[Test Drive] 'Icon of Success' Grandeur, Luxurious Interior and Smooth Driving Experience

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] The icon of success in South Korea, the national car, the monthly top seller, and the best-selling domestic car for three consecutive years. These are various epithets describing the Grandeur. The 6th generation Grandeur facelift model, launched in the domestic market last November, has been holding the best-selling car position for six months since its release.

At the beginning of its launch, opinions were divided due to the innovative design that eliminated the boundary between the bumper and the grille, but the power of the Grandeur in the domestic market was still different. Combined with a luxurious interior surpassing imported cars in the same class, smooth driving feel, and marketing targeting people in their 40s with a youthful vibe, the Grandeur's momentum continues this year as well. To find out the secret behind the Grandeur's unwavering popularity despite its radical design transformation, I test drove the Grandeur 3.3 gasoline model myself.

First of all, the front design is radical itself. Usually, passenger cars have a clear boundary between the grille and the bumper, but the new Grandeur is made as an integrated unit where the bumper and grille form one surface. The rear design inherits the design DNA of the previous model. The thin and elongated rear lamps give a wide, low, and stable impression.

In fact, before the launch, reactions from reporters to the pre-release design of the 6th generation facelift Grandeur were split. Some praised the innovative and bold challenge, but others found the diamond-shaped headlamps awkward or criticized the grille for having too many details. However, as various opinions emerged and the Grandeur became a hot topic, it seems to have had a marketing effect. Since its launch, it has topped the monthly best-selling car list for six consecutive months and has become a popular model that requires a 5 to 6-month wait for delivery.

Especially, this Grandeur, despite being a facelift model, has changed in body size. The wheelbase, which determines the vehicle's space, has increased by 40mm compared to before, and the width has also increased by 10mm. Sitting in the rear seat, there is enough space for an adult man with more than two fists of clearance.

Getting into the driver's seat, the interior design emphasizing horizontal lines catches the eye. All the buttons on the center fascia are neatly organized. Especially, the 12.3-inch digital cluster (instrument panel) and the 12.3-inch navigation screen form an infotainment system seamlessly connected without boundaries, which is the highlight of the Grandeur's design. The touch-type climate control located at the lower part of the center fascia is also clean and futuristic in design. The newly installed air purification system detected the quality of the indoor air and indicated a 'GOOD' status, which was reassuring.

Starting the engine and getting on the road, a smooth and sleek driving feel was felt even at low speeds. In high-speed driving sections, the stable and quiet characteristics unique to the Grandeur came alive. With stable cornering and powerful acceleration, it was sufficient not only for city driving but also for highway driving.

The 3.3 gasoline model delivers ample power with a maximum output of 290 horsepower and a maximum torque of 35.0 kgf·m. The application of R-MDPS (rack-driven power steering), suitable for a high-displacement engine, enhances steering response during high-speed driving. Fuel efficiency is about 9.7 km/ℓ (with 18-inch tires) for the 3.3 gasoline model.

On the highway, using Hyundai Motor's Smart Cruise Control greatly reduced driving fatigue. When set to the desired speed, the vehicle automatically adjusts the distance from the car ahead while driving. This facelift Grandeur model is the first Hyundai vehicle to be equipped with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist - Oncoming Vehicle at Intersection technology. This technology prevents collisions with oncoming vehicles when making a left turn at intersections.

This test drive gave me confidence that the Grandeur will be the best-selling car for four consecutive years through this year. The Grandeur, equipped with driving performance, design, ample space, and advanced features, is also perfect as a business car for executives, a family car to carry children, and a luxury sedan to recommend to parents.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.