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betola says:
10:43 AM, 02/07/2010
I saw the 2011 Sonata at the LA Auto show and was impressed. I have a 2006 Passat and would definitely consider the Sonata for my next car. The styling is sharp - somewhat similar to the Passat CC. The build quality looks very good - closing the the doors produces a solid thunk sound. The Theta engine seems a winner. My Passat gets 200 HP from a 4 cylinder but it's turbocharged, which means premium gas and real combined mileage of about 25. The Sonata is larger, lighter, gets better mileage, and all that on regular gas.
I test drove the 2006 Sonata shortly before buying the Passat and have driven the current model as a rental. It's got a solid feel to it but the automatic transmission has some problems with rough downshifting. I asked the Hyundai experts about this and they said that the tranmission on the 2006-10 Sonata was made by a contractor, but for the 2011 model forward, they are building their own. It's a 6-speed and should take care of the smoothness issues.
actualsize says:
09:49 AM, 12/14/2009
The above bird's-eye photo is the least-attractive one I've seen of the new 2011 Sonata.
At ground level, however, and from any angle, it's quite fetching. Hyundai must've thought so, too, because they had the car on a tilting turntable that allowed one to see the car from any angle imaginable if you simply stood still for a couple of minutes. And ever angle looked good. That's good design, that is.
thatguyuknow says:
09:18 PM, 12/13/2009
i've seen quite a few on the streets since i came here to korea on the 5th of december and i must say the previous sonata looks bland as s*** compared to this new version. i've seen everything from base models to loaded ones with the panoramic roof and also taxis... they all look very good, unlike in the photographs where i thought it looked akward. all in all an excellent effort by hyundai.
irvg37 says:
07:43 PM, 12/11/2009
one thing to see it in picture, another to be in it. massive difference - i'd say the car is rock solid. never expected such quality and design from hyundai.
i sat in one at the LA auto show, and WOW - i was shocked by how good this car looked and felt. i travel 4 days out of 5 each week, so i drive different new cars each week--ranging from toyotas, hondas, nissans, chevys, hyundais, subarus, vws, mbs, bmws, minis, and chryslers... folks - this hyundai is a real threat to the competition.
perfect execution, well deserving of kudos. what a business accomplishment for the hyundai mgmt team!
importer2 says:
01:58 PM, 12/08/2009
This is a real threat to ES300 ; TL ; and any derivative upscale family sedan.
Why else does Hyundai Press Release ask right up front "Why pay so much for a taste of luxury"
This is a Game Changer and rumor out of Acura is that they are working on "Smart Luxury"
and a smaller entry under TSX. Hyundai has a real opportunity here to have one volume family sedan
which steels customers of 'near luxury' on basis of value proposition. They have to stop fleet sales with 2001 Sonata thou'
dpaek says:
10:17 AM, 12/08/2009
This is by far the best looking Hyundai I've seen, inside and out. If I were in the market for a family sedan, I'd certainly look at this one first before I even consider a Toyota Camry. I'm so sick of Camry's on the road and people praising about how reliable it is. These average consumers have no idea that Toyota has been the #1 victim of the highest number of recalls this year. It's only a matter of time before Hyundai can use this opportunity to gain some momentum to build reputation as not only cheap cars but affordable, reliable and great looking vehicles.
wlm26 says:
08:56 AM, 12/08/2009
I have to say, after all of the renditions I saw on the net before it's official debute, I am severely disappointed in the exterior. The Sonata is entirely too remeniscent of the Lexus ES. The interior is a significant step up, but the exterior leaves much to be desired. I cannot tell from one minute if I am looking at a Chrysler Sebring, to the next, the ES300. They really should have tried harder.
cul8er says:
04:16 AM, 12/05/2009
Look out Toyota and Honda, this car is a winner. The external and internal looks are outstanding. The first of 3 engines is the most powerful AND fuel efficient engines in the auto industry - I'm looking forward to hearing more about the turbo and hybrid. Smart consumers look at numbers, this car wins in power, efficiency, and price from what I hear. If the quality and crash test ratings are top notch, Hyundai will not be able to produce enough of these Sonatas. Nice job John Krafcik!
sharvan456 says:
01:19 PM, 12/03/2009
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a fantastic looking car inside and out.With it's upgraded interiors and energy efecient 2.4 I4 engines,hyundai is going from strenght to strength.Looks to me like a winner already.