Hyundai

First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T

Family Friendliness: 8.1

Recommended: Yes

Specifications also apply to Limited models.

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By Keith Buglewicz

When it first introduced the excellent new 2011 Hyundai Sonata earlier this year, the Korean manufacturer proved it had stopped playing catch-up, and was ready to lead the pack. The Sonata combined high levels of standard equipment, lots of room front and rear, a big trunk, class-leading fuel economy and a low price, and then wrapped it all up in styling usually reserved for much more expensive cars. The Sonata even went on to become the top-scoring sedan from any manufacturer in our Family Friendliness Index.

But there was something missing. The Sonata's competition -- Honda Accords, Toyota Camrys and others -- all offer powerful optional V-6 engines for customers who demand sports car-like acceleration when hauling their groceries home. Not only did the Sonata lack a bigger engine, it wasn't even engineered for one. Instead, Hyundai said it would offer up a turbocharged version of its four-cylinder engine for power-hungry Sonata buyers, promising more horsepower and better fuel economy than the competition. It was a big promise to make, but after driving the new, turbocharged 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T around the mountains surrounding San Diego, I can say this: Mission Accomplished.

What's New

The big news, obviously, is the engine. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder uses a turbo and an advanced fuel injection system to make its class-leading 274 horsepower. You'll be hearing the word "turbo" a lot in coming years as manufacturers scramble to make more fuel-efficient engines without sacrificing the power customers demand. A turbocharger (or turbo for short) is a good way of doing this. Here's why. All engines make power by burning a mixture of fuel and air. The more air you add, the more fuel you can burn, and the more power you can make. The Sonata's competitors use bigger engines with more cylinders, which burn more fuel, and make more power. However, a turbo is basically an air pump that forces more air into a smaller engine. This means that at full-throttle, a turbo engine makes just as much horsepower as a larger one. The turbo's advantage comes when you're not driving with your foot to the floor. At a steady cruise, the turbo isn't adding extra air, so it uses less fuel than a bigger engine under the same conditions. The Sonata 2.0T goes even further with the addition of a button-activated Active ECO mode that changes some of the engine's settings to further enhance fuel economy.

Aside from the engine there are other improvements that actually apply to turbo and non-turbo Sonatas alike. Hyundai revised the suspension for a more controlled ride, and added sound deadening and other changes to make the interior quieter. The results in both cases are subtle, but noticeable. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T feels slightly firmer over bumps than the non-turbocharged version I drove earlier this year, but never uncomfortable. It is notably quieter though.

Models

While non-turbo Sonatas come in GLS, SE and Limited models, the turbocharged Sonata 2.0T comes only in SE and Limited. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T SE has a base price of $24,865 including the $720 destination charge. It comes standard with automatic climate control, a power driver's seat, keyless entry and ignition, fog lights, and dual exhausts. It also features Bluetooth, steering wheel mounted audio controls, power windows and door locks, and the rest of the non-turbo Sonata's generous standard equipment. Ask for all that stuff on a V-6 powered Honda Accord or Toyota Camry and you'll pay nearly $3,000 more than you will for the Sonata. In fact, the only option on SE models is a $2,600 Navigation and Sunroof package that adds (surprise!) a navigation system and sunroof, along with an upgraded audio system.

The Sonata 2.0T Limited costs $27,765, including destination. Its list of standard equipment includes everything that's standard on the SE plus the sunroof, and adds leather seats and an in-dash 6-disc CD changer. The Limited's optional $1,380 Navigation package includes a rear backup camera and Infinity sound system.

First Impression

When one of Hyundai's public relations staff asked me what I thought of the turbocharged Sonata, I replied, "It's just like a Sonata, only faster." The thing is, I wasn't being glib or sarcastic, it's just that the Sonata is already an impressive car, and the 2.0T's added power just makes everything happen that much faster. While the base model doesn't exactly lack for horsepower, the new car is genuinely quick. From a dead stop there's enough power to momentarily squeal the tires, and there's no delay in the turbocharged engine's power delivery. Of course if you're constantly driving the Sonata flat out, you'll never see the 2.0T's estimated 22 mpg city or 33 mpg highway, but with Active ECO engaged, we managed a very impressive 35 mpg after a low-stress 40-mile cruise.

There are two downsides to the Sonata's new turbo engine. First is torque steer, a phenomenon that affects almost all powerful front-wheel drive cars, including many of the Sonata's competitors. It's characterized by the car veering slightly to the right when under full power. It's not dangerous by any means -- it feels like a gentle tug at the steering wheel -- but many drivers find it annoying. The other drawback is engine noise, and by this I mean quality, not quantity. Hyundai has improved the Sonata's sound deadening, and the turbocharged engine is quite subdued most of the time. But at full throttle the four-cylinder sounds less refined than its competitors' V-6 engines, and it could turn off some buyers.

There's nothing unrefined about the rest of the Sonata. The interior design is downright elegant, and is clearly inspired by Hyundai's more expensive Genesis luxury sedan. With its high-quality materials it's easy to forget that you're in a car that costs less than $25,000. The front seats are very comfortable, the rear seat offers up plenty of head and leg room for anybody under 5-ft. 10-in. tall, the trunk is a huge 16.4 cu.-ft., and the driver is surrounded by storage pockets large and small.

Like the non-turbo Sonatas, the 2.0T is wrapped in one of the most elegant shapes to ever grace the family sedan segment, but it comes with a few compromises. The rear door opening requires passengers to duck way down, lest they bang their heads on the top of the door frame. The sharp downward slope of the rear window also means that rear visibility isn't all that great.

Family Friendliness

The non-turbo 2011 Hyundai Sonata is already the highest-scoring sedan of any sort on Family Car Review, thanks to its excellent crash test scores, plentiful standard safety equipment, and large trunk. With prices now official, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T SE scores at a remarkable 8.1. The Sonata 2.0T's combination of low price and high fuel economy simply blow away the V-6 powered Honda Accord (7.7), the Nissan Altima 3.5SR (also 7.7) and the Toyota Camry LE V-6 (7.6). In fact, its score equals the four-cylinder models of many of its competitors.

Conclusion

If you love the Sonata's looks but have been waiting for more power, then stop waiting. Not only is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T the most powerful car in its class, it's also the most family friendly. On top of everything else, it offers one of the biggest trunks, boasts head turning styling no other car in its class can match, and it's a pleasure to drive. Is that gushing? Maybe, but the Sonata's positives so far outweigh its negatives that there's little reason not to. For now it's simple: The 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T is the new class leader.

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