Here's a statistic that might blow your mind. Honda sold more than a quarter-million Accord sedans in the U.S. last year. While that might not be news to you, what you might not know is that nine out of 10 of those Accords were sold with a four-cylinder engine, not a V6. Clearly it makes no sense any longer to compare $30,000 family sedans with V6 engines and a boatload of options. It's time to change priorities, so we've chosen to compare the best of America's large family sedans equipped with a four-cylinder engine, and that means the 2010 Honda Accord LX and the 2010 Mazda 6 i Touring, not to mention the 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS.
The Honda Accord's place in such a comparison doesn't come by accident, as its perennial spot on top of the sales charts shows this car's powerful influence on the design of the American sedan. Meanwhile, what Inside Line comparison of mainstream sedans would be complete without the Mazda 6, which has won two such comparisons? Like we said last time when the Mazda 6 s triumphed in a comparison of V6-powered sedans, "We've always believed that a family sedan can still be fun to drive, and it's great to discover that Mazda thinks so, too."
The new 2011 Hyundai Sonata is here because it is leading the shift in priorities within the class of sedans, as it combines its customary affordable price with the choice of only one engine, a thrifty four-cylinder. It's an engine perfect for the times, setting a new benchmark for output and fuel consumption in its segment. Furthermore, the 2011 Sonata's stylish, flowing sheet metal and smart interior won't alert the neighbors that you settled for a low-budget alternative to the ubiquitous volume sellers.
Shifty Business
The stage was set for a pertinent comparison test of the cars everyone is actually buying, but we just couldn't pass up the opportunity to select test cars with manual transmissions.
First of all, there's no cheaper way to buy each of these cars. Adding an automatic transmission will run you an extra $800 in the Accord LX, $900 in the Mazda 6 i Touring and a cool $1,000 for the Sonata GLS. What's more, the EPA combined fuel consumption estimate for the manually shifted Sonata is 2 mpg better with its six-speed manual. For the Accord, combined mpg is the same with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic, while the Mazda 6 actually ekes out 1 mpg better consumption with a five-speed automatic transmission over this car's six-speed manual.
(Besides all that, Inside Line is spearheading a campaign to diminish left-leg atrophy, which can cause drivers of these ordinary cars to walk in counterclockwise circles. We endeavor to return to these going-nowhere wanderers a newfound direction in life.)
So even though manual-transmission cars make up only about 2 percent of the mix of sales volume for these cars, there are savings to be had up front in purchase price and potential savings down the road in operational cost. So, you're welcome, Inside Line comparison-test readers. Go forth, you 2-percenters, and walk proud and walk straight.
Follow the Money
The base price of the base-model 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS starts at just $19,915 and adding floor mats and a proprietary iPod cable brings the car's as-tested price to within a U.S. Grant of $20 grand at $20,050, making it the least expensive car in the test.
This car suits real people as well as engineers, because it offers must-have features plus best-in-class output and mpg.
For that price, however, the base-model Sonata GLS offers a superior amount of standard equipment. For instance, things like a dedicated iPod cable, a six-speed transmission (whether manual or automatic), a trip computer and 60/40-split-folding rear seat cannot be had (or even ordered) on our four-cylinder Accord LX at $21,765. You can find satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity on an Accord, but it requires stepping up to a top-tier EX-L at $26,740.
Nevertheless, the well-equipped Sonata GLS is not furnished with the aluminum wheels, foglamps, power driver seat or leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel that you can get in the Mazda 6 i Touring for $21,650. Granted, our Mazda 6 Touring is not a base model in the strictest sense, as it's found about midway up the lineup of Mazda 6 four-cylinders. You can find the desirable items listed above for both the Sonata and Accord, but you'll have to opt for a sport-tuned Sonata SE ($23,315) or jump clear up to an Accord EX V6 ($27,515) for the foglamps plus other equipment that the Mazda 6 offers for its price.
After we built a chart comparing an assortment of standard and optional equipment, you might have guessed the clear advantage went to the Hyundai Sonata, which scored 78.8 points compared to the Mazda's 72.2 points and the Honda Accord's 30.6 points. For a more detailed score card and explanation of the features we chose to compare and score against prices, see the "Top 12 Features" tab.
