Hyundai Ratchets Up Momentum

There wasn't anything terribly wrong with the fifth-generation Hyundai Sonata, a popularly priced sedan that began chipping away at the market shares of its chief rivals. True, the Sonata was outsold in 2009 by the Toyota Camry (and Prius), Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Malibu.

But here's the rub: All those midsize vehicles posted double-digit sales declines in 2009, while the Sonata, at the end of its multi-year lifecycle, boosted its volume 2.3% to 120,028 units.

Now that the '11 Sonata is all-new, it should make an even bigger dent in a sector destined for growth.

On sale now, the sedan is ideally timed to benefit from the surging popularity of the Hyundai brand and fully capable of ratcheting up that momentum.

While most auto makers are suffering losses or posting modest growth, U.S. light-vehicle sales for South Korea's top brand are up an astounding 39.2% for the first four months of the new model year.

The new Sonata is a dramatic and progressively styled wedge of a car that works just as well for Mom and Dad's date night as it does for a real estate agent showing houses. It measures 1 in. (2.5 cm) longer than the previous Sonata and will be classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a large car.

Cementing Hyundai's near-luxury ambitions, the Sonata is upscale (like the runaway hit Genesis) with a down-market price, starting below $20,000. Why buy a Lexus ES 350 for $34,800, only to have it confused with the new Sonata?

There are other compelling reasons to buy: The front-wheel-drive Sonata handles well, has a beautiful interior and offers a sophisticated new direct-injection gasoline 4-cyl. engine that delivers remarkable fuel economy in addition to class-leading horsepower (198) and torque (184 lb.-ft. [249 Nm]) among rival I-4s. The SE trim gets an additional 2 hp and 2 lb.-ft. of torque.

This all-new Theta II GDI represents a significant risk for Hyundai, as it is the Sonata's only engine at launch, and there is no plan to offer a V-6. Consider the strategy a referendum on America's true level of interest in fuel efficiency.

Later this year, a 2.0L turbocharged I-4 will arrive. In the Genesis coupe, that engine delivers 210 hp and 223 lb.-ft. (302 Nm) of torque. Expect more information about the powertrain rollout, including a 2.4L hybrid Sonata, at the New York auto show in April.

Hyundai may be smart for trying to sell the Sonata without a V-6. For the previous-generation car, the take rate for the 249-hp 3.3L V-6 was about 10%.

Still, certain performance-minded buyers will shop a V-6 in a rival sedan, and Hyundai is bound to lose some sales.

The new 4-cyl. is good, but the Hyundai V-6 delivered an extra 51 hp and sounded better, too.

GDI combustion events produce a unique clatter that engineers must dampen, lest they become annoying. In the process, many GDI engines, including that of the new Sonata, tend to sound a bit lifeless.

Hyundai expects most Sonata buyers will place a higher priority on fuel efficiency than a throaty exhaust. On that front, the car is solid.

In the final leg of our test drive — about 60 miles (97 km) of undulation through southern California — Hyundai staged an “MPG Challenge” and encouraged journalists to modulate throttle inputs for the highest possible mileage.

Our score of 42 mpg (5.6 L/100 km) was good enough for a bronze medal, but one hyper-miling journalist pushed the limits of credibility by turning in a score of more than 51 mpg (4.6 L/100 km), according to the vehicle trip computer.

For a non-hybrid 5-passenger sedan to achieve such mileage is nothing short of stupendous. By way of comparison, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which starts at $26,150, is rated at a mere 34 mpg (6.9 L/100 km) in combined driving.

For the same money, Sonata buyers can score a well-equipped sport SE trim package with navigation system, sunroof, 18-in. wheels, dual exhaust and premium audio, with $1,000 leftover.

The Sonata also gets Hyundai's new 6-speed automatic transmission, which shifts smoothly but held gears longer than necessary on more than one occasion during our drive. A manual gearbox is standard on the entry-level GLS trim but, oddly, is not available on the SE.

The interior is stylishly appointed and stands toe-to-toe with every competitor based on material selection, comfort, aesthetics and ergonomics. Fit and finish was flawless in the two models evaluated, and attention to detail is evident. Leg room in the second row is plentiful.

Quibbles are few. An average-size adult male cannot fit in the middle seat in back without hitting the ceiling with his head, and the top-end Limited model offers too much high-gloss piano black trim on the doors and center console.

Hyundai produces the Sonata and its 2.4L I-4 at its plant in Montgomery, AL.

The auto maker isn't projecting sales for the new Sonata, but count on it climbing in rank amid the best-selling midsize cars.

[+] PROS/CONS [-]

'11 Hyundai Sonata SE

Vehicle type: Front-engine, front-drive, 5-passenger sedan

Engine: 2.4L DOHC all-aluminum DI I-4

Power (SAE net): 200 hp @ 6,300 rpm

Torque: 186 lb.-ft (252 Nm) @ 4,250rpm

Bore × stroke (mm): 88.0 × 97.0

Compression ratio: 11.3:1

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 110 ins. (279 cm)

Overall length: 189.8 ins. (482 cm)

Curb weight: 3,199 lbs./1,451 kg

Base price: $22,595

Fuel economy: 22/35 mpg (10.6-6.7 L/100 km)

Competition: Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry