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Hyundai Sonata vs. Honda Accord vs. Toyota Camry vs. Ford Fusion
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Sonata rceived a 5 Star rating for frontal crash Driver and passenger and 5 Star rating for side crash for front and back passengers
Anyone who quotes the NHTSA for safety ratings is grasping at straws. Be vehement in your likes and argumentations - but dont use flawed data. The Gov's methodology and tests are 15 yrs out of date. It is a just a political body after all is said and done.
Hyundai's financials are smoke and mirrors - we don't know if the SK government, oops, I mean Hyundai, is making a nice margin on their cars. But their cars have gotten better. They're buying market share now by undercutting the others. Its the only way they can sell that many vehicles. So - what the hay.
One thing you are forgetting is that times are a changin'. Today, the Sonata needs to be priced below the Camry (and Accord) because even though the cars are now very close in capability, quality, and features, public perception lags current reality. But look how much ground Hyundai has made up with the Sonata in the past 15 years. Yes, Camry and Accord are improving over time also. But I submit that the Sonata is improving at a greater rate. So four years from now, we could be seeing a different picture--and public perception will have had time to adjust, based on the current-gen Sonata.
The other thing that should change by then is the 10-year Hyundai warranty will be gone. HMA has committed to keeping it only until the 2008 MY. Then maybe some folks won't pick at Hyundai because of its long warranty. I suppose they might say then, "Why did Hyundai cut its warranty, doesn't it have faith in the quality of its cars anymore?"
crummy little car. But what does that have to do
with anything in this forum.
Kinf of like your comment.
It is interesting to me though that the Sonata did better in the less-severe NHTSA tests than a number of other cars that did well on the IIHS tests, e.g. Accord and Civic. For example, the Sonata had lower head injury scores on the NHTSA side impact test than the Civic did, and the Civic got a "Good" score on the IIHS side impact test. So to me that says there is a good chance the Sonata will do well on the IIHS tests. But we'll need to wait for the test results to know for sure.
OPDS, but why don't you tell us all what this
must have feature is?
Now, from what I understand, in presentation of their 'Top Safety Picks', IIHS put it to the manufacturers as to whether or not they wanted vehicles tested ahead of schedule to be eligible for the award. If that was the case, again, it was the manufacturer's responsiblity to reimburse. This is why the Civic was tested independently of any other small car, and why the Ford Five Hundred has only been side crashed WITH Side Curtains, even though they arent standard.
So- me thinks, like you said, either the Sonata wasn't fronted by Hyundai, or it was and and did NOT do well....
~alpha
Maybe I interpreted their rating system the wrong way? The higher the number, the higher the injury? Or is it the other way around. :confuse:
If I got the right way, the Accord seemed to score better than the Sonata.
Accord Side:
Head Injury Criterion2 (HIC) 216 /397
Thoracic Trauma Index (TTI) 62 /61
Pelvis Deceleration2 (g's) 65 /58
Sonata Side:
Head Injury Criterion2 (HIC) 265 /472
Thoracic Trauma Index (TTI) 55 /49
Pelvis Deceleration2 (g's) 75 /72
Not only have some folks kept them that long ,but they have put on mega miles or kilometers.Just check this article out. http://www.northpeel.com/br/business/story/3065957p-3556772c.html
Now stop being so silly ,Hyundai is a good car and getting better.It just doesn't suit the preppies and snobs of the world.You don't need own a Honda or Toyota to be special,its all in your mind.I drive a Volvo,Z71 Chev Truck,Honda Accord,Jeep Cherokee and 2006 Sonata(wifes) and I will tell you that I enjoy driving the Sonata as much if not more than my other vehicles.They are all nice and I don't care if everyone else disagrees,we got it because we wanted it for us,not for the followers and wannabes of the world.Our Sonata drives as good or better than our Honda and we didn't buy it because it was less expensive,we bought it because we liked what we saw and how well it drove and handled ,we especially bought it because of how safe this car is.
This forum is so funny how we dicker amongest ourselves: the Sonata, Accord and Camry are all excellent cars. Each one has pros and cons. I was all set to buy an Accord but when I drove the Sonata it just made no sense to me to pay that much for a car that was basically as good as the Sonata maybe a hair better, maybe a hair worse but basically the same. I see alot of people buying the Honda just because of the name of which I could give a rats behind about.
Yes the average person might tell you they think Honda is better quality than Hyundai. I know people who have owned Hyundai's now for 3 and 4 years and love them the perception is changing and getting out there and its changing way faster than any of the other car manufactureres expected.
