2011 Hyundai Sonata

You're looking at the single most important car Hyundai will launch in America this decade. While the upscale Genesis sedan has transformed Hyundai's image, the new Sonata is intended to make the South Korean automaker a major player in America's most competitive vehicle segment -- at the expense of Toyota's Camry and Honda's Accord.
Hyundai's done its homework. The all-new sixth generation Sonata is big -- it is classified by the EPA as a large car, rather than a midsize. It is fuel efficient -- standard engine will be the new direct injection, 198-hp 2.4-liter Theta II four cylinder that Hyundai claims will deliver 23 mpg city and 35 mpg highway with the available six speed automatic transmission (a six speed manual is standard). And it will offer something for the enthusiast driver -- a sporty SE version with 200 hp (thanks to a dual exhaust), tuned suspension, and 18-in. wheels.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Rear Three Quarters Passenger
The quick take: It's as big as an Accord, more fuel efficient than a Camry, and should be more fun to drive than both. And if Hyundai delivers the Sonata with Genesis-like build quality and refinement, both Honda and Toyota should be worried. This could be America's next best-seller.
Previous Sonatas have been relatively anonymous looking sedans. The 2011 car is anything but, with wedgy sheet metal, a bold grille, fashionably oversized headlights, and a distinctive chrome spear that starts at the headlight and runs back along the base of the greenhouse to the steeply raked C-pillars. Depending on model, the car will roll on 16-, 17- or 18-in. multi-spoke alloy wheels.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Side View Driver
The interior is also dramatic, with strong shapes and interesting surfaces. The center stack features simple controls, and relatively few buttons. Hyundai will offer four different audio systems, ranging from a standard six speaker unit that includes sat radio and MP3 capability, to a touch screen controlled unit Infinity system with a 400watt external amplifier system. All Sonatas will come with three months of XM Satellite Radio, NavTraffic and Data service, standard Bluetooth hands-free phone capability, and iPod/USB inputs.
The bold new exterior styling is not the only risk Hyundai's taking with the new Sonata. Unlike all its rivals -- which include Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, and Nissan Altima -- it will not be offered with a V-6 engine. Instead, Hyundai plans to roll out a turbocharged 2.0-liter Theta II for customers who want more power and torque by the end of the year. For those wanting even more fuel efficiency, a hybrid version is also coming in the next 12 months.
The naturally aspirated standard Theta II is Hyundai's first gasoline direct injection engine and features a high pressure fuel system (up to 2175 lb) and 11.3:1 compression ratio. Preliminary ratings (final certification is pending) are 198 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The all-alloy engine features four valves per cylinder, with continuously variable valve timing on both the inlet and exhaust camshaft, and variable length intakes. The base Theta II delivers the highest specific output -- 82.5 hp per liter -- of any base four cylinder engine in the segment, along with best-in-class torque and fuel economy.
More detail on the 2.0-liter Theta II turbo and the Sonata hybrid, which will feature Hyundai's new lithium polymer battery pack, will be announced at the New York Auto Show.
The new Sonata rolls on MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. GLS and Limited models will be fitted with low rolling resistance tires to help improve fuel economy; the sporty SE gets stiffer springs and shocks, and larger stabilizer bars, for a 20 percent improvement in roll stiffness. Steering is by way of electric power assisted rack and pinion. Hyundai claims the new Sonata's body-in-white is one of the lightest in its class. Claimed curb weight of the base car is 3199 lb.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Cockpit
Standard transmission is a six speed manual, but the majority of Sonatas will be ordered with Hyundai's all-new six speed automatic. Developed in-house by Hyundai, this automatic is 26.4-lb lighter than the five speed it replaces. It is also 1.6-in. shorter and has 62 fewer parts. Codenamed A6MF2, and claimed by Hyundai to be the lightest and most compact six speed auto on the market today, the transmission allows manual control via the shifter. SE models will get steering wheel-mounted paddles.
Standard safety features include stability control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, and electronic brake force distribution. Six airbags, including dual front, seat mounted side bags, and front and rear side curtains, are also standard.
Production of the new Sonata is expected to get underway at Hyundai's Alabama plant later this month, with the first cars reaching dealers across the country in January.
2011 Hyundai Sonata
Vehicle layout    Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan
Engine    2.4L/198-hp/184-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4
Transmission    6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Curb weight    3150-3350 lb (est)
Wheelbase    110.0 in
Length x width x height    189.8 x 72.2 x 57.9 in
Headroom, f/r    40.0/37.8 in
Legroom, f/r    45.5/34.6 in
Shoulder room, f/r    57.9/56.7
Cargo volume    16.4 cu ft
EPA city/hwy fuel econ    23/34-35
CO2 emissions    0.71-0.72