2011 Hyundai Sonata Offers Style, Power, and 35 MPG

Hyundai’s sixth generation 2011 Sonata is a car that simply doesn’t add-up, and that’s a good thing. First of all, the sleek new exterior styling might lead you to believe this swoopy sedan is a bit cramped on the inside. In reality, though, the Sonata competes in the mid-size sedan market against the likes of Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu, and Ford Fusion, but due to its spacious interior volume of 120.2 cubic feet the EPA classifies it as a large sedan. Then there’s the engine: It’s a four-cylinder that produces the power of a V-6, yet manages fuel economy figures as good or better than many compact and even subcompact entries. We like the way Hyundai does math.

Hyundai’s new Theta II engine is an impressive piece of engineering. Built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing in Alabama, the 2.4-liter Theta II utilizes continuously variable valve timing, a variable induction system, high-pressure gasoline direct injection technology, and an 11.3:1 compression ratio. The result is an impressive 200 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 186 lb-ft torque at 4,250 rpm. That’s considerably more power than any four-cylinder engine in this class.

Hyundai says the gasoline direct injection improves torque output at both low and high rpm while increasing fuel economy by up to 10 percent. It utilizes a two phase split-injection strategy that, among other things, helps reduce cold start emissions by as much as 30 percent, meeting California Air Resources Board ULEV-2 and PZEV emissions standards.

Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC. The automatic equipped Sonata offers impressive EPA fuel economy estimates of 23 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The manual drops the highway number just slightly to 34 mpg. The new Sonata is a very refined package that offers an impressive list of features including high-end audio systems with XM and HD radio, as well as touch screen navigation.

By the end of 2010, Hyundai promises two powertrain options for its best selling Sonata. The first will be a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline direct injection Theta II four-cylinder, with a Hybrid Blue Drive Sonata variant later this year. Green Car will follow up with a full review of the Theta II gasoline direct injection Sonata as soon as production models are available for testing.