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I'm an owner for 4mos and several of my friends have the SE model and we all comment on the increased acceleration from the 2011 compared to the 6cy 2010. I've also left several Hondas,Toyotas,Ford Fusions, and Mazdas behind me at a traffic light with little effort.
I don't have the enhanced sound system and I have never had to increase the radio volume to override the engine noise. Maybe he had his Mother-in-law with him during the test drive.
Therefore his critiques have not entered into my driving experience. I can't imagine any owner of this car complaining about the get go of the new 4cyl engine.
sorry, couldn't resist. :P
* Complaining about the acceleration when many other reviews show the Sonata is one of the leaders of its class, for four-cylinder cars, in that regard.
* Comments such as the following, which seem to indicate the writer has a general bias against Hyundai:
- "In the past, Hyundai's exterior styling has been forgettable, ugly or both."
- "Notwithstanding the silly name that (Fluidic Sculpture) brings to mind a flushing toilet,..."
- "First off, the engine, though rated at 200 horsepower in the sporty SE, feels like it has half that. The Sonata's 0-60 acceleration is normal for its class at about 8 seconds..." (note how the writer contradicts himself in the same sentence--first claiming the car feels like it has 100 horsepower, which would be far less than any other car in its class, then saying its acceleration is normal for its class).
- "As it stands now, I'd rather have an American or Japanese product without some of the frills like the navigation system, stereo and sun roof if it meant better driving dynamics." (note the writer doesn't say WHICH American or Japanese products offer better driving dynamics--other reviews aren't afraid to name names when comparing the Sonata to other cars).
When I see reviews like this on a car when so many professional auto reviewers have given the car a thumbs-up, I have to wonder if the writer is biased, and if they are trying to make a name for themselves by making clever comments, e.g. comparing a marketing slogan to a flushing toilet.
Just my opinion.
Not compared to anything in its class. (Perhaps compared to my G35 that I traded in )
:P
As for the interior, would you rate those the same? Camry - Fusion - Sonata? I havent sat in a Fusion, but the Camry interior is brutal, in my eyes.
Will it blow anyone away off the line or handle sharp grades like a Range Rover? Of course not. However, for driving in everyday traffic, it gets around quite nicely.
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Maybe it is because you were testing the Limited which wieghs more to begin with and had 3 full sized adults in the car. The extra weight will definitely put a damper on the acceleration in most any midsize car. Anyways good luck with your new vehicle.">link title
BTW.. I took a trip with my elderly parents trunk full of suitcases.... and STILL got 33 mpg highway driving!
He stated that the computer didn't show any problems with the transmission or engine. He stated that he called their "tech" department and was told that the new Sonata's have something like 5 separate computers that don't turn on until after the first 1000-1500 miles. He also said that they told him that the transmission (that is new for the 2011 Sonata's) is "learning" my driving style/habbits for the first 1000 miles and after the computers kick in, I should experience a much better driving experience. We'll have to wait and see. Has anyone else ever heard of this? I know someone posted in regards to my post that they had this issue too. Hopefully the service guy was blowing smoke up my [non-permissible content removed]
I think your service manager got one too many zeros in the mileage equation. Within 100 miles the Tucson had adapted to my driving style and the shift points had changed. Drove much smoother after that. But then when wifey got back behind the wheel, she complained that the car "didn't drive the same, what did you do to it?". Within a day or so of running around, it was back to her style and whatever "I had done to it" was okay. Gotta love computers.
:P
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/12/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-brings-t- urbo-to-main-stree/
Cheers,
Bob
There is one small gripe I have. The first 2 seconds of every song while playing a CD and MP3 are missed. When one song is done, it pauses and skips the first couple seconds of the next song.
This happens on every CD I put in and each song on the thumb drive I have, every time. Is this delay normal? Has anyone else experienced this?
It's a small gripe, but for a brand new car with a fully loaded sound system, I am somewhat disappointed. It be awesome if there was an easy fix for this out there.
I would really appreciate any feedback from the community prior to going back to the dealer with any questions.
Thank you in advance for taking a moment to let me know.
I'm sure there is much more to that story. I would like to hear all of it.
http://www.insideline.com/hyundai/sonata/2011/2011-hyundai-sonata-20t-first-driv- e.html
Sound like another homerun
If it is a 2011, and there have been no alterations to the radio, it is covered by warranty and your dealer knows that. Either they pay, or call Hyundai.a
Impressive! Stainless Mitsu for reliability, tweaked for better performance and linearity. About 284hp on 94 octane. Sounds like Hyundai is trying to make turbos reliable and practical for everyday use, not just for boy toys. 300 hours of testing at WOT is brutal.
but thats what makes a horserace!
Prior to 2006-2010, Sonata models were replete with problems and because of that they have low resale value as of now. 2011 Sonata uses GDI technology that has been used by German car companies with mixed results, and its been shied away by Honda due to its tendency to clog the injectors. The new 2011 Sonata reliability is totally unknown. Yes, its a great value and nice product, if it keeps ticking 15 years down the road.
Compared to that Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Mazda and Nissan have been making solid cars for last 30 plus years.
Hyundai is JUST beginning to make very nice cars but let them do so for a while before we crown them the king of the road!
Will I buy one? Sure, but with some trepidation but the consolation that it has great warranty. Will I ever get the same resale as my Honda, I doubt it!
Thanks,
Chintan
Corporate Communications
Edmunds.com
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Resale does matter because if you ever total your car, its the fair market value of the car before accident that is paid by insurance.
They have high resale because of reliability and also because they don't flood the market with fleet sales as lot of car companies do.
I like 2011 Sonata and its resale is the only reason I am hesitant about it.
When I bought my 2011 SE I traded in a 2006 Sonata that I paid $19,800 in 2006. I was given $10,500 on a trade towards my new car. Again I lost $9300 in 5 plus yrs.
And why do you think you can lease a 2011 Sonata for $199mo. Because the resale value has climbed as a result of Hyundai's quality improvement to the top 4 right behind Honda and ahead of Toyota.
Honda's resale value is legendary and its supported by every resale indicator. That doesn't mean 2011 Sonata is not a good product, but used car market works on many factors.
Honda DOES NOT make fleet sales to rental car companies which also has major impact on resale. Hyundai Sonatas are common at major rental car companies, good for Hyundai but bad for resale. BTW this is also true of BMW in Germany, they don't do fleet sale for taxis and rental car companies and hence have better resale than Mercedes Benz.