Hyundai

First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Family Friendliness: 8.3

Recommended: Yes

Specifications apply to GLS, SE and Limited models.

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By Keith Buglewicz

With higher gas prices, a shaky economy and uncertainty abounding, the winds of change are blowing in the automotive marketplace. It has many manufacturers rethinking exactly what a large family sedan should be, and nowhere is this redefinition clearer than in the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Restyled and reengineered, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is unique in several ways. For example, you have an elegantly styled but imminently affordable large sedan, with class-leading highway fuel economy, a big trunk, and surprising features such as Bluetooth standard even in base models. On the other, Hyundai is ignoring convention by offering only four-cylinder engines, a fuel-economy gambit that could turn out to be a stroke of genius if fuel prices climb again. While a turbocharged four-cylinder will be introduced in a few months for the power hungry, the base four-cylinder is the most powerful in its class. But is this stylish sedan as Family Friendly as it appears on paper? We spent the day with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata to find out.

What's New

The styling is the most obvious change, especially considering the previous Sonata's anonymous sheetmetal. The interior is also redesigned with premium materials and an eye to luxury, and virtually every switch, knob, and surface feel as though they could have come from a more expensive vehicle. By offering only four-cylinder engines, Hyundai is able to maximize interior volume without adding to the car's exterior dimensions, putting it within 2.2 cu.-ft. of the Accord's passenger volume, but in a vehicle that's more than four inches shorter overall.

Aside from aesthetics, the hardware beneath all the swooping sheetmetal is revised. The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine puts out 198 hp (200 hp in SE models), making it the most powerful four-cylinder in its class. It's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission in most models, although GLS buyers can save $1,000 and get a six-speed manual if they prefer. Stability and traction control are standard, as is Bluetooth cell phone integration.

Models

The Sonata is divided into three models: GLS, SE and Limited. The base GLS model costs the least, but is actually a very nicely equipped sedan, especially for the roughly $20,000 asking price. For example, no other sedan in this segment comes standard with Bluetooth cell phone integration with steering-wheel mounted controls. In addition, the GLS can be equipped with an in-dash navigation system that features a touch-screen display, HD radio, XM NavTraffic and data services. A 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS with the navigation system (which must be purchased with a Popular Equipment package) comes to $23,365 including the $720 destination charge, a lot of car for the price by any estimation.

The SE is a $23,315 mid-range model with slightly sporty intentions, offering a little more power and a firmer suspension to those who want some extra spice in their family sedan. In addition to everything in the GLS Popular Equipment package (power driver seat, chrome interior door handles and a few other appearance baubles), the SE includes paddles on the steering wheel to manually select gears on the automatic transmission, keyless entry with push-button start, fog lights and a dual exhaust system. It's also available with a navigation package that includes a sunroof.

For luxury-minded Sonata buyers there's the $26,015 Limited, which adds leather upholstery and trim, an in-dash 6-disc CD changer, bigger wheels and tires, dual-zone automatic climate control and a standard sunroof. The navigation package for Limited models also adds a backup camera and an Infinity sound system. A fully loaded 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited with the Navigation package will run $28,115 including the destination charge. Although not quite as impressive as the nav-equipped GLS, it's still low enough to allow Hyundai bragging rights about overall value.

First Impression

On the road the Sonata is very comfortable. The four cylinder engine only makes itself heard when you floor the gas pedal, and even then it's not too intrusive. The six-speed automatic was a smooth-shifting mechanism that never called attention to itself. The Sonata has a firm ride, but not harsh by any measure, and as the hours and miles passed, we only grew more impressed. The trunk is very roomy (16.4 cu.-ft.), and has a surprisingly large opening considering the short rear deck resulting from the Sonata's styling. The driver's seat was comfortable, and the steering wheel and controls all felt good in the hands. We were impressed by the number of storage spaces surrounding the driver, and by the overall quality of the materials used in the Sonata, which makes it feel like a more expensive vehicle. Our only complaints from the driver's seat are that rear visibility is pinched thanks to the thick rear window pillars, and that we bumped our knees on the some of the hard plastic on the center console.

While we had doubts that the base four-cylinder would be up to the task of hauling the Sonata with urgency, they evaporated the first time we moved out. In fact, the base engine's combination of power, smoothness and relative silence made us wonder if the turbo engine coming in a few months will even be worth considering. Fuel economy was quite good, too. While Hyundai was tempting us with "hypermiling" contests, we were content to just drive the Sonata as we always would, netting more than 29 mpg. That's pretty impressive, especially considering that we weren't really trying to save fuel.

Cars with rooflines that slope down dramatically at the rear often suffer with a compromised rear seating area, and we were curious if the 2011 Hyundai Sonata's styling compromised interior space. On paper, the Sonata's interior volume is impressive, and it feels roomy from the front seats. As always though, numbers don't tell the whole tale. As long as your passengers aren't more than about 5 feet 10 inches tall, they should feel quite comfortable in the rear. However, taller passengers will likely find their hair rubbing against the ceiling, despite divots molded into the cloth headliner over the outboard seating positions. Hyundai provided a Honda Accord and Toyota Camry for comparison; the rear seat in the Sonata took a middle ground, offering more room than the Camry, but not quite as much space as the Accord. Another problem is simply getting in and out; that cool roofline unfortunately begets a door opening that requires a steep stoop to avoid clonking your head on the upper door frame. Also note that the small opening and tight roofline make it hard to maneuver yourself when installing a car seat base, a task already complicated by lower LATCH points that are squeezed between firm seat cushions. Note that we don't think the Sonata's rear seat is a deal killer -- as we mentioned, it's still roomier than the Camry's and many other cars in its class -- but it's something to keep in mind if you remove and install your car seats frequently.

Family Friendliness Potential

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata comes well equipped for an excellent Family Friendliness score. It boasts standard stability and traction control, already has "Good" ratings across the board from the IIHS, and we sincerely doubt that it will do worse than the previous model's mostly five-star ratings from the NHTSA. OK, so a lot of cars have good crash test scores, but the Sonata's overall size (it's classified as a Large sedan), roomy trunk and excellent fuel economy give it a boost. Its preliminary score of 8.3 is the highest of any sedan we've measured, giving it a clear advantage over its competition.

Conclusion

If you need a big sedan, but want good fuel economy, then the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is worth a look. If you want a family sedan that doesn't look like a beige box, then consider the Sonata. If you're simply hoping to get the most features for the lowest price, again, the Sonata belongs on your list. Seeing a pattern here? The 2011 Hyundai Sonata leaves us with little reason not to Recommend it. Its combination of fuel economy, generous standard equipment, a low price and more subjective measures like its styling and overall quality lead us to believe that the newest Sonata will be a major player in the highly competitive family sedan market.

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