2011 Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Hits A Home Run
I first saw the new Hyundai Sonata at the press preview of the Los Angeles Auto Show last November, and, like a lot of other auto journalists, I was blown away with its sharp styling. Now, after living with the Sonata for a week, I’m still mighty impressed. This car looks like it’s in motion when it is standing still. Other cars in the midsize sedan segment now seem dated.
However, I wished the interior created the same kind of excitement. It’s not dull exactly, but pales in comparison to the exterior design. My test car was trimmed in a two-tone gray, and although it was well finished, it had very little sparkle. A large dash housed a neatly arranged instrument cluster with water temperature and fuel gages incorporated into the speedometer and tachometer respectively. The center control was compact, but the buttons were clearly marked. Numerous small bins made it easy to stow odds and ends.
The Sonata is a spacious sedan. In fact, the EPA places it in the “large car” category. Legroom, fore and aft, is ample. Headroom is not quite as good, but passengers who were 6’2” had no problem in my test car. The trunk is larger than most in its class at 16.4 cu.-ft.
Hyundai offers the Sonata in three versions—GLS, SE and Limited. The base GLS, which has a starting price of just $20,715, comes well equipped with standard features like keyless entry, air conditioning, six-speaker audio and power locks and windows. Surprisingly, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and iPod connectivity are included as well.
The SE is the sports model, and it features a stiffer suspension with 18-inch wheels, upgraded upholstery and push-button entry and start. The top-of-the-line Limited gets heated leather seats, a sunroof, upgraded audio and 17-inch alloy wheels. An optional navigation system is available on all models.
Hyundai powers the Sonata with a 2.4-liter, inline-4 engine that generates a class-leading 198 hp. (200 in the SE model.) It is teamed with either a six-speed manual transmission (GLS only) or a six-speed automatic with a manual shift mode. My SE test car accelerated quickly, 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, and delivered 26-mpg fuel economy. Hyundai does not offer a V-6 in the Sonata, but will come out with a turbocharged four-cylinder with 274 hp by the end of 2010.
The Sonata feels nimble on the road. The steering is quick, and nicely weighted, not too heavy, not too light. It provides the driver with a good feel of the road. A short 35.8-ft turning radius makes the Sonata easy to maneuver in parking lots. My SE test car with the sport suspension took on twisty roads with gusto. It wasn’t like a BMW, but still it was a willing performer. Yet the ride quality, while firm, was not bone-jarring harsh. The only gripe I had with the Sonata was that the cabin could have been a little quieter.
Hyundai has done a marvelous job with the new Sonata. It matches or beats the established leaders in the midsize sedan segment, like the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord, in every department. Furthermore it is priced lower than the competition. The GLS comes in at $20,715. The SE starts at $23,315, and the Limited goes for $26,015. The Sonata, like other Hyundais, is backed by an overall 5-year/60,000 mile warranty, and a 10-year/ 100,000-mile powertrain guarantee.
Snapshot Review:
Head-Turning Style
Roomy Cabin
Excellent Power
Competitively Priced
