Vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited
Price as tested: CDN$28999

Performance: The previous Sonata was good enough to earn Directshift’s coverted Car of the Year award. Is the new Sonata any better than the impressive outgoing car? We will find out after this review.

Unlike the previous Sonata, the latest iteration is no longer available with V6 engine. That’s because Hyundai has scheduled a 4-cylinder turbo and hybrid coming on the horizon. In the meantime, this 2.4 liter DOHC 4-cylinder 16-valve comes with dual variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust. As well as advaced direct fuel injection technology. With 198 ponies and 184 lb/ft of torque at driver’s disposal, the latest Sonata provides the most horsepower in its respective segment. Not only does this direct injected motor provides exceptional refinement and flexability; its powerful enough to let anyone forget about opting for the V6. Its also enough to motive 3316 lb of South Korean leather-lined of luxury with ease. However, the incoming 274 hp 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder is what we are all waiting for. If you just can’t wait for this forced induction Sonata, the current normally aspirated 2.4 liter is more than capable to suit your needs. Mated with this impressive 4-cylinder is the 6-speed manumatic gearbox. Previous Hyundai used to have a rather tall ratios for bottom gears. Not anymore. The new Sonata has properly low gear ratios for 1st and 2nd for enthuisastic launch while leaving 5th and 6th for superb highway cruising, on the other hand, leaving 3rd and 4th to keep the engine in all sweet spot. There are paddle shifters on the steering wheel for manumatic mode, unfortunately, it won’t allow any enthuisastic driver to drop gears on “D”. That makes the paddle shifters rather redundant in its purpose. A paddle shifters should allow driver to drop the gears whenever its needed.

Handling: The Sonata begins with excellent foundation, which means rigid and stiff chassis for suspension components to hang its heads. That means the chassis is completely lack of anything called cracks and rattles even when driven through rough Canadian roads. What makes us impressive with the Sonata is the European supple ride quality Hyundai engineers dialled with the suspension. We already praised this kind of suspension tuning prowess with the impressive Genesis and Elantra Touring, both of these cars have Teutonic enough driving feel to let anyone forget about anything Japanese. The new Sonata isn’t any difference. While the ride is soft and cushioned on washboard pavements and expansion joints, it won’t feel any kind of softness one associates with some of its peers. On the other hand, the suspension yields firm driving dynamics without compromising anything in terms of comfort. While there are still some minor body rolls and safe understeer does surface. All have done with confidence and sure-footness when pushed this Sonata through twisties. The steering provides good feel and feedback, with top-notch precision and responsiveness. Sonata’s ESC doesn’t step in when pushed in the corners until driver rears its ugly head. That’s already considered uninstrusive given Sonata’s family car status.

Brakes: With both 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, the Sonata provides impressive braking feel and feedback. The pedal always feels alive even stop multiple times during hot summer weather. It doesn’t exhibit any kind of fades, along with ABS which doesn’t step in unnecessarily, have rounded out Sonata’s impressive dynamic package.

Interior: Slip behind the wheel of the new Sonata, you would have thought you are sitting in an Audi. That’s because the use of plastic and leather materials are world-class. Fit-and-finish is top-notch. All the panel gaps are tight and fitting. The dual-zone auto climate control is initutive thanks to the human-like pictogram for fan position. The stereo is equally initutive and easy to use. Instrumentation gauges are clear and analog.

While the coupe-like roofline has sacificed some of the headroom from a boxier profile, its actually not as terrible as most would have thought. The leg and elbow room are impressive for Sonata’s rear passengers, thanks to US EPA’s large-car rating for its interior space. Sonata is the second car in the mid-size family car segment to classify as a large-car, in terms of interior space. First car is the current Accord introduced in 2008.

Although the trunk liftover is a little bit high and side sills are a bit narrow, loading luggages into the Sonata remains fuss-free. Along with proper fold-down rear seats, the full-size Sonata is able to swallow any luggage of any size human car possibly think of. However, the use of instrusive trunk hinges have cut into many of those groceries below.

Conclusion: If you think the previous Sonata already a great car, Hyundai is able to turn such a great car into an even better car. It got plenty of power, even if the 274hp 2.0T haven’t come along. It handles relatively well. The most impressive aspect is Hyundai is able to design a sexy family sedan without losing any of the interior space that this segment needed. Its the other way around! In short, Hyundai has upped the ante in this important segment.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 Hyundai Sonata
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Performance: 4.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.75/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5