Pricing Announced for 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai has made some cars that really push the competition. This looks to be another one.

Not sure how you define "class leading" but it looks great to me. And yes just as nice as the Malibu and sleeker than the Fusion. It is a winner and yet another car Toyota and Nissan and Mazda have to worry about. Oh, and Chevy and Ford also.

If this were a Buick, I'd be hearing complaints about only getting a 4cyl on a $27K car.

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2009/12/four-cylinder-2011-buick-lacrosse-priced-at-26995.html

"Except for styling the car is class leading."

@ 1487, I'll reserve my judgment until various testing is completed by various auto publications. You can't say it's class leading by numbers alone as it's been proven that numbers alone only tell half the story.

"Not sure how you define "class leading" but it looks great to me."

@Bodyblue, agree 100%.

I dig that photo.

If this were a Buick, it would weigh 4000 lbs.

The last gen Sonata was under 3200 in base trim, IIRC. That's quite a difference you're ignoring.

IMO, the looks of this are class leading.

I'm not so thrilled with the 22/35 numbers with the Auto. I think it was 24/35 with the manual, which is class leading, but I think it may also be like a Fusion S, a matter of weight class because few other Hyundais get better EPA ratings with a manual than an auto. The 35 is fine, but most of the rest of the class matches the 22 in the city and the NF Sonata got the same city mileage. I was expecting a bump up. It's also one MPG less in the city than Hyundai predicted at the LA show.

To add to bepperb:

200 hp is good for most sedans, and the 2010 Sonata is expected to be 3,200-3,300 lbs. Not bad. IMO to make the Buick win I'd have to get a V-6. I am a fan of the new Sonata's style but it looks better in certain colors.

By the way, 1487 kinda complimented a NON-GM or Ford car so give him credit for this major breakthrough.

27K is still 1k cheaper then a fully loaded 4cyl Accord with like 23 less hp. Toyota is going to PR hell and Honda seems to not be paying much attention to petrol run cars. I see lots of Camry owners switching to this, fusion, or Malibu. With the new sonata and sorento Hyundai/Kia just raised the stakes on competition.

"@ 1487, I'll reserve my judgment until various testing is completed by various auto publications. You can't say it's class leading by numbers alone as it's been proven that numbers alone only tell half the story."

Spare me, this isnt a sports car. I suppose your comments are aimed at the fact that I was suggesting this is better than the Accord. Family sedan buyers dont care about how this car performs on a track, or steering feel or anything else that car mags tell us are important when ranking this type of car. Numbers tell almost the whole story here- the car has more standard power, more standard features, better mileage and a lower price than the top sellers. Its a better family sedan in almost every respect. Styling is subjective so I cant say others will share by dislike of the looks.

"By the way, 1487 kinda complimented a NON-GM or Ford car so give him credit for this major breakthrough. "

I do it all the time. I will give you credit when you realize that and stop acting as if I've ever said only one or two companies make good products. I don't share the widely held belief that Toyota/Honda make better cars than GM/Ford- that isn't the same as me NEVER liking import products. See if that makes sense to you.

dgs:

This is a family sedan, not a subcompact. 35mpg is as good as you're going to get in a 3330lb car without an electric motor. How could you be disappointed in that? The fusion S is ONE model that gets 23/34 and its not even available with all the features. This car gets 22/35 with the auto across the board. In addition, its doing this with MORE power than the competition. Yes, numerous cars get 22mpg in the city but NONE do it with this much hp. By comparison, the Passat/CC get 19 in the city with 200hp on premium gas. No matter how you cut it this is the most impressive combination of power and mileage in this class.

"If this were a Buick, it would weigh 4000 lbs."

Regal weighs 3600lbs so I'm not sure what you are talking about. But don't let facts get in the way.

BRn's point was many people were whining about the Regal offering a four cylinder for $27k when the fact of the matter is a well equipped Camry, Accord or Sonata costs that much. Also, all those who predicted the Sonata would be "much" cheaper than Regal need to look again. The Regal CXL is $27k but has leather, heated seats, dual power seats, 18" wheels, etc. standard so its equipped like the Limited model Sonata.

