UPDATED: Tinted windows and new pics of my 2011 Sonata

[jpeyton]

That is an awesome price for a mid size sedan

The Sonata and Accord are full-size sedans.

 

[Proprioceptive]

The Sonata and Accord are full-size sedans.

Actually, it depends on the angle. They are marketed and directly compete against their fellow mid-size sedans. They are both compared amongst others in the mid-sized segment. However, the only time they are given the full-size moniker is when being described according to the EPA's standards for interior space.

So, you could argue both ways, but ultimately we're arguing semantics here.

On a side note, tonight I decided to test my Sonata's 0-60 ability and came out with 7.6s with ESC on and 7.3 with ESC off. I am very impressed with this feisty little 4 banger

 

[rh71]

- were you going for CO poisoning in the closed garage with it running like that? 😀

- I see a nice white one all the time... good looking car.

- Is the Sonata still rated better than the Accord or was that a one-year thing?

 

[Proprioceptive]

- were you going for CO poisoning in the closed garage with it running like that? 😀

- I see a nice white one all the time... good looking car.

- Is the Sonata still rated better than the Accord or was that a one-year thing?

Well, there was this article recently in which the Sonata beat the Accord overall, and honestly, I test drove them both and the Sonata won hands down. It was barely an even match. I don't know what it is, but I just don't enjoy the Accord like everyone else in the states does. :\

 

[exdeath]

I'm discovering that the throttle is very... binary. Pulling onto busy highways and making numerous merges in very busy traffic, I notice the car doesn't want to speed up to keep pace with traffic in the low ranges as people in front of me pull away and people behind me start getting closer.

So naturally I say screw this and floor it to force it to downshift and rev up, only for a 1-2 second delay before a surge in power, which then gets me going too fast and having to brake shortly after speeding up with traffic. I can't seem to convince the car to just slightly increase it's speed or accelerate quickly while maintaining cruise without making it go all out and overdoing it.

Like I said, very binary. Though it could just be me getting used to it.

 

[jpeyton]

Well, there was this article recently in which the Sonata beat the Accord overall, and honestly, I test drove them both and the Sonata won hands down. It was barely an even match. I don't know what it is, but I just don't enjoy the Accord like everyone else in the states does. :\

I prefer the lower beltline, smaller pillars, lower seating position and better visibility of the Accord. There also seems to be a small issue with the electric-assist steering in the Sonata which may cause the car to drift (mentioned in the article you linked, and also mentioned by owners in Sonata discussion groups).

As mentioned in our Hyundai Sonata Full Test, the Sonata's steering suffers from two handicaps. There's a sense of inconsistency from the electric-assisted power steering, plus a tendency for the car to wander slightly on the open highway. There are examples of electric-assist steering done right, but the technology is clearly still evolving. Both the Accord and Mazda 6 currently use a traditional hydraulic-assisted steering system and as a result, perform more intuitively.

 

[Proprioceptive]

I updated with a few pictures after my windows were tinted. Enjoy!

 

[evident]

friggin nice car.

 

[trmiv]

Nice car! I'm thinking about getting an SE myself.

 

[exdeath]

Was playing with the fake "manual" mode, and it bucks pretty hard on throttle smash for a 4 banger when you leave it in 1/2 at the mid range. The auto logic is definately mushing it up and hesitating on purpose.

 

[Proprioceptive]

Nice car! I'm thinking about getting an SE myself.

Yeah, I wanted to get an SE as well, but nobody in my area would budge from sticker since they were in such high demand and supply was so limited. It just wasn't worth another $4000 for me.

 

[StageLeft]

A huge dealership here keeps saying the Sonata looks as good as a Merc. Maybe not but it looks nice. It really is sharp for the cost.