Eric's Autos: Reviewing the 2015 Hyundai Sonata
Available high-end equipment includes rear seat heaters, a cruise control system that can bring the car to a dead stop (if need be) and get it going again without you touching the gas or the brake; a "smart" automatic trunk opener that pops open for you automatically, just by standing behind it and "geo-fencing" (an electronic way to keep teenage drivers under your thumb). Powertrain warranty lasts almost twice as long as Toyota's.
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD
Optional 2.0 turbo engine has been gelded a bit (245 hp now vs. 274 last year) and though its performance is still good, it's not a big step up from the "economy" 1.6 liter engine's. Backseat legroom is almost four inches less than in Camry.
Some of the car's high-end equipment (such as scroll-through information and various settings) can't be accessed while you're driving… because "safety."
UNDER THE HOOD
Hyundai has expanded the Sonata's range of available engines for the new model year. Two are familiar - though the specifications have changed a bit. One is all-new.
As before, the base trim Sonata comes standard with a 2.4 liter four - not turbocharged and (as before) paired with a six-speed automatic. What's different, 2015 vs. 2015, is the rated output of the 2.4 liter engine is down slightly - to 185 hp vs. 190 previously. However, fuel economy is slightly up - to 25 city, 37 highway vs. 24 city, 35 highway last year.
Optional with the Sport and Limited trims is a 2.0 liter four - this one turbocharged and (as before and above) paired with a six-speed automatic. It's the same size engine as last year's optional 2.0 turbo four, but the power has been dialed back to 240 hp from 274 previously. Weirdly, this engine is slightly less economical than last year: 23 city, 32 highway vs. 22 city, 34 highway previously. Perhaps because the '15 Sonata - slightly larger than before - is also slightly heavier (3,505 lbs. now vs. 3,417 lbs. for last year's 2.0T Sonata).
Newly available is a 1.6 liter four (also turbocharged) paired with a new seven-speed automated manual transmission. Although this engine is smaller - and on paper, much less powerful (170 hp)than the Sport and Limited's available 2.0 liter engine - it is both an excellent performer and extremely economical: 28 city, 38 highway while also getting the Sonata to 60 in the high sevens. This is much quicker than the four-cylinder-powered Camry (Toyota only offers one four, with a V6 available optionally) which takes 8.3 seconds to get to 60 and only rates 25 city, 35 highway. To put a finer point on it, the 1.6 liter Eco Sonata's highway mileage is only 1 MPG behind that of the Camry hybrid (39 MPG). To be fair, the hybrid Camry does rate 43 in city driving. However, it also has a base price of $26,790 - $3,515 higher than the Sonata Eco.
Hyundai also gave the '15 Sonata a comparatively large fuel tank: 18.5 gallons (the Camry's is 17 gallons; the Honda Accord's is 17.2). This plus the Eco's near-40 MPG highway capability means you can trundle along for quite a while before pitting. About 700 miles, depending on how heavy your right foot gets. That's diesel-esque highway legs, using a gas engine (which does not need to use diesel exhaust fluid - DEF - the stuff all new diesel-powered cars must be fed to keep their emissions within spec).
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