Consumer_Reports_-_April_2020

Hyundai Kona Electric
!

The Kona electric is as

good as the conventional

version. Its 201-hp electric

motor makes the car quick,

with smooth and quiet

acceleration. Its range is a robust

258 miles. It takes 9 hours to charge

the 64-kilowatt-hour battery from

empty on a 240-volt connector. Unlike

the regular Kona, the electric version

is front-wheel-drive only. It has nimble handling, which makes the Kona

responsive when going through corners. The ride, however, is stiff. The controls

are very straightforward, though the EV has an odd gear selector that is

challenging to use at a glance. Standard safety features include forward

collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning,

and rear cross traffic warning. The Kona Electric is available in limited states.



OVERALL

SCORE

83

$36,990-$45,200

RELIABILITY

5

SATISFACTION

5

ROAD-TEST SCORE 76 MPGe 120

Hyundai Palisade
!

The all-new Hyundai

Palisade three-row

midsized SUV can seat

seven or eight people,

depending on whether the

second row is a bench or two separate

seats. It shares many components

with the Kia Telluride, including its

smooth 291-hp, 3.8-liter V6 that's

paired with an eight-speed automatic

transmission. The roomy cabin is very quiet. The Palisade rides comfortably,

but handling is not particularly nimble. The interior is filled with thoughtful

details. It benefits from simple controls, except for the unintuitive push-button

gear selector and the faraway touch screen for the infotainment system.

Several advanced safety systems come standard, including forward collision

warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane

keeping assistance, driver monitoring, and rear occupant alert.



OVERALL

SCORE

87

$31,550-$46,400

RELIABILITY

4

SATISFACTION

5

ROAD-TEST SCORE 88 MPG 21

Hyundai Santa Fe!

The midsized Santa Fe

is a compelling choice

priced close to certain

top-trim compact SUVs.

It's available with a 2.4-liter

four-cylinder engine or a more power-

ful 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. The

turbo returned just 21 mpg overall in

our tests and suffers from an uneven

power delivery, either hesitating or

abruptly launching the SUV forward. We think the 2.4-liter is a better choice.

The Hyundai has composed handling and responsive steering, but the ride

skews firm. Only mild engine noise penetrates the otherwise quiet cabin. The

controls are clear and easy to master, particularly the quick-to-respond info-

tainment system. There is plenty of headroom and legroom, and the seats are

comfortable and supportive. Rear-seat room is very generous. Standard safety

systems include forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.



OVERALL

SCORE

78

$25,900-$39,200

RELIABILITY

3

SATISFACTION

5

ROAD-TEST SCORE 80 MPG 21

Hyundai Sonata

The redesigned Sonata

returns to a sleek, coupelike

silhouette. The standard

191-hp, 2.5-liter four-

cylinder is coupled to an

eight-speed automatic and provides

unobtrusive, linear power. An optional

180-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged

engine is also available. Handling

is responsive, but the ride skews firm.

The cabin looks modern, though we lament the use of buttons for the gear

selector. An 8-inch touch screen comes standard and is easy to use. A larger

screen comes on high-end versions, but that eliminates the radio's tuning

knob. Heated and cooled front seats, as well as other upscale features, are

optional. Standard advanced safety features include forward collision warning,

automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane keeping

assistance. A hybrid version arrives later.



OVERALL

SCORE

NA

$23,400-$33,300

RELIABILITY

3

SATISFACTION

4

ROAD-TEST SCORE NA MPG NA

Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson got a

freshening for 2019, and

it has done a lot of good.

The uplevel 2.4-liter engine

is responsive and pleasant,

but it's not fuel-efficient at 22 mpg

overall. The base 2.0-liter engine

is underpowered and noisy.

Thankfully, the 1.6-liter turbo and the

clunky transmission that came with

it are gone. Ride comfort is agreeable, with decent bump absorption. Handling

is responsive and secure, and noise suppression is par for the course. Interior

fit and finish is rather basic. Most versions come with a power driver seat,

a plus. The Tucson is quite roomy for a compact SUV, and rear-seat room is

decent. The touch screen packs an easy-to-use infotainment system. Forward

collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assistance

became standard.

OVERALL

SCORE

$23,350-$33,100

RELIABILITY

3

SATISFACTION

2

ROAD-TEST SCORE 75-76 MPG 22-24

Hyundai Veloster

!

The redesigned Veloster

hatchback retains the

original car's unusual

three-door configuration,

with a right-side rear door

that allows access to the backseat.

The base 2.0-liter engine isn't very

exciting; the 1.6-liter turbo version

fits this sporty coupe better. We got

29 mpg overall in our tested R-Spec

trim with the slick manual transmission. Handling is nimble, with sporty

versions exhibiting tenacious grip in sharp turns. The ride is very stiff, and

the cabin is loud. The top high-performance version, the N trim, is more

powerful and has upgraded suspension, steering, and brakes. The controls

are easy to use, including the color touch-screen infotainment display.

Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are standard,

except in the N trim line.



OVERALL

SCORE

80

$18,600-$28,150

RELIABILITY

4

SATISFACTION

5

ROAD-TEST SCORE 83 MPG 29

Hyundai Venue

The Venue fits in the

Hyundai lineup beneath

the Kona, and competes

with the Nissan Kicks. It's

a tiny car, but the boxy

shape makes it feel roomier than one

might think. As is the case with other

subcompacts, the 121-hp, 1.6-liter four-

cylinder engine is not overly powerful,

the ride is stiff and choppy, and the

cabin is noisy. Handling is quite nimble, and the car is extremely easy to park

and maneuver. All-wheel drive is not offered. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

compatibility comes standard, as does an 8-inch touch screen. Heated front

seats are optional, and buyers can opt for a white roof. The Venue touts a long

list of standard advanced safety features, including forward collision warning,

automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane keeping

assistance. Blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning are optional.



OVERALL

SCORE

NA

$17,250-$21,950

RELIABILITY

3

SATISFACTION

4

ROAD-TEST SCORE NA MPG NA

Infiniti Q50

The Q50 is a competitive

luxury sports sedan,

available in rear-

and all-wheel-drive

configurations. The

standard 300-hp turbo charged V6

engine is very punchy and, combined

with the standard seven-speed auto-

matic transmission, makes the Q50

quick—but to the detriment of fuel

economy, which is 22 mpg overall. Handling is quite nimble, and the ride

is compliant. The cabin and backseat are relatively roomy, but the trunk is

small, even for this class. Fit and finish comes up a bit short, and the level of

amenities is below the curve. Infiniti's touch-screen infotainment system is

slow and cumbersome to use, requiring multiple steps and extra distraction for

simple tasks. A 400-hp turbo V6 is also available, as is a Q60 coupe version.

Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are standard.



OVERALL

SCORE

71

$36,400-$56,250

RELIABILITY

2

SATISFACTION

2

ROAD-TEST SCORE 85 MPG 22

APRIL 2020 CR.ORG 63

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