It’s
hard to envy midsize-sedan shoppers. They’ve got one of the toughest jobs
around. Brand-agnostic buyers are literally overwhelmed with excellent choices;
their cups runneth over. Automakers are building the best family cars they’ve
ever offered. How’s the typical consumer supposed to choose?
FAST
FACTS
Engine:
The 2.4 Limited is powered by a four-cylinder engine with 185 hp and 178 lb-ft
of torque.
Transmission:
Six-speed automatic.
Fuel
Economy: 24 MPG city, 35 highway and 28 MPG combined.
Is an
Accord appreciably better than a Camry? Is Chrysler’s all-new 200 a smarter
choice than the Ford Fusion or Volkswagen Passat? Questions like these are
tough to answer because every family sedan is so gosh-darn competitive these
days.
Hyundai is giving customers
yet another excellent option. The South Korean brand is fielding its all-new
seventh-generation Sonata, which delivers advanced features, more refinement
and a better driving experience than it ever did before.
Outside
…
But
perhaps one area where this car took a step backwards is design. The
previous-generation featured dramatic exterior styling with swooping surfaces,
sharply angled headlamps and a tapering roofline.
2015-Hyundai-Sonata-2.4-Limited-11.JPG
Wearing
the company’s “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0” design theme the 2015 model looks
considerably more buttoned down. If the previous generation wore a flowery
Hawaiian shirt and worked at Trader Joe’s the latest Sonata is more like a
member of the Geek Squad with creased slacks and a necktie.
Overall
the car looks more grown up and its styling will probably age a lot better than
the sheet metal its forebear was dressed in, but I kind of wish it didn’t lose
all of its youthful charm.
…
Inside …
2015-Hyundai-Sonata-2.4-Limited-01.JPG
It’s
the same story inside; the car has matured, though fortunately it hasn’t gone
gray. Its dashboard is flatter and comprised of simpler forms. Where the
previous model had curving shapes and busy angles this one is cleaner and more
elegant, if a bit dull.
Hyundai gets points for its
attention to detail. The cabin is extremely well built, with no noticeable
fit-and-finish flaws. Everything was properly screwed together and functioned
as it was supposed to; even the materials quality was surprisingly excellent
with soft, low-gloss plastics and creamy leather, though there was one
exception.
The
simulated wood trim found in certain models is cheesier than the Wisconsin
State Fair. From a distance (three miles) this plastic “timber” is ok, but when
you get closer (less than 10 feet) it starts to look extremely low-rent.
Prominent dots form the “wood’s” grain, though they make it look like a
newspaper photo that’s been enlarged about 10 times.
The
passenger compartment is nice and wide, perfect for generously portioned
American customers. It’s also quite spacious in steerage. Back-seat passengers
will have little to complain about in the 2015 Sonata, unless of course they
want swiveling, conversion van-style buckets, a frozen-drinks dispenser or
space for a bluegrass jug band.
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As for
storage, this car’s trunk is quite commodious; it’s able to handle a maximum of
16.3 cubic feet of junk. That’s more than the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima,
Honda Accord or Ford Fusion, if only slightly.
The
Sonata also brandishes and available feature called Smart Trunk. It’s a
hands-free way of accessing the car’s aft-most cargo hold. Simply stand at the
rear of the vehicle for three seconds with the key fob in your pocket and the
trunk will automatically open. It’s like Ford’s foot-activated liftgate system
but does not require you to gesticulate one or more of your lower extremities.
… And
Upside Down
Thanks
to its generous trunk and spacious passenger cabin the 2015 Hyundai Sonata is
actually classified as a large car by the U.S. EPA. Its total interior volume
is 122.4 cubic feet, which makes it bigger than its core competitors; it’s even
more capacious than the Texas-sized Honda Accord.
2015-Hyundai-Sonata-2.4-Limited-20.JPG
Providing
a solid foundation on which to build, this car’s underlying architecture is
comprised of more than 50 percent high-strength steel. This makes the structure
41 percent stiffer and gives it 35 percent improved bending strength; fancy
numbers that mean the new Sonata is really sturdy.
It’s no
shock the car’s suspension has been completely reworked. The new layout
promises better handling and a more controlled ride with less impact harshness.
Sport models get unique tuning and larger front brakes for confident stopping.
Powertrain
Progress
Customers
have a generous menu of powertrains to choose from with the new Sonata. The
smallest engine is a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder found in the Eco
model. Estimated output figures check out at 177 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.
