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One of the reasons our 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS makes 198-hp and is currently earning over 25 mpg with just a 2.4-liter 4-cylider engine is because it uses high-pressure gasoline direct-injection (GDi in Hyundai parlance). While it is just teeny bit louder at idle on the inside than either the comparable Honda Accord or Mazda6 4-cylinder models (here's the comparison), it makes quite a racket on the outside. Have a listen for yourself.
Chris Walton, Chief Road Test Editor @ 2992 miles
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ddark13 says:
08:21 AM, 07/30/10
my old audi a4 2.0t sounded exactly like this at idle. apparently direct injection can make a 4 cyl sound like a sewing machine
sherief says:
09:22 AM, 07/30/10
Yup, high pressure fuel injectors = clatter.
That's why diesels sound like they do.
majin_ssj_eric says:
09:23 AM, 07/30/10
Our IS350 sounds similar but not as loud...
speed6er says:
09:27 AM, 07/30/10
My Speed6 sounds the same way at idle. It's characteristic of direct injection engines.
ed124c says:
09:37 AM, 07/30/10
Mmmm, I love it! Sounds like a soprano version of my Outback. To me it says: Personality!
And, yes, I have read several reviews of DI cars saying that the engines are noisier.
I fell in love with engine "noise" with my '68 Z28 and its solid valve lifters.
06scooby says:
10:10 AM, 07/30/10
haha @ "soprano version of my Outback" The Subaru definitely has a distinct sound. I always thought it sounds relatively quiet and idles pretty smooth when it's warmed up. But when you start it up first thing in the morning, it sounds like a tractor for a couple of minutes.
acbayard says:
11:50 AM, 07/30/10
@majin_ssj_eric: It might be because that the 2GR-FSE is one of those oddities that combine direct injection and port injection - I don't think that engine solely utilizes direct injection until the vehicle is under high loads.
audisport says:
02:15 PM, 07/30/10
I've grown to love my claddering 2.0T. I like to pretend that it's a diesel. Just kidding.
You do really notice it alot in my generation A4 inside the cabin too. Almost too much, but I would never trade my engine for the 3.2l V6. I love my cars flat torque curve and gas mileage.
misterfusion says:
04:00 PM, 07/30/10
Wonder how the Terrain's SIDI engine sounds in comparison...I'm guessing "similar". But it's got that cool noise-cancellation feature for the interior.
1487 says:
05:21 PM, 07/30/10
some people complain about the "ticking" noise in DI engines. In the equinox it wasnt noticeable from the inside to me.
arius says:
05:40 PM, 07/30/10
Chitty-Chitty, Chitty-Chitty
Just missing only the "bang, bang"
mirde98 says:
08:33 PM, 07/30/10
I've noticed those GEMA engines shared by Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Chrysler are noisy. My friend has a Lancer GTS and it does sound similar to this Sonata engine.
hondacura4 says:
06:29 PM, 07/31/10
I'll keep saying this...I still dont see the advantage of direct injection on normally aspirated engines as the benefits are little to none, especially given the complexity, additional expense and potential relibility issues of this technology. Of course it has its advantages on turbocharged engines.
On normally aspirated engines I just see it as "me too" technology.
stingray454 says:
06:38 AM, 08/ 2/10
" sherief says:
09:22 AM, 07/30/10
Yup, high pressure fuel injectors = clatter.
That's why diesels sound like they do."
No, has nothing to do with the injectors. Diesels sound like they do because their entire combustion process depends on detonation. It's the fuel detonating that makes the diesel clatter, not the injectors.
nbcglx says:
05:48 AM, 09/17/10
Almost every article I've read about the new Sonata mentions the "loud" direct injection. I've owned, driven, and ridden in many newer cars with direct injection and the Sonata is no louder than any of them, and it's even quieter than some! Is it being harped on because it's the first really mainstream sedan to bring DI to the party??