Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2015 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Ultimate; Day 1

[Noto]

Nice review, GBA!

If you liked the adaptive cruise and the power in the 'standard' engine, try out a Subaru Legacy with EyeSight - it performed quite well.  Not that I'm trying to sell it, but that was my favourite feature.  No ventilated seats, though

I still hold that Hyundai is making great vehicles and it's only a matter of time until they're refined.  I had hoped for a bit more refinement in this redesign and am a little disappointed in the lack of steering/chassis feel myself.

[Jaeger]

Good review GBA. It must make some member's head explode to see anything positive written about any Hyundai. But of course, such tinfoil hat wearers have already concluded that you were paid off by Hyundai to do so. 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Good review GBA. It must make some member's head explode to see anything positive written about any Hyundai. But of course, such tinfoil hat wearers have already concluded that you were paid off by Hyundai to do so. 

While I liked the car, it probably wouldn't make my short list.  As nice as all the gadgets were, I would prefer to have a car that doesn't have such a dead chassis.  As good as Hyundai has gotten, they haven't seemed to be able to nail chassis tuning quite yet.  I haven't driven the Mazda6, but by all accounts it would be the one to go to for this.  Or the Fusion.  I hear the Fusion has as many goodies, yet the chassis is tuned for a little more 'fun' (as much fun as can be had in a $30K sedan).

The value you get with the Sonata is impressive, though.  For someone who isn't a 'driver', the sheer amount of goodies you get for the price is amazing.

I should add, visibility in the Sonata was excellent.  I HAVE driven a Fusion, and visibility was not its strong suit (although you can have the low driving position that I like).

[conwelpic]

So, I drove one of these yesterday.  The one I drove was a 2.4 Limited, so basically the top-of-the-line with the 'smaller' engine.

1.  The 7-speed transmission is great.  Shifts smooth and quickly.  Kicked down nicely when I put my foot into it.

its a 6-speed transmission. 

[Jaeger]

Good review GBA. It must make some member's head explode to see anything positive written about any Hyundai. But of course, such tinfoil hat wearers have already concluded that you were paid off by Hyundai to do so. 

While I liked the car, it probably wouldn't make my short list.  As nice as all the gadgets were, I would prefer to have a car that doesn't have such a dead chassis.  As good as Hyundai has gotten, they haven't seemed to be able to nail chassis tuning quite yet.  I haven't driven the Mazda6, but by all accounts it would be the one to go to for this.  Or the Fusion.  I hear the Fusion has as many goodies, yet the chassis is tuned for a little more 'fun' (as much fun as can be had in a $30K sedan).

The value you get with the Sonata is impressive, though.  For someone who isn't a 'driver', the sheer amount of goodies you get for the price is amazing.

I should add, visibility in the Sonata was excellent.  I HAVE driven a Fusion, and visibility was not its strong suit (although you can have the low driving position that I like).

I don't think anyone would describe the Sonata as fun to drive from a handling / suspension standpoint.  Competent for itss class is as high as I would put it.  The Mazda 6 is leagues ahead in this respect - and you can get it with a stick.  The Fusion does not appeal to me at all.  The Accord is supposed to be a better than decent handler, but man, it could hardly be more boring to look at.  Looks like the shipping crate the Mazda 6 came in.  The Sonata is a very good long distance cruiser.  Did an Oakville to Vermont to Maine and back road trip this summer with a full load of passengers and cargo and lacked for nothing.

[rrocket]

^^IMO, nothing in the family mid-size class is truly fun to drive.

[mixmanmash]

^^IMO, nothing in the family mid-size class is truly fun to drive.

Yup.  That pretty much died with the disappearance of the 1st gen Mazdaspeed 6 and Legacy GT Spec.b.

[Oldsguy]

So, I drove one of these yesterday.  The one I drove was a 2.4 Limited, so basically the top-of-the-line with the 'smaller' engine.

