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The Hyundai Getz has been around since 2002, though the latest 2009 model received a facelift in 2006. It’s one of Hyundai’s most popular cars and is sold around the world with the exception of the US. It’s designed to offer a little more space and big-car feeling than the diminutive i10 city car and is Hyundai’s rival to the likes of the Peugeot 207, Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz. Three engines are offered in the region, including a willing 1.1-litre engine that’s offered solely with a manual gearbox. However, the appeal of small manual-equipped cars in the region is extremely limited, therefore we’d recommend looking to the larger engined cars that come with four-speed automatic gearboxes. There’s a choice of 1.4-litre or 1.6-litre engines – but if its a well-specced Getz you’re after, then you have to choose the 1.6-litre to get the GL trim with full options. That model receives front airbags for driver and passengers (other models only get driver’s airbag), ABS anti-lock brakes, a sunroof and keyless entry. The cabin is a little lacking on niceties, but its rather practical and finishing in hard-wearing materials. In town is where the Getz feels most at home where its abilities shine in low-speed manoeuvres. An airy cabin is designed to make it easy to position in tight spots, as does very light steering and a tight turning circle. The Getz is due to be replaced by the i20 at some point during late 2010, but more information was unavailable at the time of writing. SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-hyundai-getz/

Hyundai has really raised its game with the i30 – a mid-size family hatchback aimed at the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Honda Civic. It was launched in Europe and Korean back in 2008 and made its way to the Middle East in 2009. Unlike past small cars from Korean-based Hyundai, the i30 has been designed and tuned for European tastes. Therefore, driving involvement is at the forefront of the i30′s thinking, rather than just being another cheap-and-cheerful car to sell in large quantities. It’s been designed with a conservative attitude in mind – compared to Honda’s space age Civic, the i30 looks particularly dour. But not everybody wants to shout too loudly about the car they drive – certainly not in a Hyundai hatchback. There’s a choice of two engines – a 121bhp 1.6-litre, or a larger 2.0-litre with 143bhp. Both versions are fitted with Hyundai’s four-speed automatic gearbox and drive the front wheels. The entry level i30 is a little sparse on the equipment, though it does feature manual air-conditioning and a cooled glove box. Niceties such as keyless entry and a leather steering wheel feature on the GLS version, with leather upholstery marking out the full-option GLS from the crowd. Hyundai has worked hard to improve the i30s driving behaviour compared to its predecessor, the Accent, which is still on sale in the region. The cabin will fit five people – it’s a little bit cramped in the back, but no worse than many of the i30′s competitors – and there’s a straight forward centre console with logically placed controls for the air-conditioning and stereo system. SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-hyundai-i30/

The i10 is the smallest offering in Hyundai’s line-up, and has been on sale in the UAE since 2009. It’s aimed squarely at young couples or people looking to purchase their first cheap car, rather than continue spending money on long term rental or leasing costs. There are a number of small superminis vying for buyers’ attentions in this size and price point, with alternatives on offer from Kia, Daihatsu, Suzuki and Chevrolet. It’s offered only in five-door hatchback form, which makes access for those sitting in the back rather easy. Although Hyundai markets the i10 as a five-seater, we wouldn’t recommend trying to squeeze three adults into the back row. Although head and leg room is pretty generous considering the i10′s size, it’s a rather narrow car meaning that elbow room is at a premium – two adults would be fine, but if you need to put three in the back you’d better hope they are close friends. The i10′s narrowness does help it in traffic and when parking as it can squeeze through gaps that other cars would have to ignore. Two engines are offered – a 1.1-litre with 66bhp and a 1.2-litre with 80bhp. It’s worth paying the extra for the larger engine as you might the performance a little lacking from the entry-level version. Both manual and automatic gearboxes are offered in the UAE – though it’s likely that you’ll have to wait a while for a delivery of a manual version should you order it. Though the five-speed manual ‘box is arguably the better gearbox from a driving point of view, you may find it difficult to sell the car at a later date as the market here is skewed towards automatic-equipped cars regardless of their merits, therefore it’s probably a wise decision to specify your i10 with the four-speed automatic. SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-hyundai-i10/

