It is available in four trims: the GLS front wheel drive, the GLS all-wheel drive, the Limited front wheel drive and the Limited all-wheel drive. Very few changes have been made as it is a carryover from the 2008 model year.

The standard engine for the Veracruz is a 3.8L 260hp V6 and it is mated to a six-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The two combine forces to deliver 16/23 mpg city/highway. Competition including the Toyota Highlander, the Subaru Tribeca and the Honda Pilot are met head-on on all levels. The 2009 Veracruz is the first crossover from Hyundai - and a very impressive one at that.

The parent company, Hyundai Motor Group, invested heavily in improvements to design, quality, manufacturing, and long-term research. It also added 10-year/100,000-mile warranties to its American cars, and began to market very aggressively.

In 2004, J.D. Power and Associates ranked Hyundai second in “initial quality,” and it is now one of the 100 most valuable brands, worldwide. The slanted stylized “H” symbol of the Hyundai logo, meant to represent the company and customer shaking hands, is now familiar to most, as is the company’s official slogan, “Drive your way.”

Cortina, was released with the cooperation of the UK branch of Ford a year later. In 1975, the first Korean car - the Pony - was released. It featured styling by ItalDesign’s Giorgio Giugiaro, and powertrain technology furnished by Mitsubishi Motors of Japan. It began exporting to Ecuador and the Benelux countries the next year.

Hyundai didn’t arrive in the US until 1986, but it’s first offering, the Excel, was nominated for “Best Product #10″ in Fortune Magazine, mainly because of its affordability. In 1988, beginning with the Sonata, the company began to produce models using its own technology.

The Hyundai Motor Company, based in Seoul, is a division of the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, which is the largest car manufacturer in South Korea. It may seem like an upstart to many, but in 2005, the combined sales of the group made Hyundai Kia the world’s sixth largest vehicle manufacturer. In addition, the Hyundai manufacturing plant in Ulsan, South Korea, is the world’s largest such facility, and is capable of producing over 1.5 million units each year.

Interior volume on the model is 172.3 cubic feet with cargo volume at 141.5 when the second row seats have been taken out and the third row stowed in the folded position. With only the third row put down, cargo volume is 80.2 cubic feet. With seating for seven passengers, the Entourage comes standard with half a dozen airbags: two covering the driver and passenger from the front position, two placed in the seats to deploy to the side, and two in the curtain position to protect outboard passengers.

All models of the 2007 Hyundai Entourage come standard with a combo audio unit playing across six speakers. A Infinity Logic7 Surround Sound system with a changer in the dash capable of handling six discs and an amplifier with twelve channels is an option on the SE and Limited as is a DVD system for the benefit of back passengers included a screen that flips down and wireless headphones.

Do you believe that your minivan should actually protect your family on the road, not put them in further danger? Do you think that you should be driving a minivan that has ample room for your entire brood and their gear? Well, have no fear, Hyundai is here. The 2008 Hyundai Entourage is that minivan. The Entourage will comfortably seat your whole posse. It also was rewarded the IIHS’s highest ranking in a crash test for minivans. If you are in search of space and safety, the 2008 Entourage is the minivan for your family.

The multitude of safety features in the Entourage make even the Honda Odyssey envious. Six airbags are standard in the Entourage. Front and side airbags are there for the driver and front passenger, but there are also massive roof and side-mounted curtain airbags for the two rear seating rows. All passengers can feel protected with the Entourage’s airbag armor. The 2008 Entourage also comes standard with a Traction Control System. This system allows the driver to feel confident in knowing that even during inclement weather the Entourage will stay rooted on the road. Electronic Stability Control will take over if a driver loses control of the vehicle. The ESC can apply the brakes, decrease the minivan’s speed, and even correct over-steering. 4-wheel disc brakes are equipped with anti-lock brakes which prevent locking up the wheels, as well as assist the driver in controlling both the steering wheel and brakes during slick road conditions. Another feature added to the Entourage is the Active Head Restraint. This restraint system is implemented in the front headrests. If a rear-end accident occurs, the head restraints will move in the direction to best cradle the driver and passenger’s head and neck.

