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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My neighbor is looking for a new mid size sedan.
He's pretty conservative and already looked at an S60.
I did tell him to take a look at the Accord.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
But...I agree. For me, the exterior color really doesn't matter.
Good to know. Thanks!!!
I have noticed that a LOT of cars in the magazines are red with black trim outside and tan inside....which is what I have. It just looks sporty to me and waxing a red car really makes it pop. Silver/grey is my least favorite.
I just got in and did it.
And metallic pearl black and white doesn't do anything to change that.
If Darth Vader needed a car, he need not look further.
He said 'Those must be pretty good cars', you never see them on the stand alone used car lots.
For the most part, the Sonata has kept getting better. The current model, in particular, is not only a fully competitive choice for a family sedan, but a standout among its peers. In addition to the strong value proposition, it adds a few things previously not seen in this conservative nameplate -- namely, daring styling and sporty driving dynamics.
Although it's classified as a full-size family sedan by the EPA, the Hyundai Sonata still competes in the midsize segment. It's available in GLS, SE and Limited trim levels. Even the base car comes well equipped, while the SE features sporty suspension tuning and the Limited pampers its passengers with more luxurious features.
Whether serving family car or commuter car duty, the Hyundai Sonata is a nice place to be thanks to its spacious cabin, comfortable seating, solid build quality and quiet highway ride. Overall we're quite impressed, and we think family sedan shoppers should give the latest Sonata serious consideration.
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True, but I still think it's one of the better looking family sedans.
..., and the interior is drab and the center stack is unnecessarily complicated.
I don't know how much time you've spent behind the wheel of the Sonata, but I find the interior quite nice for the price (GLS, black/tan) and the center stack logical and easy to navigate. I prefer the interior design to that of most other mid-sized family sedans, with the possible exception of the Optima.
The large central volume knob is hard to grip and turn, as it seems to be designed to repel the human hand.
Huh? There's two easy-to-grip knobs on the stereo, one on the left for power and volume and one on the right for tuning. Very logical, not hard at all to grip and turn.
The cabin on the GLS is swathed in hard black plastic.
Uh, no it isn't, not compared to most competitors. There is some black plastic, but much of it is nicely padded and grained. There's also quite a few metallic accents, and tan plastic (some padded) and cloth that brightens up the interior a lot.
The Sonata is not the best mid-sized family sedan, having been eclipsed by newer designs like the Accord and Mazda6, but given it can be had nicely equipped for ~$18,000 or ~$220/month lease with 0 out of pocket, it's a great car for the money. And its FE is nothing to sniff at--mid 20s in town, mid-to-upper 30s on the highway is really good for a car with a full-size interior and 198 hp.
Apparently they never sat in the front passenger seat. It may be comfortable, but for me at 5' 10" it sits too low. For my wife of 5' 3" it is absurd! FWIW - The optima suffers from the same problem with the passenger seat.
Now, back-up cameras I like. I wish I had one in my Ram!
That said, I do like having them as a backup/convenience.
It is darn near impossible to back-in my Optima in w/o first adjusting my side mirror all the way down, and then using the line painted on the space as a guide. Also, the Optima is really, really low to the ground. My neighbors Camaro is higher off the ground. That, combined with the low seating position and it's slow steering and large turning radius makes it hard to place the wheels, further hindering parking maneuvers. I love my car in a lot of situations...the parking lot is not one of them.
I have had a ton of cars, and this is the only car I have had this much trouble with in close quarters parking situations.
It looks like the Fusion has the widest. It does have a long wheelbase and you can get some large tires.
I back mine in when I get home because at 5:00 AM I don't want to back out while sleepy and whack the neighbors Gigantoburban or Mallfinder or whatever.
Works flawlessly and is really helpful.
Hyundai's Blue Link package is also as good as any other on-board nanny available; remote start, tracks your teenager, and turns on the heated seats in cold weather too.
I'd say that in any scenario that this might have merit...it is more of a reflection on the parents.
Now, back-up cameras I like. I wish I had one in my Ram!"
I traded my 2007 Ford Explorer (from Hell) for a new 2012 Mazda CX-9 GT last November. The Explorer had rear backup (sonar) sensors that would beep in Reverse if an obstacle was detected and the frequency of the beeps increased as you got closer to it. It was one of the few features that worked correctly (or at all) on the Explorer!
My CX-9 came with a standard RearView Backup Camera and Blind Spot Monitoring System (BSM). I was a little disappointed to lose the backup sensors, but the backup camera seemed to be an adequate replacement. I'd just need some time to acclimate.
I thought the BSM was silly and frivolous techno-overkill, but it was standard on the model I wanted, so I'd just ignore or deactivate it.
I'm not ashamed to admit that I was WRONG on both counts!
The backup camera is very disorienting and if I am looking at the display, I lose some/all peripheral vision to my left (so I can't see an oncoming car when backing out of a parking spot). I have trash pickup on Tuesday mornings, so I roll the cans to the curb on Monday night. On more Tuesday mornings than I care to admit, I have plowed right into them as I backed out of my driveway! That didn't happen when I had the beeps to warn me! The CX-9 received a cosmetic 'refresh' for 2013 and a few new features including Rear Backup Sensors AND an improved Backup Camera. They also added side mirrors that tilt-down in Reverse. At least they corrected those issues, even if I don't benefit from them.
