Ask the Car People.SM


2011 Hyundai Sonata

5326 messages,  Last post on Feb 15, 2013 at 11:34 AM

You are in the Hyundai Sonata Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Future Vehicle, Sedan

Messages Page 361 of 533

#3598 of 5326 Re: 2000 Olds Intrigue ... [poodog13] by m6user

Jun 28, 2010 (9:46 am)

Replying to: poodog13 (Jun 28, 2010 9:27 am)
I'm kind of in the same situation. I think we all would love to have the Sonata or upcoming Optima turbos to be a winner in all respects so we can save some money over a comparably equipped G37, Maxima, TL etc. However comparably equipped on paper they may be there is still a big difference in richness of materials. Leather in luxury brands is a lot nicer than the leather in the Hyundais. Bluetooth, suspensions, interior materials etc are just very much nicer in those cars. It's pie in the sky thinking that they are the same just because the appear the same on paper.
 
What attracts me to the Sonata/Optima turbo is nice power and the MPG to go along with it on regular gas and the warranty. If the suspension can be improved and become at least competitive(a habitual Hyundai weakness as well as less refined but perfectly good engines) I will consider the turbo models. I know that I won't be getting the same richness of the luxury brands but for a few thousand less it's a decent tradeoff. But, if the suspension isn't right I won't be buying it. I almost bought a 2007 Sonata but bought the Mazda6 instead because of the suspension. Otherwise I liked them both pretty much the same as the pros and cons were about equal but the suspension and sloppy handling I just couldn't put up with. Hopefully Hyundai will improve on that because I think they are an up and coming brand and have shown great improvement in most other aspects of their cars.

#3599 of 5326 I must be one of the few people ... by kfdmed

Jun 28, 2010 (10:44 am)

Replying to: poodog13 (Jun 28, 2010 9:27 am)
who likes the TL look. The grill is unique and the front end as a whole works for me. The interior is as nice as the Maxima. The G37X is a bit more than I would like to spend so I would probably have to go for a used G35X. I really didn't consider the Sonata/Optima until the turbo versions were announced.

#3600 of 5326 Re: I have to disagree ... [kfdmed] by keyman2

Jun 28, 2010 (10:15 am)

Replying to: kfdmed (Jun 28, 2010 3:40 am)
It happens to be alot more money------ala cart for every extra which adds up fast.The sonata is just as good looking or better then the Maxima,and it can't beat the extras and warrenty.

#3601 of 5326 Re: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited TURBO [meik] by amoviefan1

Jun 28, 2010 (10:54 am)

Replying to: meik (Jun 26, 2010 11:13 am)
You make a good point about the adding in the cost of the Sonata Limited TURBO's extra features. I still hope that Hyundai doesn't price it higher than $32,000 sticker including NAV...higher than that would be really pushing it.
 
I hear that the Limited TURBO will have 18" wheels, paddle shifters and a panoramic sunroof (like the 2010 Hyundai Tucson). Current 2011 Sonata Limited (4-cylinder NON-Turbo models) already have a standard backup camera when you get the NAV. It also has standard front and rear heated seats.
 
Also, I would love to see HID (Xenon) headlights and ventilated seats on the Limited Turbo, but I have not heard that those are coming which is really a shame. Other features that I really wish Hyundai would add to the Limited Turbo are a Power Passenger Seat (like the 2010 Honda Accord EX-L V6 has now) and a small annoyance is that the 2011 Sonata doesn't have an electronic readout for the dual automatic climate control's temperature (like all other cars in the segment). You just have to read the numbers on the two dials. I'd also love to see LEDs in the tail lights (like the Maxima).
 
You may have heard that the soon to be released, 2011 Kia Optima Turbo (same engine as Sonata Turbo) will definitely have HID (Xenon) headlights and LED tail lights plus Kia's version of Ford's SYNC system. It's called UVO. I know that Hyundai and Kia are only sister companies, but come on Hyundai! We want this stuff on the 2011 Sonata Limited Turbo, too!
 
I also love the blue lighting on the Sonata's gauges. I hate, hate the orange nighttime lighting on the Maxima. Please test drive a Maxima at night before buying it, if you care about that kind of thing. Really annoying.
 
Also, as much as I love the Maxima's exterior and sweet torquey engine...the interior feels very cheap (even on the premium package equipped Maxima SV with a $39,500 sticker). And it requires premium gas. Lastly, you must use synthetic oil or Nissan's $90 oil change with Ester Oil to get 19 mpg City vs. Sonata's 22 mpg City on regular oil. So, in the long run a Maxima costs more to own.
 
