Topic: 2011 Hyundai Sonata GL; Day 1

[Slow_lane]

Quote from day 3 test drive.

Steering feel on straight roads leaves a lot to be desired, however. It feels like a rubber band on-center and as a result there’s a delay to the car’s responses that, until you’re accustomed to it, has you correcting and then overcorrecting as it takes longer than you expect for the vehicle to do what you ask.

BINGO!!!!!! This is the same thing I read on other sites about steering. This is the deal breaker on what is an interesting car. (Foot operated hand brake... there is an oxymoron... does not help either)

[GA1949]

I like the styling of the new Sonata, but will not be purchasing another Hyundai product regardless.  Our 2006 Sonata V6 has been a profound disappointment with one problem after another.  Under warranty it was an ordeal to have the all-too-frequent repairs completed satisfactorily, even when it left us on the side of the road more than once (and Hyundai roadside assistance is simply a bad joke).

Moreover, the car has creaked constantly since new, suggesting less than adequete suspension engineering and chassis flex.

We've lost any confidence whatsoever that Hyundai is willing to stand behind its products.

[Shnak]

I like the styling of the new Sonata, but will not be purchasing another Hyundai product regardless.  Our 2006 Sonata V6 has been a profound disappointment with one problem after another.  Under warranty it was an ordeal to have the all-too-frequent repairs completed satisfactorily, even when it left us on the side of the road more than once (and Hyundai roadside assistance is simply a bad joke).

Moreover, the car has creaked constantly since new, suggesting less than adequete suspension engineering and chassis flex.

We've lost any confidence whatsoever that Hyundai is willing to stand behind its products.

Could you please elaborate? I'm curious to hear about those frequent repairs, and why you thought Hyundai's roadside assistance was a joke.

[Mozeby]

Oh, I noticed thrashiness all right.  It wasn't horrible, and nowhere close to a deal-breaker, but it was noticeable.  I've also read as much in more than a couple reviews.

My Dad's 4-pot Accord is smoother and quieter.  The Passat CC 2.0T I test drove the same day was also smoother and quiter.

Jaeger

The Passat CC is a good looking car inside and out, but after sitting in it at the Autoshow, there was one very big problem.  The back seat is a joke.  That sloping roofline makes anyone near 6' tall, brush their heads against the roof.  And I also remember there being a centre console in the back, making it a 4 seater, not a 5 like every other sedan.

[Jaeger]

Oh, I noticed thrashiness all right.  It wasn't horrible, and nowhere close to a deal-breaker, but it was noticeable.  I've also read as much in more than a couple reviews.

My Dad's 4-pot Accord is smoother and quieter.  The Passat CC 2.0T I test drove the same day was also smoother and quiter.

Jaeger

The Passat CC is a good looking car inside and out, but after sitting in it at the Autoshow, there was one very big problem.  The back seat is a joke.  That sloping roofline makes anyone near 6' tall, brush their heads against the roof.  And I also remember there being a centre console in the back, making it a 4 seater, not a 5 like every other sedan.

It's only a joke if you need to carry 6 footers in back.  Definitely a cozy back seat, but not cramped for 90% or more (I'm guessing here) of likely passengers.  And in 4 years of ownership, I've had 3 passengers in the back seat of my Altima exactly once.

Just test drove a manual Sonata.  Now I'm very conflicted.  I liked it a lot more than I thought I would.  As with most cars, rowing your own ups the fun factor significantly.  Price was unbelievably good - listing at under $23k it's a ridiculously nice car for the money.  And being the lightest Sonata, it also felt pretty sprightly with that strong DI motor.  But I've been spoiled by all the the toys on my Altima.

Jaeger

[dragonflyjack]

Oh, I noticed thrashiness all right.  It wasn't horrible, and nowhere close to a deal-breaker, but it was noticeable.  I've also read as much in more than a couple reviews.

My Dad's 4-pot Accord is smoother and quieter.  The Passat CC 2.0T I test drove the same day was also smoother and quiter.

Jaeger

The Passat CC is a good looking car inside and out, but after sitting in it at the Autoshow, there was one very big problem.  The back seat is a joke.  That sloping roofline makes anyone near 6' tall, brush their heads against the roof.  And I also remember there being a centre console in the back, making it a 4 seater, not a 5 like every other sedan.

It's only a joke if you need to carry 6 footers in back.  Definitely a cozy back seat, but not cramped for 90% or more (I'm guessing here) of likely passengers.  And in 4 years of ownership, I've had 3 passengers in the back seat of my Altima exactly once.

Just test drove a manual Sonata.  Now I'm very conflicted.  I liked it a lot more than I thought I would.  As with most cars, rowing your own ups the fun factor significantly.  Price was unbelievably good - listing at under $23k it's a ridiculously nice car for the money.  And being the lightest Sonata, it also felt pretty sprightly with that strong DI motor.  But I've been spoiled by all the the toys on my Altima.

Jaeger

Hehe Jaeger..what did I say??? And...to answer an earlier question...there aren't a boatload of standard shifts around...But..there are some...If demand picks up, and it just might, there might be a lot more...
   I don't get Wings comments about the brakes having no feel...I think it has great brakes...and the steering is very good also...the car does not wander around the road...There are no deal breakers here...at least in my books...
                          Jaeger knows....dragonfly

[dirtyjeffer]

This car has generated a large amount of comments, mostly very positive.