If you feel like you never seem to have enough room in your current vehicle, the 2008 Entourage will more than make up for it. Three rows provide generous seating for up to seven passengers. Not only that, those seven passengers will never feel cramped for space. The Entourage can easily seat full-grown adults in all three rows. In the 2008 the third row can also be stowed away to provide even more cargo space, plenty of room for all those camping materials or sports equipment.

Hyundai’s 2008 edition comes in two different trim levels, the GLS and Limited. The GLS has all of the features previously mentioned, but the Limited is outfitted with a multitude of luxurious additions. While both come with a 3.8L MPI-DOHC V6 that produces up to 242 horsepower, the Limited trim has 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, tinted windows, leather seating, and heated front seats. Gas-charged shock absorbers afford a smooth ride in both trims. Also, the standard 5-speed automatic transmission has a Shiftronic feature. Shiftronic allows a driver to have the convenience of an automatic transmission, but also have the ability to manually downshift or upshift when necessary.

The 2008 Hyundai Entourage is a perfect solution for a family in need of space and safety in a vehicle. However, because the Entourage only reaches 16 city MPG and 23 highway MPG, many families may need to look elsewhere for fuel efficiency. The GLS trim’s base MSRP is a reasonable $23,995, putting the 2008 Entourage into a price bracket that many families can afford. So, if price, ample seating and cargo room, and superior safety are on one’s list of must-haves in a minivan, the 2008 Hyundai Entourage is one minivan that should not be overlooked.

Chicago Auto Show in 2006. The vehicle derives its power from a 3.8 Liter Lambada V6 engine. The Entourage uses an automatic gear system of five gears. The Entourage’s engine does 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Entourage is available in three versions, which are well equipped with all the amenities. The entry level GLS version is equipped with 16 inch tires, seats in the second row that can be folded and a split third row of seats that can be folded. There’s space under the third row of seats to store small bags, a drivers seat that can be moved in six different ways manually, air conditioning, Stereo system with CD player and six speakers and keyless entry. The SE version has 17 inch tires, temperatures inside the minivan that are controlled automatically, back doors that can slide open or closed with the touch of a button, leather steering wheel with music controls and a drivers seat that can be adjusted in eight different ways with the touch of a button.

The Limited version comes with leather seats that are heated and its gauges are electroluminescent. The Limited comes with a sunroof and an ultimate package that comes with a stereo system with a surround sound package and 13 speakers. The package also has a DVD system for the passengers seated in the back; passenger seat in the front can be adjusted in four different manners with the touch of a button and the driver’s seat, mirrors and pedals have a memory system fitted into them. The music and DVD systems available with the Limited package can be purchased with the SE and Limited versions. The Hyundai Entourage comes with anti-lock brakes, side airbags for all three rows of seats and side airbags for the passengers sitting in the front.

Both are powered by a 3.8 liter V6, generating 263 horsepower as an automatic transmission with five speeds and overdrive. The engine returns 19 mpg city and 28 highway on a 19.8 gallon fuel tank.

The Azera has 40.2 inches of head room front and 38.2 rear with leg room of 43.7 and 38.2 respectively. Overall passenger volume measures 106.9 cubic feet with a total cargo volume of 16.6 cubic feet. From one curb to the next, the Azeras have a turning diameter of 37.4 feet.

Occupants in all models are protected by two airbags in the front with an additional two mounted in the seats as safeguards against impact from the side. Additionally, there are two bags for the rear mounted in the seats protecting the outboard positions as well as bags from the roof in the curtain position. Brakes on all wheels have ABS technology with additional systems to distribute force. The design of the vehicle accommodates the absorbtion of collision energy by incorporating steel of high-tensile quality. There are crumple zones in the front and rear with side reinforcements present.

Both the driver and front passenger seats of the 2007 Hyundai Azera have powered adjustment as well as heating available on the SE and standard on the Limited. The optional system features a changer in the dash capable of handling six discs that plays across ten speakers and incorporates a subwoofer and 315-watt amplifier.

