Edmunds.com named both the 2010 Hyundai Genesis and 2011 Hyundai Sonata to its Top 10 Best Dark-Horse Cars of 2010 list. Edmunds.com, a premier online resource for automotive information, put together this list to showcase vehicles worthy of more serious consideration by car shoppers.
The all-new Sonata is a smart buy with modern style, top-tier quality and outstanding residual value. Couple that with a four-cylinder engine producing class-leading fuel economy and the power of a larger V6, and the Sonata should definitely be on consumer shopping lists in the mid-size sedan segment, said Scott Margason, director of product planning, Hyundai Motor America. Additionally, the North American Car of the Year-winning Genesis continues to be an extremely disruptive force in the large sedan and near-luxury segments.
The Top 10 Best Dark-Horse Cars of 2010 represent the true dark horses in the market the cars that somehow fly just below the radar when it comes to consumer awareness, but nevertheless have a lot to offer shoppers on the hunt for quality and value.
Although they may not have the same level of recognition as say the Ford Explorer, Honda Civic or Toyota Camry, these cars offer great value and quality, and definitely should be on more consumers shopping lists, said Karl Brauer, Senior Analyst and Editor at Large for Edmunds.com.
Happily, some of these picks like the sterling Hyundai Sonata are beginning to get the kind of buzz that assures they won’t be dark horses for too much longer, said Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor at Edmunds.com. Its predecessor offered solid value, but the new Sonata redesigned for the 2011 model year is a true game-changer. Offering great handling, a smooth ride and superb fuel economy, this outstanding four-door has what it takes to dominate the competitive midsize-sedan segment.
The Hyundai Genesis delivers everything that luxury-car shoppers look for in a premium sedan, adds Clarke. Its available engines offer lots of power and smooth performance, its cabin is spacious and well-appointed, and its standard features list is complete enough to satisfy the most discriminating shopper. Of course, since it’s a Hyundai, it comes with a relatively affordable price; as such, this overachiever creams the competition when it comes to value.
Joining the Genesis and Sonata on the Edmunds.com Dark-Horses list are Buick LaCrosse, Ford Fiesta, Ford Fusion, Kia Sedona, Mazda5, Nissan Versa, Suzuki Kizashi and Suzuki SX4. For more information about the Top 10 Best Dark-Horses Cars of 2010 from Edmunds.com, visit http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/163846/article.html.