Subjective Evaluations
When it came time to evaluate in subjective terms things like dynamics, comfort, function and design/build quality, the gap between these three sedans proved far smaller than the feature-oriented evaluation. A spread of just 2.4 points among them is really close and speaks to the parity of the overall execution of the vehicles themselves. Even so, there were nuances we discovered.
We've already pointed to the feature content advantages of the Sonata, but the Hyundai also scores a strong 2nd place in the Comfort category and a resounding 1st place in the Function category.
Comfort
In terms of overall ride quality, we'd say the Sonata has the most luxurious ride. The way the Hyundai envelops road imperfections is what some people would characterize as "floaty," but not so much as to nauseate you. We've driven an SE model with its higher-rate springs, larger rear stabilizer bar and more rebound damping, and this sportier setup feels like the optimal one for the Sonata.
In comparison, the Accord feels lighter at times, but coarser most of the other time, and always more susceptible to impact harshness. In a way, the Accord feels as if there is too much air in the tires, but we verified the specification of 30 psi. We still think the Accord (and most Honda/Acura products for that matter) would benefit from more supple rubber.
Finally the Mazda 6's chassis proved to be the most buttoned-down of the bunch, with discernible rebound damping, although unfortunately the result is gut-jiggling unhappiness on a wider variety of surfaces. Yes, it's a European-style ride when the road is smooth, but even a wavy, undulating surface had us reaching for the cupholder to pick up the coffee lest we spill some. The Mazda 6 is recognized as offering the best driver's position of these three sedans.
While it is true that ride comfort, road noise and rear-seat accommodations were a strong suit for the Sonata, the center stack of instrumentation and controls proved intrusive on the driver's knee, and obvious wind noise emanating from the base of our car's windshield wipers knocked the car down a bit in scoring as well.
The Honda scored high marks with its utter lack of wind noise, but this asset was confounded by a high-frequency hiss from the tires (a behavior also exhibited by the Mazda, but less so). The Accord's useful rear seat helped it tie the equally capacious Sonata, though the Hyundai's seats themselves were slightly better contoured.
All three cars lacked rear power points and HVAC vents. The rear seat of the Mazda 6 (which is classified by the EPA as a midsize car, rather than the large car definition of the slightly larger Accord and Sonata) is noticeably tighter when it comes to perceived and actual scale, and it didn't have rear door pockets or a center head restraint.
Function
In terms of functionality, we pay particular attention to things like visibility, instrumentation, audio/HVAC layout and performance, in-cabin storage cleverness and trunk size (including an ability to accommodate oversized items).
Honda always manages to make cars with relatively low beltlines and slender pillars, and this Accord follows suit. Compared to the rakish Sonata, for instance, the Accord feels dramatically open and airy with easy sight lines, while the Mazda occupies the middle ground in this regard. You won't necessarily get this impression from the photos of the interior, where the two-tone cabin of the Sonata looks brighter than the darker-hued interiors of the Accord and Mazda 6.
Again, Honda has a way of presenting instrumentation in an unambiguous and legible manner and does so again with crisp white-on-black gauges. The Sonata also features legible white-on-gray gauges, but adds a bluish multipage trip computer/driver-coaching aid between the two main gauges. The Mazda 6 Touring also offers a trip computer, but the LED display is less prominent; it's in a slit at the base of the windshield. The Mazda's white needles against red numerals on a black background surrounded by a blue glow is certainly less legible.
When it comes to evaluating both the audio and HVAC layout and execution, we had difficulty reaching a consensus. Some liked the linear layout of Playskool toy-size buttons/knobs in the Accord, but others complained about the unintuitive choice of a giant volume knob surrounded by teeny tuning knobs.
Some preferred the unconventional layout (and pulsing blue glow) of the Mazda 6's instrumentation, calling it contemporary, while others criticized the mix of buttons. And that crowded multidisplay panel is in a different area code. Finally, those who liked the Sonata said it offered the most intuitive layout for both audio and HVAC controls in an economical space. This design also frees up room at the base of the center stack for small-item storage, a bordered perch for your iPod, and so on. The Mazda was particularly lacking in interior storage.
