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"Out in the real-world, the Sonata's SE trim level makes its firmer suspension calibration known on the road, prompting some staffers to criticize its bumpy ride on rougher surfaces.
"...some staffers felt that the last-generation Sonata perhaps had an upper hand on NVH levels."
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_1002_2011_hyundai_sonata_se_test/- - performance.html#ixzz0gtoG0FNV
mikemartin - I have the SE and they are right that the ride is a bit more stiff than the GLS or Limited, but it's not a bad thing really. The car has low profile 18'' tires and a stiffer suspension, giving you more contact with the road more of the time. It is still quiet inside the cabin and potholes/bumps are absorbed nicely, although maybe just slightly less than the non-sport models. A small price to pay for the extra handling power and road control if you ask me.
On that note, I am finally up to about 1250 miles thanks to my ridiculous amount of driving so I got to open it up a bit - trust me the SE is worth the extra money!!! I was going around twisty roads and could not believe how fast I was going without even pushing it.
zornundo - I don't think anyone is planning to drag race a Mustang in their new Sonata but 0-60 is an indication of the power that the car has. I don't think anyone has measured times like 30-60 or 40-70 yet, although those numbers would be nice to know too. And it really depends on how you drive, some people (like myself) do use the full power range from time to time and at least like to know it is there when needed. It's not a sports car, but trust me this car definitely has some power and the SE does not mind being driven fast.
I'm not disagreeing with you about the current state of things, but I'm suggesting that it (remote starting) could be easily added to the Sonata, and wouldn't even have to affect the price all that much, really. I mean, come on, how much should it really cost to have a little transmitter talk to a little receiver, that signals the car to start?
Cheers,
Trevor
Also, the smart key/push button start system is shared with other Hyundai models like the Genesis Coupe and others as well, if they added remote start to only one model they would have to redesign the entire keyfob to add the button, which would probably expensive in and of itself.
Of all of you who have purchased any trim level of the 2011, what have you experienced for real world mileage so far? Has you in-town driving given you over 22mpg? Just curious!
The reason remote start isn't standard probably has to do with fuel efficiency. The manufacturers are under great pressure from the "green" government. That's why you can't get a V6, and why the manufacturers use water thin (5W-20) oil..
Cheers,
-Trevor
Loved the new exterior shape of the car. Liked the colors on the lot. Through the window, all three interiors looked very nice. Sat in a Limited and liked the entire cabin. Like the center console very much. Would have liked to see a coin box on the left under the dash like on the ’06.
Only disappointment in the interior on the LTD was the steering wheel. I absolutely love the leather wrapped wheel on my ’06 GLS (first one I’ve ever had). On the 2011 LTD the leather also felt great. However, only about 50% is leather. It’s rubber from about the 2:30 to 5 o’clock positions as well as 7 o’clock to 9:30 positions. A comfortable grip had my hands half on the leather portion and half on the rubber. That bothered me a bit but I’m sure I can get over it if I upgrade to the new Sonata. However, one reason people move up to the LTD is for the luxury amenities it offers, like leather seats and wheel. Just doesn’t make sense to me to not wrap it all the way around.
The drive was very nice but idle and acceleration were significantly louder than my V6. However, it’s not fair to compare the two engine types. And it wasn’t something I felt would bother me for more than a short time while getting used to a new car. Power was quite adequate so I’d have no qualms moving from my current 235 hp to this engine.
I already thought that the previous generation was just as good as the main competitors in this class. I’m sure the new Sonata will grab even more market share.
Interesting to note, for all three 2011 trims, the dealership sticker added $995 for “appearance package” which the salesperson confirmed only included front/back mud guards and wheel locks. There was also an additional $1,495 “Adjusted Market Value” charge for all three. $2,500 seems like a lot to add on to MSRP when considering some of the deals others in this forum have reported. Of course, the asking price is just a starting point.
Thanks
I've already admitted I am considering a Sonata for my next car, as I get the supplier discount on Hyundai vehicles.
However, don't you think it's noteworthy when publications like Motor Trend and others have remarked that the Noise, Vibration and Harshness of the NEW 2011 Sonata may not be as good as that of the 2010 model?
