2013 Hyundai Elantra GT Review & Photos!

Auto World News just posted a short review with photos of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT. As they say, "after the Hyundai Elantra was named the 2012 North American Car of the Year, the anticipation and expectations were high for the 2013 Elantra GT. From the looks of things so far, Hyundai didn't disappoint."

The more spacious Elantra GT has performance-boosting state-of-the-art features, as well as enhanced safety and handling features. The Elantra GT has a 1.8L, 4-cylinder engine with options of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Estimated MPG is 28 city, 39 highway, and the it weighs it at 150 less than its top competitor - the Mazda 3. Being the lighter vehicle is crucial to vehicle handling as well as fuel efficiency.

The Elantra GT is fully equipped with a driver selectable steering option, which is a ground-breaking feature that lets the driver control and customize the feel of the steering from the instrument panel, according to Auto World News. It has three options; Normal, Comfort and Sport.

We wrote up a post a couple of weeks back, 10 Reasons to Buy the Sibling of the 2012 North American Car of the Year, so if you missed it just click the link to check it out :)

And be sure to head to our website to browse our selection of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT here.


All information and photos 1 & 2 via Auto World News
Image 3 via the Burlington Hyundai showroom

Common Objections and FAQs About Purchasing Winter Tires

Before we get started, be sure to comment below the characters name to the right and what show he is on to be entered to win $100 towards new winter tires! Contest ends Oct. 30 and the winner will be announced on Oct. 31! See our Winter Is Coming blog post if you missed whether or not you need winter tires - even if you have a 4WD or AWD vehicle.

Everyone has questions about or objections to getting winter tires. As with most information, you hear a lot of different things, so we’ve decided to give you some answers to some common questions or objection that we’ve heard a lot before. If you have any more, please comment below and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

Need help deciding which tire is right for you? Check out our tire selector guide here.

Common Winter Tire Objections & Answers

What if my car has traction control? Traction control isn’t designed to actually give you better traction; it’s meant to limit your acceleration based on the traction of your tires. The only way to get more traction and “traction control” is to get tires that meet those standards.

What if my car has ABS? ABS works more or less like traction control, except that it limits your braking depending on the traction of your tires. Your ABS system will work best with optimum tire grip.

Aren’t snow tires expensive? Snow tires are actually one of the more economical purchases you can make. This is true in part because while you’re using your snow tires, you’re not killing the wear and tread on your summer or all-season tires in winter conditions, and also because as you can imagine, getting into a fender bender or driving off of the course of the road is much pricier than a set of tires.

FAQs About Winter Tires

How much do snow tires cost? Well, through Dec. 31, 2012 we’re happy to offer you $70 off if you are buying all four tires. Generally, the range in price depends hugely on what size you’re getting and what type. Snow tires start at roughly $90 each and can be up to $200 depending on the size of your vehicle and what you’re looking for.

How long do they last? It depends on how well they’re taken care of and how much you drive, but they should last for at least three winter seasons – many more if you are up to date with your vehicles maintenance. Things like getting your tires rotated, making sure there’s proper pressure and removing them early enough when it gets warmer will all help extend the lifetime of your tires.

Can I just put two on instead of four? It’s best to keep all of your tires equal. Tread design dictates how the wheels handle, so you want all of your tires to be at the same level. Otherwise, you lose acceleration, braking and overall control on snowy roads.

How do I order them? Just give us a call! We’d be happy to help you order them through our parts department, or you can always ask about winter tires when you’re in for service.

How much does it cost to get them put on? Our winter changeover special that is ongoing through Dec. 31, 2012 is $69.95 for 16” tires, $89.95 for 17’ and $109.95 for 18’. This special includes tire dismount, mounting of winter tires, computer balance and a wheel torque to factory specifications.

When should I get them put on? In Vermont we typically get snow in October or early November, so it’s a really good idea to get it done before then so you’re prepared, and not stuck on the side of the road when we have an out-of-nowhere blizzard (but that never happens, right?). It’s also a good idea to get them done early because service departments (like us) offer amazing specials during this time of year (like ours). As time goes on these specials usually wane and prices usually go up (not ours though, we’ll be keeping our special through Dec. 31, 2012).

Do you sell studded tires? We don’t have them on site, but we’d be more than happy to order them for you and have them shipped to our store.

