Hyundai Motor America
10550 Talbert Ave, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
MEDIA WEBSITE: HyundaiNews.com
CORPORATE WEBSITE: HyundaiUSA.com
For Immediate Release
HYUNDAI FOR 2002: A LEADER IN QUALITY AND VALUE
Miles Johnson
Senior Manager, Quality, Service and Technology
(714) 366-1048
ID: 31380

Sept. 12, 2001 - Hyundai enters the 2002 model year following record U.S. sales. Discerning car buyers will find a lineup of 2002 Hyundai vehicles that are unique in their styling, proven in their reliability and performance, and unmatched in their value.

That’s because every Hyundai is aggressively priced and loaded with standard features and safety systems usually found only on more expensive cars. Plus they’re backed by The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty. By offering five‑year/60,000‑mile bumper‑to‑bumper coverage, and a remarkable 10‑year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, Hyundai stands firmly behind its ever‑improving automobiles.

Looking at the 2002 model year vehicle line from Hyundai, it’s easy to see why Hyundai has quickly built a track record of producing quality vehicles. Hyundai’s 2002 model lineup, featuring the restyled and refined Sonata also includes the Accent, Elantra GLS sedan, Elantra GT five-door hatchback, the Santa Fe sport utility vehicle, the luxurious XG350 sedan, and the Tiburon. This lineup of quality vehicles will continue to enhance Hyundai’s image as an automaker whose reputation stands on quality, trust and value.

Sonata
Restyled and upgraded for 2002, Hyundai’s Sonata midsize sedan combines world‑class safety, performance, handling, comfort and luxury features at a surprisingly affordable price. Shoppers for a midsize sedan will be pleased to see the Sonata matches the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in features and performance, but for thousands of dollars less. There are three Sonata models available for 2002; the Sonata, Sonata GLS and Sonata LX.

In addition to the major restyling, the Sonata GLS and LX models are fitted with Hyundai’s all-aluminum DOHC 2.7-liter V6 engine and a smooth shifting four-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual override. The base Sonata is equipped with the smooth-running DOHC 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated an an impressive 149 horsepower.

Few cars at any price offer the array of safety equipment found on the Sonata, including seat‑mounted side air bags, a sophisticated front‑seat passenger detection system and automatic front seat belt pretensioners.

XG350
The XG350 is Hyundai’s flagship model in the U.S. – it’s the largest, most luxurious and most expensive Hyundai vehicle sold in America. A step up in vehicle class, styling and luxury, the 2002 XG350 is designed for descriminating buyers who want a larger, more luxurious vehicle. For 2002 the XG engine displacement is increased from 3.0 liters up to 3.5 liters, resulting in a name change from XG300 to XG350.

Powered by a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine with 194 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 216 lb.ft. of torque at 3,500 RPM, the 2002 XG350 is loaded with luxury standard features: four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, driver and passenger front and side air bags, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, projector beam headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels with Michelin V rated tires, trip computer and more.

Elantra
The Elantra, which was all new for 2001, had an increased wheelbase offering more headroom, rear leg room and hip room in the cabin. The third-generation Elantra also features upscale European styling. For 2002 there are two Elantra models available; the Elantra GLS four-door sedan and the Elantra GT, a five-door hatchback with precise European handling.

Powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder 16-valve engine, the Elantra also has side air bags as standard equipment, a unique feature in this price class. The third generation Elantra is smoother and quieter than the previous generation with the addition of a front subframe, hydraulic engine mounts, eight-counterweight crankshaft, ribbed engine block and integrated intake resonator for improved engine smoothness and noise reduction.

The Elantra GLS is loaded with standard features that include: air conditioning, side air bags, power windows, door locks and mirrors, AM/FM/Cassette stereo, tilt steering column, rear window defroster, front seat belt pretensioners, two-speed intermittent windshield wipers, remote fuel door, remote trunk release and more.

The sporty Elantra GT gets all that standard equipment plus standard leather (yes, leather) seating, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, fog lamps, keyless remote entry with alarm, purple-lighted instrument panelwith trip computer, 15-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, rear disc brakes, cruise control, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers and rear window wiper/washer.

Santa Fe
The Santa Fe, introduced in the summer of 2000 as a 2001 model, is Hyundai’s first foray into the SUV market, providing buyers with an affordable, high performing SUV at a low price. The Santa Fe is engineered to provide smooth, car-like ride and handling while delivering excellent performance in all types of weather and limited-traction conditions.

For 2002 changes to the Santa Fe are minimal. There are three models available; the base Santa Fe, the GLS and the LX. The Santa Fe is offered in both front-wheel-drive and Fulltime 4WD configurations. The Santa Fe offers an impressive list of standard features including air conditioning, power windows, 16-inch alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, roof rack, black privacy glass and AM/FM/CD stereo system.

The Santa Fe is powered by Hyundai’s proven 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated at 149 horsepower. The Santa Fe GLS and LX models feature the 2.7-liter all-aluminum V6 engine rated at 181 horsepower. It is matched to a smooth shifting four-speed automatic transmission with Hyundai’s Shiftronic manual shift feature that lets the driver select the gear or leave it in the automatic mode.

Tiburon
For the sports car enthusiast on a budget, the Tiburon matches performance while beating competitors in value in its class. There will be no 2002 model year Tiburon; the current 2001 model will remain on sale until the end of the year. Then in the first quarter of 2002, an exciting, all-new 2003 model year Tiburon, which debuted at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, is expected to go on-sale in the U.S .

The current Tiburon is powered by the Hyundai‑designed and engineered 2.0‑liter, DOHC Beta engine, with 140 horsepower at 6,000 RPM. Eye-catching front-end styling includes four projector beam headlamps and character lines in the hood.

Interior features include lumbar support, leather-wrapped shift lever, cockpit-style dashboard with metal-color trim and cupholders. The Tiburon’s single trim level offers standard features including: air conditioning, four-wheel disc brakes, 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, power door locks, power windows and power mirrors and rear wiper with intermittent function.

Accent
Hyundai's popular subcompact Accent, which was redesigned in 2000, is available in three‑ and four‑door versions. The 2002 Accent features a full complement of safety features, and additional features that make this generation Accent a much quieter vehicle with improved ride quality. And speaking of value, for 2002 the GS and GL models are now equipped with air conditioning as standard equipment, a feature found only as a costly option in the competition’s subcompact cars.

Inside the engine bay, Hyundai GL and GS models feature the powerful 1.6-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine. The L model is fitted with Hyundai’s proven 1.5-liter SOHC four-cylinder engine matched to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty
Buyers of 2002 model‑year Hyundai vehicles are protected by the most comprehensive consumer warranty and roadside assistance program offered in America. The Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty, provides 10‑year/100,000‑mile powertrain protection, five‑year/60,000‑mile bumper‑to‑bumper coverage and a five‑year/unlimited‑mile roadside assistance program.

Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed in the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 500 dealerships nationwide.

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