As I mentioned recently at the launch of the new Hyundai Tucson 2010, the Korean manufacturer has literally the wind in the sails for some time. A crisis? What crisis? While its market share has almost doubled over the past year, is now part of the club manufacturers have sold more than 100,000 units in the country in a year. That is not nothing. For those who still head of Hyundai's image there are 10 or 15 years, it will seriously reconsider the whole thing!
Taking advantage of the crisis, Hyundai has increasingly positioned thanks to its well-adapted vehicles and energy efficient while its dealer network is expanding rapidly across the country, all facilitated by a number of GM dealerships orphaned. In short, this is probably the best time for life to Hyundai who managed the difficult task of moving from a builder offering good products markets at a manufacturer offering a range as interesting as the Japanese.
A whole new style Sonata
The manufacturer began once again a vast restructuring plan, bringing seven new products in 24 months. It began with the arrival of Tucson a few weeks ago and this time it's mid-size sedan, the Sonata, which goes under the knife. At first glance, it is difficult not to fall in love with its new lines. One would be in the presence of a luxury car, far more than an affordable sedan.
Cartoon's studio in Irvine, California Hyundai, the 2011 Sonata takes the style of a sports coupe with four doors sauce. This is a design initiated by Mercedes-Benz with its CLS-Class and taken by Volkswagen with its Passat CC, but this is the first time we see its application in a more economical car. A design inspired by the way? Yes, but in the case of the new Sonata, it suits her to perfection and it is especially the front part which is the most successful thanks to its sculpted lines and a grille worked beautifully. His nose plunging V provides an excellent drag coefficient, an element that combined with some other car gives good fuel consumption figures.
The rear is as successful, while the stylized lights stretching into the flanks. However, at the launch, we could see a sports reserved for our neighbors to the south, the latter including a dual exhaust oval, somewhat mimicking that of the Mazda6. That's something that does not really benefit in terms of performance, but we all felt was much more successful aesthetically than that in other versions, they do offer a "shy" exhaust pipe under the bumper, without even a piece of chrome. Injury, the dual exhaust would certainly have raised even more the character of the car.
Three versions, a single engine, no six-cylinder engine
For the 2011 model year, the choices are somewhat simplified. Proposed a base price of $ 24,249, the Sonata comes in three versions, GL, GLS and Limited located in upmarket. All offer the same mechanics, a four-cylinder engine of 2.4 liters, it produces an output of 198 horsepower with a torque of 184 lb-ft. This is an engine more than interesting and very modern take this as direct fuel injection, an element maximizing its efficiency and consumption. This engine can be mated to a six-speed manual comes in base, and six-speed automatic in both uplevel versions.
You'll notice in the absence of the equation V6 engine. I must admit that the four-cylinder is doing very good business, but the offer of the V6 was much more a question of image, even if one engine does not generate more than 10% to 20% of sales in the competition. There are many people who in their heads, a four-cylinder engine is inadequate for a midsize sedan, especially our neighbors to the south. Hyundai will have to work hard to change that perception, but with the new emission standards more stringent that will appear soon, it's a safe bet that other manufacturers will follow suit.
If the car's exterior lines are successful, the interior is not stitched verses, although less striking than the exterior. One always finds some hard plastics and the central part of the dashboard, whatever well presented, remains a little more sober. The instrumentation is decidedly more modern. Slightly more impressive, the Sonata offers probably the largest interior space in its class. In fact, it is no longer considered a midsize sedan, but as a large sedan like the Honda Accord. This translates into good clearances for both passengers in the front and rear.
On the road
Driving, the Sonata offers a pleasant driving. It is not the most athletic, but his conduct is comfortable and above all, silent. Its four-cylinder engine remains well suited and times are sufficient to get the car a pleasant and safe driving. This engine, mated to the six-speed automatic report offers good fuel economy, or about 8.7 l/100 km highway and 9.4 L/100 km city, which is that interesting for a sedan of this size. For those who want more performance from this new Sonata, your wishes will be heightened further with the arrival of a four-cylinder turbo engine, but again, no V6.
At the wheel, we find a power steering a bit vague, as is often the case with this type of management. However, the effect appears to diminish at higher speeds. In terms of suspension, we find the same configuration as in the previous generation Sonata, apart from the addition of a little firmer springs That gives the car a driving generally more comfortable than sport, akin to that other Japanese, the Mazda6 remains arguably the sportiest of the lot. My last complaint is with perhaps the seats that are firm enough without offering too much lateral support.
I must admit that the Sonata is likely to shake up the segment and change the game in its niche. It offers a style more than successful, its price is well studied and its level of equipment more interesting. Save the best warranty in the business plan and you get a nearly perfect recipe. This is a car that is likely to attract many people in Hyundai showrooms.
Scorecard:
Test vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Sonata
Version tested: GLS
Options: Navigation System
Basic Warranty: 5 years / 100 000 km
Powertrain Warranty: 5 years / 100 000 km
Competitors: Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Kia Magentis, Mazda Mazda6, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry
Strengths:
* Distinctive styling
* Engine 2.4-liter performance
* Interior noise
* Competitive pricing
* Guarantee Plan
Weaknesses:
* No V6
* Electric Power Steering
