Any time someone does something radical with an established product, there’s bound to be controversy.
That’s how I feel about all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata. As a member of the press, I had been aware how the Korean company has been “reinventing” itself to a more premium brand with the still affordable price tag. Everyone could see the new direction with the Genesis, the Sonata, and the upcoming Equus.
I had found the look of the prior generation Sonata serviceable but a bit bland. Kinda like the VW’s Passat of that time. Someone up in Hyundai must have realized that fact, because this latest version is as radical as the 1996 Ford Taurus. Called “fluidic sculpture”, the more windswept, flowing designs remind me, oddly enough, of many Japanese models, especially from Nissan’s Infiniti brand. This is in sharp contrast to Hyundai competitors Honda and Toyota, which are following more traditional European designs.
There is one exception, though. As I commented in prior posts, Hyundai’s new design bears striking resemblance to the stunning Mercedes-Benz CLS. You can especially see it in the greenhouse, which is made up of the sedan’s windshield, windows, and the struts or pillars, that hold up the roof.
There is a price for this design, though, as I discovered when I tried out the back row: the top of my head brushed the roof. I encountered the same issue with the CLS and the current Mazda6.
Otherwise, the Sonata’s interior is quite roomy. The EPA classifies the Sonata as a large car and, roof nonwithstanding, I had plenty of room elsewhere (i.e., legs and shoulders).
Premium upgrades continue in the interior. The most obvious change is the center stack which houses the Sonata’s HVAC controls, audio, satellite radio, CD, navigation, etc. Borrowing elements from more luxury brands like Buick, Cadilla, Infiniti, and Volvo, Hyundai came up with its own interpretation which nicely complements the exterior sheetmetal. The only exception may be the vent control diagram. I felt it took too much space and found the non-functional “head” a waste of good plastic.
Former Sonata owners will be surprised when they take a test drive of the all-new model. I know I was. The steering and suspension is much more taut, more in line with the Mazda6 than, say, a Camry. And I was amazed at the power of the four cylinder engine, one of the strongest in this class. Casual drivers will have more than enough horsepower especially when they check out the economy. (I average easily in the low to mid thirties without effort). Only on hills or bypassing large vehicles quickly did I feel the engine’s lack of extra cylinders. Most drivers won’t even notice the issue.
By now, you’ve probably noticed my review describes more of a sports car than a regular mid-segment sedan. And that’s where the controversy comes in. The 2011 Sonata is that radical a step from the older model, a step that not everyone may like. There are reasons the Toyota Camry is the best-selling sedan in the U.S. with many of those reasons not involving sporty looks, design, and drivetrains. Hyundai may be taking a risk moving away from such a tried and true path, something the staff acknowledged during press day. In my opinion, I think it’s worth the risk.
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