2011 Sonata - Hyundai’s Game Changer?

December 2009

Hyundai unveiled the all new redesigned 2011 Sonata at the Los Angeles auto show. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is set to go on sale in the first quarter of 2010.

The sixth generation 2011 Hyundai Sonata, is a Sonata like none the South Korean auto manufacturer has ever produced. Not only  does it include every imaginable luxury accommodations unheard of in its class; an air ionizer, air cleaner, hillstart and brakestart assist, tilt, telescopic steering wheel, push button engine start, passive keyless entry, a cocoon of airbags, ABS, traction and stability control, heated front, rear seats and an all new Hyundai built six speed automatic transmission, but it will also be the only  family sedan to offer 4 cylinder only engines.

Power  will come from a direct injected 2.4 litre 4 cylinder engine, packing 198 horsepower exclusive on the GLS and top end Limited. The Sonata’s SE model will add dual exhaust and 199 horsepower. The sporty SE adds stiffer suspension and larger anti-roll bars in both the front and rear; which means better handling, especially in the corners and curves.

Image courtesy Hyundai USA

Car News

For a family sedan, the 2011 Sonata’s new sheet metal is both eye catching and slick, compared to the vanilla looking Toyota Camry, and disproportioned Honda Accord. Early U.S. consumer reaction has been quite positive.

Competition Needs to Worry

The brand that has more to worry about is the Nissan Altima, which only received a mild refresh with no significant changes and is the longest in the tooth of the three .  Nissan really should have updated the Altima’s aging interior instead of letting it go stale. Speaking of interiors, have you sat in a Camry lately? Talk about c-h-e-a-p!  Accord still has a livable if not generic interior. Compare these to the  the hot looking 2011 Hyundai Sonata and there is no contest!

Carzak’s Take: Competition Needs to Worry!

Toyota Announces “Fix” for
Sticky Gas Pedals

Will this fix hold?

Toyota reportedly has announced a fix for its sticky gas pedal that has involved the recall of more than 7 million vehicles worldwide amid evidence linking the automaker to 19 known deaths in the U.S.  The affected vehicles are subject to runaway unintended acceleration and could cause the vehicle to speed up rapidly at a high rate of speed causing serious injuries and even death.

The automaker claimed to have found a solution which would resolve the issue. The question is does it really have the answer?

April Auto Sales - The numbers are in!