Other than jerky front wheels under load, the Sonata's other weak link is its 6-speed automatic transmission. Let me rephrase that: The Sonata 2.0T's other weak link is its 6-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, it does not have a Sport mode and is disappointingly slow on the uptake. The car is equipped with flappy plastic paddles behind the wheels, but every left-hand tug is unfortunately not met with a spike in engine revs. Manually downshifting is no fun, best left to the 'box which has no Sport mode. Can you see the problem?
Where there is no issue is with fuel consumption. With a heavy, at times overtly heavy, right foot, I averaged 11 L/100 km. A quote-unquote, normal person will certainly hover in the 9-litre range.
This point could be considered moot; however, this is the sportiest version of the Sonata and deserves some special attention. In a regular commute, the transmission does a fine, nearly invisible job.
Tipping the scale at nearly 1,600 kg (3,520 lbs), my tester is no lightweight. Clearly, the 2.0T is destined by Hyundai to be a comfortable cruiser capable of some serious blazing power. Weight transfers are slow and labour intensive but never out of control. Chassis movements are tuned to please the American market and unless you have track aspirations, the Korean maker has done a good job in maintaining stability and serenity.
I truly believe that the new Sonata can win over just about anyone in the market for a mid-size family sedan. If I was Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda, I'd be tearing one apart to see what makes it tick.
The beauty in all this is I know that the aforementioned brands can bring it. I'm certain the next Accord and Camry will be impressive. Thing is, this has now become a game of “catch-up”, if you know what I mean...
Where there is no issue is with fuel consumption. With a heavy, at times overtly heavy, right foot, I averaged 11 L/100 km. A quote-unquote, normal person will certainly hover in the 9-litre range.
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| The 2.0T is destined by Hyundai to be a comfortable cruiser capable of some serious blazing power. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
This point could be considered moot; however, this is the sportiest version of the Sonata and deserves some special attention. In a regular commute, the transmission does a fine, nearly invisible job.
Tipping the scale at nearly 1,600 kg (3,520 lbs), my tester is no lightweight. Clearly, the 2.0T is destined by Hyundai to be a comfortable cruiser capable of some serious blazing power. Weight transfers are slow and labour intensive but never out of control. Chassis movements are tuned to please the American market and unless you have track aspirations, the Korean maker has done a good job in maintaining stability and serenity.
I truly believe that the new Sonata can win over just about anyone in the market for a mid-size family sedan. If I was Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda, I'd be tearing one apart to see what makes it tick.
The beauty in all this is I know that the aforementioned brands can bring it. I'm certain the next Accord and Camry will be impressive. Thing is, this has now become a game of “catch-up”, if you know what I mean...
2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited
2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited
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