2011 Hyundai Sonata
 

Hey there, I was wondering if anyone of you already saw the brand-new Sonata sedan. I saw a commercial about the car during the superbowl game last weekend and was quite impressed by the car.

Hyundai also showed the all-new Tucson, which is also a nice car!

So do you have any news or reviews about the new Sonata?While checking for some articles about the model I found some articles related to Sonatas debut (2011 Hyundai Sonata). but there is a lack of reviews on the web.

Perhaps its just a bit early and I should wait a few more days so reviewers can publish theri articles. :)

Well, I'm just so excited about the new Sonata. I have been a long time Hyundai fan, and currently own a Accent compact, which is a nice car, but time has come to replace it, and my first choice will be either a Sonata or new Tucson.

Yes, I think it's still a bit early. The new Sonata has been creating quite a bit of buzz, I think, so it's likely that there will be lots of professional reviews very soon.

i like the previous sonata better.

New Sonata Coming
 

My Hyundai dealer informed me the the 2011 Sonata will be in next week. I'll be there to check it out. They are running a great deal, $5000 back and a $1000 more if you already own a Hyundai. Deal ends Feb. 28.

I checked out a new Sonata 2011 at the dealership. They only had two, and one was already sold. It is a very sleek car. Looks very much like a Lexus.

The 2011 seemed to have mostly cosmetic changes inside and out, although there is a new engine with some advanced technology included and I believe a new 6 speed auto. It is a beauty! The one I sat in was a Limited but only had the four cylinder. I asked if a V6 was coming to the dealer, and the salesman said no. Only fours right now.

I would recommend the new 2011 to anyone serious about buying a Hyundai. I ended up getting a terrific deal on a 2010 Sonata Limited and took delivery on Saturday.

Test Drove a 2011 Sonata SE twice a couple of weeks ago
 

I test drove a 2011 Sonata SE twice. I also own a 2009 Limited 4 cylinder with NAV. I feel the best way to describe the 2011 SE is to compare it to my 2009 Limited.

External Appearance:

The 2011 wins hands down. It is the most attractive vehicle in it's class when compared to Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Mazda 6 or Chevy Malibu. The only vehicle that comes close to it is the one it closely resembles the Volkswagen CC. I personally think many will mistake it for it for a Mercedes or a Lexus. I love the fact that the 4 cylinder SE has a dual exhaust (something my 4 cylinder lacks so I added a custom one) two failed tries later and my exhaust is still jacked. As soon as I get the money I have to try to get it re-done again. However the Limited 2011 Sonata isn't going to have a dual exhaust...only the SE.

Interior Appearance:

The interior is nice...but I actually prefer the appearance of my 09 Limited’s interior. I am old fashioned and like the traditional wood trim chrome accent look more than the Brushed Aluminum and Black accented "modern" somewhat space ship look in the 2011. I still want to see how the Limited looks with the wood trim...maybe my opinion will change. The things I like about the new car are the seats, they are very sporty in appearance and very supportive. The vehicle you fits you like a glove and at the same time it still feels spacious. The armrest extends farther than in the previous generation Sonata and it is easier to rest your arm on it while still holding on to the steering wheel.

The view out the windshield is wide and spacious...you can't even see the hood of the car while you are driving. You also have a good view out the side and rear windows as well.

Interior Storage:

Hyundai added a cubby for storage at the bottom of the center stack and moved the IPOD, aux, USB jacks to that location. The also added a cubby just beneath the armrest. These are features I really envy because I usually have to store my Blackberry or my IPOD inside my cup holders when I just want to have them in an easy to access location in my 09. They also re-added storage to the rear passenger doors, something that my car lacks.

Ergonomics/Creature Comforts:

All the HVAC and radio controls are easy to reach and activate. If you have a Limited 2009 or 2010 you will recognize the "little seated man" that is the control button for the mode on the HVAC ("heating, ventilating, and air conditioning") vents going to the face, feet, windshield defrost, etc.) only now instead of being a little icon inside of the little LCD screen it is the actual button you use to control the HVAC modes

They moved the controls for the trip computer to the bottom left side of the steering wheel beneath the cruise control. In addition, they screen for the trip computer is a little LCD screen! My trip computer controls are to the left of the steering wheel on the dash...the location of the controls for the 2011 are very convenient and you won't have to take your hands of the wheel to access them now. In addition, the 2011 has controls for the integrated blue tooth on the left side of the steering wheel beneath the audio controls. This is a feature I really miss on my car and I have a detachable JABRA unit that I use on my 2009 Limited. I didn't bother with the system Hyundai offers as an add on since it isn't integrated into the stereo and the JABRA works the same way as Hyundai's much more expensive unit.