Trunks
Using one of these sedans as a family car necessitates a functional trunk. All three offer generously sized trunks, and ironically the Mazda's is technically the largest at 16.6 cubic feet. The Mazda 6 has scissor hinges and struts instead of the space-consuming gooseneck hinges of the Accord and Sonata, plus the rear seatbacks fold in a 60/40 split. The Sonata has a 16.4-cubic-foot trunk and its seatbacks also have a 60/40 split.
The Accord trunk measures 14 cubic feet, perhaps owing to intrusion from the rear-suspension shock towers. The Accord loses a fraction of a point for a one-piece fold-down rear seat, but gains some back for a ski pass-through that doesn't penalize occupants for a rare day at the slopes. Sadly, none of these cavernous cargo bays are equipped with a tie-down or cargo net to keep grapefruit or tennis balls from rolling to the far reaches of these vast trunks, but you can order a net from Mazda for $40.
Dynamically Speaking
There were other differences, too. With the exception of the Engine Performance category, all the editors agree the Mazda 6 is the driver's car of this group. The Mazda earns points for steering performance, brake performance, handling and just being fun to drive. Our track testing corroborates our impressions, as the Mazda outperforms the others with ease in the slalom and skid pad tests in particular. Where the Mazda dodged cones with a competence that is obviously engineered into the chassis, both the Hyundai and Honda endured the exercises as if we were asking them to do things they weren't designed to do. They are not, after all, sport sedans.
As mentioned in our Hyundai Sonata Full Test, the Sonata's steering suffers from two handicaps. There's a sense of inconsistency from the electric-assisted power steering, plus a tendency for the car to wander slightly on the open highway. There are examples of electric-assist steering done right, but the technology is clearly still evolving. Both the Accord and Mazda 6 currently use a traditional hydraulic-assisted steering system and as a result, perform more intuitively.
The Honda received some poor marks for its braking system. While the brakes for all these cars feel natural and progressive, all feature four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, electric brakeforce distribution and brake assist. Each car's shortest recorded distance to stop from 60 mph fell between 130 and 133 feet, but the Honda's brakes faded noticeably at our test facility, earning it a "Poor" rating from the test driver. After no more than three stops from 60 mph, the Accord requires 10-13 feet more in which to stop from 60 mph, and the scent of burning brake pads fills the air.
The only dynamic demerit earned by the Mazda 6 came because of engine performance, as what once was adequate has fallen behind in output and consumption. Relative to the Sonata's high-compression 2.4-liter inline-4, the Mazda's low-compression 2.5-liter inline-4 is slightly larger in displacement, yet less potent in both torque (what you feel at the bottom of an on-ramp) and horsepower (what you sense at the top of an on-ramp). This engine feels like the smoothest-running four-cylinder in the test, but it's also the least fuel-efficient engine in our test according to both our testing and EPA data.
The Hyundai Sonata's inline-4 features direct fuel injection, and if you can ignore the ticking under the hood, you'll definitely be impressed by an engine that delivers both the highest specific output in its class and also registers EPA fuel-economy estimates of 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway/28 mpg combined.
Having so much low and midrange grunt makes driving the Sonata a far less frenetic experience. Unlike with the Accord and Mazda 6, we rarely found ourselves in a gear that was too high when the circumstances required prompt engine response. This mill seems absolutely fine pushing tall gears at low rpm, much like a small-displacement turbocharged engine.
The Best for the Middle of the Road
It wasn't long into our three-car test before murmurs began circulating. "Have you driven that new Sonata?" people would ask. When we drove it home, it was unusual not to be asked questions by total strangers. Once we settled into the evaluation routine, the Sonata quickly rose to the occasion, impressing drivers first with its exterior and interior design, then later with its remarkable engine, not to mention its impressive amount of equipment. Mind you, all these accolades are based on the least expensive, base-model 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS.
