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The 2011 Hyundai Tucson sees some changes following its 2010 redesign. Volume GLS and top-line Limited trim levels are joined for 2011 by the base GL. The new model has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which likely will have 140 horsepower. GLS and Limited reprise their 176-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. GL offers a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. GLS and Limited have a 6-speed automatic.

All Tucsons offer front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is available on the GLS and Limited. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. Standard on all is Downhill Brake Control, which is designed to maintain constant speed when traveling downhill.

Also standard is Hillstart Assist Control, which is designed to keep the vehicle from rolling backward down an incline. A tilt and telescopic steering wheel and wireless cell-phone link are newly standard on the GLS. A sport suspension, leather upholstery, and heated front seats are Limited-exclusive standard features. A navigation system and rearview camera are optional on the GLS and Limited. Limited models with navigation have a panoramic sunroof.

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata gets more power, revised suspension tuning, a redesigned interior, and freshened exterior styling. This is the smaller of Hyundai’s two midsize cars. Sonata seats five and comes in GLS, SE, and Limited trims. All are available with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 175 hp, an increase of 13 from 2008. Sonata’s other engine is a 3.3-liter V6, which is also available on all models.

For 2009, this engine produces 249 hp, which is 15 more than last year. Manual transmission is standard on the 4-cylinder GLS and SE. A 5-speed automatic is optional on those models and standard on all other Sonatas. Previously, 4-cylinder models used a 4-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags.

The 2009 Hyundai Sonata GLS and Limited models get firmer suspension tuning. SE versions have a unique sport suspension. Limiteds include leather upholstery with heated front seats and automatic climate control. A navigation system with voice recognition is a new, Limited-exclusive option. All models are available with a dealer-installed wireless cell phone link.

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is redesigned, with freshened styling, new engines, new features, and the brand’s first gas/electric hybrid. This midsize sedan is about 3 inches longer in wheelbase and 1-inch-longer overall than the 2006-2010 model. The 2011 Sonata comes in three trim levels: base GLS, sporty SE, and luxury-themed Limited. Each is powered by a new 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, which replaces 4-cylinder and V6 engines of 2.4 and 3.3 liters, respectively.

GLS and Limited have 198 horsepower, and the SE has 200. Available on the SE and Limited is a 274-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Sonata models so equipped are called 2.0T. Also offered is a hybrid, which pairs a 2.4-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor for 209 horsepower total. The Hybrid can run on one or both of its power sources to balance acceleration and fuel economy. No plug-in charging is required. Standard on the GLS is a 6-speed manual transmission.

Optional on that model and standard on all other Sonatas, including the Hybrid, is a 6-speed automatic. SE versions have a sport suspension, 18-inch wheels, and specific trim. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. A navigation system is optional on all models. Limiteds equipped with navigation include a rearview camera. Leather upholstery with heated front and rear seats are Limited-exclusive standard features.

The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe is largely unchanged. This midsize crossover SUV comes in GLS, SE, and top-line Limited trims. All offer front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive that allows locking in a 50/50 front/rear power split. All Santa Fes have a V6 engine. The GLS has a 185-hp 2.7-liter, while SE and Limited have a 242-hp 3.3-liter.

GLS is available with manual or automatic transmission. SE and Limited have a 5-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lb. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags.

All models seat five, but an available Touring Package adds a 50/50 split 3rd-row bench seat. An auxiliary audio-input jack with USB port is newly standard on all 2009 Santa Fe models. The SE’s Touring Package now includes a power driver seat.

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe receives a major freshening, with revised styling and new engines. This is the smaller of Hyundai’s two midsize SUVs. It seats 5 and is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Previously optional, a 3rd-row bench seat that expands passenger capacity to 7 is no longer offered. The 2010 model comes in GLS, SE, and Limited trim levels.

Standard on the GLS and front-drive Limited is a new 175-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Standard on the SE and optional on the Limited is a new 276-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. These engines replace V6 motors of 2.7 and 3.3 liters. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on the front-drive GLS. Optional on that model and standard on all others is a 6-speed automatic.

Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds with the V6. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a sunroof are standard on the Limited. The sunroof is optional on the GLS and SE. A navigation system and rearview camera are optional on all. We have not yet tested the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe.

The 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe should see no major changes following its freshening for the 2010 model year. This is the smaller of Hyundai’s two midsize crossover SUVs. Santa Fe likely will seat five and be available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. GLS, SE, and Limited trim levels should be available. Standard on the GLS and Limited would be a 175-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Standard on the SE and optional on the Limited would be a 276-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. A 6-speed manual transmission likely will be standard on the front-drive GLS. Optional on that model and standard on all others would be a 6-speed automatic. Available safety features should include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags.

Seats made from a cloth and leather combination might be standard on the SE and Limited. Heated front seats would be standard only on the Limited. A sunroof likely will be standard on the Limited and optional on the GLS and SE. A navigation system and rearview camera might be available on all models. We have not yet tested the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe.

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe marks the return of a sporty car to this Korean automaker’s lineup. The Genesis Coupe is based on a shortened version of the platform used on Hyundai’s Genesis sedan (see separate report). Like the sedan, the coupe is rear-wheel drive and is available with a V6 engine. Unique to the coupe is a 210-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. V6 coupes have a 306-horsepower 3.8-liter engine.

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on all Genesis Coupe models. A 5-speed automatic is optional on all 4-cylinder models, except the 2.0T Track. A 6-speed automatic is available on all V6 versions. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe model lineup is comprised of 4-cylinder 2.0T, 2.0T Premium, and 2.0T Track; V6 versions include 3.8, 3.8 Grand Touring, and 3.8 Track.

Track models have a specific sport suspension, brakes, and wheels. Due later in the model year is the enthusiast-oriented 2.0T R-Spec, a model intended for aftermarket tuning that is essentially a decontented version of the 2.0T Track. Keyless entry/engine start is standard on all but the base 2.0T, base 3.8, and 2.0T R-Spec. Leather upholstery is standard on V6 models. A navigation system is available on the 3.8 Grand Touring and 3.8 Track, and those versions are priced as separate models.