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Sunday, May 15, 2011
2011 Hyundai Sonata looks sleek, and thanks to a 270HP powerplant, drives with more muscle than you would expect.
For just under $20,000, the base 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a smart buy. The sleek styling, with a slight curve on the side and a low-angled front, recall a BMW 5-Series. A few choice tech features, including a dedicated 30-pin cable for your iPod Touch or iPhone, help keep you connected. And, fuel economy is outstanding at 24MPG in the city and 35MPG for highway driving. Yet, for those who want more muscle, the new Sonata Limited Turbo 2.0L, priced at $27,245, almost matches the BMW for speed as well, and only shaves 2MPG off fuel economy.
Now, to clarify: Hyundai is not in the same class as a BMW. The South Korean car company has set its sights on Honda and Toyota for some time. Some would argue that Japan fell asleep at the wheel and Hyundai is encroaching on their space. Still, you should not expect any luxury features such as a high-performance surround-sound stereo system or adaptive cruise control. Both the Sonata and the 2011 Kia Optima do have a BMW look and feel, though, especially compared to the 5-Series.
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a midsize family sedan available in GLS, SE and Limited trim levels. Standard equipment on the GLS includes 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, air-conditioning, cruise control, full power accessories, heated sideview mirrors, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a trip computer, a 60/40-split rear seatback, a six-speaker stereo (with CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, iPod/auxiliary audio jacks and steering-wheel-mounted controls) and Bluetooth with phonebook download.
Two optional equipment packages are available. One adds alloy wheels, automatic headlights and an eight-way power driver seat. The other includes all these plus a navigation system and upgraded speakers for the audio system. The sporty SE features all the above (except the navigation system and premium speakers) and adds 18-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, foglights, a dark chrome grille, a sport-tuned suspension, keyless ignition/entry, leather/cloth upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Opting for the turbocharged engine will also add dual-zone automatic climate control. An optional package bundles a navigation system with premium speakers and a sunroof.
The plush Limited has all the SE's features (minus the 18-inch wheels, sport suspension and cloth/leather upholstery) and adds side mirror turn signal repeaters, a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated seats (front and rear), dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an upgraded audio system (with HD radio and CD changer) and unique interior accents (either wood grain or gloss black). Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are also standard. The turbocharged SE variant adds 18-inch wheels, dual exhaust tips and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Limited's sole optional package bundles a navigation system with a back-up camera and Infinity premium speakers.
Although it’s clear Hyundai has really upped its game with the 2011 Sonata, pricing has changed little from that of the previous generation. GLS models start at a competitive $19,915 with the six-speed manual; standard features include six airbags, ABS and electronic stability control, keyless entry, power windows and locks, heated and powered mirrors, and Bluetooth connectivity. An additional grand will net you the six-speed auto. Stepping up to one like our SE tester will run $23,315 to start and just over $26,000 with the optional Navigation and Sunroof package, which is the only major option. This combination suited us well, but sadly, it cannot be configured with heated leather seats. For that luxury, you must spend at least $26,015 for the Limited model, which also comes with dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming mirrors, vents for rear-seat passengers, and other unique, upscale bits. A $2100 Navigation package adds touch-screen nav, a rearview camera, and a premium Infinity audio system, bringing a loaded Sonata to just over $28,000.
The standard engine on all Hyundai Sonata trim levels is a 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine good for 198 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. The SE, with its dual exhaust, has a bit more power at 200 hp and 186 lb-ft. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the GLS, while a six-speed automatic is optional on that trim and standard on the SE and Limited. A powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is available on SE and Limited trim levels. This engine produces 274 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque.
In performance testing, a 2.4-liter GLS Sonata with the automatic transmission accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds. As expected, the 2.0-liter turbo is significantly quicker, requiring only 6.7 seconds.
The Sonata's EPA fuel economy estimates are impressive for a car of this size. The 2.4-liter engine with the manual transmission is rated at 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 28 combined, and 22/35/26 mpg with the automatic. The 2.0-liter turbo, despite its significant boost in power, returns a very impressive 22/33/26 mpg.
The Sonata’s muscular 270-horsepower engine is frighteningly fast, and surprisingly so. We were not believers at first, questioning whether the “turbo” moniker (which forces air into the engine for increased pep) was more of a marketing concept. According to Hyundai, the Turbo accelerates from 0 to 60MPH in about 6.5 seconds – fast enough to cause the tires to squeal and push your head back.
Around corners, the Sonata Turbo provides a comfortable, assured ride. There’s no sense of the vehicle slipping, even going 70MPH on a bend meant for 45MPH, or pushing with too much force. Sure, the Audi A8 uses some advanced tech to relieve even more force on high-speed turns and makes them feel effortless, but the Sonata still does an admirable job of maintaining grip and suspension.
With the Turbo model, Hyundai added paddle shifters to give you a sense of control. They work well and are even easier to find. We had no trouble down-shifting to slow the car slightly around corners. Once again, we’re not talking about a Volvo or BMW transmission; you don’t feel any hesitation when you shift manually and you can willfully change gears anytime you want. But the Sonata does provide a better driving experience for those who want a little more control over the gears.
All Sonatas come well stocked with antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, front seat side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.
In the government's new, more strenuous crash testing for 2011, the Sonata earned a top five-star rating for overall crash protection, with four out of five stars given for front-impact protection and five stars for side impact protection. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata earned a top rating of "Good" for frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength protection.
In Edmunds brake testing, a 2011 Sonata GLS came to a stop from 60 mph in 128 feet. A 2.0-liter turbo model with wider tires stopped slightly shorter at 120 feet. Both stopping distances are slightly better than average for cars in this class.
reference:www.edmunds.com,www.caranddriver.com,www.digitaltrends.com
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