Two Amazing Reviews on Cars.com

"Adam was our salesman and he sold us the car we just traded in. We liked our experience before and went there again. He didn't pressure us into anything and he told me and my son the deal with everything. The financial team there worked with us to get us in a newer car with a lower interest rate. We liked them so much that my son recommended his girlfriend to them and that is who she bought her car through. Everyone is friendly from the salesmen down to service and parts. I will be buying from them again in the future and I highly recommend them." - Zelda

"I recently purchased my Hyundai so as far as repair category I have not had to. So I didn't rate it. Otherwise, great place to buy from." - Wendy

Thank you so much Wendy and Zelda for these fantastic reviews! Take a look at all our reviews on our Cars.com page.

2014 Hyundai Equus gallops into New York with first major refresh

Hyundai isn't horsing around with the Equus, its premium luxury sedan offering, for the 2014 model year. As stated in the automaker's press release, "Equus is the number-one shopped premium luxury sedan, well ahead of Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS, and Jaguar XJ."

We're not entirely certain what "number-one shopped" means, but regardless, that's some serious company to be rubbing elbows with. Hyundai is seeking to draw even more people into its showrooms to cross-shop the Equus with those German, Japanese and British rivals by issuing the car's first major update since it was debuted at the New York Auto Show in 2009.

Not a stone was left unturned in this comprehensive refresh, with the exterior, interior, powertrain and chassis all receiving updates for the new year. Most noticeably on the outside, the 2014 Equus gets a new fascia that includes a restyled grille, along with standard LED fog lamps. Inside, the changes are more drastic and include a brand-new instrument cluster and center stack to go along with "ultra-premium genuine wood trim."

Drivers are sure to note the expanded technology inside, which includes either a 7- or 12.3-inch LCD screen in the instrument cluster and a 9.2-inch display in the center of the dash. Rear-seat passengers are treated to redesigned center console controls, plus power lumbar support and dual 9.2-inch monitors.

Hyundai claims to have improved both ride comfort and handling by rejiggering the suspension bits, and a Sport mode has been added. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels are standard. The 5.0-liter direct-injected Tau V8 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission carry over from 2012, but with 429 naturally aspirated horsepower on tap, we don't consider that a bad thing.

Courtesy of Autoblog

Hyundai sketches out HND-9 luxury sports coupe concept ahead of Seoul

Hyundai has dropped a couple of rendered looks at its forthcoming HND-9 luxury sports coupe concept, which will debut at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show. While full details probably won't be released until then, the Korean automaker has said the butterfly-doored machine will bow with a direct-injection, turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine good for around 365 horsepower. The mill is bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission and puts its grunt to the rear tires. While the doors are pure showcar theater, we dig the Aston-inspired long nose and boisterous rear haunches.

Look for the car to receive an actual introduction on March 28, and while we don't expect to see the HND-9 on showroom floors any time soon, some of the creation's design language may make it to production models.

Courtesy of Autoblog

2014 Hyundai Equus Refresh Details Revealed Ahead Of New York Debut

Moving from a very budget image to a premium image isn't easy in any business, perhaps especially in the car business, where product development cycles limit the pace of advancement. But despite the challenges, Hyundai has risen to surprising heights over the past decade, thanks to its Genesis sedan, and, more recently, the Equus.

Due for an update for the 2014 model year, the refreshed Equus will be on display at the 2013 New York Auto Show next week. Today, the company released new information and a clearer version of the teaser image shown earlier this month.

Updates include new LED adaptive headlights and LED tail lights, new 18- and 19-inch wheel choices, and new paint colors, according to J.D. Power & Associates. A new smart key replaces the previous fob, now styled to look like a credit card. Passive access and ignition are standard.

Inside, the 2014 Equus gets optional perforated leather surfaces with contrast piping, redesigned controls, TFT LCD gauges, and instrument panel displays, and a new steering wheel. Now sporting a 9.2-inch span (up from 8 inches), the center dash display is the centerpiece of the redesigned center stack. The single engine offering stays the same, with the 429-horsepower 5.0-liter Tau V-8 providing the motivation. A new shift-by-wire transmission is now standard, with a new gear selector to control it

The combination of the updates should provide a level of improvement and refinement to the already bargain-priced luxury sedan, making it an even more enticing value--but we'll have to wait until we can get behind the wheel to confirm our expectations.

Courtesy of Motor Authority

"This dealership is easy to work with" - Another 5-Star Review on Cars.com

"Andy was our salesman, and he was very friendly and up front. There were no pressure tactics and he was very easy to work with. We drove all the way to Hickory (125 miles) because they had the used car we were looking for. When I found a minor issue with the car while driving it, they had no problem fixing it as part of the sale of the car. Andy kept me updated throughout the process of the repair, and Paramount has stood behind the cars they sell. We will be driving to Hickory again for our next car purchase. This dealership is easy to work with, friendly, and they feel that their reputation goes with every car they sell. I cannot recommend them highly enough." -Chris

Thanks Chris for sharing your experience with us! Be sure to read all our reviews on our Cars.com page.