This is the kind of car that suits real people as well as engineers, because it offers must-have features (even ones that were once luxuries) as standard equipment even as it delivers an engine that has best-in-class output and fuel efficiency. Sure, there are more engaging cars to drive between cones at a test track, but do buyers of these mainstream American-style sedans really care?
The Sonata is a well calculated and exceptionally engineered entry into the heart of the biggest market in the United States. And the ambition for this car has been matched by its excellent execution and affordable price. That the Sonata — like both the Accord and Mazda 6 — is built right here in the U.S. of A. makes it even better, because those folks in Alabama are responsible for upholding their end of the best warranty in the business.
Overall, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a remarkable achievement. Not just because it does so well in a few ways what the Accord has done for so many years, but also because it delivers excellence in so many categories. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is the new benchmark among mainstream large sedans. There, we said it.
The manufacturers provided Edmunds these vehicles for the purposes of evaluation.
Add A Comment »
alex38 says:
09:57 PM, 07/02/2011
I have test driven all 3 cars and I placed them in the following order: 3rd place: Mazda, 2nd place: Accord, 1st place: Sonata (all automatic transmissions)
The Mazda had a nice ride but the exterior and interior just look outdated compared with the other two (this is a matter of personal preference tho) - nothing really wowed me with it.
The Accord has great outward visibility but I have NEVER really liked the exterior from day 1 - not offensive but lacked that special quality of years past. Ride was firm, but tolerable. Overall, pleased by not blown away.
The Sonata really impressed from the moment i stepped in to the driver's seat. The interior almost wouldn't look out of place on an entry level Lexus (in fact, i think it looks WAY better than the interior of the latest Lexus ES350 but i digress). The ride was again, a bit on the firm side, but overall, very pleasing (as was the Accord). I thought steering feel was a touch artificial, but no major complaints. I was really surprised by amount of rear seat legroom. Of the 3, the Sonata is HANDS DOWN the best looking imo (tho I actually think the Kia Optima/K5 is slightly better looking than the Sonata). I never thought i'd say this, but the Sonata is the class leader. The warranty, power, class leading fuel efficiency make it a no brainer. Being among the least expensive is just the cherry on top..
93eg6 says:
09:53 PM, 05/17/2011
"The introduction suggested that the distinguishing feature was the manual transmissions these cars have, yet not one single mention was made about the quality of the manual transmissions in these cars."
Absolutely. So how was the quality of those manual transmissions?
krittmasta says:
11:48 AM, 02/04/2011
So For the last time, I went and test drove Accord EX-L V6, Legacy with CVT, and Sonata 2.0T.
After test driving those 3 cars, I narrowed in down to only 2 cars, Accord or Legacy. I'm not a Hyndai hater nor a hyper on it. Before I tell you what I bought, let me tell you why Sonata is out of the game.
1) Turbo engine is not for family sedan. I have friends and relatives share the same problem with turbo car heating and engine maintenance. If you're looking to get fast car, then get a sports car. Don't bother with it if you're not ready for the maintenance problem.
2) This is a major factor. Power steering is very glitchy. I almost feel like it was taking away 20% of my control over the car. Though the turbo feels fast on an only 3300 lbs car, what good is it to have power when you can't really control it well. This is almost a direct quote from Tsuchiya, the drift king from Japan.
3) Transmission is so bad. I mean, extremely horrible. I fiddle around to get a sense of gear changing on automatic mode. Yes, I felt the fuzzy logic bubbled up. The car changes gear violently that I can fore see transmission maintenance in couple years like my Suzuki Forenza with Daewoo gears and Holden GM engine. Bet you all Korean cars bid for the same transmission company.
4) Finishing. True the paint looks good, but material inside will never be Honda. Ever. Really. Just go compare limited edition with EX-L. And if someone says Honda or Legacy is loud? I'll tell you this, loudest to Sonata, then Accord, then Legacy.
Now, between Legacy and Accord.
I went to test drive legacy and of course, it's a bit under power for 170 horse in SAWD. However, have you ever hug your mom when you haven't seen her in 3 years? Well, that's how much it will hug a curve. 60 in a 35 curve? No problem. The engineering in it is marvel-less. It's awesome. However, the seat space in the back made it look like a mid size sports car like previous model in BMW.
