PRICE : SE 2.4L I4 6-Speed A/T w/SHIFTRONIC® $21,150 - $22,350
PRICE : Sport 2.4L I4 6-Speed A/T w/SHIFTRONIC® $23,175 - $26,625
PRICE : Limited 2.4L I4 6-Speed A/T w/SHIFTRONIC® $26,525 - $31,575
PRICE : Sport 2.0T 2.0L Turbo I4 6-Speed A/T w/SHIFTRONIC® $28,575 - $33,525
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata ranks 2 out of 17 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of published reviews and test drives of the Hyundai Sonata, as well as reliability and safety data.
Automotive journalists report that the redesigned 2015 Hyundai Sonata has a serenely quiet ride and one of the most upscale interiors in the class.
With the best combination of positive reviews and long-term ownership costs in its class, the Hyundai Sonata is our 2015 Best Midsize Car for the Money. The Sonata also has the best combination of space, reliability and safety ratings, and available family-friendly features. That makes it our 2015 Best Midsize Car for Families.
Test drivers say the base four-cylinder Hyundai Sonata has strong acceleration from a stop, but lacks highway passing power. They write that the Sport 2.0T trim, which has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, is faster on the highway, and some think it matches the power of the Sonata’s six-cylinder rivals. However, others wish it was more potent. The new Sonata Eco is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. All models come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, except for the Eco model, which has a seven-speed automatic (automated manual). The base 2015 Sonata gets an EPA-estimated 25/37 mpg city/highway, which is good for an affordable midsize car. Some automotive writers think the Sonata offers a well-balanced driving experience with a comfortable ride, precise steering and composed handling, and most agree that it has superb braking power. However, others report that the Sonata has numb steering and driving dynamics that aren’t particularly exciting.
Critics agree that the redesigned 2015 Hyundai Sonata’s interior design and materials are more upscale than many of its competitors’. They also praise the Sonata’s serenely quiet cabin and spacious back seat. At 16.3 cubic feet, the Sonata’s trunk is quite large for the class. Standard features include satellite radio, Bluetooth and a USB/iPod input. Available features include a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and Hyundai’s Smart Trunk system, which opens the trunk when it detects the key fob behind the vehicle for more than three seconds. Other available features include adaptive cruise control (which can bring the car to a full stop), a rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, a 5-inch touch-screen infotainment system or an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system with navigation. Both infotainment systems are attractive and user-friendly, according to automotive reviewers. Test drivers like that many of the Sonata’s audio, climate and navigation controls are easy to use and kept separate from the touch-screen system.
EXTERIOR
A larger, more refined grille with a wide air intake defines the face of the 2015 Sonata. Simple, harmonious lines adorn the exterior while hinting at the improved dynamic performance and human-machine connection Sonata provides. Taut, horizontal rocker panels reflect the chassis' increased stability and surefootedness while the signature Sonata beltline is now stretched tight to accentuate the sedan's strength. The coupe-like roofline remains, but it is balanced by a larger window graphic that emphasizes the roomier interior. Horizontal lines in the rear underscore Sonata's width and give the car a planted look. This purposeful shape achieves a remarkable drag coefficient of just 0.27, lower than any non-hybrid in the mid-size sedan class.
Shoppers looking for a traditional design will appreciate the 2015 Sonata SE's exterior styling that includes standard LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear lip spoiler and chrome surround for the day light opening. Sonata Limited adds rocker panel extensions and dual exhaust for a premium look.
Sonata Sport features a more aggressive front grille and bumper, side rocker extensions and side chrome molding. Sport models powered by the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine feature dual exhaust while Sport 2.0T models feature a unique rear bumper fascia, quad exhaust tips and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Sport model is expected to be the most popular Sonata. With the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T, performance is something you taste and the Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language certainly whets the appetite.
"We crafted the shape of the 2015 Sonata in the same way an award-winning chef refines his recipe over the years," said Chris Chapman, chief designer, Hyundai Design North America. "With the 2011 Sonata, Hyundai took the mid-size sedan from a meal to a gourmet dinner. The evolution to Fluidic Sculpture 2.0's more taut, modern lines reflect the improvements in refinement and driving dynamics for 2015."