View all of our information about choosing the right winter tire at the Burlington Hyundai Online Tire Info Center here.

Image 1 via  Off the Rivet blog
Image 2 via Gregory Hyundai
Image 3 via seawaytires
Image 3 via Hyundai Difference
Image 5 via Toyotires

Winter is Coming: Do I Need Winter Tires?

I have AWD or 4WD, do I really need winter tires?

View your complete guide to winter tires here, and other tire questions answered below. Remember: comment on the bottom of this post, telling us what character from which show is pictured to the right. Commenting will enter your name in to win $100 towards a new set of winter tires from Burlington Hyundai.

A very common misconception is that if you have an AWD or 4WD vehicle you don’t need winter tires. However, driving in winter conditions isn’t about the power of your vehicle – it’s about traction. Stopping, starting and cornering are controlled primary by the tires; a 4WD will accelerate more quickly in the snow, but when it comes to stopping and cornering it’s the same as any other vehicle. For the torque system in a larger vehicle to be effective in winter conditions, it needs to have snow tires to back it up.

“A 2WD vehicle will perform safely and securely in snow with the proper snow tires mounted on all four wheels. Comparison tests performed by automotive-enthusiast magazines in the snow have shown that a 2WD vehicle with snow tires on all four wheels will outperform a 4WD vehicle with regular tires,” according to Forbes Auto.

I know that seems hard to believe, but here is a video that does a great job of showing the exact differences.


The same goes for AWD vehicles; they’re extremely effective off the mark with accelerating since you have the power of all four tires going for you to start, but they’re less effective when it comes to stopping and maneuvering. While driving an AWD vehicle is definitely better than a RWD in the snow, putting snow tires on that AWD vehicle is absolutely the best bet.

Also, 4WD vehicles often come with wider tires, which don’t dig through snow as efficiently due to the wider surface area; this can cause the vehicle to slip around when steering and braking. And as you know, 4WD vehicles are typically larger and do not have the naturally ability to brake as quickly as smaller cars.


Image via  Off the Rivet blog

Studded Tires, Winter Tires or All-Season Tires?

It’s that time of year again; the weather is getting chillier and the leaves are changing to beautiful oranges and reds. Fall is a wonderful season to experience in Vermont, but it also means that it’s nearly time for you to change your tires over. This time of year is typically when people go into mental debates about why they need winter tires or why they’re not going to get them this year. And that’s why we’re here! We wanted to post some general information and frequently asked questions regarding winter tires so that you can make the most informed decision possible about whether or not to purchase winter tires this season. For today's blog, we've got a comparison of your different tire options, and next week we'll go into some FAQs and explain common obligations people usually have with purchasing winter tires!

If by the end you're still having trouble deciding, be sure to check out our Tire Selector Guide here!

Which tire is best for winter driving?

There are two general types of winter tires; studded, and not studded; there are many variations of both studded and not-studded tires but those are the two main types you’re going to be deciding between. So here are some pros and cons for both:

Studded Tires

Studded tires are best only on ice and when temperatures are near freezing. The pros are that they stop faster than any other tire on ice in freezing temperatures, and they “chew up” the ice on the roads, which benefits both you and other drivers driving on the same icy roads. The negative side of that is while they chew up ice, they’re also not very good for the roads you’re driving on if there isn’t any ice present. Studded tires aren’t as effective as regular winter tires on snowy or slushy roads, they’re illegal in a few starts and they’re pretty noisy.

Winter Tires

As for winter tires; they perform well in all winter conditions, not just ice. Since they have that deeper tread, slush and snow are able to fall out of the tire as it rotates, thus causing less build up. The noise level is about the same for winter tires as it is for all-season tires, but a drawback can be that their regulation is misleading – it’s best to buy your winter tires from a trusted source so that you’re clear on the quality of your tires.

So which one is best for you? Since studded tires are better designed to handle icy roads, which are more prominent on the coast, you’re probably better off using regular winter tires unless you live in a place that generally has sleek icy roads as opposed to snowy and slushy. If you appreciate less noise, you should definitely go with winter tires, and since we live in a place with very unpredictable autumn and spring weather, winter tires are usually the way to go.