Last, the Accord. The get up on a V-6 can be questionable compare to the Sonata. However, the safety feature in this car is extremely attractive. The interior is unmatched. The control precision is still great for a FWD car. It's trunk is a bit on the small side I say. However, the passenger room is what I call "luxury" in a small price. I could imagine that parts of this car is much cheaper too due to more in production. If anything, cars that don't produce as many with similar price will have to cut down some quality to compensate for it. You'll notice in a Legacy but they made up with driver cockpit and the SAWD with CVT system. Really really nice. However, Sonata, the panel looks like typical mid to low end home electronic silicon buttons. The plastic looks like it won't handle the heat that well. The accord doesn't have split seat fold, which I don't like. But then again, with this nice car, do I use it to carry a bike? eh.
So sum it all. I pick the Accord. It's an over all luxury family car for EX-L V6. I told myself, if I want a fast car, I would have gotten an Impreza WRX already. Hyndai is not bad for jumping and taking a major step here. However, they're too new into the industry to have the experience to deal with all the problem. More over, GDI will kill injector quicker. Just be careful. Every time I look inside the car, I just felt in love with Accord. Every time I look outside the car, I feel respect with Accord. And every time I look at the drive system, I fell in love with Subaru Legacy. So it's up to you. But I really warn you, Honda DID NOT PAY ME TO SAY THIS, Sonata transmission is a nightmare in the long run.
cnauta says:
10:16 AM, 01/24/2011
My wife and I tested the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T, the Ford Fusion Sport, the Toyota Camry XLE V6, the Honda Accord V6, and the Chevy Malibu V6 LTZ in November of 2010. We both came to the following conclusions based on the order in which we test drove the cars as follows:
Malibu - Very loud on the highway at speeds above 60 mph, non-responsive handling and steering. Power was very good from the motor after about 30 mph to 80 mph. Interior was bland, very cheap looking and was in a dire need of an upgrade. Braking was unspectacular and we found quite a bit fade from the brakes after several aggressive stops. Price was about $ 34,000 CAD before taxes and freight etc.
Fusion - We found this car much quieter at highway speeds, but the transmission/motor was not very smooth in gear changes. Power was very good from the start to about 70 mph, then power really faded downward drastically. Interior was arguably the best quality of all cars we tested and the 'cheap' factor was almost non-existant, however it needs a refreshment to update to the current times. Handling was very good as I would expect for a sport version sedan. Room was very good and spacious. Road noise was very, probably the quietest of all vehicles tested. Unfortunately the warrantee was basic at 3 years and I didn't like the My Touch entertainment system...this could be a real annoyance on the road I could see and I could imagine a few safety issues here too at speed with this car. Overall, good result....for a Ford vehicle.
Accord - I hear the stories all the time as a non-Honda owner about the quality and feel of the Honda Accord, but believe me when I say this vehicle finished a distant last place of all the cars we tested listed above. This vehicle was loud, under powered, felt clunky and heavy and the steering was so dull, I thought it would drive itself at times. The handling was very soft and the car leaned from side to side even under basic turns. The interior was not very refined at all and I felt like this was the smallest car inside. The only thing I liked about this vehicle was the looks from the outside, it looks sharp. Overall, poor job for what I was expecting.....maybe my expectations for it were a little high going in ?
Sonata Turbo - The only reason I tested this car was for the looks...I love the new looks of this 2011 vehicle, it suits a 35 to 45 year old driver much better than the the previous generation, which looked like a 55+ year old driver car. Overall, I found this car leading the pack in the following areas: performance....was the fastest car in the 30 mph to 70 mph category...notice I didn't say off the line, because it is sluggish off the line, but once up to speed it out did any of the V6 models listed hand over fist. Handling was good and it felt confident at all times. Braking was the best of all vehicles tested and brake fade was non-existent even after several consecutive aggressive stops. The interior was the second best we had seen, only next to the Fusion. It was cheaper looking material, but the looks of it was great and fully functional. This car had the most bang for the buck coming in at about 33,000 and had more functional/usable features that customers in this market care about than any other car tested. The warrantee was the best at 5 years , 100,000 km.
