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I was in LA on business and had a new version Sonata for 4 days. It was the basic model, with a 198 hp normally aspirated engine and a 6-speed automatic. I came away generally impressed. Car had 15,900 when I picked it up
The Good:
It rode well, handling was decent, steering was nicely weighted. A bit of tramlining on some freeway surfaces, but nothing bad.
Seats were much better than what you get in a basic Camry, and I was comfy enough for the hour or two at a time I spent in the car on this trip.
I took it on San Gabriel Canyon road, heading up into the mountains with lots of tight switchbacks and banked turns. It was pretty responsive for a car on 65-series tires and stock shocks/sway bars. Some bigger tires and the optional rear sway bar would make a difference.
The 6-speed auto trans, driven in manual mode, was nice and worked well on the twisty road.
The engine is smooth and quiet, but has a nice note when you get past 4,000 rpm. Has enough power, but being an NA engine lacks the torque of a turbo motor. Still, I never had trouble passing or putting the motor on someone who was just poking along. I really want to drive the turbo model with 265+ HP.
Mileage came out to 22 mpg, including lots of traffic, a high-rev 2nd and 3rd gear thrash in the mountains, some local driving and freeway. Freeway only at 70-75 delivered 30-32 mpg.
Lotta room! I can sit behind myself (I'm 6'2") without my knees hitting the back of the seat.
The bad:
The A-pillar is too fat, and with the steeply raked windshield blocked my vision on the driver's side. Was annoying on the mountain roads, but could be dangerous to pedestrians, kids, bicyclists, etc.
Stock seats don't adjust in enough directions. The 8-way seats in the more upscale models may be better. They're OK after you futz with them, but are definitely not Saab chairs.
Ergonomics are better than average, but not Saab logical. Stereo was awkward to use.
No hatch, smallish trunk opening.
Outside mirrors are too small.
Back seat folds, but floor isn't flat.
Overall, I give it a B/B+. The turbo with nicer interior (maybe better seats), bigger wheels/tires, fatter rear bar and 70 more HP would probably get a better grade.
All said and done...
it's about as nice as an old gen 9-5, but lacks some of the solidity, and may not hold up as well over time. But pricewise, comparing a new Sonata and a used 9-5, the Sonata looks good, especially if the buyer didn't care about the turbo in the 9-5. And if someone were to cross-shop a turbo Sonata against a 9-3 SS, they might very well go for the Hyundai.
, Tue, 5 Jul 2011 09:51:39, Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:21:20, Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:46:10
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