[YEH]

Keep in mind that the Sonata and the next-gen Optima will be a 1-2 combo.

For those who don't exactly care for the Sonata's over-stylized exterior (not exactly my cup of tea, but the Sonata looks better in person and it is, at least, not drab as most others in the segment), the new Kia Optima will continue w/ the Peter Schreyer Bauhaus-influenced designs and in my eyes will be the best looking sedan in the segment.

For an added bonus, the Optima will have suspension tuned more for sport/handling than the Sonata.

If Jaguar was revealed in July 2009 and Sonata went in sale sometime in 2009, then your statement infers that XJ stole design cues from Sonata in time of about 6 months and was green-lighted for production, while also taking design cues as to how Sonata might look like from spy-shots?

First off, I'm not saying that Jaguar stole styling cues from Hyundai, just stating that people seem to overlook when other automakers come up w/ similar styling (I'm not one who thinks Ian Callum needs to "steal" cues).

Second, the Sonata's roofline was clearly evident in spy shots all through 2008; plus, since people were accusing Hyundai of stealing the 4-door coupe look from the CC (while overlooking that the CC took it from the CLS), one could also very well expect people to say the same about the XJ w/ respect to the CC/CLS, but people have not.

Third, as for the timeline, it was even shorter btwn the Equus and LaCrosse (which were essentially developed at about the same time) and people were accusing Hyundai of stealing the Buick sweepspear, even tho other manufacturers such as Chrysler (Charger) were also using it.

Besides, what incentive would Jaguar have to borrow/steal design elements from $21,000 Sonata for their $70K flagship XJ?

Cost has nothing to do w/ having similar styling cues.

The Hyundai Veloster concept from 2007 had the scalloped air intakes before Aston Martin used scalloped intakes on the One-77.

As for the bently grill, they are similar only to the point that they are somewhat rectangular in shape as bently is taller than wider and XF-C has wider grill with much more depth than bently's superficial one.

Oh, please - they are more similar than what many have accused Hyundai for.

 

[daellis99]

I am sorry but I am just not seeing it. The interior looks nice but when I first saw pictures of the Sonata I thought "they really screwed up the exterior". Then I look at all these reviews and everyone is falling in love with this car. I think this car will sell on price alone. It will be for those looking for the most car they can get for their dollar. I don't think the looks will draw many in. I may be wrong though...

I think everything that Hyundai is doing is very good but I am not feeling this....

 

[JBsZ06]

I look forward to seeing the new kia. I just saw the new Sonata last night and it was a very nice looking vehicle. Not sure I like all the little fussy details but overall I was impressed.

Looks better in person than in photos..IMO

Thanks for the heads up.

JB

 

[Ammo]

Here's my review of the Sonata: I'd like to mention I haven't driven the car...but I'm reviewing the whole thought process behind it. I think it's THE "perfect car." I don't mean it's the "best car ever" but it's the one car that covers every single possible base...just read...








Folks, it's not any secret that I'm a big fan of domestic automakers and their vehicles, especially today when the domestics truly are better than their foreign counterparts.

Wait...I just said the domestics are better than the imports, so why am I saying the Hyundai Sonata is the perfect car? Well, it's simple: the Sonata is the first of the next decade of family vehicle...and surely will be upstaged by the 2012 Chevy Malibu and 2013 Ford Fusion (and whatever else Chrysler, Toyota and Honda can muster up...but my money is on the "Big 3 of the 10's" being Hyundai, Ford and GM), but for now it is head and shoulders above the competition.

Here's why: Power, MPG's, safety and a phenomenal interior. This does not even factor in the sleek exterior styling. Bottom line is these are the four and 1/2 (the half being the exterior appearance) factors that sell a family car.

Sure, 198 horsepower in a 4-cylinder engine, with no V6 engine option does not exactly "wow" people, especially when other cars in its class offer a V6 with 250+ horsepower...but, hear me out on this...

-The overwhelming majority of cars sold in this class are with the 4-cylinder engine.
-This 4-cylinder engine is a direct injection engine which gives it 20 more horsepower than its competitors, and gives it significantly better fuel economy, to boot.
-The 6-speed automatic transmission means the car will accelerate quicker than other cars mated to a 4-speed automatic.
-Because the chassis was not designed for a V6, the chassis was able to shed 150 lbs. off of the previous model...lighter = faster and more fuel efficient.

Soooo...more powerful 4-cyl + better transmission + lighter = a car with PLENTY of zip...more than you'll need, enough to be sporty as well...and excellent fuel economy to top it all off. The Sonata has been said to get much higher fuel economy than the EPA estimates indicate (24 city 35 highway).

This doesn't even factor in the interior. I've sat in the Sonata on two separate occasions, and each time I was blown away. It felt like a command center, much like a luxury car such as a Buick or Lincoln. There's plenty of room and a large trunk for storage. This is easily the best interior in its class, with the Ford Fusion in second and Chevy Malibu in third. But, keep in mind, the Malibu is due for an all-new redesign which will be out next year, and the Fusion the year after that. As a domestic fan, I have high expectations for the next Malibu and Fusion, especially if the upcoming Focus and Cruze are any indication of what's in store.

Also, it's been rated a "top safety pick." That alone sells cars in this class.

Lastly? The design is bold and sleek. Although this isn't a deal breaker for family sedan buyers, it definitely attracts those who are looking to buy a family car yet not feel like you're giving up your passion for autos for the sake of practicality. I'm expecting more manufacturers to make bold design moves like this, because the days of the family car being a "penalty box" are over.

Bottom line? The family sedan has been perfected. Affordable, practical, efficient, but sporty and elegant at the same time. The 2011 Sonata kicks off a decade that is sure to blow us car lovers' minds.

 

[Avalanche13]

Bottom line? The family sedan has been perfected. Affordable, practical, efficient, but sporty and elegant at the same time. The 2011 Sonata kicks off a decade that is sure to blow us car lovers' minds.

You are right the family sedan was perfected... in the 60s. The Sonata is simply too small to be considered a family sedan unless your family consists of just 2 kids. Historically a family sedan was a big-ass car with loads of interior room. The Sonata is not big and does not have loads of interior room. Can't sit three across? Not a family sedan. The modern family "sedan" is an Expedition, Traverse or Grand Caravan.

I also fail to see how this decade will be blowing my mind. Cars are getting smaller, engines are becoming more and more torqueless, RWD is vanishing from the landscape, SUVs and Pickups are becoming even more expensive, etc. We're slowly becoming Europe and I couldn't imagine a worse automotive hell.

 

[Ammo]

You are right the family sedan was perfected... in the 60s. The Sonata is simply too small to be considered a family sedan unless your family consists of just 2 kids. Historically a family sedan was a big-ass car with loads of interior room. The Sonata is not big and does not have loads of interior room. Can't sit three across? Not a family sedan. The modern family "sedan" is an Expedition, Traverse or Grand Caravan.

I also fail to see how this decade will be blowing my mind. Cars are getting smaller, engines are becoming more and more torqueless, RWD is vanishing from the landscape, SUVs and Pickups are becoming even more expensive, etc. We're slowly becoming Europe and I couldn't imagine a worse automotive hell.

The Sonata seats 4 comfortably, 5 in a pinch and has loads of trunk space. That sounds like a family car to me.

I see it the opposite: design is no longer boring, gizmos never thought possible are in non-premium cars now, cars are getting more fuel efficient, etc, etc.