BY JON YANCA , PHOTOGRAPHY BY PATRICK M. HOEY
July 2011
Date: July 2011
Months in Fleet: 6 months
Current Mileage: 10,507 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 24 mpg
Average Range: 444 miles
Service: $29
Normal Wear: $0
Repair: $0
Damage and Destruction: $0
Hyundai is a star on the rise. Merely qualifying as extras in the early years, the brand’s products moved on to supporting roles post-millennium, and the sixth-generation Sonata is the Korean firm’s big breakthrough. The mid-size sedan scored Hyundai its inaugural starring role with a comparison-test victory and subsequent ascension to a spot on our 2011 10Best list. Those accolades made the 2011 Sonata the perfect candidate for a 40,000-mile long-term assessment.
No V-6s—Go Fish
As the Sonata is now an A-lister, Hyundai used it to make a bold statement: The mid-size segment doesn’t need V-6s. We called Hyundai’s bet and ordered our Sonata with its new V-6 replacement, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Producing a V-6–esque 274 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, the boosted four-cylinder is rated at 22 mpg city and 33 mpg highway in the Sonata. Much to our chagrin, the 2.0T is available only with an automatic transmission—although the slushbox does have six ratios.
Even if our left foot gets a bit bored, the Sonata satisfies in other areas. The SE comes with plenty of standard kit, including Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, auxiliary and iPod inputs, keyless entry and starting, dual-zone automatic climate control, 18-inch wheels, and a sportier suspension, to name just a few features. It runs $25,405 to start, an agreeable number in our book. To that, we added the $2900 Navigation and Sunroof package (which also adds XM traffic and weather info, an upgraded stereo with subwoofer, and rear reading lamps), carpeted floor mats for $100, and a special, $35 cable to make use of the iPod hookup, which brought our bottom line to $28,440.
As our long-termer arrived in the midst of winter, we immediately slapped on a set of 225/45-18 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-70 snow-and-ice tires. After the initial break-in period, we swapped on the original 225/45-18 Hankook Optimo H431 footwear and took the Sonata to the test track, where it fortified the turbo four’s cred. At 3464 pounds, the Sonata’s avoirdupois puts it in the general range of most mid-size V-6 sedans, and its performance is similar, too. Simply flat-footing the accelerator nets the best launch, and 60 mph is achieved in 6.1 seconds, with the car whipping through the quarter-mile in 14.5 seconds at 100 mph. The Hankooks were sticky enough to land the Sonata near the top of the segment on the skidpad—at 0.82 g—but only netted a mediocre 175-foot stopping distance from 70 mph.
Opening Night
With our staff as its captive audience, the Sonata stumbled during its opening act. With 10,000 miles on the clock, the Sonata has seen just one scheduled service stop—an oil change, inspection, and tire rotation at 7500 miles for just $29—but has visited the dealer five additional times. Just 1500 miles after we took delivery, the Sonata’s front passenger seatbelt receiver refused to accept the buckle. No amount of finagling or button pushing could fix it, so our dealer replaced the buckle under warranty. Then reports of gasoline odor inside the cabin began filling the logbook. We noticed the fumes immediately after startup, but our dealer was not able to replicate the issue when we dropped it off with 5800 miles on the clock. We took it back a second time at 6600 miles, and the dealer replaced a PCV hose under warranty. The problem seems to be solved.
But the Sonata’s biggest blunder is something we first noticed right after the car arrived. At speeds above 40 mph, the swoopy sedan’s path mimics its styling, eschewing the straight line for one decidedly more curved—specifically, the car pulls hard to the left. In a related issue, we noticed the steering wheel does not self-center. Initially, our dealer replaced the left-front strut and performed an alignment (both under warranty), but that didn’t cure the problem. After nearly 6000 miles, the car went back in and again had the same strut replaced with what we were told was an updated part. The Sonata had another alignment at that service—again, we were not charged—but still our car pulled to the left. Hoping that the third time would be the charm, we took it back to the dealership at just over 8600 miles, where Hyundai engineers were waiting to examine the car. This time, both front struts were replaced, the car was aligned, and a field engineer drove it for 30 miles to verify the repair. Unfortunately, three hasn’t proven to be the magic number, and we’re still experiencing some pulling and self-centering problems. Various websites and owner forums tell us this issue isn’t isolated.
When it hasn’t been sidelined by these issues—they’ve kept the Hyundai from racking up many miles (and being properly introduced) during its nearly six months here—the Sonata still receives logbook compliments on its exterior styling and quiet, comfortable interior. But with three-quarters of the show remaining, the Sonata better sharpen up if Hyundai hopes to land another starring role.
Specifications
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE AS TESTED: $28,440 (base price: $25,405)
ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 122 cu in, 1998 cc
Power (SAE net): 274 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 269 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 110.0 in Length: 189.8 in
Width: 72.2 in Height: 57.9 in
Curb weight: 3464 lb
PERFORMANCE: NEW
Zero to 60 mph: 6.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 14.5 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 28.0 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.5 sec @ 100 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 148 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 175 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.82 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 22/33 mpg
C/D observed: 24 mpg
Unscheduled oil additions: 0 qt
WARRANTY:
5 years/60,000 miles bumper to bumper;
10 years/100,000 miles powertrain;
7 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection;
5 years/unlimited miles roadside assistance;
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