INTERIOR
Controls are grouped logically and placed in the most convenient position for the driver. To create a unified experience inside the cabin, designers met with various suppliers to make sure all buttons and switchgear have a consistent feel. The height of the display screen for the audio display or 8-inch navigation system and instrument cluster are optimized for visibility and reside on the same plane to enhance readability during a quick glance. These ergonomic enhancements help the driver remain focused on the road ahead and provide confidence behind the wheel.
All components inside the cabin were examined and opportunities for improvement were taken very seriously. Even the steering wheel went through extensive testing to determine the ideal diameter, shape and tactile feel to maximize driver confidence. Improvements in the design of the steering wheel and changes to the layout of the instrument cluster necessitated a new steering column design. Designers and engineers sweated every detail in their quest to make the interior as safe, intuitive and simple as possible while delivering convenient features with pleasing aesthetics.
Sonata Sport 2.0T receives a unique interior that enhances its more dynamic personality. A D-cut steering wheel and paddle shifters help provide the confidence enthusiastic drivers expect while the sport instrument cluster with six o'clock needle position hints at the improved performance from the more responsive 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.
Reducing undesired noise inside the cabin was a top priority for the 2015 Sonata. Engineers reduced the size of the apertures in the bulkhead and increased use of sound deadening materials in the dashboard to prevent unwanted noise from entering the cabin. Engine notes were tuned to be pleasing to the ear without being intrusive. More sound absorption materials are used under the floorpan and an underbody tray made of fibrous glass expansion board improves aerodynamics while reducing unwanted road noise.
The 2015 Sonata's efficient packaging delivers outstanding passenger and interior volume. With 106.1 cu. ft. of passenger volume and a total interior volume of 122.4 cu. ft., 2015 Sonata is classified as a large car by the EPA
SPECIFICATION
►Make:Hyundai
►Model:Sonata
►Price:$ 21599
►Engine:inline-4 (Est.)
►Horsepower @ RPM:185 @ 6000 (Est.)
►Torque @ RPM:178 @ 4000 (Est.)
►Displacement:2.4 L (Est.)
►0-60 time:7.6 sec. (Est.)
►Top Speed:135 mph (Est.)
FEATURES
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata lineup is split into five trim levels: SE, Sport, and Limited come with the 2.4-liter four and a six-speed automatic, while the Sport 2.0T comes with the turbocharged four and automatic. The Eco has its unique 1.6-liter turbo four and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. (There's also the carryover Sonata Hybrid, in the older body style).
Base equipment on the SE includes cloth upholstery; 16-inch wheels; an AM/FM/XM/CD player; a USB port; and Bluetooth with audio streaming. To get a rearview camera, which we consider an essential piece of safety equipment, you'll have to spend $23,160 on the Sonata SE with the Popular package. It adds the camera, and a power driver seat.
That SE Popular trim is essentially how the $24,085 Sonata Eco comes equipped. The sole option on the Eco is a Technology package that includes a handsfree trunk opener; blind-spot monitors; pushbutton start; leather upholstery; heated front seats; automatic climate control; navigation; and premium audio with HD radio.
The $23,985 Sonata Sport starts from the SE's list of standard gear and adds a rearview camera; a 5-inch color touchscreen audio system; a power driver seat; Hyundai BlueLink telematics hardware; 17-inch wheels; and heated front seats. Options include blind-spot monitors; sport seats; pushbutton start; and automatic climate control, all bundled in a Premium package. The Technology package adds those Premium features, as well as navigation, HD radio, upgraded gauges, and Dimension premium audio.
To that equipment, the $27,335 Limited adds blind-spot monitors; LED taillights; pushbutton start; woodgrain trim; leather upholstery; a power passenger seat; heated rear seats; and automatic climate control. Options include a Technology package with a panoramic sunroof; navigation; Infinity audio; and ventilated front seats. The Ultimate package adds to that adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warnings, and a forward-collision warning system.