I agree with all of this.. and it comes down to each person's personal choice. It's that simple.
jpnewt: Edmunds already did a comparison with the cars all priced the same and the Sonata won in a landslide.
ACCORD--------------22,046
Memo:accord hybrid--351
Altima--------------16,758
Sonata--------------11,643
Fusion---------------9,999
Milan----------------2,023
Zephyr---------------2,692
IMO, Sonota 06 is a first year redesigned car, thus you can't say anything much about its reliability. It can be as realiable as Honda / Toyota, or even more, and it can be as crappy as Kia or Suzuki or a number of american car. Buying a Sonata right now have a bit gambling in it, and win or lose = only time will tell.
While Sonata has a 10 year / 100K mile warranty, it's still a pain in the behind if you have to bring the car to the dealership from time to time, and have to yelling, begging, threatening the dealership into fixing your car under warranty. Also, the warranty doens't pay for your time to bring the car in, and wait for the car to be fixed. I know there are ton of good Hyundai dealership out there, but there are ton of bad one around too. And around my area, they are seem to be more bad than good.
On the other hand, if it turn out to be a good car, Hyundai sure will raise the price accordingly when the quality is proven. Then, you can brag about your smooking hot Sonata deal with everyone
The air vent complaint is interesting in that I don't recall anyone on any of the Sonata discussions here mentioning the vent position as an issue. Maybe owners just aim the air vent so it doesn't blow on the driver's hand and arm? I've noticed in many cars I need to do that to avoid a draft on my arm, or face. I've never considered it a big deal--at least not one worth mentioning as one of the two significant negatives highlighted in a review of a car.
the feel of the air blowing at me. It would be like
sitting at home directly in front of my hot air vents.
I agree, that is really reaching.
When I test drove one the other day I was extreemely impressed.
Also, I've noticed the grammer on the Sonata posts seems to be foriegn. Sounds a little like a company source...?
I just spent 20 miles in my GLS V6. When I have a bit more time later in the week, I look forward to posting my thoughts in greater detail.
Initial thoughts:
1) Body leans a bit in corners and hard braking reveals nosedive, though the brakes themselves feel quite robust.
2)The drivetrain is refined, strong, and easily the most appealing feature of the vehicle- especially given its price. Even singing at 6000 (held it in first a bit), theres not a strained sound coming from under the hood. Power easily engages the ESC/TC from a stop.
3) The interior is generally well made, though some switchgear is unappealing to the touch- case in point being the toggle for the power mirror. The cloth upholstery appears durable but is far from plush. The radio display is laughable in its low tech presentation- I've seen sharper, less pixelated text playing Oregon Trail on greenscreen Apple IIe's. Interior styling is simply not to my liking, obviously subjective, but I find the use of the fake wood a bit too judicious, the overall design a bit disjointed- why spread the radio and HVAC controls so far from each other? And though the seats are nice and firm, offering good support for my frame, I defintely feel tipped forward...
4)The ride is generally soft and smooth, with very little impact harshness.
5)Kudos to Hyundai for using an advanced space saving trunk hinge mechanism. Things like this work to counteract the some of the interior misses I cited earlier.
Overall, I really enjoy driving this vehicle, and I cant wait to see what how the revised interior looks...
~alpha
Overall a great vehicle. I wouldn't say it's the best, but I would consider it if I was currently shopping in the midsize market. But I've already purchased a sedan which I think, is best for me. The Accord
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Replying to: moderate (Feb 05, 2006 1:34 pm)
Sonata GL / Fusion I4 SE
$17,895 / $17,900
105 cu ft / 100 cu ft for passengers
16.3 ft / 15.8 cu ft for luggage
17.9 ft / 19.4 ft turning radius w/107" wheelbases
Sonata has as standard equipment: More horsepower, ABS, traction control, electronic stability control, 6 extra airbags, better city and highway mileage, bigger gas tank, shorter length and width, longer warranty, heated mirrors, wider tires, security system and more that the Fusion does not have.
The Fusion is poorly equipped compared to the Sonata and the Fusion costs more too!
But more importantly it wouldn't matter if you could completely control the radio from the steering wheel - for some reason they thought it would be a good idea to have to reach over to the radio itself everytime to change the radio station!!!
It may not offer all the standard features like the Sonata. But it is a well executed vehicle. With a few improvements here and there, it can be near the top.