The GL trim now comes stock with 17 inch alloy wheels and both trims feature improved suspension. The Limited trim also receives a nice variety of additional improvements including: side mirror mounted turn signals; a power sunroof and a premium audio system. Note that the SE trim has been discontinued.

The smooth-running 3.8L 263hp V6 of the Limited trim delivers power, speed and dependability to get you where you need to go every time. The GLS trim features a 3.3L 234hp V6. The innovative interior is both spacious and hip featuring straightforward, strategically placed controls. Azera earned a “Good” crash test rating for frontal crashes and an “Acceptable” score from IIHS for side impact crashes. MSRP totals $24,600 which stuns the class competition which averages a hefty $44,084. Both trims come stock with a 5-speed automatic overdrive transmission.

City-rated fuel economy also smashes the competition of the large car class on this 2008 Azera measuring 18 mpg to their 15.72 mpg. Horsepower and torque are not the Azera’s strong points; it presents a rating of only 234hp to the average competition’s 305.49. Torque ratings are 226 lb-ft as compared to the average comp’s 311.81.

Standard features on both trims include: power locks; power windows; air conditioning, CD player; power seats and driver, passenger and side airbags. ABS braking, traction control and stability control systems are also stock on both. The GLS has an optional sunroof that is not available on the Limited trim. To compensate, the Limited comes from the factory with leather seats which are only an option away for the GLS.

Both trims of this 2008 Isuzu have 4 doors and seat a maximum of 5 people comfortably. The Limited is able to be fitted with a customized NAV system, but the GLS lacks this feature. The Azera blows the competition out of the water with its warranty package. The basic warranty is good for 60 months or 60,000 miles. The powertrain warranty holds out for 120 months or 100,000 miles and the rust warranty is good for 84 months or unlimited milage - pretty cool.

Consumer Reports gives the 2008 Azera an overall test score of 83 - an impressive number. The overall consumer satisfaction rating stands tall at 9.9; people really seem to love these vehicles. And why not? The Korean-made 2008 Hyundai Azera delivers just about everything that anyone could wish for in a new large car: classy looks, dependability, safety, performance and a modest price tag. It is definitely one to consider, and one to beat!

Depending on the trim package chosen, a 3.8 L, V6 engine or a 3.3 L V6 engine with a five-speed automatic transmission is standard. These engines provide 263 hp and 234 hp, respectively.

The Azera’s interior features a combination of wood and woodgrain on the doors and dashboard, offering enhanced style and features over the Toyota Camry. The gear knob is finished with a luxury leather trim. Car buyers interested in the Hyundai Azera may also be considering the Pontiac G6 and the Volkswagen Passat.

The 2009 model is very similar in styling to the previous year’s offering. The basic trim package is the GLS and the updated version is called the Limited. Both packages include dual zone climate control and a split folding back seat (60/40). The Limited offers the buyer heated front seats, a sunroof, and leather seats. These are available as options with the GLS trim package.

Both trim packages come with 17 inch alloy wheels. The audio systems are different for each one, though. With the GLS trim package, you will get a six-speaker system with an AM/FM radio and a CD/MP3 player. The Limited trim package offers a 10-speaker system.

The Azera also comes with a number of safety features, including head and side airbags for front seat passengers, 4 wheel ABS, and traction control. The ABS system gives the Azera a better ability to turn while the driver applies the brakes. This is an important consideration when trying to avoid an accident.

A stability system is also offered on the Hyundai Azera. This is a measure designed to help the driver keep control of the vehicle when the vehicle is being operated at its limit. The brakes will applied automatically and the engine power will be reduced as necessary to help the driver regain control and avoid an accident.

If someone enters the vehicle and tries to start the engine using something other than a manufacturer’s key, the ignition will shut down as a security measure. This type of anti-theft device may qualify Azera buyers for a reduction in their insurance costs. The 2009 Hyundai Azera will give you a respectable 17 mpg for city driving and 26 mpg on the highway. If you are interested in owning one, the MSRP is $24,770 - $28,720, which will get you a safe, reliable ride.

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