2008 Hyundai Grandeur Reviews

While it began with small cars it was always Hyundai's aim to expand into more segments as it grew in this market and the Grandeur was its entry into the family car segment. Sales have been slow to be brutally honest. When it was first introduced the Hyundai brand was still finding its way with local buyers and cars like the Commodore and Falcon were the dominant players in the segment the Grandeur was in. Today, Hyundai is well and truly established with a strong reputation, which makes revisiting the Grandeur a worthwhile exercise.In 2009, Hyundai revised the specifications of the Grandeur and reduced the price in the hope of getting sales moving. There were some minor cosmetic changes in the form of a new grille, new flashers on the sides, and new alloy wheels. The features list was revised, with the sunroof, xenon low-beam headlights and pop-up rear headrests all deleted, while rain-sensitive wipers, heated front seats, and new trim was added. But perhaps the biggest news was under the bonnet where Hyundai offered a turbo-diesel engine option alongside the existing V6.The 3.8-litre V6 was unchanged with 194kW and 348Nm and delivered decent punch on the road. The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel, the same engine that powered the Santa Fe SUV, developed 114kW and 343Nm.Both engines were linked to a five-speed auto transmission that offered a manual shift option.On the road the Grandeur offered good ride quality, light steering, while the cabin was impressively roomy.IN THE SHOPFrom small beginnings the Hyundai brand has blossomed into a well- respected one with a suite of well-built, well-specced and overall reliable models.Where once CarsGuide would regularly receive complaints from Hyundai owners they are few and far between these days, which is a sure sign of improved design and production quality.Check for a service record to confirm vital maintenance has been carried out in accordance with Hyundai's service schedule, and also inspect bodywork looking for dodgy panel repairs.IN A CRASHANCAP doesn't give a rating for the Grandeur, but with ABS braking, emergency brake assistance, electronic brakeforce distribution, and electronic stability control, overlaid by front, head and side airbags it's fair to say that the Grandeur was well equipped with safety features.UNDER THE PUMPThe new turbo-diesel engine was the fuel economy star in the Grandeur range, with the company claiming 7.9L/100km as an average.The V6 petrol, which required at least 91-octane regular unleaded but would happily run on E10 blend, would average 10.8L/100km according to Hyundai.HYUNDAI GRANDEUR - 2008-2010Price new: $39,990 to $41,990Engines: 3.8-litre V6 petrol; 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbo-dieselTransmission: 5-speed autoEconomy: 10.8 L/100 km (V6), 7.9 L/100 km (diesel)Body: 4-door sedanVariants: V6 and CRDiVERDICT Smooth driving, good-looking, comfortable prestige sedan but lacks in chassis refinement

Hyundai today is a very different outfit from the brand that corporate rogue Allan Bond introduced to the market back in the 1980s.  Then it was simply a cheap-and-cheerful brand selling a range of modest small cars at very affordable prices aimed squarely at buyers who were struggling to find enough cash to get into the market.Today it's a full factory operation and a much more sophisticated brand that has won the acceptance of the local market with its range of unpretentious but solid cars that promise not only value-for- money, but also reliability and comfort with a level of refinement Bond and his band could only dream about 20 or more years ago.Cars like the Sonata sedan, and Tucson and Santa Fe SUVs have stretched Hyundai's boundaries and the company is now represented in virtually all the mainstream segments.The Grandeur was the icing on the cake and again expanded the Korean brands penetration of the local market, this time into the prestige segment.MODEL WATCH An earlier attempt to launch a luxury model, also called the Grandeur, into the prestige segment was a dismal failure.  The car was pulled from the market and it was three years before it was willing to have another crack.  In that time Hyundai's evolution into a mainstream, accepted brand had progressed and the time was felt right to re-release the Grandeur nameplate.Luxury buyers weren't necessarily looking for badge credibility, Hyundai claimed at the time of the Grandeur's launch, but they wanted refinement, elegance, comfort and safety at a price that wouldn't break the bank.The Grandeur had the elegance they wanted; it was a handsome car with clean uncluttered lines enhanced with sporty alloy wheels and other touches associated with the image of a prestige model. The interior was restrained, but refined and stylish. There were the usual touches of woodgrain, but it wasn't over the top as it can be with some Asian brands that are over-reaching in the market.Most impressive was the low level of noise, vibration and harshness under most driving conditions. It all added up to a refined drive of the sort expected by the luxury club.Under the bonnet lay a 3.8-litre double overhead camshaft V6 engine with variable intake valve timing and boasting 194 kW at 6000 revs and 348 Nm at 4500 revs.  A five-speed auto transmission was standard, but it had sequential manual shifting for a bit of fun, and the final drive was through the front wheels.The suspension was independent double wishbone at the front and multi- link at the rear; the brakes were a combination of ventilated front discs and solid rears, with standard ABS anti-lock and EBD brakeforce distribution.The earlier Grandeur was heavily criticised for its unruly suspension on local roads, but Hyundai's chassis engineers had taken note of the complaints and worked hard to ensure the new model wouldn't be canned for the same reasons.  As a result the ride and handling were much better suited to Australian roads, although the steering was still thought a little vague.The two-model Grandeur range was made up of the V6 entry level and the Limited.  The V6 came well equipped with standard air, cruise, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, alarm, leather trim, power seats, parking sensors, eight-speaker CD sound.  Step up to the Limited and you also got heated front seats, a power sunroof and Xenon headlamps.IN THE SHOP With the earliest TG Grandeurs having clocked up just 60,000 km or so it's early days for the luxury Hyundai and few problems of a serious nature have cropped up.  While Hyundai has in the past been thought of as a cheap-and-cheerful brand plagued by the Excel problem of the early 1990s, but it shouldn't be considered so today.The fit and finish of the cars is of a high standard, the equal or any in the price segments it is represented in, and that reflects in the reliability of its cars.  At this early stage of its life the focus of any pre-purchase inspection should be on possible crash damage and subsequent dodgey repairs or a lack of servicing.Check for poor panel fit, drooping doors, scratched or chipped paint, and scarred alloy wheels.  Also check the service record to make sure it has seen the inside of a workshop since it left the showroom when new.IN A CRASH The Grandeur was packed with an impressive array of electronic features that provided a safety net when all turned nasty on the road; there was ABS braking with EBD brakeforce distribution, traction control and stability control.  If all of that wasn't enough to avoid a crash then there were dual front airbags, head airbags and side airbags to provide protection.AT THE PUMP A relatively large V6 engine in a car of generous dimensions the Grandeur is no fuel miser, but Hyundai claimed it would average 10.8 L/100 km, which is competitive in its segment.LOOK FOR . Elegant looks. Refined, roomy interior. Fully equipped. Smooth V6 performance. Comfortable rideTHE BOTTOM LINE Refined, reliable, comfortable and competent, the Grandeur is a real prestige contender.RATING 78/100