1.  The 7-speed transmission is great.  Shifts smooth and quickly.  Kicked down nicely when I put my foot into it.

its a 6-speed transmission. 

He was probably paid to call it a 7-speed.

[rrocket]

^^IMO, nothing in the family mid-size class is truly fun to drive.

My TL

That's not in the same class.  But nice try just the same.

[rrocket]

What does a top-cheese Sonata or Regal cost?

Hey, if you want to compare your car to a Camry, Accord, Sonata..that's your business.  Have at it.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

So, I drove one of these yesterday.  The one I drove was a 2.4 Limited, so basically the top-of-the-line with the 'smaller' engine.

1.  The 7-speed transmission is great.  Shifts smooth and quickly.  Kicked down nicely when I put my foot into it.

its a 6-speed transmission. 

You're right.  It is a six speed.  I don't know why I confused it with a seven speed.  Maybe because of the prevalence of 7 and 8-speeds these days.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

What does a top-cheese Sonata or Regal cost?

Sonata Limited with the 2.4 is $33 901.
Sonata Ultimate with the 2.0T is $35 007

Functionally, except for the engine, the cars are the same.

The base regal starts at $33 000, while the top spec GS starts at $42 995, and that's before the two expensive options GM lets you put on it. (radar cruise control is $1370 and  memory driver's seat + lane departure is another $1565).  To get a comparably equipped car as the Hyundai you're looking at about $10k more money.  Which isn't to say that the Regal will be a better experience.  They're trying to compete more with Acura/Lexus, so the drive and materials will probably be higher grade than the Hyundai (I hope).

[EV-Light]

if sales are an indication of failure....the new Sonata might be in trouble:

        Model          Oct-14  Oct-13  Year-to-Date 
   Toyota Camry  33,164  29,144  368,142 
   Honda Accord  27,128  25,182  331,510 
   Nissan Altima  23,544  21,785  280,479 
   Ford Fusion  22,846  21,740  263,431 
   Hyundai Sonata  15,563  19,872  180,497 
   Kia Optima  11,840  11,492  134,486 
   Chrysler 200  11,675  8348  86,817 
   Chevrolet Malibu  11,131  15,746  159,705 
   Volkswagen Passat  6513  7258  81,426 
   Subaru Legacy  6362  3090  41,080 
   Mazda6  3149  3099  45,010 
   Dodge Avenger  1347  5406  50,710 

[Patrick_D1]

The volume-selling trims of the new model began arriving on dealer lots in late August - maybe we can wait more than 2 months before declaring a vehicle a failure? 

[Ex-airbalancer]

The volume-selling trims of the new model began arriving on dealer lots in late August - maybe we can wait more than 2 months before declaring a vehicle a failure? 

What fun would that  be , if we waited 

[Jaeger]

The volume-selling trims of the new model began arriving on dealer lots in late August - maybe we can wait more than 2 months before declaring a vehicle a failure? 

There's no point in being sensible.  Trolls are immune to logic and reason.  It's their super-power.

[OliverD]

The volume-selling trims of the new model began arriving on dealer lots in late August - maybe we can wait more than 2 months before declaring a vehicle a failure? 

Is it also possibly that there is less leftover stock this year than there would be in other years? That could certainly impact sales.

[Patrick_D1]

The volume-selling trims of the new model began arriving on dealer lots in late August - maybe we can wait more than 2 months before declaring a vehicle a failure? 

Is it also possibly that there is less leftover stock this year than there would be in other years? That could certainly impact sales.

In any launch year there's a blip between the sell-down of the old model and the build up of inventories for the new model.

[conwelpic]

in Canada the Sonata was the best selling mid-size vehicle for August and September, in October it was the 2nd best seller, outsold by 118 units by the Chrysler 200.

[Serniter]

in Canada the Sonata was the best selling mid-size vehicle for August and September, in October it was the 2nd best seller, outsold by 118 units by the Chrysler 200.

 You just had to bring in the 200!