If anyone with a 2011 model who has driven it a fair amount, and who had exposure to the 2009 or 201o version would like to comment based on personal experience, I'd most welcome any feedback.
Also if your looking for more comfort you should go with the GLS. It has the thickest at 205/65-16 tires. Go with the limited and the side walls get thinner 215/55-17. And the SE is the thinnest at 225/45-18.
Pretty ridiculous. What city/state was this?
If Hyundai thought they could draw in extra buyers by offering something like that I think they are smart enough to figure it out. Who knows, in the future they may do it just to be able to be the only value priced midsize sedan that has it standard on one of their trims but I wouldn't hold my breathe.......rear seat heaters are a lot, lot cheaper.
I personally am eager to find out what the "next round" of incentives will be, now that the initial finance incentives (2.9% for 60 months, 3.9% for 72 months, etc.) are officially ended yesterday. If anyone hears any "inside scoop" of what's next, I'm eager to find out. I hear Hyundai will be advertising the 2011 Sonata heavily at the upcoming Academy Awards show (or whichever one it is coming up soon), so maybe it will be launched in connection with that blitz.
It would cost about the same as adding a power door lock to an extra door or trunk. The components are about the same, dead simple, and dirt cheap.
But I agree with you that it's not a real useful feature to most of us, and not a great marketing tool. I suppose it could sell a few cars per month nation wide.
Meanwhile, Acura charges about $700 for remote start as an option, just to give you a price perspective.
I finally posted a video, as promised, of the lighting at night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42C7d-ZzfIw
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Trevor
(You're killing me here. I'm in the market soon, have a Honda lease that is not quite expired, but am eager to start down the path of the Limited Pacific Blue / Grey. I need to stay patient for the next couple/few months ...
I test drove the Limted in white. Let me just say, in white, this car is drop dead gorgeous. Unfortunately, the one I drove didn't have NAV. They did a search and say they only found 1 Limited with NAV in the region in a light color. The one they found was a silver with gray interior. I don't know what that looks like, but my wife doesn't want black. I thought the white with black interior was beautiful.
The most amazing thing is the front seat leg room. I'm a large land mammal, 6'2" 280lbs. And wearing a big winter jacket. I had no problem getting into our out of the front seat. And when I put the seat all the way back, I could barely reach the pedals. I had to push it forward for a safe and comfortable position. I haven't owned a car that I had to push the seat up on since the mid 70's.
Surprisingly, the rear seat was no worse than the Fusion. With the seat in a normal driving position for me, I was able to get into and out of the back. The roof line came into play, but for me, it was an easier egress than the Fusion. And sitting in back, I had enough leg room to be comfortable. Head room, not a chance. I would die back there. But it was almost as bad in the Fusion. But front seat head room, the Sonata was the clear winner.
Overall, the Sonata rode better, had more power and a much classier looking interior.
I told the salesman I'd pay $26K for it and they actually agreed. Unfortunately we couldn't work out a deal to get enough for my trade to get out of my lease 4 months early. I sent him an email offering to split the $1200 I still owe on my lease, IOW, drop it to $25,400 and I'd do it now. I doubt they'll go that low, but i cost me nothing to try.
I've got an issue to raise, that hopefully some other folks can help me (and "us") out with. As most of you probably know already, I have a 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited, with the Dimension sound system, and iPod integration. I also own a 64GB 3G iPod Touch, which has a lot of (static-free) music on it. When playing music from the iPod through the audio system in the car, using the iPod cable, there is a highly noticeable amount of static in many different songs.
