That Hyundai is a rising star is not news. With their recently remodeled lineup getting much praise, ranging from the popular and attractive Accent 3-door to the affordable and handsome Tiburon and top-line Azera, each car offers great value. To be truthful, walking out of a Hyundai dealership with a set of keys in your hand would not be an unsatisfying experience, for you’re pretty well guaranteed of an excellent car, if the brand’s third-place J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Rating and high marks from Consumer Reports are indicators, and comparable to much more expensive models whatever you choose will be a downright bargain. So what were they thinking when they come up with this monstrosity?!

Ok, perhaps that’s a little harsh. Called the HCD9 Talus, Hyundai’s attempt at a sporty crossover vehicle isn’t quite ugly, but it’s not exactly pretty either. And I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and no doubt someone somewhere likes the look of this thing, but I have trouble imagining who. Designed to look assertive and confident, some of the exterior styling details are similar to those found on the much more attractive 2007 Santa Fe, with a healthy dose of sportiness injected into the SUV’s DNA. By far the worst angle, the front end is dominated by a massive grille opening reminiscent of a Chrysler LHS, which combines with very angled, bisected headlights to make the head-on view look like some sort of scowling monster with its eyes shut. Think of it as a bugeye Sprite gone mean. Add in the curvy front fascia that’s almost completely devoid of any sort of scoop, light, or duct to break up the monotony, and you’ve got yourself a front end only a mother could love.

But walking around the vehicle does quiet the turning in one’s stomach slightly. Those scowling headlights that look ridiculous from the front take on a distinctly Ferrari 612 Scaglietti-like air in profile, and a small sculpted vent on each front fender breaks up the monotony of the front half, going from concave to convex over the rear wheelwell and forming the strong rear shoulder line. The only part that sullies the otherwise attractive profile view is the rear side glass, where the window openings’ lower edges drop down, instead of kicking upwards like most. It’s not terrible looking, but it does give the rear windows an odd shape. It’s also worth noting that the long front doors and relatively short rear doors have no handles to speak of, with the sole means of entry being solenoid door releases mounted on the B-pillars. Traditionally hinged front doors and pillarless suicide rear doors make the Talus look very clean, although the black plastic that rings the bottom of the car muddies the effect.

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