Corolla - I would put this car at about 3rd place overall. The car was very comfortable, almost too comfortable for me and smooth....too smooth. The interior was quiet at speed. Interior quality was very good. This car was the one chosen by my wife....but remember this was my car that I was buying and I had the final say yet :) Acceleration was the best in this vehicle from a standing start 0 to 70 mph. Very smooth transmission..almost silky. Steering though was so dull, again it practically drove itself, no sport feel at all.
In the end, after all the tests, I chose the Sonata Turbo. The main reason for me was the sporty looks and the fact that on paper anyhow it showed better fuel economy in both the city and on the highways and this was important to me. So, after 3 months of driving this car, we have 3600 kms on it and we have been keeping a gas log for mileage purposes. So far, 3100 kms have been city kms, the remainder have been highway kms. We have been averaging 11.1 L/100 km so far in the city to date and on the highway an incredible 6.2 L/100 km !! Keep in mind, this is in the middle of winter in the coldest city in Canada.. Winnipeg and still 11 L/100 km. in the city...that is incredible !! I can hardly wait for the summer time to test out the mileage on the highway as this car reported on paper anyhow 5.8 L/100 km., ie about 46 mpg Canadian. If it can achieve this...I will be very impressed !! Way to go Hyundai...you have made a happy customer out of me :)
krittmasta says:
08:02 AM, 01/04/2011
So I went out and test drove accord EX-L additional from had driven my friend's EX-L V6 and at the dealer Hyndai Sonata 2.0T. All I can say to Sonata is glitch glitch glitch.
As expected, Sonata provides lower quality material for the car and holding Limited edition in trying to keep the car's value. What's important is that the turbo power feels just the same as the V6 on the accord. Now, I have to give you that Accord is heavier, I felt like it need more time to speed it up, but only a fraction of a second, not noticeable at all. On the other hand, Sonata has so many glitches in the car. I was playing around the gadgets in the car, side mirror adjust very glitchy, not so smooth like my 99' Camry or the Accord at the test drive.
The cloth on the seat is nothing compare to the Accord. I admit it that it's easier to keep it clean, but the quality is so horrible. Most important thing is that the sonata and all the Korean car still has problem with the fuzzy logic on the gear. Their automatic is so glitchy that when I fiddle around the peddle, the gear started to shift wildly and choke the car on the go, extremely horrible tolerance of human inconsistency. This might break the transmission in the long run, or even not so long. I have first hand experience having to get the Korean gear fix twice from owning a 2006 Suzuki Forenza within the course of 4 years. Looks like Hyndai is setup 100K mile service for this.
The handling is only better than the Accord on other reviews because of 1, they have human bias to put in efforts to control both cars differently and 2. Accord is redoubtably heavier. Try driving in a strong wind, you'll appreciate if the car weights 200 extra lbs. Again, this is not a race car, it's a family sedan. Putting the turbo that made 278 HP on a 2 liter engine, might as well buy a Lancer Evolution and face engine leak motor oil at 30K mile.
When I stop the Sonata test drive, the engine felt hotter than my friend's Accord V6 that I used to take on Highway around Santa Barbara. Steering wheel feels glitchy on the feed back. Tilt the wheel to each side a bit while the car is stopping still, you'll feel the periodic feed back that is not consistent and smooth.
All and all, Hyndai will not negotiate for the price as low as Honda either. The parts will be more expensive too since they don't have a long history and don't have too many of them on the road. 1 Bad thing I don't like about Accord is that the hood doesn't have the hydraulic arms to keep the hood up. But then again, how many times did you have to pop the hood yourself. For the looks of the car, I like Accord more, Sonata gets old since the third month in. Honestly, Accord will always look presentable throughout the decade.
I'm not ready for this hype of oooohhh Sonata, the new generation is coming. I rather have a Subaru Legacy GT any day over that sonata. And if I want real driving experience, I would not consider a big car, I would get a 2011 WRX hatch back limited. Even WRX, 265 horse on a 2.5 liter Horizontal engine has its fair share of engine problem having a turbo. From engineering standing point of view, more moving parts, more problems. People also never understand that if you hammer the turbo hard, you'll have to leave the car on for a minute before you shut off the engine. Subaru has a relay on the car. I don't know if Sonata does or not.
