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Sedans Hyundai Sonata 2011 Hyundai Sonata
133 messages, Last post on Dec 05, 2009 at 9:33 AM
You are in the Hyundai Sonata Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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I have learned that Hyundai USA will in fact be launching the 2011 Sonata without a V6. So there will be just two 4cyl powerplants to choose from, a 2.0 and a 2.4. The U.S. spec’d 2.0 is rumored to arrive with 197 horses while the 2.4 is supposed to wring out approximately 240 horses. Good numbers no doubt for 4 cylinders but the question is at what cost? Certainly improved MPG numbers are undoubtedly the major benefit but what about those zero to 60 times? The current 4 cylinder mill can gallop to sixty in a leisurely 9.8 seconds. I know we’re talking family sedans here but anything over 8 seconds on the upcoming base 2.0 4 cylinder will be borderline pathetic. I’m also very curious about the interior material quality. For example, will the glove box be lined and dampened like the current model? I know this seems like a small detail but small details like this often get in the way of car brands that set the standard instead of being defined by it. So far, I’ve only read one write up from a non-South Korean first drive impression which made mention of slight wind noise around 70 or 80 MPH, mind you this was a KDM version, or perhaps due to aerodynamics and because the car is so quiet. Still, the writer’s opinion was that the car did make a very positive impression overall and drove and felt miles better than the current outgoing model. I think my two concerns regarding the 4 cylinder only engines are NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) compared to the current 2.4 175 horsepower engine. The current 2009 Sonata’s curb weight as equipped is 3,299 lbs, so it means that this new model can't tip the scales any higher otherwise it will risk the mileage penalty. Also the so called suspension “clunk” some owners have complained of will have better be properly sorted. According to some experts, the so-called clunk is nothing more than suspension noise that can be muted with sufficient dampening insulation. We'll see. It would serve Hyundai well to churn out 3 more horses from their base 2.0 leader engine to an even 200 which they could use to position above all its segment competitors and then push the premium 2.4. To no ones surprise, Hyundai has remained deliberately tight lipped about the upcoming powertrain options. According to Hyundai based on sales of the current model: 85 percent for the 4 cylinder versus 15 percent for the 6, so it makes more sense to only offer a 4. But Hyundai has never built a car like the upcoming 6th generation Sonata. I think its risky and outright timid not to offer even the option of the 6 unless they have planned an SE turbo to put down a quite doable 265 horses at the front wheels. If not, this will be a major weakness in an otherwise great looking car. We will soon learn whether Japan’s top brands, Toyota and Honda, responds to Hyundai’s decision, and moves to match the 4 banger only offerings within this segment or will they offer more improved efficiencies in their sixes which would then undermine Hyundai’s drive to be the global king of Green? |
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Replying to: the_pill (Oct 28, 2009 6:32 pm)
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Replying to: poodog13 (Oct 29, 2009 5:51 am) |
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Replying to: the_pill (Oct 28, 2009 6:32 pm) Re power... the 2.0L Passat makes 200 hp, so adding 3 more ponies to the Sonata's 2.0L would only bring it to parity. It's possible the 2011 Sonata will debut with the two I4s and Hyundai will gauge the market acceptance. They could then drop in a V6 if the I4s don't fill demand. There's also the hybrid version in the wings. Keep in mind, Hyundai's stated goal is to meet the new USA fuel economy fleet average standards early. Dropping the V6 in their top-selling car might be a big part of that plan. And if Hyundai has to do it to meet the new standards, perhaps other automakers will have to follow suit. |
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Replying to: the_pill (Oct 28, 2009 6:32 pm) |
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The optional engine will be a turbocharged 4 cylinder engine. It will be a 2.0L mill pumping out 250 HP and yes it will be FWD. It won't have the torque steer of other high HP FWD cars.
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Replying to: rv65 (Nov 03, 2009 7:27 pm) Any thoughts?
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| I am not a Hyundai fan nor do I own a Hyundai, but the 2011 Hyundai Sonata picture is awesome. I would not mind owning a Sonata a few years down the road, once Hyundai starts to offer some good rebates. This car would give the Accord and Camry a run for their money. | |
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Replying to: poodog13 (Nov 04, 2009 7:03 am)
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Replying to: rv65 (Nov 04, 2009 11:14 pm) reserve judgment till after an up close view in person. But what I did read in a article would be very disappointing to me, not such a big deal is trunk opening size sounds like it will be smaller. If the 16.4 cu ft trunk space remains the same and the lid opening is smaller and rather large things won't fit all you can do is put smaller items. i.e. acquire smaller luggage and ice chests! Now this is what will stop me in my tracks from even looking into buying one. The V6 won't even be an option on the 2011 according to the article, I 4's only, I swore off 4 cylinders after owning 3. A toyota, a Mazda, and a Isuzu, three strikes your out, no matter how many turbos it may have. I have also owned 3 GM cars with 3.8L V6 w/ 200+ hp a Mazda 2.5L V6 166 hp, and also a oldsmobile w/ a 260 cu in V-8 and hiway mpg was at least equal to I 4's and in two cases the bigger engines got much better mpg. Those versions of 4 cylinders had trouble getting out of their own way compared to the much more power full V6's, I guess to each his own, I was spoiled w/ HP in the sixties and seventies w/ large cu in V 8's, very poor mg, even inline 6 cyl, got less than 20mpg but regular gas was about .35 cents a gallon. If everything goes as usual we keep cars seven or so years well after warranty is out. W/ our ext. warranty on the new Sonata 10 yr 100,00mile bumper to bumper who knows. Hopefully by then the US made Sonatas will have the V6's. If this info I looked thru is not accurate so much the better, It's hard to imagine that they would stop using the 3.3L V6 in the Sonatas. Only about 25 or 30% Sonatas sold in the US in 2008, 2009 were V6's but that many is a lot of money for Hyundai. Would they risk that many sales to people that want the V6 ??
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