A couple of years ago I drove a rental Camry from Perth to Darwin. A 4 cylinder it drank fuel the way Aussies drink beer, I averaged 9.3 L per 100 km over 6,500 kms in just under a month, mostly highway kms with the AC on and cruise control at the speed limit of 110 km per hr. My V6 3.5 L Olds Intrigue does much better at even faster speeds in similar desert conditions in the Western USA, 7.8 L per 100 km

 To achieve 6 L per 100 km is outstanding at any speed for such a large car

I test drive a few cars per year for future consideration to purchase and this one has just made the list to try, It will be the first one this year. Last year it was the Jetta TDI and the BMW 335d and Fit

Keep up the good work James

the new Sonata gets fantastic fuel economy, especially on the highway..almost diesel like, without the extra cost of the diesel engine.

how about over 1000 MILES on one tank of fuel: http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32860&highlight=2011+hyundai+sonata

[Jaeger]

dragonfly - I noticed no issue with the steering, either - though my recent test drive consisted almost entirely of twisty roads as I wanted to get a feel for the shifter / clutch.  Driving a steady pace on a highway tells you nothing about that. 

As it stands, it's a pretty compelling combination of style, space, comfort and driving enjoyment.  If they just gave you just one level up with the stick - or even allowed you to purchase a few options for it, it would an irresistible choice.  In any event, having driven the stick, it's right up there in contention for a replacement for the Altima.

Jaeger

[Ontariodriver]

I love the price of this Sonata 20 something for a base with a manual is a real kick in the pants for the competition. Thats Civic money. Not sure about the steering from what I read from Wing thats kind of off putting But at almost 22 if you add admin I could over look that.

[RH]

While Hyundai has done an excellent job with exterior styling and the new fuel efficient high power 4 cylinder engine - I wonder about the value proposition for the features offered.  Other manufacturers have some unbelieveable offers right now.  For example take a Canadian Driver 2010 Top Ten pick like the Ford Fusion.  Right now you can buy a 2010 Fusion SEL 4 cyl, automatic for $3,628 less than a 2011 Sonota GL automatic.  And for saving $3,628 ($4,064 after tax in BC) you get fog lamps, automatic light control, 17" alloy wheels, auto dimming rear view mirror, 8 way power drivers seat, dual zone automatic climate control and a keyless digital entry pad.  That's a lot of extra features for a lot less coin.  Granted, Hyundai will finance for 0.9% for up to 5 years but it seems to me the additional features in the Fusion are hard to beat for the price.         

 

[bikenut]

james on day 3 i assume you were on the highway when you said you were driving CLOSE to 80 kms per hr does this mean you were driving under or over 80 for most of the trip?

[wing]

Probably averaged 80km/h on highway 7 going 90 sometimes, 60 other times.

[Jaeger]

I love the price of this Sonata 20 something for a base with a manual is a real kick in the pants for the competition. Thats Civic money.

Aint that the truth.  That I can get a midsize sedan that I actually want to own (not just settle for) for that kind of money has me pretty much blown away.

Jaeger

[Erik]

I don't get why people complain about the rear seat space. All 6'4 of me fit in the back just fine. This is a mid-size car afterall. I don't expect limousine type rear space. Space up front was great.

[Ex-airbalancer]

everybody type is different
at over 6 my head hits the roofliner in the rear seat

[Allen]

I don't get why people complain about the rear seat space.

Me neither.. I never sit in the back and could care less  back seat space is never a consideration in my car purchases...

[Erik]

everybody type is different
at over 6 my head hits the roofliner in the rear seat

I don't doubt that some people will not be comfortable.

However, if at 6'4 I can find a comfortable space, then it really can't be THAT bad in the back seat.

[sacrat]

The Passat CC is a good looking car inside and out, but after sitting in it at the Autoshow, there was one very big problem.  The back seat is a joke.  That sloping roofline makes anyone near 6' tall, brush their heads against the roof.  And I also remember there being a centre console in the back, making it a 4 seater, not a 5 like every other sedan.
[/quote]

I also sat in a CC at the Calgary show. Nice car but I banged my head getting in the back seat, then banged it again getting out. Either I was woozy from the first hit or I'm a slow learner...

[sacrat]

While Hyundai has done an excellent job with exterior styling and the new fuel efficient high power 4 cylinder engine - I wonder about the value proposition for the features offered.  Other manufacturers have some unbelieveable offers right now.  For example take a Canadian Driver 2010 Top Ten pick like the Ford Fusion.  Right now you can buy a 2010 Fusion SEL 4 cyl, automatic for $3,628 less than a 2011 Sonota GL automatic.  And for saving $3,628 ($4,064 after tax in BC) you get fog lamps, automatic light control, 17" alloy wheels, auto dimming rear view mirror, 8 way power drivers seat, dual zone automatic climate control and a keyless digital entry pad.  That's a lot of extra features for a lot less coin.  Granted, Hyundai will finance for 0.9% for up to 5 years but it seems to me the additional features in the Fusion are hard to beat for the price.         

 

You are quite correct that at the moment Fusions are a better value. My bud just replaced his G35 with a fully loaded AWD Sport V6 that has a lot more (including Sync) than a top drawer Sonata and was only about $2000 more. I'm hoping in a couple of years there will be good incentives on the Sonata and they will have dealt with some of the new model issues like steering feel and loud injectors. Usually Hyundai listens to the critics so I'm optimistic...

[diceman]

I have driven the Fusion and Sonata back to back. Both are very nice, however I found the fusion to be quieter, more solid and better riding.  The Sonata is a very nice car but the ride was a little to sensitive and the interior materials not as good. I still really like the sonata and will definitely take one out again. The motor is great!!