New Tahoe-sized Hyundai in the works
Brenda Priddy's all-seeing eye has caught the largest Hyundai passenger vehicle on earth traipsing around what appears to be the Southwest. Her keen eye again pegs the large SUV, officially called the Mesa after Kia's KCD-II Mesa Concept, at just a few inches shorter than a Tahoe. No honkin' V8 under this SUV's hood, rather a 3.8L V6 generating 270 to 280 hp. Hopefully that's enough to move this big rig with its three rows of seating, all-wheel drive system and luxury accoutrements. [Source: The Car Connection]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nate Wesley 3:08PM (5/12/2006)
Maybe its the picture at TheCarConnection website, but the Mesa doesn't look as large as a Tahoe (I'd guess it isn't inside).
Nonetheless, it'll be interesting to see how Hyundai executes its new SUV.
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Chris J 3:11PM (5/12/2006)
Why the hell are people DEVELOPING large SUV's when gas continues to go up, for f**** sake, not even people who pay $50k+ for a premium suv can afford $3-4k/year in gas
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felonious monk 3:18PM (5/12/2006)
Yet another hog for those wishing they had a penis.
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MiddleFingerUp 3:31PM (5/12/2006)
Ummm...actually, I can afford the gas for this vehicle and I need 3 rows of seats with AWD for a number of reasons. So you're saying that Hyundai won't sell these? I bet you a bundle that a # of automakers who have large SUV's are concerned about this vehicle. Hyundai will price this out of the gate around $30k. That is Pilot territory and far below a Tahoe which is high 30's to 40's territory. U don't get it, Hyundai is doing what Honda and Toyota did to GM and Ford...its just they are doing it to GM and Ford, too!
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John 3:44PM (5/12/2006)
Actually, according to Edmunds (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/GeneralFuture/articleId=115343), the wheelbase is only 3" shorter than a Tahoe, but the overall length is 16" shorter.
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KBS 3:46PM (5/12/2006)
why worry so much about fuel consumption? they're paying for it right? i mean we can blame the high cost per barrel of oil to the record consumption by china and india.
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DJ 4:46PM (5/12/2006)
Why does everyone seem to think $3.00 per gallon gasoline is the death of everything????
When adjusted for inflation over a 10, 15 or 20 year period, gas at $3 is still 20 to 30% or more below what it should be. And then factor in the fact that gas mileage during those same periods has increased an average of 20 to 30% and incomes have risen much faster than the cost of gas, the result is that gas is not as big an expense as percentage of income for the average driver. It's all media hype by a very ignorant group so called urinalists.
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Michael Karesh 5:10PM (5/12/2006)
Doesn't matter how large the Tahoe is. Because GM didn't pony up for IRS, the third row is a joke. Awful space efficiency.
Check out the new MB GL. That's space efficiency in a true SUV.
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John Smith 5:34PM (5/12/2006)
"2. Why the hell are people DEVELOPING large SUV's when gas continues to go up, for f**** sake, not even people who pay $50k+ for a premium suv can afford $3-4k/year in gas"
Chris, you are not alone in your ignorance.
Repeat after me:
1. "Small cars do not have big profits.'
2. Big vehicles make big profits."
SUV's themselves do not hurt GM. What hurts GM is tha they do ot have good small cars to fall back on when sales of SUVs drop. They make plenty money on SUVs, but they need a larger line-up of vehicles.
So never say that again.
SUVs make money. That's why even Porsche has one. They just don't make you ALL your money.
P.S. Some people don't care about gas prices at this level. A better economy is most of the reason. Remember when gas was $1.00 per gallon? (ANWR, where are you when we need you?)
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MikeW 5:41PM (5/12/2006)
Someone cue the 6 speed automatic.
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John Smith 5:41PM (5/12/2006)
Yes, the Tahoe should have had IRS!!!
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bob 5:59PM (5/12/2006)
This will be a winner for Hyundai or KIA depending on who gets it. The fuel consumption will still be better then the Tahoe. Oh yah it will have a better warranty and way better resale value.
Most people who buy big SUV's dont really care about fuel consumption, they can afford it.
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bloggaru 6:33PM (5/12/2006)
hyundai is seriously a company to watch. but why build a big gas guzzler?
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Razib Ahmed 7:02PM (5/12/2006)
" the largest Hyundai passenger vehicle on earth traipsing around what appears to be the Southwest."
It is interesting to see that Hyundai Motor is thinking of introducing a a small car with 1.2-litre diesel engine in India (http://www.southasiabiz.com/2006/05/can_diesel_powered_cars_do_the.html).
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Stoneman 9:54PM (5/12/2006)
Big trucks are big money makers. Hyundai just wants to make big-daddy profits. You can't make much money on an Accent these days, even fully-loaded ones. Big trucks are the paved road to gold.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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Tom Design 2:55PM (5/13/2006)
Capitalism -> the biggest, bullyest, and greediest survive. No place for the tepid and meek. The Koreans are very aggressive and if GM, Ford, DCX, BMW, Mercedes, Honda, Toyota, Audi, Porsche, Volks are all pumping out land cruisers, why not?
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far jr 3:38PM (5/13/2006)
Looks like a competitor! But with the V-6 will likely compete more directly with the Honda Pilot, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook. Not the Chevy Tahoe. This is exactly the market segment I am considering...three rows of seats, more carlike ride and better fuel economy than a truck based SUV, and it's not a minivan.
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TP 10:26PM (5/14/2006)
Stepdad works at Hyundai plant in Montgmery. Showed him this picture. Said this is the new 2007 Santa Fe. They are building test runs now. Will be on dealer lots late summer early fall. American made!
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