Choosing
a midsize family car isn't easy. With excellent choices such as Chevrolet's
Malibu, Honda's Accord, Nissan's Altima and a plethora of others, it's more of
a personal and emotional choice than one based solely on objective criteria.
There is one exception, however. It's Hyundai's
Sonata Sport 2.0T, the
field's only "turbo four" cylinder entry instead of the
industry-standard optional "six." With many more built-in features
than its rivals and a base price of $29,250, the 2015 Sonata Turbo is clearly a
different animal.
By now
you're probably wondering if the 245-horsepower turbo "four" offers
an advantage over competitors' "sixes." In theory, yes. An engine
with two fewer cylinders has less internal friction and is lighter by about 125
pounds. Turbo power plants recover much of the energy stored in regular gas
(most such engines require premium, but not this one) by putting exhaust gas to
work spinning its turbo. In theory, such factors should make this metal beast
far quicker and more economical than its rivals.
The
Turbo Sonata's 2.0-liter
engine pulls this front-driver from zero 60 in 8.4 seconds. That's adequate and
a second quicker than its non-turbocharged siblings. In EPA mileage testing,
the Sonata Turbo returned
fuel mileage of 23 city and 32 highway, decent numbers for a 3,505-pound
vehicle. Real-world testing disclosed that 18 miles per gallon in metro areas
is a more likely number, with 27 on freeways. This vehicle isn't built for
racing, and these figures shouldn't be one's sole judging criteria. Many other
factors make the Sonata
Turbo attractive.
Inside,
the Sonata Sport
2.0T is both spacious and luxurious. The heated power leather front buckets are
wide, with enough room even if you're wide or tall. Between them is a huge
console with adjustable cupholders. A 5-inch touch screen is in the center of
the dash; it's where most vehicle functions are controlled. It's confusing to
master, but it's not as bad as numerous other vehicles. The steering column tilts
and telescopes, making it easy to find the right driving geometry. In back, the
60/40 fold-down seats can yield extra cargo capacity. The trunk is of moderate
size, and a temporary spare tire hides under its floor.
Safety
hasn't been forgotten. There are airbags behind nearly every interior panel.
Stability and traction control are standard, along with antilock disc brakes on
all four wheels. A blind-spot monitor and rear back-up camera will guide you in
many situations. The hands-free trunk opener, keyfob entry, dual-zone air
conditioning, electric power steering, daytime running lights, xenon headlights
(no more powerful than standard units) and more work well. Blue Link, Hyundai's version of General
Motors' OnStar safety system, is free for a six-month trial. There's a similar
arrangement for the satellite radio.
The
Infinity sound system (from Fiat Chrysler) includes an
AM/FM/CD/HD/MP3/iPod/USB/Bluetooth unit. The system produced just average sound
- even though the Sonata is a very quiet car - and fringe-area reception was
marginal.
The
transmission was a six-speed automatic with steering wheel paddles. It shifted
flawlessly. The unit also has three driving modes ranging from Economical to
Sport-plus. After experimentation this reporter simply left it in
"Eco." Though there were some clearly felt differences between the
modes no objective measurement was sensitive enough to quantify them.
Handling
and ride both benefited from the "Sport" suspension. The car handled
well through corners and nicely but firmly dealt with huge potholes and similar
road hazards. The U-turn circle was 36 feet, somewhat better than average for
the class. Ride, the opposite of handling, always stayed firm ... but not too
firm. It was obviously tuned to compromise with handling, and this it did well.
You'll never hear a complaint from anyone about the Sport 2.0T's ride.
Turning
to the warranty, you get five-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage. The
powertrain receives 10-year, 100,000-mile coverage. You also receive five years
of Roadside Assistance. Though these warranties are the best you can get,
you'll still need to purchase one of the extended warranties offered by the
dealer. Read them carefully for deductibles, co-pays, exclusions and other such
items. Buy the best extended warranty you can afford, as auto repair prices are
extremely expensive.
Overall,
the Turbo Sonata
has many attractive features. Even the engine, modern in design but
disappointingly slow, can be lived with. The Sonata line features a
Turbo Eco model, which reportedly is quicker and returns better mileage than
the Sport 2.0T. A hybrid model is available, too. The warranty, fine quality
and numerous standard features make this Hyundai and its sheet-metal
brothers desirable.
