2011 Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Gabriel, your Hyundai dealership in Montreal, would like to show you a great article by Jeff Voth Editor-at-large at Yahoo! Canada Autos. Meanwhile, if you need further information about the Hyundai Sonata, please do not hesistate to contact us.
One of six car companies in Canada to retail 100,000+ units in 2009, Korean industry giant Hyundai has risen from automotive afterthought to a ranking near the top. Given the recent stumbles by Japanese automakers and the continuing struggles of General Motors and Chrysler to regain consumer confidence and market share, it is conceivable that one day soon, Hyundai will be part of a new Big 3 in worldwide sales and production.
Fresh from the launch of their new Tucson at the end of last year, Sonata enters the midsize sedan fray with a look and feel certain to stop would-be purchasers in their tracks.
Benefitting from what designers term a "Fluidic Sculpture Design Theme", the exterior shape of the Sonata looks a little like the Volkswagen Passat mixed with a dollop of Lexus ES 350 and Mercedes-Benz S-Coupe thrown in for good measure. Inside, the dash reminds me of the new Subaru Legacy. Simply put, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a great looking four-door sedan from all angles.
Launching the new Sonata in a marketplace still reeling from the recession is not without risk. Making it doubly perilous, Hyundai has chosen the somewhat unexpected path of discontinuing the use of their fine 6-cylinder engine.
The plan for Sonata going forward is to focus on powerful 4-cylinder technology as the way to add performance and improve fuel economy. Given the current hybrid hyperbole hitting the industry, it's a philosophy that makes some sense.
The 2011 Sonata features the first use of Hyundai's new 2.4L Theta II Gasoline Direct Injection engine. This new technology is designed to lower emissions while at the same time improve power and fuel efficiency.
In a conventional fuel injection system, valve opening and closing times become shorter as engine revs build.
This limits the time allotted to inject fuel into the piston chamber. GDI places the fuel injectors directly within the chamber, thus providing the precise amount of fuel required for optimized engine performance.
GDI also features a split fuel injection system. On start, fuel sprays into the piston chamber, with a secondary injection during the down cycle of the piston.
Splitting the fuel in this way allows the catalytic converter to achieve optimum temperature, thereby reducing emissions by up to 25% over conventional fuel injection technology (as stated by Hyundai).
Hyundai claims this new engine design delivers 7 per cent more torque at low revolutions and 12 per cent more torque at the high-end for better take-off and overtaking performance. They also forecast 10 per cent better mileage than a vehicle equipped with a conventional multi-point fuel injected engine.
Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, performance numbers are strong. Horsepower is rated as 198 at 6,300 rpm; torque as 184 at 4,250 rpm. By comparison, a 4-cylinder Honda Accord achieves 177 hp and the Toyota Camry 169 hp.
Driving the new Sonata is excellent fun!
Our test course took us on a drive from Torrey Pines near San Diego, California into the surrounding hills towards the small town of Julian. Here the Smothers Family operates the famous Julian Pie Company, makers of extraordinary pastries in many timeless flavours. Could it be, "As American as apple pie and Hyundai" is the new slogan for the 21st Century?
On the twisty roads near Julian, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata handled all with ease. Showcasing beautiful mountainous terrain, switchbacks and tight outcroppings succumbed to our fast paced assault.
Throwing the Sonata through turns the car felt balanced and in control. Body roll was minimal given the middle-of-the-road handling normally associated with midsize sedans.
Front cloth and leatherette seats provide excellent support and adjustment. Even for 6-footers like me, it is easy to get comfortable and stay that way over the course of several hours. Front seat headroom is excellent. A glass moonroof with closable cover allowed the sun to shine in.
Available two-stage heated front seats and for the first time in this class, heated rear seats, are a nice touch in the luxury department. High visibility gauges, steering wheel mounted controls for the audio system and an available navigation system are just some of the features rounding out the excellent interior offerings.The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is certain to resonate with consumers as a must-see in the marketplace. With the launch of this new sedan and the recent Tucson, Hyundai continues to show they are serious about being a top three automaker in the near future.
2011 Hyundai Sonata features:
- Engine: DOHC 2.4-L GDI
- Transmission: Manual 6/Automatic 6
- Steering: Power rack and pinion
- Brakes: Power 4-disc, ABS/EBD/BA
- Air Bags: 2 front, 2 front seat, 2 roof mounted
- Fuel Economy, city/hwy: Manual: 8.7/5.7 L/100 km & Automatic: 9.4/5.7 L/100 km
- Warranty: 5 years, 100,000 km comprehensive
- and much more...