Though it might share its name with a spicy chicken burger from Fuddruckers, the Santa Fe is actually Hyundai’s longest-standing SUV offering. The original model was launched globally back in 2001, and proved extremely popular with buyers the world over despite of its rather challenging looks. The current model was launched back in 2008 with a more restrained look and still is much loved. It offers plenty of space and practicality for the family with its generous five-seat layout – there is an option of an extra two seats in the boot to give the Santa Fe seven seats in total, though this is at the reduction of luggage carrying abilities. Equipment levels are good, if not hugely generous with the Santa Fe missing out on some of the latest technical highlights offered by the newer members in the Hyundai family. Two engines are offered – a 2.7-litre V6 and a 3.3-litre V6. Automatic gearboxes are standard, with four-speeds on the 2.7-litre and five on the bigger engine. If you can afford to stretch to the larger engined car, it’s definitely recommended not only for the extra power that’s on offer, but also for the more direct-shifting gearbox. The Santa Fe is quite stiffly sprung which is of benefit when driving through corners as it keeps body roll rather contained, though this can be at a detriment over badly surfaced stretches of road. Although it does have four-wheel drive, the Santa Fe isn’t really designed for strenuous off-road tasks. SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-hyundai-santa-fe/

The sixth generation Hyundai Sonata sedan is an all-new car for 2010 and is one of the most striking mid-size sedans on offer in the Middle East. Following on from the modern-looking Genesis and Genesis Coupe, the Sonata distils this new design-strong visual language down into a smaller package. That’s not to say this Sonata is small – far from it, it’s actually grown a few centimetres compared to its predecessor and should now be considered on par with the likes of the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima. Overall, the 2011 Sonata is a massive step away from the previous car – so much so, that in some markets it gets a new name to distance itself from the image of the old car. The Genesis marked a step change for Hyundai and the Sonata is reaping the benefits. The project to work on the car was started in 2005 and the effort gone into the car is marked. Interior quality is massively improved, overall fit and finish is excellent and the overall car has a feeling of solidity to it that was sadly lacking on the old model. Included in the many new features in the cabin are connections for all manner of MP3 players and USB-based storage systems. Two engines are offered – a 162bhp 2.0-litre and an all-new 2.4-litre with 198bhp. Both are mated to an excellent six-speed automatic gearbox, which allows the engine to really shine. Top spec models can even be specified with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts to deliver a more involved experience to the driver. A whole host of electronic safety systems are also fitted as standard. SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-hyundai-sonata/

The second-generation Hyundai Tucson is new for 2010 and replaces the previous model that had been on sale since 2004. With a more stylish, European design that signals a new direction for the Korean company going forward, potent engines and improved levels of quality, the new Tucson promises to offer an alternative choice in the compact SUV field. It’s a pretty competitive sector of the market with the Japanese contingent at one end of the spectrum with the more road-focused Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V running through to the off-road biased Land Rover LR2 and Mercedes-Benz GLK. Though it is offered with four-wheel drive, the Tucson is not really designed to be taken through taxing off-road sections – think of it more as a tall five-door family hatchback rather than a desert-loving off-roader. And it’s the family angle that’s been looked at highly in the Tucson with high-level seating for all, plenty of oddment storage options and a hard-wearing interior to ensure the cabin stands up to the trials of being lived in by children. It’s also pretty good at carrying large loads should you frequent furniture stores at the weekend – the rear bench splits 60/40 and can be folded flat to provide more room than its rivals. Even with the seats in place there’s space for three full seats of gold clubs, should you like to take your friends out to the range. There’s a new engine on offer in the 2010 Tucson – a 2.4-litre four-cylinder with 176bhp – which is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. A 2.0-litre version with 164bhp is also offered. Keen drivers can change up and down through the gears by means of the gearstick, but the gearbox is pretty good at knowing what it’s doing itself so can happily be left in Drive. Six versions are available, from a two-wheel drive version to the fully-specced 4×4. SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-hyundai-tucson/

If it’s space you’re after, then the 2010 Veracruz might just be what you’re looking for. It’s Hyundai’s biggest SUV offering and competes squarely with the likes of the Lexus RX350 in the big family SUV crowd. However, as befits any Hyundai, it offers much the same as the Lexus but on a much more credit-crunch friendly price point. There’s space for seven people and their stuff onboard, in fact, luggage space is larger than that of the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class which considering the GL’s leviathan sizing, is certainly impressive. What’s also good to note for the Veracruz is that it scored exceptionally highly in the North American crash tests – comforting to know should the worst ever happen. The spacious interior is extremely well insulated from the noises of the outside world and provides excellent comfort and refinement for all those onboard – and also helps to make the already excellent stereo system sound even better. Even those who have to clamber into the rearmost pair of seats will find the Veracruz comfortable, and getting in and out is made easy by large doors which open extremely wide. Luxury is firmly on the agenda inside with high-quality leather, a panoramic sunroof and electronically adjustable seating for driver and front passenger all on offer. The front cabin has been designed to put the driver squarely at the centre of attention. And with a smooth 3.8-litre V6 and a six-speed automatic gearbox at your control, the driving seat is certainly the best seat in the house. SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-hyundai-veracruz/