Both fun cars to own, though.

#3602 of 5326 Re: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited TURBO [amoviefan1] by m6user

Jun 28, 2010 (11:27 am)

Replying to: amoviefan1 (Jun 28, 2010 10:54 am)
Also, I would love to see HID (Xenon) headlights and ventilated seats on the Limited Turbo, but I have not heard that those are coming which is really a shame
 
They aren't. Some of the items the OP mentioned are not part of the turbo package on the Sonata Limited. I think he might have mistaken the information for another Hyundai or Kia model. I have a Mazda6 with red lighting and have had Pontiacs with the red/orange night lighting and found them to be no problem at all. It sounds like more of a personal preference. I would rather have blue but the red/orange is no problem and Mazda actually says that studies have shown it to be a very good night color for visibility(of course they would but they do cite studies). By the way, Kia has red lighting on their cars for the most part.
 
I think you're going to find that Kia and Hyundai are going to not only differentiate their models by looks but also content to some degree. If every single option or piece of standard equipment was available on each one you would end up with the same stuff that GM did for so many years and for what they got slammed for. Building the same car but only different sheet metal.
 
I'm not pushing the Maxima by any means but if you think that the Maxima SV interior feels or looks cheap, just what would you call the Sonata's interior? The leather is much nicer and the controls are higher quality in the Maxima and the car, when driven, is just plain tighter and better behaved on bumps and corners. I think your "hate, hate" of the red lighting possibly tints your view of the rest of the car. I agree about the higher costs but there is no free lunch in this world.

#3603 of 5326 Re: Invalid Parameter when trying to post a review [kirstie_h] by mbzx

Jun 28, 2010 (11:46 am)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Jun 28, 2010 8:17 am)
Thanks. I will try that route.

#3604 of 5326 Re: 2000 Olds Intrigue ... [kfdmed] by dash5

Jun 28, 2010 (12:01 pm)

Replying to: kfdmed (Jun 28, 2010 8:56 am)
Interesting choices and goes along with the discussion on where some buyers fall into comparing near lux brands with affordable midsize. I think the Maxima is a very sharp looking car. My only problem with it was the impression I'd have to spend at least 35k on it and that was too close to G37/A4/328i territory to justify. The reviews seemed luke warm as well:
 
Nissan Maxima

#3605 of 5326 When will Hyundai fix these problems? [m6user] by bclebaron

Jun 28, 2010 (1:40 pm)

Replying to: m6user (Mar 31, 2010 4:23 pm)
I currently am the owner of a Lexus RX330 and recently finished the lease on my second Lexus ES. In my shopping for a replacement, I felt compelled by virtually everything about the 2011 Sonata, and ultimately leased a Limited with Nav. It was only after the second day of driving, when I tried to avert a #$%& driver on her cell phone about to cut into my freeway lane, that I learned how wimpy the single-tone Sonata horn is. Notwithstanding my dealer's GM acknowledging the inadequacy of same, explaining that he had read a factory report to the effect that "new" models of the Sonata will come equipped with an upgraded, enhanced-db horn, I reasoned that whatever changes won't be a recall item. Thus, being enamored of the Lexus sound, I purchased an ES350 horn from my local Lexus dealer (about $85), and had my friendly Hyundai dealer replace it on the car. This required about an hour's labor and cost $100. Was it worth it?
Absolutely! I'm ecstatic with the new sound of my Hyundai - and with a 120db output far less worried about safety issues,

#3606 of 5326 Re: Warning about the 2011 Sonata [schdy] by mommyt

Jun 28, 2010 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: schdy (Jun 05, 2010 9:41 am)
Its me again. I just wanted to inform you that there have been more reports of the same issue posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site. I have also been contacted by phone and email by Safety Defects Engineer Assistant,Office of Defects Investigation. I have sent him a copy of the video and am waiting for his response.
Hmmmm....I guess it isn't isolated. I guess Hyundai isn't perfect after all. They tried to hide the truth from their most loyal customers.

#3607 of 5326 Re: Warning about the 2011 Sonata [mommyt] by backy

Jun 28, 2010 (2:59 pm)

Replying to: mommyt (Jun 28, 2010 2:00 pm)
There is one other report on the NHTSA site of a problem similar to yours:
 
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintsummary.cfm?odi_id=- 10336919&prod_id=844773&cmpt_id=1&type=1
 
So that means your issue is not unique. But 2 out of about 100,000 cars is "isolated", IMO.
 
And I don't recall anyone here maintaining that Hyundai is perfect.

Messages Page 361 of 533

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement