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Affordable new cars coming for 2020

Sports and supercars make the headlines, but it's the bread-and-butter cars that end up in driveways, and automakers are constantly adding to or improving their portfolios to be sure they will. Here are some of the lower-priced vehicles coming for 2020 in my story at the National Post (Driving.ca).

First Drive: 2020 Hyundai Palisade

Three-row SUVs are the new minivans, and it seems like everyone's rushing to bring new ones to market. Hyundai's Palisade won't arrive until next summer, but I got a sneak peek in Korea. Find out more in my story at the National Post.

In review: 2018 Hyundai Accent

By the time I turned 20, I owned one pair of sneakers, two pairs of jeans and three cars. Find out what that has to do with the Hyundai Accent review at the National Post.

In review: 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid

Plug-in hybrids are the stepping stone between conventional hybrids and full electric vehicles: you can plug it in for a short period of fuel-free driving, but when that charge runs out, the car continues to run as long as you have gasoline. Hyundai now offers one in its Ioniq lineup; find out more in my review at the National Post.

In review: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

In the market for a gas-electric? Hyundai's new Ioniq comes as one, as well as a battery-only version. I drove the hybrid, and while it's not all bad, it's not the greatest. Find out more in my review at Autofocus.

In review: 2017 Genesis G90

Yes, it's made by Hyundai, but now the Genesis is a completely separate brand, and with a whole new sales and service method as well. Find out more in my review of the G90 over at the National Post.

In review: 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid

Three bucks in gas for a week? Yes, that's what it cost me to drive Hyundai's plug-in hybrid, plus whatever electricity I spent charging it up. Find out how I did it in my story over at Autofocus.

How one auto dealer is shaking up the auto industry

Greg Carrasco, general manager of Thornhill Hyundai, doesn't approve of the way most dealerships sell cars. So his store doesn't pay commission to its salespeople, and he won't hire anyone who's worked at a dealer before. Find out more in my story over at the Toronto Star.

In review: 2016 Hyundai Tucson

The all-new Tucson comes with an equally new turbocharged engine, but I found the carried-over, non-aspirated version worked just fine. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

In review: 2016 Hyundai Veloster

Hyundai's little three-door Veloster is a lot of fun, especially when you have the turbocharged Rally Edition as I drove. But if you're not that big on detailing your vehicle by hand, you may want to carefully read my story over at Autofocus.

Product planning: Putting together the car that people want to buy

What's the coolest possible thing? Looking at something in your car - the same production model that anyone can buy - and realizing that you're the one who put it there. My latest "Cool Auto Jobs" column in the Toronto Star looks at Patrick Danielson, a former PR manager (meaning he had to deal with us!) who now figures out what has to go on the next new Hyundai for Canada.

In review: 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT

While it shares its name with the Elantra sedan, the GT hatchback is actually a different vehicle, and one that's known as the i30 in other markets. It's good-looking and it's comfortable, but there are some things that could be better, including the ride and handling. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

In review: 2015 Hyundai Accent

A decent little car for what it costs: that's my take on Hyundai's little Accent. Find out more in my review over at Metro.

In review: 2015 Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata is all-new for 2015, and I drove the top-end model, the turbocharged 2.0T Ultimate. A nice ride and lots for the money, but there are some down sides too. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

In review: 2014 Hyundai Genesis

I don't think anyone was expecting Hyundai to hit a home run when it announced it would build a luxury, rear-wheel-drive sedan, but the Genesis was it. And now there's an all-new one for 2015. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

In review: 2014 Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai's smallest SUV competes in Canada's hottest segment, and it's a viable contender there. Find out why in my review over at Metro.

John Krsteski: Making Hyundai look good

It takes a lot of people to produce a car, but it takes someone at the helm to make sure it all comes together: the design has to be good-looking, it has to move the brand forward, and most importantly, it has to translate into mass production. Find out more about how John Krsteski does it at Hyundai in my article at the Toronto Star.

In review: 2014 Hyundai Elantra

The size is right, and the price is pretty good, although the transmission wore a bit thin on me after a while. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus!

