After
unprecedented success with the previous generation, Hyundai introduces the seventh
generation of its mid-size Sonata
sedan, giving it a more refined look and better ride quality. Hyundai’s redesign of the
Sonata builds on the fluidic sculpture design of the outgoing Sonata. Fluidic
Sculpture 2.0 gives the Sonata crisper lines, a larger grille and a tighter beltline.
The Sonata is available in six
trim levels: SE, Sport, Limited, Sport 2.0T, Limited 2.0T and a new ECO model
with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
All Sonatas are powered by
four-cylinder engines. The SE, Sport and Limited get a 2.4-liter Theta II GDI
engine that produces 185 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. A turbocharged
2.0-liter Inline-4 powers the 2.0T models. That engine kicks out 245 horsepower
and 260 lb.-ft of torque.
Horsepower
numbers for both engines are lower than the previous model – the 2.4-liter has
five fewer horses and the turbo engine is 29 hp less. Hyundai says the reduction
in horsepower came because engineers wanted to “shift the powerband downward
for better responsiveness in lower RPM situations where customers spend the
majority of their time.” Even with the lower horsepower numbers, though, the Sonata compares
very well with the competition.
In all Sonatas except the
ECO trim, a 6-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels. The
ECO trim gets a new 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Sonata SE
trim gets 25 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Sport and
limited models get 24 city miles per gallon and 35 mpg on the highway. Our
tested Sport 2.0T was rated at 23 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway,
while the ECO model gets 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the road.
Prices
for the Sonata start at
$21,150 for the SE, $23,175 for the Sport, $23,275 for the ECO, $26,525 for the
Limited, $28,575 for the Sport 2.0T and $33,525 for Limited 2.0T.
On the
road, the reduced horsepower in the 2.0-liter engine in our test Sport 2.0T was
noticeable when we punched it to get around big rigs on the interstate, but
power is fine for most everyday driving conditions. The Sonata stayed flat in
hard corners and felt planted on the road.
The
cabin in our test Sonata was roomy and quiet, with very comfortable powered and
heated leather front seats. Headroom was 40.4 inches in the front seat, which
is way more than enough for my 6-foot-1 frame. The back seat had 38 inches of
headroom. Cabin materials were soft in all the right places and seemed durable.
The trunk was large at 16.3 cubic feet, and passenger volume was a
class-leading 106.1 cubic feet.
Driver
controls in the Sonata
are logical, intuitive and easy to read. One of our pet peeves is audio systems
where buttons have to be pushed to scroll through radio stations or to change
the volume. The Sonata has round knobs for both…perfect.
The Sonata has USB, 12v and
auxiliary ports handy in a console cubby. SiriusXM satellite radio and
Bluetooth are standard, and the Sonata has available navigation and
connectivity through its Blue Link system.
The
Sonata has seven standard airbags, including a new driver’s knee airbag, and a
host of available safety technology like blind spot detection, forward
collision warning, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure warning. The
2015 Sonata is also a Top Safety Pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety, winning the top mark of “good” in every category except the small
overlap front test, where it scored “acceptable.”
The
2015 Hyundai Sonata has
big shoes to fill in replacing the outgoing Sonata. But reasonably priced,
nicely appointed and safe, the Sonata deserves a spot on any mid-size sedan
shopper’s test drive list.
2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T
Engine:
2.0-liter
turbocharged Inline-4
Horsepower/Torque:
245/260
lb.-ft.
Transmission:
6-speed
automatic with paddle shifters
Price:
$28,575
plus freight
EPA mileage estimates:
23 mpg
city / 32 mpg highway
Approximate highway range:
592
miles
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