This unit is matched exclusively to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
transmission for maximum efficiency.
This
drivetrain configuration is expected to return 28 MPG in the city and up to 38
on the interstate. More importantly its combined rating should be 32 MPG.
The
2015 Sonata’s most powerful propulsion option is a 2.0-liter turbo. This little
dynamo puts out 245 hp with 260 lb-ft of low-end torque, a 29-pony reduction
compared to the same engine in today’s car. That extra oomph was traded for
more low-end twist and better drivability.
2015-Hyundai-Sonata-2.4-Limited-25.JPG
Paired
with a standard six-speed automatic transmission this drivetrain results in a
combined consumption score of 26 miles per gallon, a figure that’s derived from
its city rating of 23 and its highway score of 32.
Finally,
there’s the engine that’s stuck in the middle, a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated
four-cylinder, the unit I’m focused on with this review. Like its force-fed
little brother this powerplant has received some modest attention. Engineers
worked to improve cylinder-head cooling and redesigned the camshaft phasers for
quicker response.
Busting
out our trusty AutoGuide.com abacus, this engine tallies up 185 hp and 178
lb-ft of torque. That’s a five-horse drop, but a sacrifice that was, again,
made to boost responsiveness. Fuel economy measures up to 25 MPG city, 37
highway and 29 combined, though Sport- and Limited-trim cars are slightly less
efficient. They drop to 24, 35, 28.
2015-Hyundai-Sonata-2.4-Limited-10.JPG
The
Drive
One
thing that’s immediately obvious about the new Sonata 2.4 Limited is just how
competent it is. No, it’s not a sports car nor is it something you’d want to
drag race on weekends, but it is really well done.
The
ride strikes a nice balance between firm and flaccid; you get a good sense of
what’s going on down below yet there are no harsh impacts or jiggling
sensations. Beyond this the tiller is appropriately weighted with nice
on-center feel … finally.
Engineers
revised the car’s electrically boosted power-steering system by beefing some
parts up, switching to a 32-bit ECU and reinforcing the rack bar. Models
powered by the turbocharged engine feature a dual-pinion setup for even greater
high-speed stability and improved responsiveness.
Power
from the smooth-running 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is more than adequate
for family duty. Its 185-horse stable is plenty capable of getting the vehicle
up to speed, though drivers will probably crave a little extra gusto if the car
is loaded with passengers and parcels. The six-speed automatic is a treat as
well because of its smooth, responsive performance. From a driving perspective
it’s everything you could want in a self-shifting gearbox.
2015-Hyundai-Sonata-2.4-Limited-22.JPG
On the
other hand the car’s available 2.0-liter turbo is downright muscular. Like a
nougat-filled candy bar this engine is loaded with torquy goodness. It’s
extremely potent at low RPM, delivering diesel-like thrust just past idle. Of course
the trade-off for this is a less-than-inspiring top-end. Sure, it pulls to
redline but the thrust tapers off noticeably at higher engine speeds.
Pricing
and Features
Like
all Hyundais the 2015 Sonata comes standard with a host of attractive features.
Even drivers that opt for the cheapest SE model get air conditioning, a cabin
filter, cruise control, power windows and locks as well as various connectivity
ports for the audio system. Beyond the basics, a raft of high-end options are
also on offer. You can get smart cruise control, heated and ventilated front
buckets, a navigation system with an 8-inch display and much more. Is this a
luxury car or a family sedan? It’s getting harder and harder to tell these
days.
You can
drive off the lot in an entry-level SE-trim Sonata for just $21,960 including
$810 for destination and delivery fees. That’s 300 bucks less that an
equivalent 2014.
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From
there you can step up to a Sport model, which runs from the mid 23s to about 27
grand. Next comes Limited and finally Sport 2.0T. The priciest model should top
out around $34,335 with all the proverbial chimes and claxons.
And in
traditional Hyundai fashion the car is backed by an unbeatable warranty. Owners
are shielded by a five-year/60,000 fully transferrable new-vehicle guarantee as
well as 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection.
The
Verdict
Aside
from its exterior styling, which has taken a step back as well as its detuned
engines, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata is a competitive entry in the midsize segment.
It’s a car that’s easy to recommend and hard to ignore. It drives about as well
as any of its rivals, its interior is comfortable and spacious plus the whole
package is a compelling value. Maybe shopping for a family four-door isn’t that
hard after all.
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