2011 Hyundai Sonata SE
By Eric Tingwall
Miles to date: 21,025
Months in fleet: 8
We haven't given much attention to the Hyundai Sonata's infotainment system in the past seven updates. Perhaps there's a reason for that: the Sonata's touch-screen interface and center-stack controls are so well designed, they don't require attention. Which is exactly how it should be when you're driving a 3200-pound vehicle at 70 mph.
"There is no learning curve to the Hyundai Sonata," asserts one logbook comment. "The controls for everything from the radio to the headlights to the air-conditioning are smartly placed, neatly arranged, and appropriately sized. Big deal, you say, but it's something that so many automakers screw up."
Senior editor Joe Lorio chimed in: "I love the simplicity of the HVAC controls, even if they are lifted from Volvo. Might as well copy from the best."
As automakers rush to make in-car technology as versatile as smartphones, the best executions won't be those with the fastest hardware or the coolest app but those that integrate new ideas with the cleanest, most accessible interface. Ford's new MyFord Touch has buried several features in a system that's far too complex to be easily usable. Hyundai, on the other hand, has established an Apple-like simplicity that new drivers don't need to learn because it's so intuitive. The graphics are crisp and clear, the menus are logical, and the core functions are always easily called up. The only thing missing is a physical knob to browse through iPod artists, as tapping the on-screen scroll bar becomes tedious when moving from Abba to ZZ Top.
Hyundai's unobtrusive audio and climate controls are especially nice when the weather demands a driver's complete focus on the road, as February snowstorms repeatedly did. "I thought the Bridgestone Blizzaks were a little disappointing through eight inches of fresh powder, but the roads were completely unplowed," opined Lorio. Just two weeks later, though, copy editor Rusty Blackwell lauded the tires after a lighter storm. "Despite a quick blast of a couple inches of snow at the end of the weekend, the Blizzak'd Sonata had no trouble whatsoever climbing a long, steep, snow-dusted driveway," he logged. "In contrast, a Volkswagen Jetta shod with all-seasons could make it only a couple car lengths before coming to a halt. Chalk up another victory for winter tires." The Sonata continues to impress the staff as a road-trip car, too. With its 18.5-gallon tank and frugal 22/35-mpg EPA city/highway fuel economy rating, the Sonata recently made a trip from Ann Arbor to Cleveland, Ohio, and back with the Blackwell family, covering more than 350 miles without stopping for fuel. "After initially finding the driver's seat cushioning to be too firm, my wife found it very comfortable and refreshing over the long drive," Rusty reported.
As we'd almost put another 7500 miles on the odometer, we ended February with a trip to the dealer for the 22,500-mile service. Just as with the Sonata's past two visits, there were no surprises. An oil change, tire rotation, and multipoint inspection cost a reasonable $55.68.
2011 Hyundai Sonata SE
Base price (with dest.): $23,315
Price as tested: $25,965
Overview
Body Style: 4-door sedan
Accommodation: 5-passenger
Construction: Steel unitbody
Powertrain
Engine: DOHC direct-injected inline 4-cylinder
Displacement: 2.4 liters
Power: 200 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque: 186 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drive: Front-wheel
Fuel economy: 22/35/26 mpg (city/hwy/combined)
Chassis
Steering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Turning Circle: 35.8 ft
Suspension, Front: Strut type; coil spring
Suspension, Rear: Multi-link; coil spring
Brakes F/R: Power-assisted ventilated disc/disc; ABS
Wheels: 18-in aluminum-alloy
Tires: Hankook Optimo H431 all-season tires
Tire Size: 225/45R18
Measurements
Headroom F/R: 40.0 / 37.8 in
Legroom F/R: 45.5 / 34.6 in
Shoulder Room F/R: 57.9 / 56.7 in
Wheelbase: 110.0 in
Track F/R: 62.5 / 62.5 in
L x W x H: 189.8 x 72.2 x 57.9 in
Cargo Capacity: 16.4 cu ft
Weight: 3316 lb
Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gal
Est. Range: 480 miles
Fuel Grade: 87 octane
Standard Equipment
2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine
6-speed automatic transmission
18-inch alloy wheels
Electronic stability control
Traction control
4-wheel disc brakes with ABS
Tire pressure monitoring system
Fog lights
Power windows/locks/mirrors
60/40 split-folding rear seatTilt/telescoping steering column
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Steering wheel mounted cruise, audio, and phone controls
Air conditioning
AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system
6 speakers
iPod/USB and auxiliary jack input
Bluetooth connectivity
Options on this vehicle:
Navigation and sunroof package -- $2600
Navigation with high-res touch screen display
Power sunroof with tilt and slide feature
Dimension AM/FM/XM/CD premium audio system
Subwoofer
Cargo net -- $50
Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)
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