All-Season Tires

I saved all-season tires for last because they’re an entirely different kind of tire. All-season tires are designed to perform in, well, all seasons, meaning that they’re mostly effective in most driving conditions. They are a type of “tire compromise”. All-season tires do particularly well in rain and on dry roads, but they’re not prepared for the winter because the rubber that’s on them isn’t designed for less than 45 degree weather. When you drive in the cold, the rubber on all-seasons gets hard, making it easier for you to slide on the road in cold temperatures, as opposed to winter tires, which have rubber that keeps soft in the coldest temperatures. As Edmunds says, “think of all-season as sneakers and snow tires as heavy duty boots,” you can certainly walk down the icy, snowy driveway and sneakers, but it’s going to be a lot easier and a lot safer in winter boots.

Need more help? No problem! Take a look at our Tire Selector Guide here.

2013 Hyundai Tucson Review by Edmunds

Is the 2013 Hyundai Tucson what you're looking for? Let's take a look.

If it is, when you're done reading be sure to browse our 2013 Tucson inventory as well as our used Hyundai Tucson selection as well, just click on the name of the vehicle!

We got our review info from Edmunds, who just posted their review of the 2013 Hyundai Tucson crossover, and here's what they have to say:

Our own 2013 Hyundai Tucson outside of our showroom!

"Over the past decade, Hyundai has forged a reputation for building solid cars stocked with a generous helping of standard features. More recent years have seen daring styling and a fun-to-drive demeanor added to the mix. Combine all of those qualities and you've got the 2013 Hyundai Tucson, a tempting choice for a small crossover SUV."

According to Edmunds, the biggest pros of the Tucson are sharp styling inside and out, simple controls, good fuel economy, sporty handling and strong value.

Added to the Tucson for 2013 are fog lights, automatic headlights, heated front seats on the GLS and keyless ignition and entry on the Limited. The interior on the Tucson is less roomy than the reviewers at Edmunds had expected, adding that it's a great choice for people who don't need a ton of cargo room but still want to drive a sporty crossover.

Looking sharp, eh? Come on down to Burlington Hyundai to see it for yourself!

The 2013 Hyundai Tucson is offered in three editions; GL, GLS and Limited (the Limited version has an optional Premium edition as well).

The GL comes with 17-inch steel wheels, privacy glass, height-adjustable power seats, trip computer, six-speaker sound system with CD player, satellite radio, auxiliary jack and an iPod/USB interface.

The GLS adds 17-inch alloy wheels, upgraded suspension, roof rails, heated mirrors, automatic headlights, fog lights, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats and Bluetooth phone capability.

The Limited edition adds 18-inch alloy wheels, front wiper de-icer, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, six-way power driver seat, leather upholstery, a cargo cover and an auto-dimming rear view mirror. The Premium edition adds a panoramic sunroof, touch screen navigation system, rear view camera and a seven-speaker upgraded sound system.

It looks like an amazing crossover, and fortunately, we have some in stock! Call Burlington Hyundai at (866) 455-8898 or click the links at the top of the page to view our online selection!


Review information via Edmunds

The 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

10 Reasons to buy the Sibling of the 2012 North American Car of the Year:

Forbes just posted an article that states 10 reasons why you should buy the Hyundai Elantra GT, so here they are! If you find yourself wanting to check out the GT at any point while reading, just click here to view our Elantra GT selection.

This one is right in our showroom at Burlington Hyundai,
come check out our selection of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT!

1. It's affordable. The base model starts at just $20,000.

2. It'll fit all your friends; it has ample leg room and over 40 cubic inches in headroom in front.

3. It is from a brand that lacks image problems.

4. The interior dash and console are sleek.

5. It looks way better than other wagon competitors.

6. You can whip it; it's easily navigable and nimble.

7. It has a large sunroof, flooding the entire car with natural light.

8. You could run a bodega out of the back. It has 51 cubic feet of cargo volume, giving it nearly as much space as the Impreza Sport (just one foot less).

9. It has four doors.

10. It's efficient, getting 28 MPG city and 39 MPG highway, beating its competitors such as the Kia Soul, Toyota Venza and Ford Focus SEL.

If you'd like any other reasons, please call us! One of our salespeople would be happy to speak with you, and I'm sure they have plenty more reasons of their own :). They can be reached at (888) 347-3707.

All information, including all top ten reasons via Forbes