1487:

I knew you had some idiotic comments in there somewhere. Good to see you're back. I'll spare everyone the argument where I diss certain American cars purely to see you spew your incredible rhetoric. There is a widely held belief that Honda/Toyota make good cars because they generally do. If you PREFER, non-imported cars, state your preference like, normal people. I can understand that you are not normal, or if you have a financial interest in GM or Ford. Overall my statement was not that serious. I was joking about how you RARELY find a positive thing to say about anything. Overall I find it entertaining that you have an inability to adequately interact.

People aren't whining about this Sonata having 200 hp and costing $27k, because for the weight of the car, its fine. Its not applicable to bring up the comparison with the LaCrosse 4-cyl.

inlinesix:

Before you lecture me next time learn to read. I mentioned the Regal (which is similar in size to Sonata) not Lacrosse. Get your facts straight before you go on the attack.

But thanks for teaching me a "lesson" from your soapbox. It amuses me when people make stupid statements or spread false information and then get taken to task and then they come back with "Oh I wasn't serious, I just said something dumb to get a reaction from people who actually know something about the subject matter". Its a sweet cop out.

But don't get offended, overall my statement isnt all that serious.

"Overall I find it entertaining that you have an inability to adequately interact."

Overall I find it amusing that you seem to focus half of your posts on what I said or what I might say or what I might be thinking about saying. I assure, you I rarely pay much attention to what you write unless you are addressing me directly.

You guys like to pee a lot, I'll say that.

I'll agree with 1487, because the numbers are class leading. In fact, this is a huge shot over the bow for all the big players in this segment. You gotta know they will be benchmarking these numbers. And 3,199 pounds? Hyundai has done a hat trick with this car. Now, it just needs to pass the subjective driving tests, and Hyundai is clearly no amateur at that game.

People asked what would make this class leading. I would say:

2nd largest trunk
most interior volume in class
most standard hp
standard 6 speed
Standard DI engine
lightest curb weight
best fuel economy
one of the best interiors
better equipped than any competitor except 6

only styling is a letdown to me.

1487 yes all of those atributes certainly make this class leading and now every other car company will have to play catch up. The styling is great though. It makes many others look boring including the Mazda6.

The Regal is supposed to be on the sporty side of the entry lux market and it is a sexy looking car. 182hp for 3600lbs is not good though. the 220 hp 2.0T will no doubt be the much better engine. I can see the Sonata SE competiting the most.

@lexuslvr, I am also really attracted to the Buick styling, with this Hyundai a distant second - and much more interesting to me than Honda and Camry. Yet the weight advantage and DI power of the SE Hyundai may get the nod.

I'm going to assume the "dgs" comment was directed at me, so here goes:

I'm not disappointed with the 35 hwy. That's tops. But with GDI, I expected at least a smidge more than what most everyone else was getting in the city cycle, especially since Hyundai was quoting 23 originally and the Sonata's lighter now. I'm not bitterly disappointed. Just a tad disappointed.

1487:

I'm so disappointed you dont read what I write. :(

I was referring to the original argument. Who cares about the Regal? It doesn't make the Lacrosse look any different with 4,000 lbs and 182 hp. Not a bad car per se but thats what people were commenting on. Understand?

I did think your first post was entertaining.

"The Regal is supposed to be on the sporty side of the entry lux market and it is a sexy looking car. 182hp for 3600lbs is not good though"

Regal power to weight is close to to 6, Accord and Camry but it obviously trails the Sonata. HEre is the thing with the Sonata- you cant get the limited's features and the sports suspension with 18" wheels. The SE is missing lots of stuff like dual zone AC and leather. That plus the styling rules it out for me. I'm sure most people who idolize the soft camry could care less though.

"I was referring to the original argument. Who cares about the Regal? It doesn't make the Lacrosse look any different with 4,000 lbs and 182 hp. Not a bad car per se but thats what people were commenting on. Understand? "

No, dont understand. And the Lacrosse with the I4 doesnt weigh 4000lbs. Who said the Regal makes the Lacrosse look different? The Regal is a smaller, lighter car aimed at people who really dont need a huge backseat. What is your point?

