2011 Hyundai Sonata SE
Miles to date: 13,385
Months in service: 4
During our annual All-Stars testing, we spent a week with the turbocharged Hyundai Sonata 2.0T gaining a fresh perspective on our normally aspirated long-term car. In addition to our Ann Arbor staff, our judging panel included our most respected contributors and remote editors, giving us new insights on the entire Sonata package. The notes from France-based automotive design editor Robert Cumberford could just as easily apply to the turbocharged or naturally aspirated Sonata: "Drives with a precision, suppleness, and an earnestness previously missing from Korean cars. Crisp. Nice."
"The Sonata definitely benefits from being ahead of the product cycle of the other cars in this brutally competitive segment," observes contributor Preston Lerner. "At the moment, though, it's as good if not better than all of the competition. The faux-coupe styling is extremely handsome, and while I've got some quibbles with the interior design, I've got nothing but praise for the quality of the materials and the fit and finish."
The Sonata 2.0T isn't intended to be a sporty alternative to our 2.4-liter Four Season car. Rather, the boosted 2.0-liter engine is a V-6 alternative that delivers impressive power and even more impressive fuel economy. Even though it makes an additional 74 hp and 83 lb-ft of torque (for a total of 274 hp and 269 lb-ft), the turbo matches the city fuel economy of the normally aspirated engine at 22 mpg. Highway fuel economy in the Sonata 2.0T is rated at 33 mpg (down 2 mpg from the base Sonata), which still beats out the less powerful four-cylinder offerings from Toyota and Ford.
The turbo may not be quite as polished as a six-cylinder engine, but it is civil in power delivery, noise, and vibration. Power is actually limited in lower gears to counter torque steer and wheel spin, but Hyundai still allows enough gusto to break the tires loose. When driven with a judicious right foot, though, the Sonata 2.0T delivers strong acceleration to back the confident handling and steering. "It's as quick as a six but sips gas like a four and the chassis doesn't fall apart when pushed to its limits," admires senior editor Joe Lorio.
That said, the 2.0T didn't leaving anyone feeling like we'd been slighted with our slower Sonata. "It seems unnecessary," Lerner concludes. "I've spent a fair amount of time in normally aspirated Sonatas, and I thought they were perfectly adequate for the task this car was designed to perform-getting families from Point A to Point B efficiently, comfortably, and reliably."
"After driving the Sonata Turbo, I'd say we picked the right one," postures assistant editor David Zenlea. "Our four-cylinder provides perfectly adequate power and is well matched with the suspension. The turbo, much like most powerful front-wheel-drive midsize cars, has more torque than it can put to the ground."
It's important to note that no one wished for a V-6 in place of the turbo four-cylinder, an acknowledgment to the masterful job Hyundai has done balancing power and civility. With the fuel economy numbers to round out the package, Hyundai's progressive four-cylinder lineup (with base, turbo, and hybrid cars) should serve as inspiration to other automakers working on their next-generation mid-size sedans. Still, when the base engine is so good, we're hardly compelled to recommend the 2.0T. We're perfectly happy with our 186-hp 2.4-liter.
Having answered the question of turbo 2.0-liter or normally aspirated 2.4-liter, Lorio has a new question of Hyundai-Kia's mid-size sedans: "Does the new Kia Optima do everything as well as its corporative sibling while looking better to boot?" We're waiting to get one in the office before we pass judgment.
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 seat
Tilt/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
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