Hyundai Genesis and Elantra Named AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award Winners - VIDEO ENHANCED

SEE ALSO: Complete List of AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Awards Winners

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA - June 29, 2009: Automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific named the Hyundai Genesis and Hyundai Elantra 2009 Ideal Vehicles in their respective categories. In the Aspirational Luxury Car category, the Hyundai Genesis beat out top rivals including the Audi A5 and A4, Volvo XC70 and Cadillac CTS, while the Hyundai Elantra topped the Ford Focus, Mazda3 and Kia Spectra in the Compact Car segment. Additionally, the Hyundai Sonata finished second in the Premium Mid-Size Car segment.

AutoPacific's fourth annual Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) rank auto manufacturers for how closely their 2009 model-year cars or trucks came to matching owners' expectations and criteria. To determine the winners, AutoPacific asked owners to rate their new car or truck on how close it came to "ideal" in 15 different categories ranging from power and acceleration to safety features and storage. The vehicles that customers said they would change the least were considered the most "ideal."

"Hyundai has created two vehicles that owners say are nearly perfect just the way they are: their ideal vehicle," said George Peterson, president, AutoPacific. "Owners of the Genesis and Elantra indicated through AutoPacific's survey that they are driving a vehicle that meets their expectations, meaning they desire little to no change to their vehicle."

"Having our models recognized for AutoPacific's 2009 Ideal Vehicle Awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into all the vehicles in the Hyundai lineup," said Scott Margason, director of Product and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "At Hyundai, we strive to exceed customer expectations in safety, quality and performance and look forward to continuing to develop more award winning vehicles."

Hyundai's Genesis sedan sets a new benchmark in the premium car category. With a starting price of just $33,000, Genesis includes performance and luxury features typically found on vehicles costing thousands of dollars more.

Click PLAY to watch Steve Purdy's review of the Genesis sedan

The Hyundai Elantra has unsurpassed standard safety in the compact segment and is equipped with six standard airbags. Elantra includes many extras like standard audio auxiliary input jack - all at an affordable price point any customer will appreciate.

AUTOPACIFIC

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. Every year it publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies for the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Additional information can be found at www.autopacific.com.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 790 dealerships nationwide.

Journalists are invited to visit our news media web site: www.hyundainews.com