Looks like a pretty sweet vehicle. It will be a nice alternative to the traditional (read: boring) vehicles in this category. The styling is edgy, but I'll reserve judgment until I see one in real life.

"Regal weighs 3600lbs so I'm not sure what you are talking about. But don't let facts get in the way."

Earth to 1487... in the 4th post BRN posted a link to the LaCrosse page crying "ohhh... us poor GM guys get bashed four our 4cylinder cars". And I pointed out that the LaCrosse weighed significantly more than the sonata, so it wasn't really an apples-apples comparison. This has nothing to do with the Regal, which will also probably weigh too much for the engine.

Next time why not read every post and have a meaningful conversation rather than just searching for opportunities for a chance to defend GM.

Don't let the facts get in the way yourself. Don't change the argument from the LaCrosse to the Regal... then accuse others of doing the opposite.

Now I got it, since people were complaining about the Regal's price and four banger I thought BRN was talking about the Regal. His point still stands because he wasnt talking about acceleration or weight- he was saying people were whining about the prospect of a car with that MSRP having a four cylinder engine. Similar complaints were made with regards to the Regal.

Your response has nothing to do with BRN's point. And the Lacrosse wont weigh 4000lbs with a four cylinder engine. And before you tell me any more about how its inappropriate for a heavy vehicle to have such an engine I will point out the Venza, Sienna and highlander offer a 2.7L four with 187hp. The Venza weighs about 3800lbs in base form so Buick isn't doing anything unprecedented. If you think the regal is too heavy to offer a four cylinder what do you think about those Toyotas or the A4 Avant which weighs over 3800lbs? Do tell. Just for reference, the Equinox and Sorento weigh more than the Regal while offering similar hp.

The base model with a turbo engine and a manual looks really interesting for $19K. For the price of some much less interesting cars you could get a real sleeper.

Looking forward to a test of it.

1487, it's funny I actually own a 4 cylinder Highlander. It's 156hp and 3500 lbs. It's not a fast ride. It's not something I'd market as "sporty". It has a level of NVH that barely works in a Toyota, certainly not in a premium car. From my experience I'd be hesitant to buy one again, especially with a premium badge or sporting intentions. Really, the only reason we have it is that NOBODY wants a Highlander with a 4cyl, so we got it 2 years old, 30,000 miles, 15 grand.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds. If the Regal does weigh 3500 lbs, then yes this will be a great fit especially if gas goes way up. Lacrosse ~3800 I dunno. GMC Terrain no way. But, maybe in a few years this power/weight will be the norm. Really, it was in the 80's/90's.

But, 200hp/3200lbs isn't the same as 182/3500.

"And the Lacrosse wont weigh 4000lbs with a four cylinder engine."

The last reputable site I checked said 3,800-3900 with the 4 compared to just over 4,000 with a 6.

I'm not dissing the LaCrosse but I would take a 3200 lb car with 200 hp over a much heavier car.

bepperb:

More info for you: 75% of Equinoxes are four cylinder models. 0-60 for a 3800lb Equinox is about 8.7 secs which is slightly slower than a four cylinder Malibu or Ford Fusion. The point is that MOST family sedan on the road today need over 8.5 secs to hit 60 which is in the range of the Equinox, CR-v, Escape, Lacrosse, etc. Most Americans are not driving hot rods. The Regal should be in the low 8 sec range with the base engine since it weighs 200lbs less than the Equinox. That is more than acceptable to most car buyers today.

The Sonata will be faster but it will have that advantage vs EVERY four cylinder powered midsize sedan including Accord, 6, Camry, etc.

I saw the car in the flesh at auto show and got inside. Materials are average for the class but the interior design shames Accord and Camry.

"Spare me, this isnt a sports car. I suppose your comments are aimed at the fact that I was suggesting this is better than the Accord."

1487, actually no. You can't drive numbers my friend.