Hyundai teases updated Equus before Big Apple debut

The digital ink has yet to dry on some of our Geneva Motor Show coverage, and we're already shifting gears getting ready for the New York Auto Show. To help get us in the New York state of mind, Hyundai has released this shadowy image hinting at the refreshed 2014 Equus that it will be unveiling at the end of the month at NYC's Javits Center.

While we can't make out any major changes in this single image, Hyundai promises at least 30 updates to its flagship sedan including improvements to styling, cabin materials and ride and handling as well as advancements in advanced safety features and "driver technology displays." If we had to guess, the latter sounds like it might be something along the lines of a digital, reconfigurable gauge cluster. The only major difference we can actually see in this image are the new multi-spoke wheels, but we're sure Hyundai will be dropping some more hints before the official introduction on March 27.

Hyundai Press Release:

NEW YORK, Mar. 27, 2013 – Hyundai Motor America today will introduce the significantly enhanced 2014 Equus premium luxury sedan in a North American debut at the New York International Auto Show. The Equus freshening includes more than 30 new and enhanced features, including:

• Exterior and interior design elements
• Ride, handling and vehicle control dynamics
• Interior material quality
• Driver technology displays
• Advanced safety features

We just recieved a great review on Cars.com

"There were no surprises. They did not add all these extra fees that other dealers do. I do not know about the other salesman but Andy was really great to work with. He did not try any of those tricks and was not pushy. He was really great."

Thank you so much for this review! Great job team. Click here to read all our Cars.com reviews.

Hyundai America reports best-ever February sales

 
 Hyundai Motor America announced an all-time February sales record of 52,311 units; up two percent over last year’s all-time record February and up a similar amount for the year.

“February was another record month for Hyundai – we had a terrific President’s Day weekend event to kick off the spring selling season, much improved inventory levels, and great access to credit available to a broader band of buyers,” said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales. “Our performance was led by the all-new Santa Fe and the award winning Elantra, both of which saw double-digit sales gains over 2012.”

The all-new Santa Fe saw a huge 64 percent increase over the same period last year and is up 42 percent year-to-date. The Elantra, which was recognized as a “top car pick” as best budget car by a highly regarded consumer magazine earlier this week, posted year-over-year gains for February of 17 percent and is up 15 percent for the year. Sales to rental accounts and government agencies accounted for 15 percent of the February volume.

Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles also recorded a best-ever volume month with 5,627 sales, up nine percent versus 2012. Full year CPO volume of 11,020 units is up 12 percent versus 2012.



“Our biggest-ever Super Bowl and Academy Awards presence drove great interest in the Hyundai brand, especially the all-new Santa Fe. The all-new seven-passenger version of the Santa Fe will begin hitting showrooms shortly after our media introduction this month, adding to the strength of our crossover line-up,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. Santa Fe was recently recognized by U.S. News and World Report as the “Best 3-Row Midsize SUV for the Money.”

CARLINE	FEB/2013	FEB/2012	CY/2013	CY/2012
ACCENT	4,750	5,806	8,245	10,147
SONATA	16,007	17,425	29,254	31,914
ELANTRA	16,219	13,820	28,393	24,720
SANTA FE	6,339	3,864	12,330	8,682
AZERA	795	13	1,592	31
TUCSON	3,444	3,736	6,937	6,852
VERACRUZ	65	451	97	1,187
VELOSTER	1,905	3,240	3,664	4,933
GENESIS	2,517	2,512	4,989	4,803
EQUUS	270	284	523	576
TOTAL	52,311	51,151	96,024	93,845

SALES WEIGHTED FUEL ECONOMY

	January Label Combined MPG	February Label Combined MPG	2013 CYTD Label Combined MPG
Car	27.6	28.0	27.8
Truck	22.9	22.9	22.9
Hyundai Brand	27.4	27.9	27.6

Article and image courtesy of Hyundai News.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Go for the shade

 

The hot summer sun that makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna also zaps fuel from your gas tank. If you let your car bake in the sun there's going to be a greater amount of evaporative emissions that take place than if you park in the shade. So park your car in the shade of a building or tree whenever possible. And buy a good windshield shade. A windshield shade blocks sunlight and helps to keep heat out of the inside of your car.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip courtesy of Car Care Council.

"The experience with Paramont was great," says Tonia on DealerRater!

ToniaBryant Mar 04, 2013

Overall Score: 5

 

The experience with Paramont was great. Mark Smith was very helpful and we are enjoying our 2013 Elantra.

 

Click here to read more reviews on DealerRater.