My argument against needing a BSM has always been that if your mirrors are properly adjusted, you won't have a blind spot. Um, try driving a 'Large/Full-size Crossover' like the CX-9 and you'll realize that no amount of mirror adjustment will totally eliminate the blind spots. In 2005, I had a two-level cervical spine fusion (three vertebrae in my neck are now one big lump of bone held together with titanium screws and plates), so I lost about 15% side-to-side range of motion. But I still can look over my shoulder to double-check for a car in my peripheral before I make a lane change.
But the BSM has a secondary and potentially life-saving use. A good driver should always be aware of his/her surroundings, including any vehicles located anywhere near them in adjacent lanes. So even if I have no need or intention of changing lanes, I still have those little yellow warning symbols showing in the corner of my side mirrors when a car is within the 'blind spot range' on either rear flank. Several months ago, I discovered first-hand just how important that information could be!
I was driving on I-75 heading out of metro Atlanta just after dark. There were six lanes heading north and I was driving in the second lane from the left at 75-80 mph. I behind a truck and suddenly a large piece of furniture (dresser/chest of some sort) came tumbling off the back and right into my path! My instinct was to swerve to the right since there were more lanes and should be slower moving. But I had noticed only seconds earlier that the warning light on the right mirror indicated that a vehicle was hiding on my right rear corner. So I nailed the brakes and steered into the left lane instead and safety maneuvered around the obstacle.
I probably owe just as much credit to the handing prowess of my CX-9 as to the BSM. In my Explorer, I would have plowed right into the obstacle and/or attempted to make an emergency maneuver likely to cause a rollover! Have I mentioned that I do NOT miss that thing???
The good news is that rear view mirror cameras have really come down in price and can be purchased on eBay for $60 to $199, and include the compass and outside temp gauges with some of them.
On the 2013 Fusion you get the backup camera plus rear sensors PLUS cross traffic detection. The system looks to the side from the rear of the car and if it senses a car coming it will alert you including which side it's coming from even before you can see it. You can be in between two big trucks and still back out safely without fear of an oncoming car.
That's a far better combined safety feature than Blind Spot detection or Lane keeping.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
That is why I mentioned the EX-L V6 and the Sport as the two specific models that I really like. Both have dual pipes.
The Optima has dual exhaust AND fog lights on every model, from the LX to the SX-L, one of the reasons I was drawn to it.
All Accords offer standard alloy rims, which are 16" like most other competitors.
I remember when almost all Honda products had hubcaps, even sporty offerings. For example, my girlfriends '94 Acura Integra 2 door V-Tech which was loaded (even the wing and sunroof) except for alloys.
Similarly, the top of the line Civic EX had hubcaps too. You had too buy an Si to get them. It might not be a big deal to some, but I hate anything on my wheels that can fall off!
Mazda added it's own frame in the rear, which is why there is no resemblance.
For the most part it is getting harder and harder to spot platform sharing, which is a good thing. Particularly after the thinly veiled GM models in fairly recent memory, although the current Lincoln MK-Z and MK-X models are obviously Ford Fusion and Edge products. I do love the new MK-Z's looks. It looks like the bat-mobile, but is it $6000 more for a grill and bumper treatment?
I thought the CX-9 was pure blood Japanese.
The new MKZ is not "obviously" a Fusion product - they share no sheet metal. The MKZ offers many upgrades over the Fusion - 3.7L V6, LED adaptive headlamps, electronically controlled suspension, cooled seats, THX audio, push button transmission, electric telescoping wheel, auto-trunk opening/closing, real wood trim, better leather, etc. etc.
That's a bit more than a "grille and bumper" treatment.
"That's a bit more than a "grille and bumper" treatment"
Well kirby, I am not convinced, and neither is Car & Driver
They said the same thing I did, options or not. I have seen the inside and it looks very similar. The following is excerpts from September C/D page 81.
"Interior design diverges from the Fusion's, but material and build quality aren't commensurate with the up-charge"
"This isn't a strategy that works, Just ask Mercury"
and lastly, their summary of the model: "even with some obvious changes, it's too much like a Ford Fusion"
(Hybrid model tested; but I left out all references to the powertrain to be fair).
They didn't say it was a bad car! They said that you should probably just buy a Fusion, which is exactly what you bought. It's a nice car.
Also, I think it looks awesome, but I don't see many on the road. I do see a lot of Fusions....the Titanium looks great. How about a Fusion SHO!
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Other reviewers don't share that opinion.
The MKZ hybrid costs the same as the normally aspirated version.
That is not the case for the Fusion or any other mid-sized hybrid sedan.
My posts about Hyundai's nifty wheels was in response to cski's musings about Honda's hubcaps and alloys. Just adding to the discussion.
BTW, the front and rear lights on my 2013 Sonata hybrid are very eye catching.
A poster on another forum complained they were too distracting but when did drawing other drivers' eyes to brake and turn lights become dangerous?
The design concept behind the Sonata h's lights is reputedly based on the structure of an atom.
However, the # of exhausts seems pointless as you should be looking at the brake and turn signals for obvious safety reasons.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6