Planning for the all-new 2011 Sonata started right after the introduction of the current model.  That was four years ago, so Hyundai

Styling that appears to target Lexus rather than class-leader Toyota, the new 2011 Sonata is a force to be reckoned with. (Photo: Hyundai)

engineers and designers had plenty of time to get this new model right—and get it right they did.  And they aren’t the least bit bashful about comparing the new Sonata to some major competition, such as Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion and Chevy Malibu. 

Just a glance at the new Sonata says it all about styling.  The old boxy, squared-off shape is gone in favour of a modern, sleek and sophisticated design.  Hyundai designers used what they call “Fluidic Sculpture” for design guidance.  It considers the interplay of natural, fluid elements with more rigid surfaces and structures to create the illusion of constant motion. 

Regardless of how it was done, it’s enough to say that the finished product turns heads and creates

The previous Sonata won customers on style, performance and quality, and it appears the new version will do an even better job at wooing buyers away from the segment top-dogs. (Photo: Hyundai)

the kind of interest that attracts buyers.  It also gives us a few clues about Hyundai’s future design strategy. 

Some of the sophisticated exterior appearance carries over to the interior where Hyundai has created a flow-through centre console and instrument panel similar to Volvo’s current design.  Hyundai’s expertise with interior fit and finish, combined with an apparent improvement in material quality, moves the overall impression of the interior upscale a bit. 

There’s plenty of room inside, more than any of Sonata’s competitors.  But with an interior volume of 3,404 litres (120.2 cubic feet), it’s actually classified as a large car—not a

Hyundai has improved the Sonata interior so that it's now a segment leader. (Photo: Hyundai)

midsize as nearly all of Sonata’s competitors are.  Sonata’s 464 litre (16.4 cubic feet) of trunk space gives it a 9.3 percent advantage over the Camry, and a 17.1 percent advantage over Accord. 
 
In addition to the new body, there’s big news under the hood.  No longer is there a choice between a 4- or 6-cylinder engine—the V6 is gone, replaced with a series of 4-cylinder engines with outputs ranging from 190 to 200 horsepower.  Hyundai’s market research shows that buyers are primarily interested in fuel economy, but don’t want to give up performance to get it. 

It’s

Metal brightwork and high-quality switchgear give the Sonata a premium feel. (Photo: Hyundai)

hard to fault Hyundai’s strategy.  Their product planners and engineers believe the V6 will soon go the way of the V8, so they’re focused on delivering V6 performance with a 4-cylinder engine.  After a full day behind the wheel of the new Sonata, it’s obvious they have delivered the goods.  With the first touch of the accelerator, you’ll realize this is no ordinary 4-cylinder powertrain.  Throttle response is instantaneous and acceleration up to cruising speed is quick and effortless.  The steering is quick and precise and the combination of ride and handling is well balanced. 

By eliminating the V6, the weight of the front structure is reduced 59 kilos (130 pounds), and weight savings translate into better performance and better fuel economy.  The first of the new

Regular aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinder engines deliver performance mixed with good fuel economy. (Photo: Hyundai)

Sonatas has Hyundai’s new Theta II GDI 2.4-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with an output rating of 198 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. 

Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) is beginning to become more readily available as automakers develop new ways to improve both fuel economy and engine performance.  With GDI, precise amounts of fuel are injected at high pressure and at just the right time to improve combustion efficiency.  Direct injection also permits a higher than normal compression ratio for increased power. Sonata delivers a US EPA equivalent rating of 10.7L/100 km city/6.7 highway with the automatic and 9.8/6.5 with the six-speed manual transmission. 

Either

Handling is good and the ride is even better. (Photo: Hyundai)

way, the Hyundai engine produces more horsepower, more torque, and more miles per gallon than any of its competitors. 

Next year, Hyundai will add a 2.0-litre Theta II turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine and a 2.4-litre hybrid model featuring Hyundai’s breakthrough lithium-polymer battery pack.  These powertrains are all part of the Korean automaker’s goal to be the world’s most fuel-efficient automaker. 

Hyundai's all-new six-speed automatic transaxle also helps the company meet its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.  Shifts are silky-smooth with an

The Sonata is an ideal highway cruiser. (Photo: Hyundai)

option of manual control.  Drivers can access the manual mode by moving the gear selector into a separate gate.  Pushing the selector forward or pulling it rearward shifts the transmission up or down sequentially.  The SE trim also features steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and an LCD readout displays the gear being used.  The new compact transmission puts Hyundai into a very small group of automakers that have designed and built their own proprietary six-speed automatic transmission. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between gear ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration. 

A major

It's a big midsize sedan, rated by the EPA as a large car. (Photo: Hyundai)

design target for the 2011 Sonata engineering team was to deliver the industry’s best power-to-weight ratio.  If you think of this ratio as pounds per horsepower, a lower number is better.  Sonata’s 16 pounds per horsepower outscores all of its competitors, and helps to explain why the Sonata performs so well. 

The Sonata uses MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear suspension.  All models include motor-driven electric power steering to reduce weight and improve fuel economy by eliminating the parasitic drag of a conventional belt-driven system. 

The

Hyundai is starting to understand that good design sells cars. (Photo: Hyundai)

Sonata SE, only available in the US, is intended for drivers who want sportier ride and handling dynamics.  The sport-tuned suspension features stiffer springs and larger stabilizer bars, monotube shocks in the rear and low profile 18-inch tires. 

Safety equipment includes electronic stability control, antilock brakes, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution.  Sonata has six standard airbags—including dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front and rear side curtain airbags—along with active front-seat head restraints.  Other passive safety features include shingle-style rear-seat head restraints for improved visibility, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, front-seat seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters,

A sleek profile. (Photo: Hyundai)

and a rear-seat Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for child seats. 

Sonata buyers now have a choice of three audio systems:  An AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 stereo with six speakers comes standard in the Sonata GL and GLS.  The Limited model comes standard with an AM/FM/XM/6-disc CD-changer/MP3 with HD Radio Technology and Dimension premium sound.  The optional AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with touch-screen navigation that includes a 400-watt external amplifier system on the Limited comes with Infinity audio. 

The new 2011 Sonata is on sale now with prices that range from $22,649 for the GL, $26,249 for the GLS, $28,999 for the Limited, and $30,999 for the Limited with navigation.  Freight and PDI adds $1,565 to all model prices.