2011 Hyundai Sonata Coming to LA Auto Show

I dig the new styling. I want to see it in person.

I like it overall and I like how they continue to bring this car along. The grill does remind me of the dude from Star Trek's forehead though.

I do not understand the hype over the styling. Looks like a toyota. Sure it will offer a lot of the money though.

lexusaddict,

Naw, it's better looking than the Solara and has 4 doors. It'll has more hp and better gas mileage than the Camry as well. Hopefully it won't handle like they replaced the suspension with sponges, like every Toyota I've ever driven (Lexus excluded, although most still handle poorly too).

rick8365,
Lt. Commander Worf, FTW!!!

1487,

The hype is over the "4 door coupe" styling. People seem to think that's something new and different, even though Dodge styled the Intrepid was styled this way as a 1998 model.

Thanks, Arumage......and.... MTFBWY!!

Thanks, but that's Star Wars, not Star Trek! I'm suddenly ashamed I know as much as I do about either one. :)

The Sonata has a much more radical design up front than the Solara - aside from the different shape of the headlamps (the Sonata having "crab-claw"-shaped headlamps), the headlamps are totally situated on the side-front and do not protrude at all on to the bonnet.

And I'm sure lexusaddict will ding the Solara for having similar wavy side character lines as the 1st gen Tiburon.

This is like a Hyundai version of the CC, only not nearly as attractive. The generic toyota like front end is forgettable. Copy Toyota quality, not styling. Hyundai may need to invest in more designers from the West. This car screams Camry or ES350.

@Arumage Ooops - you're right!

How 'bout LLAP!!

I thought that was the point. Hyundai's always looked somewhat like a Toyota. Think the though process was people like Toyota's -> people buy Toyota's -> Hyundai makes like Toyota products for cheaper -> people buy Hyundai's. Looking at how Toyota did in past years, I don't think generic looking all so bad for a car company. It seems that generic cars do better then cars that try to distinguish themselves too much (i.e. Pontiac).

I don't really care if it looks like something, it looks nicer then the old gen sonata and apparently has more Hp. I'm not really brand loyal to any car company and this to me seems like a pretty competitive mid size sedan.

BTW: Solora's are ugly as funk. This definitely looks better then a Solora. Also, I think Hyundai has been copying Toyota's quality too, the improvement over the years is quite dramatic. But I agree that styling might be overdone. It isn't as tasteful as a CC. We have yet to see the quality of the car. I'd like to see this new DI engine on the long term fleet.

"The hype is over the "4 door coupe" styling. People seem to think that's something new and different, even though Dodge styled the Intrepid was styled this way as a 1998 model."

I don't see people saying this 4-door-coupe look is new. The Intrepid was a good car for Chrysler at one point, but I like the look of this and dislike the look of the Intrepid. I'm not drooling over this car but its appealing.

notabigdeal:
+1

I still love the Intrepid's look (maybe because I used to own one), except for the huge overhangs. The Intrepid was enormous at 203" long but only had a 113" wheelbase. The new Sonata is probably about 190" long or so with atleast 110" wheelbase. That ought to help get rid of my pet peeve.

"I don't really care if it looks like something, it looks nicer then the old gen sonata and apparently has more Hp. I'm not really brand loyal to any car company and this to me seems like a pretty competitive mid size sedan. "

OK but there are several attractive, fuel efficient midsize cars already on the market. Toyota got by with dull styling because they convinced people only their cars wouldn't break down every other month. Hyundai is competing against established players that are known for quality- they need to stand out. The fusion, camry, Altima, Malibu and Accord all outsell the Sonata. A generic look isn't going to cut it and to me the current car actually looks better.

Well generic looks or not, quality or not, its gonna be like 2k cheaper. When people are shopping in the 20k range... 2k does mean a lot. I don't think Hyundai's "break down every other month." I heard Chryslers do. Also, Hyundai's get really really cheap insurance quotes. I looked up a quote to compare a Nissan Rogue and a Hyundai Santa Fe and it was $250 cheaper for the Hyundai.

I'm not rich so... Fuel efficient car, good HP, Cheap to buy, Cheap to insure, Ranks 4th in JD quality ratings, and above average in Initial quality studies will get my attention plenty.

My Dad had a 95 Sonata until last year and it never had any problems other then aging. Guess everyone has different experiences with cars. My dad swears by hyundai. He just bought a Veracruz. I have heard complaints about how dealers have hard time getting parts for repairs though.

Also, Hyundai is obviously doing something right. Its doing better then ever in this economy, which is a lot more then many other car companies can say. I donno bout anyone else but i'll give this Sonata a shot with the "established players." Thats a lot more then what i would have said like 4 years ago about the Sonata.

Personally, I like the 2011 Sonata. I don't care if they used a bit of every car out there. If they did copy others, then they took all the best parts, put them all together in all the right places,and made the best looking car this year. They have the best engine with the best gas mileage and the best tranny. From a friend in Korea, I have been told that all the interior is of high quality material. I have also been told by a friend that has test driven a 2011 Sonata that there is no wind noise in the cabin until 70 mph. That it is comfortable and corners nicely. Much tighter than the older models.They have the best warranty. They are making more money at the moment than any other car company. Toyota is in stage 4 of a 5 stage meltdown into bankruptcy. The new Camry's headlights protrude out and away from the front fenders, looking not unlike a walleye [ fish ].I am not one to be loyal to any particular car company either. That is like my brother who is a die hard Democrat and would vote a straight Democrat ticket if only spider monkeys were in the running.With today's economy , we all need to spend our money wisely and make the best deal we can for ourselves, even if that means buying foriegn made vehicles.I will be buying a new 2011 Sonata GLS in Febuary of 2010 as the Montgomery plant will start production later THIS YEAR. Production of the 2.4GDI is already in motion.

I'm not sold on the 2011 Sonata's styling yet, but I'll reserve final judgment until I get to see more pictures and get to see it in the flesh.

That engine choices are impressive though. 200+ horsepower from a naturally-aspirated base engine in a family sedan? A turbocharged four-banger on the way? Nice. Between the Genesis sedan, the Genesis coupe, and this, is Hyundai on the way to becoming a premium, enthusiast brand with Kia taking over the mass-market transportation part of the business?

The engine and likely price are the most impressive features of the car. No one is going to notice the styling. could be a Toyota, could be a suzuki, could be a Nissan, etc.

The current car is pretty nice but my guess is dull styling is one reason why it hasn't sold well. I could understand if the current car was a dud but its spacious, cheap and gets better mileage than the Accord. Styling is really its only weakness and this car doesn't address that.

Styling is certainly subjective, but I'd note that this car is sold out for months in Korea. While 1487 might not like it, as has been noted on AutoObserver, it's also been generating a lot of buzz here in the U.S.