Getting back on topic. The logic is fairly easy why the Sonata provides the most value (and bang for the buck). Yes, it is true the Fusion S (base) is priced a few hundred dollars below the Soanta GL (base), but if you look and compare the contents, no wonder everyone has been raving about the new offering from Hyundai. Items such as ABS w/ EBD, traction control, stability control, dual active head restraints, (6) airbags and more, are all standard (even on the base model), versus either optional or not available on the Fusion line. Adding to that a stronger V6, yet better gas mileage per EPA, it is undoubtedly a competitive vehicle in the midsize class.
Since last year, I have been behind the wheels extensively on both cars. While they are both excllent products, and are destined to do well for their respective companies, the Sonata does, however, kick up a notch in many categories valued more importantly by the consumers.
I never said the Fusion was bad.
I just listed a few facts.
One really important one to lots of people is the size of the passenger and cargo area. The EPA classifies the Sonata as a LARGE car. The cars people usually compare the Sonata with are all mid-size cars. (The Elantra is a mid-size. So is Accord, Camry, Fusion, 626, Altima etc...)
Also, if you check, I think you'll find Sonata is the least expensive large car AND the one that gets the best fuel economy! And look at that warranty.
What a car!
You mentioned panel fit. As far as exterior body panel fit, it doesn't get any better than the Sonata. I examined a blue GLS V6, and I was astonished at the tolerances. Panel gaps did not vary enough to detect visually. There was not a single mismatched joint on the entire car. The interior was also impressive, but not as outstanding as the exterior.
Also, if you check, I think you'll find Sonata is the least expensive large car AND the one that gets the best fuel economy!
We're comparing the Sonata to cars in the midsize segment, not the large segment.
In the midsize segment, the Sonata does not have the best fuel economy. The new 2007 Toyota Camry is coming out soon. It comes with a very powerful 268HP V6 engine. It is more powerful than the Sonata and has better mileage.
The SAE gross brake horsepower tests prior to around 1972 were measured at the flywheel. The newer test was also measured at the flywheel, not the road wheels. The new test horsepower figures were referred to as SAE net brake horsepower.
Both tests were run on an engine dynomometer, dyno for short. (The device which would be used to measure horsepower where the rubber meets the road is called a chassis dyno.)
The difference was that the new test required all engine systems be attached and operating.
The old test was often run with only the equipment necessary to make the motor run, e.g. a water pump, oil pump and carburetor (or fuel injection if so equipped).
The new test required the air cleaner, alternator, full standard exhaust system including catalytic converter if so equipped, air pump and any other accessories and systems the car would normally have as delivered to the consumer.
Horsepower measured at the road wheels on a chassis dyno reflects frictional losses in the transmission and drivetrain. Obviously, if power is measured at the flywheel, those items are not considered. Drivetrains vary in efficiency, robbing different amounts of power from the engine before the power reaches the road.
Maybe you need some more experiences. Use a measuring tape if you want accuracy. Feel is just an opinion, and you know what they say about opinions.
I realize the Sonata is compared most often to smaller, mid-sized cars. And I said exactly that in my post.
The reason the EPA LARGE sized Sonata gets the best fuel economy of any LARGE sized car is chiefly because it is lighter than all of them AND, when equipped with the FOUR cylinder motor, it has the least power.
I never said the Sonata V6 got better mileage than the Avalon, now did I?
In the mid-size segment of EPA lists, the Elantra is the most fuel efficient gasoline non-hybrid car. That was true in 2005, and I think still may be true for 2006.
Maybe you should tell Edmunds, "Maybe you need some more experiences."
Feel? Hahaha! So size is an emotional experience now?
I'll take your advice next time I purchase a car and base my purchase on measurements for more accuracy. Numbers can tell how comfortable a car is, right?
My point was about size, not comfort.
In fact, I think the non-power seats in Sonatas are very uncomfortable. So, if I was forced to buy a Sonata, it would have to be an LX model.
To me, a 14 year old Accord has much more comfortable seats than the Sonata's non-electric ones.
Of course I agree with you that how comfortable a car feels is important when buying. No argument from me about that.
And oh yeah, "Hey Edmunds! Maybe you need some more experiences!"
Of course, a 14 year old Accord seat is more
comfortable than a 2006 Accord also.
the Fusion got it's name and grill design. The Fusion
razor.
tolerances, and I measured, with a micometer.
As good or better than any Honda I have owned,
and way better than any Ford. Hope my grammar is
satisfactory to y'all.
What a car!
You'll need the warranty too...I hope you enjoy loaner cars every month! Give me high quality/low warranty over low quality/high warranty any day.
I am glad to see such a prestigious authority as Edmund's sees this. Most other rating institutions automatically put down Toyota or Honda both I find way over rated.