Radio/iPod interface:
The sound quality of my 2009 Limited's Infinity radio/NAV blows the one in the 2011 SE away...I mean there is no comparison. I also like the iPod interface in my car better. The iPod controls were a little confusing and I had difficulty getting to the various modes to switch to different songs. However I have to admit that the vehicle I test drove did not have NAV so I could not compare the interfaces, but I assume it is the same.

The new car is also extremely quiet. One of the biggest disappointments with my car is how loud the 4 cylinder is when compared to the 6. I intentionally did not drive the 6 when test driving because I knew I would like it more...I find myself regretting that decision. I think I would have been happier getting the 6 with no NAV as opposed to getting the 4 with NAV.

With the 2011 either the engine is more refined, or they increased the sound deadening or both! At Highway speeds the car is a lot more quiet. The mirrors have a nice sculpted shape, and I think this probably contributes to how quiet the car is.

Performance:

The additional 25 horses are for real. I drive my 2009 pretty hard and I got to put the 2011 through the paces. It gets to 60 a couple of ticks faster than mine and gets to 80 effortlessly. However...although I can see while looking at the speedometer that it is a faster car it doesn't really "FEEL" faster. When you step on the gas from a stop it still doesn't push you back into the seat. However, at highway speeds it has plenty of passing power and the car is still a joy to drive. I am sure the turbocharged 2.0 engine will give it the power of the previous V6 with the gas mileage of the naturally aspirated 4.

The car definitely handles better as well and the new seats in the SE grip you like a glove while going through the corners and they are very comfortable.

Overall, I like the 2011 Sonata and I wish I would have waited. However, the 2009 Sonata Limited is still a great car with a nice luxurious appearance. I would have never thought that they would improve the car so much two years after a major refreshing and only four years after the car first came out.

Hyundai has the new leader in the affordable midsize sedan class, and it may even persuade some people to forego a Lexus, Acura, or even a Hyundai Genesis in it’s Limited trim with the 2.0 turbo!
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Thoughts after seeing the 2011 Sonata GLS with the $750 power seat & 16" alloys package.
Exterior: Extremely well done. Looks like more than $22000. Taste is very individual, I know, but I think it is a very attractive 4 door sedan.
Interior: Wow, looks like a much more expensive car, at least $30k looks.
EPA 22 city 35 hwy. Nice improvement for a faster car.
As soon as a manual transmission one shows up at Manheim auction in Orlando or Atlanta I plan to buy it. I love repo deals, especially on MT sedans. Price difference AT vs MT new is ~ $1000. At auction, 1 to 2 years old, the MT will be $2500-3000 cheaper. I will have driven a 07 Sonata MT for ~18-24 months for $50 a month or less.

Great to hear some positive thoughts about the 2011 Sonata. It's a wonderful car and it will most definately be an "image builder", as well as "volume builder" for Hyundai Motors America.

no six
 

i have owned two sonatas .an 03 which i still own and an 06 which i just traded last year for a new santa fe ihave had v6's in all i want to trade the 03 my wife loves the car thats why i held it so long but seeing as they are not going to put a six in the sonata i guess i will have to start looking at some different cars.never had a problem with either except the 3.3 was a lot more snappy the the 2.7 i still have.

2011 sonata lease vs buy
 

I just got back from the hyundai dealer where I test drove the 2011 sonata. The dealer told me that they have a .0019 (~4.56 apr) money factor and 60% residual on a 3/36000 lease for 2011 sonata. He added that hyundai plans to keep this offer open for all of 2010. With these terms, it's very difficult to see why anyone that had good enough credit to qualify, would ever purchase a 2011 out right. Think of it as having the option to sell your car back to the dealer for 60% of msrp 3 years later. With the depreciation hyundais have had in the past, why leave this option on the table?