”

The producer of the project, Johnny Lee of Duo Films, says it was shot over three days in January following several weeks of logistics work. His team worked with civil engineers to lay out the design, then mapped it into a GPS system to guide the drivers.

If you still don’t believe it is real, Bureau of Land Management spokesman Chris Hanafeld says that while Mother Nature is quickly erasing it, remnants of the message remain, so feel free to make the 2.5-hour drive north from Las Vegas to check it out for yourself.

Coincidentally, Delamar Dry Lake was the site of a 2012 drop test for the Boeing CST-100 crew transportation capsule, which is on track to star ferrying future astronauts to the ISS by 2017.

Hyundai considering pickup after good reaction to Santa Cruz | Day's Morgantown Hyundai

The Hyundai HCD-15 Santa Cruz pickup concept was one of the stars of the 2015 Detroit Auto Showand even earned fifth place on Autoblog's Editors' Choice list of favorite debuts. The strong response might have been enough to get it made.

Hyundai research and development director Park Byung-cheol said that the company was considering building the truck, according to Reuters. He warned, though, that there were still some obstacles in the way of the pickup arriving to showrooms without saying what those were.

Rumors about Hyundai considering a pickup in the US go back several years but were fruitless. The Santa Cruz's unveiling really reignited things, though. The North American arm of the Korean brand reportedly chose Detroit for the debut so thatforeign executives could see the media reaction to the concept. That gamble might have paid off.

Hyundai's pickup at dealers might not look like the Santa Cruz concept, though. The company said the version in Detroit had nothing production-ready about it and even lacked an interior. At the time, a platform still hadn't been decided on, and the brand had several internal design studies underway.

Hyundai launches Blue Link update for smartwatches | Day's Morgantown Hyundai

Hyundai released an update for its Blue Link app last week that makes it work through smartwatches.

The app is downloaded through Google Play and works with Android Wear watches. A version that's compatible with Apple smartwatches is under development, and Hyundai expects to launch it soon after the Apple Watch launches April 24, a spokesman said.

The Blue Link smartwatch app was revealed this year at the Consumer Electronics Show. Features include remote engine start and stop capabilities, remote door locking and unlocking, the ability to honk the horn and flash the lights and a function to call roadside assistance. All of the features can be done through voice commands.

Hyundai's smartwatch app will work with cars equipped with first and second generations of Blue Link. The smartwatch app is a companion feature, and it needs to be paired to the owner's smartphone that has the Blue Link app.

Blue Link launched on the 2012 Sonata and rolled out across Hyundai's lineup in 2013. The second-generation system is available on the 2015 Genesis, Sonata and Azera.

"Blue Link subscribers and gadget lovers will appreciate a more convenient way to interact with their Hyundai vehicles," Frank Ferrara, executive vice president, customer satisfaction, Hyundai Motor America, said in a statement.

2015 Hyundai Genesis Expert Review | Day's Morgantown Hyundai

Redesigned, roomier with sharper looks, all-wheel drive.

If the badge were missing, one might easily mistake the 2015 Hyundai Genesis for a European luxury sedan. All-new for the 2015 model year, the Genesis, already impressive in its previous incarnation, gets even better.

First introduced for the 2008 model year, the Hyundai Genesis sedan received much acclaim in the automotive press. It was refreshed for 2012 and is completely redesigned for 2015.

Size-wise, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan grows in length by only 0.2 inches, but the interior is roomier thanks to a wheelbase that's been stretched by nearly three inches, allowing for more room in the cabin and shortening overhangs for improved performance. It's longer and wider than other midsize sedans, and is technically classified by the EPA as a large vehicle. That's good news when it comes to space, but it also means more bulk.

Unlike most new versions of cars that boast lighter, more aerodynamic designs, the Genesis takes a different tack. It feels solid and substantive, and despite the use of some new lightweight materials, the Genesis manages to gain about 100 pounds. Hyundai argues the gain is, in part, to boost safety ratings, and despite the increase, the 2015 Genesis manages to improve fuel economy by 1 mpg.

Two engines are available on the 2015 Hyundai Genesis and carry over from the previous generation (pre-2015), but have been heavily revised for the 2015 models. The standard 3.8-liter V6 produces 311 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque and runs on Regular gasoline. It's available in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants. The 5.0-liter V8 makes 420 hp and 383 lb.-ft of torque with Premium fuel, or 407 hp and 372 lb-ft with Regular gas. Both engines are naturally aspirated.

All models use Hyundai's 8-speed transmission with paddle shifters (Shiftronic), which uses fuel-saving measures like skip-shift technology help to reduce emissions.

We found the V6 perfectly capable, and the best choice for most drivers. Available all-wheel drive makes the Genesis even more appealing for those in snowy climes. The V8 is silky and satisfying for those looking for even more power.

Fuel economy for the 2015 Hyundai Genesis is 18/29 mpg for the 3.8-liter RWD model and 16/25 mpg City/Highway for the 3.8-liter AWD model. With the 5.0-liter V8, fuel economy understandably suffers, with 15/23 mpg City/Highway.

In the cabin, materials are of good quality, and the layout is attractive and intuitive. Standard leather upholstery on the base model is nice, but not buttery-soft like one might find in more expensive luxury cars; we prefer the upgraded leather that comes on the 5.0. Rear passengers have adequate headroom, though rear legroom falls short compared to some. Cargo space is plentiful at 15.3 cubic feet.

Infotainment controls are modeled after those of German cars. A knob on the center console, similar to those found on Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz controls navigation, audio, phone and settings. And unlike those German cars, the standard 9.2-inch LCD display is a touch-screen that allows you to access some features directly by pushing one button, instead of going into an endless series of menus.

Hyundai says it is aiming squarely at German midsize sedans, but although the 2015 Hyundai Genesis offers far more features for the money, those looking for brand cachet still might have a hard time being convinced. We think the Genesis boasts superior driving dynamics to those of the Lexus GS or ES, and the Hyundai comes with more standard features. The new Cadillac CTS offers similar value, but its race-bred powertrain and chassis offer a much more engaging ride, and the available V6 engines are more powerful. Though the Genesis is thousands of dollars less than the BMW 5 Series, the Genesis really can't touch the BMW in terms of dialed-in performance. As for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Genesis comes close with ride and handling and offers many more standard features, but may never achieve the status afforded by the three-pointed star.

The 2015 Hyundai Genesis sedan is a handsome, affordable alternative to a more expensive luxury car and comes packed with standard features. The 3.8 offers fine performance and optional all-wheel drive, while the 5.0 offers an abundance of silky-smooth power. We thought the Genesis 3.8 offered the best value and had plenty of power.