Stigmas are a terrible, horrible thing. Personally, I try my best not to let them influence me in life. I like to make my own judgments, my own calls. If something is truly awful, poorly built or inadequate, I’ll make that decision on my own. So, when a company like Hyundai does its very best to squash any and all stigmas and stereotypes created about their brand (read: cheap, unreliable, bad quality), it takes a public that’s willing to embrace the evolution and see it for what it really is.
And I do.
Hyundai strengthened its name and company image immensely over the past few years, and its latest iteration of the Sonata is further proof of that. Loaded to the gills with technological gadgetry and amenities, the Ultimate 2.0T is just that: ultimate.
The 7-year itch
Relationships are said to go through a bit of a rough patch at the 7-year mark. Well, Hyundai has turned the itch into a bite and taken one out of the auto industry with its 7th generation Sonata (see what I did there? Clever, I know).
In 2011, the Sonata took on the modern look and design of today’s model (with the 2015 seeing a few more futuristic updates and tweaks), and thankfully so. Standing out from the crowd is something you absolutely need to do in the midsize sedan segment, and the Hyundai Sonata does that quite well.
Decked out in Phoenix Orange with chromed 18” alloy wheels and subsequent matching chrome exterior accents, along with interior touches such as heated leather front and rear seats, orange piping and “turbo” badge on the front seatbacks to match the orange exterior, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and even manual sunshades in the back windows; the 2015 Hyundai Sonata is a looker dressed to the nines for aesthetics and practicality.
Seating was super comfortable up front, and my son had a heap of room in the back to stretch his legs out (even with a front-seat passenger) and the roofline is also high and airy.
Equipped with a panoramic sunroof, the Ultimate 2.0T’s interior is so open and light. My son and I absolutely loved how large it all seemed without being that physically big at all. Just comfortable and open.
Turbo goodness
Part of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Ultimate 2.0T’s appeal lies mostly in what lurks beneath the hood: a 2.0L Turbo GDI. The twin-scroll turbocharged mill produces 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque -- healthy numbers for a vehicle in its class, and just enough to give the Sonata a good amount of oomph when on the road. It’s not blisteringly quick, but it is feisty enough to get the job done when asked.
Of note: The 2015 Hyundai Sonata Ultimate did not appreciate our dropping exterior temperatures. Like the Hyundai Santa Fe we long-term tested last year, the lower temps cause it to be a bit temperamental. At idle, the Sonata sounded almost like a diesel, and a strange whirring noise ensued under acceleration until everything had properly warmed up.
Despite all that, the 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC is smooth and performs well. Never jerky, never starved for a gear, the Hyundai Sonata is a pleasure to drive. I never wished for more power or better response, the Sonata always gave me precisely what I asked.
Loaded to the gills
And here’s the thing; the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Ultimate 2.0T isn’t just a joy to drive, it’s also a joy to own. With a starting price under $35k as tested (excluding freight and delivery), this vehicle is so full of bits and bobs to keep you safe/entertained and happy that you’ll feel as if you’re driving a much pricier automobile.
From walk-up welcome lights that detect the key fob and illuminate to greet you to an 8” touchscreen (that may be one of the best onboard systems I’ve ever used) to front collision warning and land departure warning (unlike the Genesis, the Sonata will not keep you in your lane and “drive” for you, but it will put up a fuss when you drift), this thing’s got it all.
The quality is there, too. It’s not like this thing is thrown together in a jumble, it’s well crafted with tight seals and soft-touch material. The interior is a pleasing and inviting place to be. The buttons feel solid, and the design is modern and practical. There really is quite a lot to like about the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Ultimate 2.0T.
How does it stack up?
With competition in some pretty big names like the Honda Accord and the brand new Toyota Camry, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata actually stands shoulder to shoulder with them (in my opinion). Here’s a company that used to be seen as a bit of an underdog, but I think they’ve just graduated to the cat’s meow.
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