Do you a car that has garnered as many as 21 awards since its inception? If you know of anything that has as many as 21 or more awards kindly tell me. The only one I know is the Hyundai Genesis sedan. I’ve already made a review about this particular vehicle here a few months ago. If you want to reacquaint yourselves with what this car has to offer, just click here.

Anyway, I’m really amazed that the Hyundai Genesis got so many awards! For a car that has yet to compare with other more well-known brands in the luxury category, what the Genesis has achieved is really surprising.

Are you curious to know what the awards are? Read this press release:

PRESS RELEASE:Hyundai Genesis is class of the 2009 model year with most top-car honors

 

 

Headlined by the 2009 North American Car of the Year Award, Hyundai’s New Flagship Earns More Top Recognition than Any Other 2009 IntroductionFOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., August 27, 2009 – Hyundai’s all-new flagship, the Genesis sedan, launched to significant anticipation culminating with its coronation as the 2009 North American Car of the Year – the first time a Korean brand has ever achieved the honor. But Genesis didn’t stop there, accumulating honor after prestigious honor to become the most decorated new car launch of the 2009 model year. At last count, Genesis tallied more than 20 top honors from the most prominent media outlets and automotive organizations in North America.

Genesis’ trophy case includes awards and accolades from the likes of J.D. Power and Associates, Motor Trend, AutoPacific, Cars.com and leading consumer publications. Genesis is built on Hyundai’s all-new, performance-driven rear-wheel-drive architecture. It offers two powertrains, the Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 290 hp, and Hyundai’s all-new Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 375 hp. With technology rivaling more expensive luxury sedans, convenience features like push-button start and navigation system, and five-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), it’s clear that Genesis is among the best new cars of 2009. But at a starting MSRP of just $32,250 and max price of just $42,000 for a fully loaded Genesis, it’s no surprise the competition was left in Hyundai’s rear-view mirror.

“Genesis was developed to rival the world’s best luxury sedans so we knew it would be a great car, but we didn’t know how it would be received by the automotive community,” said Scott Margason, director of Product & Strategic Planning for Hyundai. “As the awards accumulated, we realized not only how well designed the Genesis was, but how far the Hyundai brand had come. Consumers and automotive industry influencers really embraced the idea of Hyundai producing a luxury product.”
Genesis Sedan Awards

1. 2009 North America Car of the Year
2. Motor Trend – America’s Top 40 New Cars
3. J.D. Power and Associates – Automotive, Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) - Most appealing midsize premium car
4. J.D. Power and Associates – Vehicle Launch Index (VLI) - Highest ranked 2009 all-new or redesigned vehicle
5. The Car Book 2009 – Best Bet (intermediate category)
6. About.com – Best New Car
7. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance – Best New Model (sedans $30,000-$45,000)
8. NADAguides.com – Car of the Month (April)
9. NADAguides.com – Top 5 Luxury Cars
10. NADAguides.com – Best Car Buy - Top luxury cars under $35,000
11. Autotropolis.com – Car of the Year
12. Cars.com – Car of the Year
13. On Wheels – Car of the Year
14. AutoPacific – Ideal Vehicle Awards - Aspirational Luxury Category
15. AutoPacific –Vehicle Satisfaction Awards - Aspirational Luxury Category
16. Consumer Reports – Top-Rated Vehicle (upscale sedan category)
17. Consumer Digest – Best Buy (luxury segment)
18. MyRide/Autobytel – Car of the Year
19. Ward’s Auto World – 10 Best Engines (4.6 liter Tau V8)
20. Automobile Journalists Association of Canada – Canadian Car of the Year
21. Automobile Journalists Association of Canada – Best New Luxury Vehicle Under $50,000

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 780 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by The Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. In addition, Hyundai Assurance is now offered on all new vehicles leased or purchased from a certified Hyundai dealer. The program is available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment record or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months.

 

 

 

 

Source: Autoblog

If you want to have an idea as to what the safest vehicle is, don’t ask common car owners. Trust only what the experts’ say. And experts say that the Hyundai i20 is one of the safest vehicles in the market today. The Euro NCAP awarded the Hyundai i20 a maximum 5-Star score because of its exceptional scores in adult occupancy, child protection, pedestrian protection, and safety assist.

Having this award is a great achievement for Hyundai, especially for its supermini segment where the i20 is a part. Hyundai Motor Europe Vice President Allan Rushforth said, “This is a proud moment for Hyundai. The i20’s five-star rating is recognition of our commitment to providing customers with superior quality and top-class safety. Across our range we offer exceptional levels of life-saving equipment as standard, and we continue to research and develop new ways to protect drivers and occupants of Hyundai cars.”