Finally, the $29,385 Sonata Sport 2.0T gets paddle shifters; a sport suspension; blind-spot monitors; LED taillights; quad exhaust tips; 18-inch wheels; the smart trunk opener; pushbutton start; and automatic climate control. The only option is the Ultimate package, which includes the panoramic sunroof; adaptive cruise control; lane departure warnings; forward collision warnings; rear parking sensors; a power passenger seat; ventilated front seats; heated rear seats; navigation; HD radio and Infinity premium audio. That nets a Sonata priced at $34,335.
Infotainment systems have been upgraded in the 2015 Sonata. The navigation system gets a larger 8.0-inch screen, and smartphone-app compatibility for Pandora and SoundHound, and HD radio. The system also includes improved touch sensitivity, a split-screen view, Sirius XM Travel Link services, and the ability to record up to 22 minutes of satellite radio.
Those models with navigation also have Apple Eyes Free Siri integration—allowing an enhanced level of tasks. Next-generation Blue Link services also arrive in the 2015 Sonata and include such things as Remote Start, Destination Search (powered by Google), and a car-care in-vehicle app. Google’s new in-car Android Auto smartphone system will be included at some point with nav-equipped cars, as will Apple CarPlay.
COMFORT & QUALITY
It's still technically defined by the EPA as a large car, but the Sonata is marketed as a mid-size car, against vehicles like the VW Passat, Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy, Nissan Altima, and Ford Fusion. All but the Passat give up some interior space to the Hyundai--but if we're being more accurate, the Sonata is a bit smaller than its large-car competition like the Chevrolet Impala.
Bottom line, the Sonata is much more spacious than cars like the Chevy Malibu and Chrysler 200, especially if rear-seat space is what you're studying most closely.
By the numbers, the Sonata is now 191.1 inches long, up 1.3 inches from the last-generation car. It's also 1.2 inches wider than before. It does more with its assigned dimensions than the Honda and Nissan, which are longer but less spacious. The Sonata now has the same wheelbase as the VW Passat, at 110.4 inches, but packages in more people and cargo space than the Volkswagen--barely. Inside, there's a total of 122.4 cubic feet of space, split 106.1 cubic feet to the humans, 16.3 cubic feet to the Samsonite--a cube or two down from the Impala.
Off the spec sheet and in the Sonata's seats, there's very good space for six-footers in the front seats, and the seats are better than in the past Sonata--there's more bottom cushion length and better bolstering on the Limited and Sport 2.0T models we drove. A power passenger seat can now be had, though it's only offered on upper trim levels, where you'll also find heated and ventilated seats and a serviceable grade of leather upholstery. (Sonata SE, Sport, and Eco models come with cloth standard; Sport editions have an option for leather-trimmed seats).
The Sonata's positively awash in storage bins, perfect for hiding stuff from drivers and passengers. The covered bin ahead of the shifter tucks away USB and power points, and there's a handy rubber-lined bin to the right of the lever that's made for smartphones. The console and glove box are deep enough for hiding tablets. Cupholders, door pockets, a trunk with pulldowns for the rear seat inside the trunk itself--it's all where you need it.
In back, sitting behind my own six-footer driving position, I found plenty of knee room in the Sonata, enough to cross over a knee into a freestyle yoga pose/desk. The back-seat leg room isn't quite as expansive as in a Passat, but headroom is like most of the cars in this segment--a little snug when the sunroof is ordered, but fine for anyone smaller.
The comparisons to the Passat go a little deeper, as Hyundai benchmarked the VW when it came to tightening up their sedan's body. The new Sonata is composed of a lot of high-strength steel and a lot more structural glue--it's 41 percent more resistant to twisting and 35 percent more resistant to body bending, according to Hyundai. That does a few things for ride and handling, but it also helps to quiet down the cabin--that, and the additional sound deadening that's been fitted. For the first time in at least few years, the Sonata is quiet at a good driving pace, so quiet I could hear front-seat conversations without straining.
