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| 2013 Hyundai Sonata |
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It's been a couple of years since the mid-size Hyundai Sonata went through such an extreme transformation that it could have been marked by a name change. The smooth, rakish, daring design makeover that the Sonata received for 2011 (in sharp contrast to the staid wallflower it had been before) still turns heads—and if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the 2013 Sonata has a lot going for it, as we see elements of its trend-setting 'fluidic design' emerging in rival models.
That design transformation was marked by some equally extreme engineering rehabilitation that simply kicked the Sonata up into another league. With a new lineup of only direct-injection four-cylinder engines—combined with a lighter body structure—the Sonata performs as well as the V-6 versions of some mid-size sedans, all while getting up to 35 mpg in base form or up to 33 mpg highway with the upscale Turbo model. Most Sonatas come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, making up to 200 horsepower, with a six-speed automatic transmission. The automatic is perfectly appropriate for the class, and is a responsive, seamless gearchanger. Step up to the 2.0T model and you get a somewhat smaller 2.0-liter engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger, providing 274 horsepower. Its 269 lb-ft arrives low in the power band, which thankfully helps this engine work very well with the automatic transmission (the only way to get it). And it mostly skips the turbo lag completely, and succeeds as the more economical parallel to upscale V-6 models.
The third powertrain option comes in the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. With it you get a 2.4-liter four with electric motors and a lithium-polymer battery pack, plus a high threshold that lets the Sonata Hybrid run on battery power alone at highway speeds. Hyundai says this version will hit 60 mph in 9.2 seconds, well within the acceptable range for a family sedan, while delivering gas mileage of 35/40 mpg.
Overall, ride and handling in the 2013 Sonata are unremarkable—and adequate for most family needs. Driving enthusiasts are bound to be a little let down by the steering response, which could use some more feedback and tends to wander and need frequent adjustments on some highway surfaces.
The 2013 Hyundai Sonata is a roomy car, almost "large" by EPA standards; there's soaring headroom and leg room in front, and an unusually long front-seat track so driver and passenger can have as much space as they need. The back seat sits at a good angle of recline, and only the tallest passengers will touch heads against the fabric headliner and the hard-plastic front seatbacks. Security-minded family shoppers will likely find what they want in the Sonata, as in addition to all the usual safety equipment, a rearview camera system is offered in top trims, and the Sonata has been named a repeat Top Safety Pick according to the IIHS and achieved a five-star rating from the federal government.
For 2013, there are only a few feature changes, all adding to the Sonata's already strong value versus comparable rival models. Bluetooth, a USB port, power accessories, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and cruise control all remain included at the base level, for $21,670. Heated seats have been added this year as a standard feature to the sportier SE model, while SE and Limited editions add parking sensors and pushbutton start. The Sonata Limited also gets standard heated front and rear seats; a sunroof; a backup camera; automatic climate control; and an automatic dimming rearview mirror. And a BlueLink suite of operator-assisted concierge and data services, at different pricing tiers, remains available.
Source from thecarconnection
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About Bengt Halvorson
Bengt Halvorson is Deputy Editor of High Gear Media's portfolio of car sites, overseeing the production of reviews, evaluating vehicles firsthand, and reporting on consumer, safety, and environmental issues and in-car technology. Halvorson is a Michigan native and started to hone his car-connoisseur chops (if you don't count the teenage muscle-car ownership) at Car and Driver while still attending the University of Michigan—and driving a too-sensible Ford Festiva. He then lived briefly in London and wrote for the British enthusiast magazine Autocar before becoming an editor at Automobile Magazine. For most of this decade Halvorson has lived on the West Coast, and now calls evergreen Portland home. In addition to being a longtime contributor to The Car Connection, he's also consulted on powertrain technology; managed special issues and tracked collector-car prices at Sports Car Market; and written for Cargo, Time, Forbes.com, Forbes Autos, and several other major business, enthusiast, and in-flight magazines.