The Hyundai i20 five-door model is really built with excellent safety features so it’s not surprising that it was given the maximum rating. Adult occupants will really be kept safe using the standard active head-restraints, front seatbelt pretensioners, and six airbags. It also has some of the best safety assist systems and devices like the Electronic Stability program (ESP), which reduces the risk of skidding.

Congratulations Hyundai!

Photo Credit: Groenlicht

Have you seen the new Kia Soul urban crossover? Or maybe you’ve already had the pleasure of driving one? Well, if you have then, you’re very lucky to have been able to experience driving and riding in an award-winning vehicle. Yes, the Kia Soul has been awarded a 5-Star safety rating in the Euro NCAP crash test. Check out its test results:

• Adult Occupant Protection – 87%
• Child Protection – 86%
• Safety Assist Equipment – 86%

Folks over at Kia are very proud that their creation was given such recognition. You can clearly see that in the statement made by Mr. Panu Vainamo, General Manager Marketing Kia Motors Europe. Here’s his comment, “ The latest Euro NCAP result is a major landmark achievement for Kia.  This is a superb follow-up to the 5-Star Euro NCAP rating achieved by the Kia cee’d in 2007.  Soul was designed and engineered to meet or surpass the expectations of European, North American and global consumers in every respect, including safety.”

With this recognition many buyers would surely add the Kia Soul on their list of prospects. And it’s all for the better good because with the Kia Soul their safety and that of their family is always assured.

It’s always nice when a vehicle of your choice becomes a recipient of a certain award. It is also fulfilling for vehicle manufacturers when their creations become a favorite among car owners, and that they are also the ones for getting that particular vehicle make and model to the top spot.

Well, Volkswagen must be feeling rather proud of themselves at the moment as the Tiguan gets the top position for the Mid-Size Crossover Sport Utility Vehicle category in AutoPacific’s 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. This only means that Volkswagen is doing something right to be able to meet the requirements of their customers.

So, want to know more about the award? Here’s the Press Release:

PRESS RELEASE

May 2009

Volkswagen America has announced that owners of their Tiguan have given it strong ratings that place it at the top of the Mid-Size Crossover Sport Utility Vehicle category in AutoPacific’s 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research.

AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with their new car or light truck, and reflects the opinions of consumers nationwide.

“Having our Tiguan recognized by AutoPacific and our customers for its vehicle satisfaction is a tremendous honor for us,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc.

“Owner based awards such as AutoPacific’s VSA help consumers make educated decisions when purchasing a new vehicle. We believe in our products and we’re glad to see that our customers believe in them as well.”

The VSA Awards summarize the results of AutoPacific’s 2009 model year vehicle satisfaction research. More than 25,000 consumers around the country participated in the survey. The VSA is derived entirely from owner satisfaction which is measured across 48 specific areas related to a vehicle’s operation, comfort, safety, and overall purchase/lease experience. The 2009 ratings reflect input from buyers and lessees of new vehicles acquired September through December 2008.

“AutoPacific has conducted this industry research since 1997. Vehicles that score highest in AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards have hit the mark delivering value and satisfaction with their buyers by performing well in 48 separate categories that measure the ownership experience,” says AutoPacific president George Peterson.

Tiguan, the GTI of Compact Sport Utility Vehicles, features the “fun to drive” handling and performance owners have come to expect from Volkswagen. The Tiguan comes standard with Volkswagen’s 2.0L TSI engine that delivers turbo-charged acceleration while still delivering responsible fuel efficiency. This award winning turbo-charged four-cylinder power plant delivers 200 horsepower and 207 lbs. –ft. of torque. The combination of four valves per cylinder, direct fuel injection and turbo-charging delivers the optimum balance of power and economy. European tuned suspension enables connected handling, while also providing a smooth and compliant ride. Both front wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel-drive is available to suit any weather or road condition.

Recently the Tiguan was rated one of the top small SUVs in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) new Roof Strength safety-test. Tiguan also received the IIHS Top Safety Pick award for 2008, and top ratings in the IIHS front and side crash testing making it one of the safest small SUVs available in the market today. The Tiguan also comes standard with electronic stability control, branded ESP on Volkswagen vehicles, and six airbags, with rear seat airbags as an option.  

 

Photo Credit: The Autochannel