You can sure spend your money and try the sonata, but don't come back crying saying that I don't warn you. Korean transmission is a real nightmare, you'll see. I'll never again to buy any Korean car or any car with crucial parts from Korea.
jewelsrn says:
07:58 AM, 11/07/2010
Hi
I had the experience to test drive a Honda 2010 for the weekend and also the Mazda 6 2010. IN comparisone to the Sonata 2011. Guess which one I bought????? The comfort and room and the power was phenominal. I travel to work 60 minutes. Comfort, Safety, and gas mileage are important.Not to mention appealing to the eyes & a joy to drive. Let me explain I had the pleasure of driving for a couple of years the new Pontiac G6 which was good for a month than started to have cranking noise everytime you made a turn. I took it in for service, numereous times & found nothing until waranty was up and the steering rod was replaced ;not to mention that the brake lights would go on after I took my foot off the brakes and go on when driving! NOW try to explain that to a state trooper. GM is bankrupt so tell me who do you go to in this situation. Lemon Law does not exist only the first year! Well needless to say It took me a while to make sure I would not be mislead. I am blessed that I am even alive to share this experience. KNOW THAT YOUR SUSPENSE IS IS JUST ABOUT ENDED.BUT LET ME TELL YOU MORE REGARDING THE EXPERIENCE THAN I WILL SHARE MY JOY! Honda was too small and too condensed too much gas for mileage and every bump was felt in the road. Mazda 6 bumps felt, handled well and got up to go but again to condensed and felt too close for comfort in the passenger seat. Well you guessed it the Sonata 2011 LE won my heart over!Warranty, quality craftmanship,gas mileage and the sleek appearance is in a class of its own.
roberto231055 says:
06:46 AM, 10/19/2010
Hi. Here in Brazil the Sonata costs $ 61,000.00 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
longo2 says:
11:20 AM, 07/30/2010
So the Gearheads setting up this comp-test decided to amuse themselves with all m/t's! Then after much hand wringing, Tut Tutting, and fussing over each detail, they didn't even mention how each car did with a m/t?
For the most part I have found that the new generation of car reviewers are Hacks, either keeping with the corporate line of the boss they work for, or just as bad, uninformed louts that are spoiled rotten by paid junkets by the car companies that haul their sorry asses all over the world to let them take a brief test drive before the Buffet and press conference.
MPG's? hardly never mentioned in the 'real world' testing as these lead footed Oafs could care less. It's not their gas, so lets see how fast it can go around corners until the tires roll off the rims. Then come back and bitch about 'bad cornering' or some fuzzy feeling about the steering through pylons at top speed, or trying to drift it around corners whenever they are out of sight of the Car Company Hosts.
No, I really miss being able to read a decent reivew anymore, only a handfull of car reviewers out there know enough to review the car in the catagory it's placed in, and not go wandering off comment to compare it to some personal favorite of theirs (always in a different catagory of course)
Write what will sell, and don't pi$$ of the Sponsors is the standard Car Review fare these days, after all you already have your bags packed for the next Freebee trip.
Edmunds has a few great car reviewers but this piece was thrown together by writers who drove up in a Clown Car.
ribbonspeakers says:
06:29 PM, 06/12/2010
I could just scream about the fact that none of these car makers offer the sedans described as a station wagon. How many times have you read this complaint. Only Honda offers the hatchback (forgot what its called) but it is only available loaded in the low $30k range and its rear hatch is overly raked minimizing cargo capacity, so it's not really a wagon version but just a hatch.
This just drives me nuts.
Then Ford has us waiting ANOTHER year+ for the Cmax. Why did they announce this stupid vapor ware two years ago?
alookman says:
12:29 PM, 06/08/2010
Fuel cost for Mazda 6 was the lowest ($103) yet it's most inefficient based on observed and EPA rating. I think fuel efficiency rating should be in the floowing order: Sonata, Accord and 6. Why are the realiability, resale and safety features not factored in?