In review: 2014 Hyundai Accent

The Accent has certainly come a long way from its roots: it's now handsomely styled and very well equipped, as well as great to drive. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

Video review: 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe XL

It's big and bulky, but if you need three rows of seats, the Santa Fe XL brings a lot to the table for the price. Check out my video review over at Autofocus (which, as always, owes so much to videographer Graeme Jenvy).

In review: 2014 Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson's a practical little trucklet overall, but it does have a couple of issues, and in the top-end trim as I drove it, it seems a bit too pricey. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.ca.

In review: 2014 Hyundai Sonata

I've always liked the Hyundai Sonata, and a drive in the one-up-from-base GLS trim confirms it. There are a few weak points - I wouldn't want to drive all day on those flat seats - but overall, it's good value for the cash. Find out more in my review at Autofocus.ca.

Hyundai Canada: An interview with the president

Steve Kelleher is the president and CEO of Hyundai Canada, and has been for quite some time. He's also a fun guy and a great interview, and the subject of my Auto People column this time around for the Toronto Star.

An interview with Peter Schreyer

I recently had the opportunity to interview designer Peter Schreyer, who transformed Kia and is now heading up Hyundai's design centres as well. Read all about it in my Toronto Star story.

Hyundai eye-tracking: Who needs buttons and knobs?

Hyundai recently rolled out its HCD-14 concept, but the big news was inside. The car has no conventional centre stack. Rather, it uses a system that includes eye tracking and 3D hand gestures to operate such things as the radio or climate system. Learn more in my Driving Force column in Metro by clicking here.

Discs versus drums: What's in your brakes?

You've probably heard of both, but do you know the difference? Find out in my Driving Force column in Metro by clicking here.

The designers: Casey Hyun of Hyundai

The similarity of his name with the company's is purely a coincidence, he says, but Casey Hyun has made quite a difference with Hyundai's design. Read about it in my Toronto Star story by clicking here.

2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe: Fewer doors, but lots of room inside

Hyundai has rounded out its Elantra lineup with the addition of an all-new, two-door coupe. It looks much sportier than the sedan, but because the dimensions are the same, it has just as much room inside, which is a bonus if you're the person sitting in the back. But where's the hotter engine? Read my "first-drive" review at Autofocus.

A first look at the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

The Elantra Touring wagon is gone, replaced with the Elantra GT hatchback. It's a good-looking car and handles nicely, but it could use a bit more power, and a rear seat that's easier to fold. Read all about it in my review at Autofocus.

A look at Hyundai's Accent

Hyundai has redesigned the Accent for 2012, and overall, it's a decent, well-outfitted and realistically-priced car. You can read my review in Autos.ca by clicking here.

In review: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo

Turbocharging is becoming a very common engine enhancement, as automakers provide bigger-engine power with smaller-engine fuel technology. Hyundai offers it on the Sonata 2.0T, a very nice driver that can pass quite a few stations before it needs to fill up again. You can read my review in Autos.ca by clicking here.

Driving Hyundai's new Sonata Hybrid

 I don't get the maximum benefit out of most hybrids because I live in the country and so don't get to drive on the battery alone all that often. Hyundai has changed all that with its 2011 Sonata Hybrid, which can run on electricity at much higher speeds. Read all about it in Autos.ca by clicking here.

A first look at Hyundai's 2012 Genesis

 Hyundai's full-size Genesis sedan has been upgraded for 2012, with a revised V6, new V8 and several other new features. I think the V6 is the better deal, and you can find out why in Autos.ca ing here.

A "first drive" in the 2012 Hyundai Accent

Hyundai's entry-level Accent is completely redesigned for 2012, and it's quite a job the company did. Get the automatic transmission, though. Find out why in my review in Autos.ca by clicking here.

In review: 2011 Hyundai Equus

The top-end model from Hyundai massages your back, heats your hands and costs as much as $70,000. Is it worth it? Find out in my review on Autos.ca by clicking here.

In review: 2011 Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai has a winner in its redesigned compact sedan, and you can read my review of it on Autos.ca by clicking here.

A visit to Hyundai-Kia's Michigan technical center

A Korean automaker with a technical center in Michigan? Indeed there is, in the middle of rolling cornfields. You can read all about it by clicking here.