The Hyundai Sonata is a midsize sedan that competes with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Fusion in the crowded family-car segment. The five-seat Sonata was redesigned last year and received much more distinctive styling and better gas mileage.
New for 2012 Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system is now standard, and the Limited trim gains a three-piece panoramic moonroof. There’s also a newly available 7-inch touch-screen navigation system with HD Radio.
Exterior The Sonata’s sloping roof shows glimpses of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and Volkswagen CC, yet it’s distinctive enough to stand out among direct competitors like the Camry and Accord. Exterior features include:
Standard 16-inch steel wheels
Available 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels
Wide chrome grille
Extensive chrome trim
Interior Hyundai significantly updated the Sonata’s interior for the 2009 model year with better materials. Although the cabin was redesigned last year, materials quality was unchanged; it’s still competitive but doesn’t notably raise the bar for the class, which is already fairly high. Interior features include:
Standard satellite radio
Standard Blue Link telematics system
Standard Bluetooth connectivity
Standard auxiliary and iPod inputs
Available touch-screen navigation system
Under the Hood Mechanical features include:
198-horsepower (200 hp in SE), 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine
Four-cylinder features direct injection for better gas mileage, more power and lower emissions
Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission
Safety Standard safety features include:
Six airbags
Active front head restraints
Electronic stability system with traction control
Antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist
Sonata Hybrid The Sonata Hybrid combines a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a 30-kilowatt electric motor for a total output of 209 hp, which is slightly more than the base four-cylinder Sonata’s output. The car gets an EPA-estimated 35/40 mpg city/highway, which puts it ahead of the Toyota Camry Hybrid’s 31/35 mpg and just short of the Ford Fusion Hybrid’s 41/36 mpg.
There’s a litany of visual changes versus the regular Sonata that include a large, hexagonal front air dam; unique headlights and taillights; new side sills; and the requisite hybrid badges. Inside, an LCD screen shows energy flow between the various drivetrain components, as well as indicators for electric mode, battery charge and gas mileage. Back to top
Sonata Turbo True to its name, the Sonata 2.0T has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes a V-6-like 274 hp and 269 pounds-feet of torque. Unlike the gaggle of V-6 family cars on the market, the Sonata Turbo gets a fuel-efficient 22/34 mpg. It also doesn’t need premium gas. Available in SE or Limited trim levels, the 2.0T uses a six-speed automatic. Both trims get 18-inch alloy wheels, steering-wheel paddle shifters and dual tailpipes. Back to top
