Hyundai Grabs Award at 2007 Chicago Auto Show

With the Chicago Auto Show going on, awards keepthe judges are performance, technology, practicality,
coming in for the best vehicles being unveiled at theand overall value from the consumer's perspective.
said motor show. Another vehicle to receive yetBoth the Hyundai Entourage and the Kia Sedona
another award is the Hyundai Entourage.received high marks for all of those criteria.
The minivan was selected as the best in its class byHyundai is very proud of the Entourage's
MotorWeek. The Hyundai Entourage won theachievements, which was quite apparent on John
prestigious Editor's Choice Award in the minivanKrafcik's statement. Krafcik is the vice president of
category along with another Korean vehicle - sharingStrategic Planning and Product Development for
the distinction of being the best minivan at the ChicagoHyundai Motor America. "Since its introduction last
Auto Show with the Entourage is the Kia Sedona. Theyear, Entourage has earned a number of honors and
Hyundai Entourage will be featured on a specialawards including the National Highway Traffic Safety
episode of MotorWeek along with other winners ofAdministration's top five-star crash test rating and the
different categories. MotorWeek chose winners forInsurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest honor
their thirteen categories.-the gold 'Top Safety Pick' award," Krafcik stated. "We
John Davis, the producer and host of the automotiveproudly accept the MotorWeek award, which
show, praised both the Hyundai Entourage and the Kiarecognizes the Entourage's spacious interior, powerful
Sedona in his statement: "This second-generationperformance, and unsurpassed standard safety
Korean-branded design matches all the best featurestechnologies," he added further.
of its rivals, and then beats them in the price andThe award will surely be a big help in the marketing of
powertrain warranty. The leaps that Hyundai and Kiathe Hyundai Entourage. It already boasts of strong
make in perceived quality with each new vehicle areachievements that will serve as its anchor in its bid to
well documented, and the Entourage and Sedona aretake over the top spot in its segment. All those
just the latest examples."recognitions and awards will support the Entourage
The segment won by the two Korean cars is alsojust how a Volvo motor mount supports an engine.
acknowledged by Davis. "From school bus toAside from the award ad recognitions given to the
apartment moving, minivans are the most versatileEntourage, another strong selling point for the car is its
vehicles on the planet," he added further. Indeed, thesafety features. The Hyundai Entourage is equipped
minivan has always been a favorite among car buyerswith six standard airbags which includes side curtain
for their sedan-like handling while having adequateairbags which covers all three rows of seats. The
room for cargo and passengers.vehicle also employs an anti-locking brake system for
The result of the MotorWeek Driver's Choice Awardbetter stopping power. The stability of the minivan is
in its 25th year was based on the assessment ofsecured, thanks to its Electronic Stability Control with
fifteen judges. The panel is composed of writers,Traction Control System.
producers and crews of the PBS automotive series.Space is also another selling point for the vehicle; it can
To come up with the winners, the panel went throughseat seven comfortably in its three rows of seats. The
150 vehicles in all of the thirteen categories. Thesethird seat can be folded down to increase the amount
vehicles went through a battery of road and trackof space for luggage. Its third row seat split
tests as the board of judges evaluated each car'sconfiguration of 60/40 adds to its versatility.
capabilities. Among the aspects that were checked by