2011 Hyundai Sonata joins the cream of the midsize crop

It's difficult to knock the classics whether we're talking fashion (black tuxedo), literature ("Of Mice and Men" by John Stei

rock (the Beatles).

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is destined to join the classics of affordable midsize cars. That's not because of its fuel efficienc

city, 35 mpg highway), its bounty of standard features (think sunroof with slide and tilt me

it's the entire package that makes the Sonata a standout.

Not that Hyundai was under pressure to rethink the Sonata. The previous generation was attractive if somewhat unremarkable, w

some auto reviewers noting its look -- inside and out

wrong with it, inside or out. Yet there was nothing that broke it out of the pack, either.

One look at the long, light, low exterior of the Sonata and yo

and athletic with flowing lines and signature chrome extending from the headlamps, along the hood and through the belt line.

the boxy grille, replaced with a long, sweeping grill

2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited

Engine: 198-horsepower, 2.4-liter GDI or 274-horsepower, 2-liter turbo Transmission: 6-speed automatic

MSRP: From $19,395 (model tested from $25,495)

The high-end, contemporary look continues inside. Although some call the look futuristic, that seems a bit of a stretch. High

contemporary feels about right.

But that's a minor point.

What's important is that the Sonata's flow-through center console and instrument panel is not just modern but user friendly whether

you're working with the navigation, AM/FM/XM/6

technology.

Gear head alert: This technology is made for you. Think 8GB of flash memory and a matched sound system. Other gadgets are XM

Navigation Weather, XM Stock Ticker and XM Sports Ticker. The system also can be updated via USB.

Of course you can get all of the high-end features in the world and not be comfortable. Fortunately, the Sonata offers plentiful (103.8

cubic feet) of passenger space. Add to that 16.4 cubic feet of cargo space and you see how this sedan would well suit a

In addition, the six-speed automatic transmission model I drove was plenty powerful, which is saying something since it's 26.4 pounds

lighter than the five-speed it replaces. The Sonata also is 1.6 inches shorter and considerably simpler, having 62

makes the car lighter.

If you don't think that's important, remember the 22 mpg city, 35 mpg highway fuel economy, which beats some hybrids out ther

In a world of car designs that cut corners, the Hyundai Sonata is the full package.

Source URL: http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/wheels/2011/02/2011

2011 Hyundai Sonata joins the cream of the midsize cropIt's difficult to knock the classics whether we're talking fashion (black tuxedo), literature ("Of Mice and Men" by John Stei

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is destined to join the classics of affordable midsize cars. That's not because of its fuel efficienc

city, 35 mpg highway), its bounty of standard features (think sunroof with slide and tilt mechanisms) or its high

it's the entire package that makes the Sonata a standout.

Not that Hyundai was under pressure to rethink the Sonata. The previous generation was attractive if somewhat unremarkable, w

inside and out -- was reminiscent of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. There was nothing

wrong with it, inside or out. Yet there was nothing that broke it out of the pack, either.

One look at the long, light, low exterior of the Sonata and you know those days have passed. What was once a bland box is now sleek

and athletic with flowing lines and signature chrome extending from the headlamps, along the hood and through the belt line.

the boxy grille, replaced with a long, sweeping grille that is an ideal focal point accented by the sloping fog lamps and headlamps.

end, contemporary look continues inside. Although some call the look futuristic, that seems a bit of a stretch. High

through center console and instrument panel is not just modern but user friendly whether

you're working with the navigation, AM/FM/XM/6-disc CD changer/MP3 with HD radio technology or the integrated Bluetooth

alert: This technology is made for you. Think 8GB of flash memory and a matched sound system. Other gadgets are XM

Navigation Weather, XM Stock Ticker and XM Sports Ticker. The system also can be updated via USB.

end features in the world and not be comfortable. Fortunately, the Sonata offers plentiful (103.8

cubic feet) of passenger space. Add to that 16.4 cubic feet of cargo space and you see how this sedan would well suit a

speed automatic transmission model I drove was plenty powerful, which is saying something since it's 26.4 pounds

speed it replaces. The Sonata also is 1.6 inches shorter and considerably simpler, having 62

If you don't think that's important, remember the 22 mpg city, 35 mpg highway fuel economy, which beats some hybrids out ther

In a world of car designs that cut corners, the Hyundai Sonata is the full package.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/wheels/2011/02/2011-hyundai-sonata-joins-

2011 Hyundai Sonata joins the cream of the midsize crop It's difficult to knock the classics whether we're talking fashion (black tuxedo), literature ("Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck), or

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is destined to join the classics of affordable midsize cars. That's not because of its fuel efficiency (22 mpg

chanisms) or its high-end styling. Rather,

Not that Hyundai was under pressure to rethink the Sonata. The previous generation was attractive if somewhat unremarkable, with

was reminiscent of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. There was nothing

u know those days have passed. What was once a bland box is now sleek

and athletic with flowing lines and signature chrome extending from the headlamps, along the hood and through the belt line. Gone is

e that is an ideal focal point accented by the sloping fog lamps and headlamps.

end, contemporary look continues inside. Although some call the look futuristic, that seems a bit of a stretch. High-end

through center console and instrument panel is not just modern but user friendly whether

disc CD changer/MP3 with HD radio technology or the integrated Bluetooth

alert: This technology is made for you. Think 8GB of flash memory and a matched sound system. Other gadgets are XM

end features in the world and not be comfortable. Fortunately, the Sonata offers plentiful (103.8

cubic feet) of passenger space. Add to that 16.4 cubic feet of cargo space and you see how this sedan would well suit a family.

speed automatic transmission model I drove was plenty powerful, which is saying something since it's 26.4 pounds

speed it replaces. The Sonata also is 1.6 inches shorter and considerably simpler, having 62 fewer parts, which

If you don't think that's important, remember the 22 mpg city, 35 mpg highway fuel economy, which beats some hybrids out there.

-cream-midsize-crop