1. 2011 Hyundai Sonata joins the cream of the midsize crop
It's difficult to knock the classics whether we're talking fashion (black tuxedo), literature ("Of Mice and Men" by John Stei
Steinbeck), or
rock (the Beatles).
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is destined to join the classics of affordable midsize cars. That's not because of its fuel efficienc (22 mpg
efficiency
city, 35 mpg highway), its bounty of standard features (think sunroof with slide and tilt mechanisms) or its high-end styling. Rather,
mechanisms) high
it's the entire package that makes the Sonata a standout.
Not that Hyundai was under pressure to rethink the Sonata. The previous generation was attractive if somewhat unremarkable, w
with
some auto reviewers noting its look -- inside and out -- was reminiscent of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. There was nothing
wrong with it, inside or out. Yet there was nothing that broke it out of the pack, either.
One look at the long, light, low exterior of the Sonata and you know those days have passed. What was once a bland box is now sleek
you
and athletic with flowing lines and signature chrome extending from the headlamps, along the hood and through the belt line. Gone is
the boxy grille, replaced with a long, sweeping grille that is an ideal focal point accented by the sloping fog lamps and headlamps.
grille
2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited
Engine: 198-horsepower, 2.4-liter GDI or
274-horsepower, 2-liter turbo
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
MSRP: From $19,395 (model tested
from $25,495)
The high-end, contemporary look continues inside. Although some call the look futuristic, that seems a bit of a stretch. High
end, High-end
contemporary feels about right.
But that's a minor point.
What's important is that the Sonata's flow-through center console and instrument panel is not just modern but user friendly whether
through
you're working with the navigation, AM/FM/XM/6 disc CD changer/MP3 with HD radio technology or the integrated Bluetooth
AM/FM/XM/6-disc
technology.
Gear head alert: This technology is made for you. Think 8GB of flash memory and a matched sound system. Other gadgets are XM
Navigation Weather, XM Stock Ticker and XM Sports Ticker. The system also can be updated via USB.
Of course you can get all of the high-end features in the world and not be comfortable. Fortunately, the Sonata offers plentiful (103.8
end
cubic feet) of passenger space. Add to that 16.4 cubic feet of cargo space and you see how this sedan would well suit a family.
In addition, the six-speed automatic transmission model I drove was plenty powerful, which is saying something since it's 26.4 pounds
speed
lighter than the five-speed it replaces. The Sonata also is 1.6 inches shorter and considerably simpler, having 62 fewer parts, which
speed
makes the car lighter.
If you don't think that's important, remember the 22 mpg city, 35 mpg highway fuel economy, which beats some hybrids out ther
there.
In a world of car designs that cut corners, the Hyundai Sonata is the full package.
Source URL: http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/wheels/2011/02/2011
http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/wheels/2011/02/2011-hyundai-sonata-joins-
-cream-midsize-crop