So far, I have done the following:
* Tried using a different iPod (my girlfriend's iPod Nano) - 2010-02-28
* Tested XM and HD radio and same music (as on iPod) on mp3 data CD (none of which exhibit the static behavior) - 2010-02-28
* Tried the iPod Touch 3G in a showroom 2011 Sonata (exhibited same behavior) - 2010-03-02
* Spoke to service consultant at my local dealership who indicated that another customer had reported the issue last week. Suggested replacing cable. - 2010-03-02
* Used a different iPod cable (exchanged at the parts department at dealership) per dealership recommendation. Did not fix. - 2010-03-02
* Called Hyundai Consumer Affairs (800-633-5151) and logged a case - 2010-03-02
* Received call back from Hyundai Consumer Affairs stating that I needed to talk to the service manager at dealership and log a repair request - 2010-03-02
* Called service manager back and left voicemail to call me - 2010-03-02
* Recorded a video and posted to Youtube regarding the issue - 2010-03-02
Todo
----------------------
* Wait for callback from service manager
* Update Hyundai Consumer Affairs regarding results from service manager
* Log support case with dealership
----------------------
If anyone else could post back with their experiences on the iPod / Sonata integration, I'd be most appreciative. Also, if you have not yet used an iPod with your Sonata, but have both, it would be very helpful if you could try it out, and see if you can reproduce the behavior.
FYI, I will be posting the Youtube video soon. My edits are still processing, and it will take some time to upload as well.
Cheers,
Trevor
Ha nice :P
So what about the Fusion didnt you like? I'm just curious. Or was it simply that the Sonata was just better. The Sonata, Fusion and Altima are my top 3 at the moment.
It was a number of things, some subjective, some not so much. And some of it was just the bad vibe from the Ford dealer.
On the plus side for the Sonata for me:
More room, front, back and head
Leather felt much better
Fusion interior looked cheap
Fusion gauges look cartoonish compared to the Sonata
Ride quality and overall quietness about the same, maybe slight edge Sonata.
More power
Push button start
Homelink
No contest on exterior looks
Overall the Fusion just felt cheap compared to the Sonata.
Now for the dealer bad vibe. I told the salesman I wanted to test drive the 4cyl SEL. He brought over a 6cyl SEL. They only had the 4cyl in SE. So I had to compare the interior not in the car I actually test drove.
And when we went to test drive the 4cyl, the battery was dead. Not uncommon, but it took them 20 minutes to locate the jumper box. Then it had no gas so he wouldn't let me take it on the street unless I wanted to drive him to the gas station. I just drove it around the parking lot.
And he tried to argue with me about the 6cyl having AWD. He said only the Limited version had AWD. Of course, there is no such thing as a Fusion Limited and the 6cyl indeed has AWD.
I was tempted by the Fusion because of the electronics. I kind of wanted that BLIS stuff. And the fact the NAV in the Sonata is not voice activated is a turn off. But overall, the Sonata was just too much car for the Sonata.
Thanks again.
0-58 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m_bwYuMyHs
0-60 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR9C0RXF9dY
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47676250@N05/sets/72157623473314312/
FYI, here is the video about the issue:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86s1Jjq5QM4
I know that you can't really hear the static too well, but that is mostly because that particular song doesn't make it come out well, nor is the microphone on my Sanyo Xacti HD-1010 very good.
Cheers,
Trevor
-Trevor
-Trevor
After 1047 posts I figured I might as well jump in.
I'm in the market right now for a new vehicle but before I make a decisions, I want to wait and see how the Limited in Harbor Grey with Wine interior looks.
Anyone able to comment on hip and lateral knee room? I have a wide [non-permissible content removed] and the center console appears in pictures to be pretty thick. I was just wondering how narrow the cockpit is in the car.
Thanks to Trevor and syitalian for the videos, btw
Cheers,
Trevor
The 2011 Sonata is an outstanding vehicle - I want one.
Cheers,
-Trevor
Regards,
Philip
Norm - I believe Philip states that he works with the audio system of the Sonata. You might be better off emailing/calling local Hyundai dealerships in your area. They are the ones that will pick which cars they want out of a particular allotment. If they know what you are looking for, they may accept that car for their dealership on your behalf.
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/sonata/features.aspx
Hyundai has several repeat super bowl commercials voiced by different actors, but also a couple new ones touting the Sonata's top pick designation by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
It's getting harder and harder each day to wait on buying a new Sonata.
http://www.hyundainews.com/Media_Kits/Video_Clips/Index.asp
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/85858232.html