Making matters worse, Hyundai still doesn't include its badge at center, or anywhere on the front of the car for that matter. I'll repeat myself from a previous review in saying, "Hyundai, be proud of who you are. You make good cars. Be bold and attach an even larger version of your attractive stylized "H" on the front of your flagship."
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| Hyundai should proudly display its attractive stylized "H" badge on the XG's grille. (Photo: Hyundai Auto Canada) |
More important than styling, the XG350 recently received the highest possible safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (www.nhtsa.com). It was among five models tested to receive a five start front seat passenger and driver seat safety rating in the heavy car category, joining the Acura TL, Ford Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car, and Mercury Marquis. In total twenty-one new cars were tested making the XG's accomplishment that much more impressive.
All in all, the XG350 should make Hyundai proud from an engineering standpoint. While not necessarily the class leader in refinement, it provides a nice balance of performance and luxury, combined with an impressive list of standard features, all for a very reasonable price. Actually, so many features are included standard that Hyundai only offers metallic paint as an option - a "whopping" $125 upgrade.
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| When you factor in Hyundai's great warranty, the XG350's impressive list of standard features and its superb price, it's hard to beat. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
What might be the XG's most intriguing argument is its new warranty, dubbed "Canada's Best Warranty." Not just marketing spin, it covers any new Hyundai for five years or 100,000 kilometers bumper to bumper with zero deductible. The Korean brand's powertrain coverage is the most comprehensive available in Canada, blanketing the car for seven years or 120,000 km. What's more, the roadside assistance package has been extended to the same five year, 100,000 km duration. While U.S. customers can boast ten year powertrain coverage, they can't transfer their warranties to second owners like in Canada, not a benefit to residual values and hardly helping dealers sell pre-owned Hyundais.