TECHNOLOGY
Smart trunk gives drivers a convenient hands-free way to open the trunk while keeping both feet firmly planted on the ground. The owner simply needs to approach the Sonata's trunk with the key fob in a purse or pocket and wait three seconds. The trunk will automatically open, making it easy to place groceries or luggage inside when hands are full. Rear seat passengers are treated to segment-exclusive sunshades, an option typically found on luxury cars. Feedback from current Sonata owners resulted in a height-adjustable passenger seat and now both front seats can be heated and ventilated. Even rear-seat passengers enjoy the luxury of heated seats on a cold day. A heated steering wheel will be a favorite feature for owners of the 2015 Sonata Limited equipped with the Tech package. The desire to deliver class-above value allows these convenient technologies to trickle down from the all-new Genesis to the all-new Sonata making it the most sophisticated mid-size sedan available.
PERFORMANCE
What it has to lose are some of the brash and downright unrefined edges it brought along with its radically different look in the just-past generation. It was always fascinating to see roll by, but it wasn't always the smoothest, quietest sedan to drive when carting around disapproving in-laws.
The stylistic flourishes and gutsy horsepower and fuel-economy numbers were so brazen, it was easier to overlook the Sonata's fairly stiff, noisy ride and wandery steering. No need for that anymore: Hyundai's put in good work, cleaning up the Sonata's rougher edges, stiffening up the body, using lessons learned with Lotus Engineering in the tuning of the latest Genesis to substantially improve the Sonata's performance profile.
First, power. Power ratings actually go down a bit for both of Hyundai’s engines in the 2015 Sonata, versus last year’s model, but the automaker says that the different tuning gives the new car better responsiveness at low and mid revs. The base 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder engine now makes 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, off 5 hp from its recent peak (and 15 from when it was launched), but it winds happily and smoothly through its powerband. It seems marginally slower but perfectly content.
The Sport 2.0T Sonata has a smaller-turbine, twin-scroll turbocharger and makes 245 hp and 260 lb-ft. It's decidedly less freewheeling (as well as quieter) than last year's unit, at 274 hp, but it's much quieter and almost free of vibration, two bugbears of the last-generation edition.
In either case, you get a six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual controls, in this front-wheel-drive sedan, fully reworked this time for quicker, more muted shifts. Sport 2.0T models get paddle shift controls, and all Sonatas get a three-mode driving selector that fiddles lightly with power steering assist, shift timing, and throttle delivery through Eco, Normal, and Sport modes. In Eco mode, the Sonata really dithers over downshifts, but the milder differences in normal and sport modes probably mean owners will play with the feature once before letting it go in default mode.
No all-wheel drive is offered in this Sonata, although it's becoming more common in the class (200, Fusion, Legacy). Hyundai admits only to looking at the possibility.
While we're pleased by the powertrains' stint in finishing school, we're more impressed by the suspension and steering changes. The body's much stiffer, and that makes for an easier job damping bumps and taking direction. Hyundai heavily reworked and reinforced the Sonata's subframes, and upgraded the rear suspension to dual lower control arms--so now, it responds with the gentler, abler feel that the calmer styling promises. It's more settled at any speed: roll over a train track at 60 mph and the skittishness present last year is replaced by more compliance, and a lot less drama, even on the 17-inch tires on Sport and Limited trims.
Sport 2.0T sedans have slightly different tuning, with a 1-mm bump in anti-roll bars, and moderately beefier P235/45R-18 tires. It's an almost imperceptible difference, especially on Alabama's broadly winding backroads. Turbo sedans also get an electric parking brake (as do the Limited sedans), while other versions have a foot-operated brake.
Steering is driven by electric motors on all Sonatas. All but the turbocharged cars have column-mounted setups, while the turbo sedan has a dual-pinion rack that's supposed to deliver better steering feel and finer responses. The slight uptick in the turbo's attentivenes probably comes as much from the bigger tires as from the more costly steering rack. In either setup, tracking and directional stability are a magnitude better on the Limited and Sport 2.0Ts I drove. Most of the wandering has been filtered off, leaving behind the sense that even if it's not talking back to you, at least the steering is listening.
