In fact, the car is so seductive that it's literally robbing other showrooms of shoppers. Its allure is so strong that it recently captured my dye-in-the-wool, American-car-loving, 67 year-old uncle into getting one. After driving only Chryslers, Fords and GMs for fifty years, he took a Korean home.
What got him (and all of you eyeing the new Sonata) are its distinctive creases, purposeful beltline and distinguished front fascia. That's part #1. Part #2 took place when he slid behind the wheel. The array of materials, textures and shapes had him thinking that he was aboard a more-expensive car. I know you read this every time you get your hands on a Hyundai review, but it really happens. Really.
The cabin is impressively well put together. The gauges are high-end, their display crystal-clear and nearly be-jewelled. The blue-hue interior lighting sets a crisp, luxurious and comfortable tone. The seats are large, comfortable and room is plentiful for five occupants; a rarity in this category.
Although my uncle drove off with a 198-hp, 2.4L 4-cylinder GL, my tested 2.0T Limited with Navigation holds an ace under its sculpted bonnet. The 274-hp turbocharged 2.0L mill is, in a word and compared to equally-powered V6s, awesome. I actually tweeted (@Matt_St_Pierre) during my test drive that this powertrain should be the one motivating the Genesis Coupe 2.0T. This is sports-car potent.
Eager to please and displaying little or no lag, forward thrust is almost immediate, thanks to its 269 lb-ft coming into play at only 1,800 rpm. Passing manoeuvres are accomplished with one hand tied behind the back. Realistically, the driver needs to keep both mitts firmly on the steering wheel at all times, as torque steer creeps into every rushed throttle application.
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| The gauges are high-end, their display crystal-clear and nearly be-jewelled. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
What got him (and all of you eyeing the new Sonata) are its distinctive creases, purposeful beltline and distinguished front fascia. That's part #1. Part #2 took place when he slid behind the wheel. The array of materials, textures and shapes had him thinking that he was aboard a more-expensive car. I know you read this every time you get your hands on a Hyundai review, but it really happens. Really.
The cabin is impressively well put together. The gauges are high-end, their display crystal-clear and nearly be-jewelled. The blue-hue interior lighting sets a crisp, luxurious and comfortable tone. The seats are large, comfortable and room is plentiful for five occupants; a rarity in this category.
Although my uncle drove off with a 198-hp, 2.4L 4-cylinder GL, my tested 2.0T Limited with Navigation holds an ace under its sculpted bonnet. The 274-hp turbocharged 2.0L mill is, in a word and compared to equally-powered V6s, awesome. I actually tweeted (@Matt_St_Pierre) during my test drive that this powertrain should be the one motivating the Genesis Coupe 2.0T. This is sports-car potent.
Eager to please and displaying little or no lag, forward thrust is almost immediate, thanks to its 269 lb-ft coming into play at only 1,800 rpm. Passing manoeuvres are accomplished with one hand tied behind the back. Realistically, the driver needs to keep both mitts firmly on the steering wheel at all times, as torque steer creeps into every rushed throttle application.
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| The 274-hp turbocharged 2.0L mill is, in a word and compared to equally-powered V6s, awesome. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |