Then they began adding more features than the competitors and improving quality. Now in an outlandish move, they are taking the lead in innovation and making a run at being the class leaders.
The midsize sedan segment has the toughest competition in the industry. There are lots of very fine vehicles with Toyota and Honda as the perennial sales leaders. To beat them, the Sonata has to be really really good.
To begin with the styling on the car is ground breaking…it makes most of the competitors look dated and passé. I’ve always contended that it doesn’t cost an auto manufacturer any more to make a good looking car than an ugly one. You just shape the body panels differently and Hyundai has proven my point.
The car is large but because of clever engineering, the weight has been kept low in an era when vehicle weights are ballooning. Lower weight means that smaller engines can get the job done, which means lower prices for the car and higher fuel economy. The Sonata’s base price of $19,195 before incentives and discounts is low. This is a well equipped car and is a great value compared with many smaller cars that auto companies are now charging a premium for merely because they are small and therefore are perceived to be more popular today.
The vehicle driving dynamics are really quite good. It leans to the comfort side of the automotive landscape but the car goes where you point it and effectively screens out the unpleasantness of the outside world.
The interior styling is also very attractive. The gauges and instrumentation are informative and nicely styled. Interior space is ample and the trunk is large. The seating is inviting and the car has a very nice driving feel even with the base 4 cylinder engine and 6 speed automatic transmission.
The Sonatas EPA economy rating is 24/35 which is a very good number for this size of car and is actually as good as or better than many smaller ones.
The standard engine on the Sonata is a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder with 200 horsepower. That’s the same power as a 3.0 liter V6 just a few years ago but the fuel economy is much better. The Sonata is also offered with a turbo 2.4 boosting power to 274 horsepower and a 22/33 EPA rating. The Sonata will also have a Hybrid version with new lithium polymer technology allowing smaller and lighter batteries and even better economy.
The base Sonata is about the same price as the last fully loaded Chevy Aveo that I tested awhile ago. Its a subcompact with old technology, no side curtain airbags and the same fuel economy. Its less than the last 2 new Ford Fiesta’s that I’ve driven. It’s the same class of car as the new Buick Regal but priced $7,000 less etc…you get the picture. Though the equipment levels are not totally comparable on all these models, the point I’m making is that the Sonata is a great value. You get lots of new technology, great styling, satisfying ride, good safety, good quality and reliability and a long warranty for not too much money in today’s market. Is the new Sonata good enough to be considered the class leader? In some ways, yes…but the jury is still out. Notwithstanding, it’s a great car at a very attractive price.
By Kelly Foss - MyCarData
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