Eco is new, Hybrid lives on
As for the Sonata Eco, our brief exposure to it was mostly a good one.
The new Eco is no mild hybrid. It combines a small turbocharged 1.6-liter four with a seven-speed, dry dual-clutch transmission for higher fuel economy than the non-hybrid models. It has an output of 177 hp and 195 lb-ft. The turbo is a twin-scroll for quicker boost, the DCT has electronic clutch and gear actuation, and generally, the powertrain here has more exhaust noise and peakier behavior than in either of the other choices.
I drove it around downtown Montgomery and immediately compared it with the 1.5-liter Ford Fusion, as much for the perky acceleration feel as the booming exhaust note. It's a hard worker, hauling around a little more than 3,200 pounds, but not an unhappy one. Some pre-production dual-clutch chatter aside, it was hard to perceive the transmission's shifts at anything but very low speeds. Minus a couple hundred pounds or so from the Sonata Limited I drove, the steering lightened up considerably, too.
We'll get some more seat time in this one, for sure--it's likely Hyundai will make this the future base Sonata, since its fuel-economy numbers are so strong.
By the way, if you're wondering, the Sonata Hybrid carries over in the older body style for the 2015 model year; a new hybrid and a plug-in hybrid model are expected to replace it within a year or two.
ENGINE
►Sonata Hybrid
2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine + 35-kilowatt electric motor (Sonata Hybrid)
159 hp @ 5,500 rpm
199 net horsepower (engine and motor combined)
154 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 36/40 mpg (6-speed automatic)
►Sonata Eco
1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4
177 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
195 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 28/38 mpg (7-speed automatic)
►Sonata SE, Sport and Limited
2.4-liter inline-4
185 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
178 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/37 mpg (6-speed automatic)
►Sonata Sport 2.0T
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
245 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 1,350-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/32 mpg (6-speed automatic)
SAFETY
It recently released has earned an excellent five stars both overall and in frontal and side-impact categories. That includes five stars in both subcategories of the frontal test (for a male-size driver and female-size passenger), as well as a perfect five stars in all subcategories of the side barrier test and the side pole test.
That's in addition to the new Sonata's almost perfect set of scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which rank it 'good' in all tests except the tough small overlap frontal test, where it achieves 'acceptable.' The 2015 Sonata also earns the IIHS 'Basic' nod for front crash prevention, when equipped with the optional Forward Collision Warning system, as part of the Ultimate Package; as the IIHS notes, it's strictly a warning system, not one that will automatically brake as the systems in some rival models. All that together merits the IIHS' Top Safety Pick award.
The Sonata otherwise includes seven airbags, now including a driver’s knee bag. Other new technologies lifted from the 2015 Genesis include blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and active cruise control. There’s also a new Lane Change Assist system that places warning lamps in the side mirrors to warn of approaching vehicles.
Not every member of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata family is such a high achiever. Keep in mind that the Sonata Hybrid continues into this model year in the old body style—and continues with the former Sonata's four-star frontal impact score (although it does also achieve five stars overall).
FUEL ECONOMY
Last year, the EPA rated the Sonata with the 2.4-liter four at 24 miles per gallon city, 35 mpg highway. The turbocharged version was rated at 22/33 mpg.
This year's models step up accordingly. The 2.4-liter four now earns 25/37 mpg, or 29 mpg combined, while the turbocharged Sport 2.0T is rated at 24/35/28 mpg. Neither meets the best-in-class Mazda 6, at 32 mpg combined in four-cylinder form, equipped with Mazda's i-ELOOP energy-storage system.
The new Sonata Eco does. The Eco, equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo four, is expected to clock in at 28/38 mpg, or 32 mpg combined, for a 10-percent improvement over the base Sonata.
The carryover Hybrid models (in last year's body style, too), are still rated at 36/40/38 mpg.
VIDEO
No comments:
Post a Comment