Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai Sonata

Remember when Honda was the sole four-cylinder holdout in the mid-size sedan market? The company insisted that there was no need for the extra thirst of a V6 in the Accord, despite the demands of a horsepower-hungry US market. These days, there's an Accord V6, but for 2011 the Hyundai Sonata is doing without a six-cylinder version.

The move simplifies the lineup, but it's not the only motivation. Recent advances in engine technology have made a four-cylinder a viable alternative to a V6, and considering the growing role that fuel efficiency is playing in purchase decisions, Hyundai is gambling that more mid-size sedan buyers won't mind that the Sonata is missing a couple of cylinders.

Try to picture a 2010 Sonata. Unless you own one, or your beloved uncle was killed by one, you can't can you? That's why there's new, more "emotional" styling to go with the rethought powertrain philosophy. Strong, expressive body lines dominate the new Sonata's look. The hood's curves carry down into the bumper, while bulges at each side grow out into a beltline marked with a distinctive chrome spear that carries into the headlights. The body side echoes this curve with a deep character line. The Sonata's new silhouette is similar to the current European "coupe-sedan" look, though the car was penned in Irvine, California. Complainers will whine about a new era of "jellybean" cars. Ignore 'em. The Sonata looks good.

The interior is similarly appointed to impress. The Sonata's new swept-away dash has several textures and looks like it belongs in a more expensive car. If Hyundai's work with the instrument panel is anything to go by, the days of the indifferently designed corporate dashboard are a thing of the past. The new Sonata's two-pod instrument panel features clever off-kilter curves that could've come from a concept car. The climate controls uses a silhouette-type interface reminiscent of that used by Volvo, and Bluetooth connectivity is standard. And all of that's just in the base model. Moving up the price scale, the Sonata Limited gets a pushbutton start, heated front and rear seats, and rear seat air vents. USB and iPod jacks are available, as are a 400-watt Infinity sound system, HD radio and a special wine-colored leather interior. A navigation system with a 6.5-inch screen is available on all Sonata grades, and for price convenience it's available as a stand-alone option rather than being bundled with options like a backup camera.

The new 2.4 liter four-cylinder is a DOHC, 16-valve unit that uses direct fuel injection. Power is comparable to many V6 cars, with 198 horsepower--the dual-exhaust-equipped SE model adds two horsepower, if you want to split hairs. The four-cylinder's advantage comes at the fuel pump, of course, where it returns 23/35 fuel economy. A performance Turbo version will be along shortly, for the buyers who are looking for real speed. In stock form, the Sonata's engine is the most powerful four-cylinder in its class. What's even more impressive, its 35-mpg freeway rating matches that of some hybrids. The torque is available down low, and Hyundai's given the Sonata a light throttle to ensure that drivers notice. Power is good, though like most big fours the 2.4 liter sometimes sounds overworked. This is a noise issue--big four-cylinders tend to sound harsh at higher revs. Did I miss having two extra cylinders, however? Nope.
The new six-speed automatic transmission is lighter than the five-speed it replaces. It's a sealed, maintenance-free unit, as many new automatics are, and it features paddle shifters. Guess what? The Sonata is still available with a six-speed manual transmission, too. They're a tiny percentage of sales (less than two percent) but there are still those of us who car. In this market, the price savings is the primary reason for choosing a stick, rather than sporting intentions.

That said, there is a sporting Sonata; the SE has slightly different suspension tuning in addition to its dual exhaust. The SE gets stiffer springs and a fatter stabilizer bar. On all Sonatas, MacPherson struts are used up front, with a lightweight aluminum multi-link rear. Out on the road, the Sonata is composed and quiet. That's not a surprise though; the Sonata has had the basics down for a good long time. The new suspension is tied down better, with crisper responses than I've come to expect from Hyundai. That's a good thing. A bit of road noise is all that intrudes into the quiet cabin. Around town, maneuverability's enhanced by electronic power steering with a tight turning circle. Stability control, anti-lock brakes, traction control and Corner Brake Control are all on the standard-equipment list, so the Sonata is well-equipped with driver aids to keep families feeling secure no matter how poor the road conditions.
Expect to hear a lot in the coming months about this car; it's poised to be a home run for Hyundai, and just might change the market. At the very least, the 2011 Sonata gives Hyundai a credibility it's never had when it comes to competitive mainstream product. That doesn't mean that the brand has lost its trademark value, however. Sonata pricing starts at $19,195, and is reasonable throughout the range. Want a family sedan with a navigation system for $22,600? The new Sonata is your chariot.

All specs are for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata
Length: 189.8 in.
Width: 72.2 in.
Height: 57.9 in.
Wheelbase: 110.0 in.
Curb weight: 3199 lb.
Cargo space: 16.4 cu.ft.
Base price: $19,195
Engine: 2.4 liter direct-injection inline DOHC four cylinder
Drivetrain: six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 198 @ 6300
Torque: 184 @ 4250
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
Est. mileage: 23/35

By Chris Jackson - MyCarData