That’s Hyundai’s revised focus on the premium Grandeur.With sales of the Korean manufacturer's top-end offering averaging just 10 a month to the end of September, the price `adjustment’ and new powerplant are sorely needed."How the segment will take to a diesel is a bit of a mystery as there isn't one at the moment," Hyundai's product planning manager Manuel Tyras says. "There should be an attraction for people who drive considerable distances ... people who commute from semi-rural communities."The revised Grandeur was revealed this week along with a gentle cosmetic makeover for the Santa Fe SUV.Tyras says Hyundai hopes the refreshed model can lift sales to around 40 a month, taking the Grandeur back to the level of popularity it enjoyed when the current shape was first launched in 2006.The new pricing structure will see the Grandeur available in a single specification level with the choice of the current 3.8-litre V6 and the new 2.2-litre turbo diesel.The base price for the petrol model drops $3000 to $39,990 while the diesel is a $2000 premium at $41,990."There is no longer a Limited trim level and there has been a re-think on standard equipment with the sunroof, Xenon low-beam headlights and the pop-up rear headrests deleted," Hyundai's Ben Hershman explains."The car gains rain sensitive wipers, heated front seats along with a more stylish interior trim. Overall the value adjustment is an extra $4500-$5000 over the old model."The diesel, shared with the Santa Fe SUV, develops 114kW of power at 4000rpm and 343Nm of torque from 1800rpm to 2500rpm. Drive is through a 5-speed automatic with the option of manual selection.The petrol V6 is a carry-over from the current range with the same 194kW at 6000rpm and 348Nm at 4500rpm. It shares the 5-speed auto with the new diesel.Styling changes are minor with the exterior highlighted by a new chrome grille treatment, the addition of indicator flashers on the side mirrors and a new style of 17-inch alloy wheel.For the interiors the biggest visual changes are a revision of the beige leather option with a more subtle treatment of the wood trim.As far as equipment is concerned there is an upgraded eight speaker JBL audio system with an USB audio input with iPod compatibility, new subtle blue interior illumination and an auto-lock system that locks all doors above 45km/h and unlocks them when the ignition key is removed.Electronic stability control is standard — the life-saving safety feature is standard on more than 80 per cent of all Hyundai's sold — as are eight airbags, active headrests and pre-tensioning front seatbelts.On the road it quickly becomes obvious that the transition from SUV to large family car has not fazed the diesel.Apart from a little rattle on start-up the Grandeur offers noise isolation levels that should be the envy of more than a couple of other luxury pretenders.There is a slight hesitation under initial hard acceleration but once the engine gets down to business it pulls strongly right through highway overtaking.The only real noise intrusion into the cabin is from the tyres over rough and broken surfaces.Steering feel is still light — not of itself a major issue — and quite vague on turn-in. It is not something that will concern an average driver but it is also not a car that lends itself to any real enthusiasm through the twists.Ride quality is good — on the plush side but without any uncomfortable floundering — and interior space and comfort in the cabin are unchanged from the previous impressive levels.For the mid-sized Santa Fe the spit-and-polish makeover for 2009 really is a case of pick it if you can.The exterior upgrades mirror those for the Grandeur with a chrome grille treatment and indicators in the wing mirrors while on the inside there are some fresh interior trims, an upgrade to the sound system and integration of i-Pod and MP3 compatibility.Prices remain unchanged with the base 138kW/248Nm 2.7-litre V6 petrol starts at $33,990 with the 114kW/343Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder CRDi turbo-diesel from $36,990.The gearbox options are a 5-speed manual or auto for the diesel while the petrol drives through a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual.Gone — at least for the time being — is the 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine but Hyundai plan a similar capacity replacement early next year, but only in a front-wheel drive model.The Santa Fe continues its three-trim strategy — SX, SLX and Elite — with five or seven-seats in both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.If you are planning to take the Santa Fe off the beaten track — and it is quite capable of moderate bush bashing — the new Trek 'n' Tow kit is a useful addition offering an extra 20mm in ground clearance, a slight increase in towball load (to 180kg) and better towing balance.All Santa Fe models come standard with ESP, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, active head restraints for the two front occupants, and six airbags including curtain bags extending to the third row.