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Other Hyundai Models
Vehicle Overview:
Vehicle Type: Midsize Car
ABS Brakes: Standard
Standard Airbags: 6
MPG: 22-24/35 (City/HWY)
Engine Offered:
2.4L I4 198HP
2.4L I4 200HP
Consumer Ratings:
Performance: 4.1
Exterior: 4.6
Interior: 4.1
Overall: 4.1
Review Guide:
5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
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Displaying 10 Reviews - Read More
By Marc500
Submitted Jul 17, 2011, 02:08am
Performance: 
Exterior:
Interior: 
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
This review is for the *2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited Turbo w/Navigation system*
Powerful turbo combined with direct injection engine.
The exterior and interior styling are very successful.
Commands and buttons are easy to reach and to operate.
Cabin storage is excellent.
All seats are heated (Limited version).
iPhone compatibility (Bluetooth) is excellent.
Price is very realistic.
Cons: How would you improve 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Suspension is very firm on the Turbo version. On the limit between firm and rough.
Abnormally very low front passenger seat.
Wheel noise is very noticeable.
Engine noise (when outside) is normal due to direct. injection, but may bother some buyers.
No memory seat even on the "Limited" version.
Navigation system is not as complete as a top of the line.
Garmin portable unit.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Review:
The turbo "limited" version of the Sonata is all about style and power. It also offers plenty of bang for your buck in terms of features, but some points will remind you that this is not a German sport luxury car. The Sonata would be almost perfect if not for the "very firm suspension", the wheel noise and the very low front passenger seat, which are reminders of the progress still to be made by Hyundai. Those points put aside however, the Sonata in its "turbo limited" trim leaves the other family sedans in the dust, literally!
By Charlie484
Submitted May 30, 2011, 08:17pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall: 
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
2011 Turbo Limited 2.OT-Harbor Gray with 4,000 miles.
It get's great gas mileage, 29.5 MPG mixed city/highway using the ECO mode.
Plenty of room for all passengers, fun to drive most of the time.
Love the style.
Actually traded my 5 Series BMW because it was a money pit and stayed in the shop more than on the road!
Cons: How would you improve 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Navigation System isn't the best, hard to understand names of streets, where to turn - maps outdated.
Backup camera really fades out in the sunlight.
Memory seats, at least for the driver! Be nice to have electric seat for passenger as well.
Steering is rather dangerous and pulls hard to the left-loads of info on the 2011 Sonata forums especially for the Turbo model regarding the steering. Consumer Reports has also mentioned the same problems with their test Sonata. It feels more like the electronic steering becomes squirrelly and doesn't know where to position the wheel.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Review:
This car has class, style, good looks and turns heads. Love the interior, all the controls are easy to reach, easy to see. Plenty of storage areas.
Can't believe this car is only a 4 cylinder! Loads of power to get in and out of traffic. It does torque steer to the left so one must hold on with both hands when the gas is punched!
Paint job on the vehicle is very nice, trim is nice.
Windshield wipers do the job in hard driving rains.
Headrests can be positioned so not to push your head forward to much as in the Fords. Best warranty of all other car dealers.
Would have rated this car a 5 across the board if not for the steering. Would I buy another Hyundai? Yes, if they can get this steering issue resolved.
By TeeSmith
Submitted May 27, 2011, 09:11am
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
The stylish look, the interior is decent.
Roomy.
Nice console storage.
Decent sound system.
Love the look of the odometer.
Still riding on somewhat a full tank of gas..but then again I don't do a lot of driving.
Cons: How would you improve 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Need power seats in the GLS; having to hand pump your seat to raise height on the driverside is quite embarrassing and low quality for a not so cheap car feels like the handle will eventually break if used too often (plastic). Also raise the low passenger seat..
The transmission is somewhat noisy and if you are going around 20-35 mph, you can feel the downshifting very well, almost feels like you are gliding and accelerating when coming to a stop somewhat scary. Takes some getting used to. Salesman said it's a shifter problem but I think it's the transmission. Said to me to bring it in if it continues.
Add floor mats, that should come standard they don't have to be high tech but something to cover the nice Sonata mats already added.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Review:
Overall I like my car. I have had it for almost a week. Wish I had that in love feeling you should have when buying your first car. If they tweak some of the issues they have been having with these cars, I would definitely upgrade to a better trim. Dealer also kind of tricked me into getting the extended warranty which I will be revoking. I may not keep this car more than 5 years as expected. If I don't get used to the downshifting.
By Guest294
Submitted Mar 25, 2011, 03:45pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Everything (too many things to list individually).
Paddle shifters on my SE 2.4L are a great feature for those of us who like to "race" the car on certain occasions.
Dual exhaust tips and 18" rims, just sweet.
It's hard to drive this car slow, because engine is usually around 2000 rpm (it's quiet) even if you are going 60mph. It accelerates effortlessly and quickly all the way to its top speed (over 130).
Easy to drive on highway, easy to drive in city.
Turning radius of 35.5ft for this size of car, OUTSTANDING!
Cons: How would you improve 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Make it optional to have a factory deck-lid or lip-mount spoiler.
Include heated seats in the SE model.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Review:
For everyone saying that fuel economy is bad, try hitting the reset button (after fill-up) on the steering wheel under the "Average MPG" menu and for that fuel tank drive it mixed city/highway. The car remembers your driving style, therefore you need to reset it after you fill-up and try changing your driving style and you should see a better fuel economy.
I'm really amazed how much this car is improved vs. the previous generation Sonata. If you want to hustle the car into corners, it does extremely well for its size.
And to all Sonata owners, if going in reverse is difficult in terms of judging how far you are from a car or wall, I recommend installing a simple OEM lip-mount spoiler. Numerous are available, just Google it. It makes parallel parking a breeze and it also contours nicely with the Sonata's body. A lot of compliments received for that.
Absolutely love my Sonata SE and I wish all other owners satisfied years of ownership.
By David_Bennett
Submitted Dec 27, 2010, 02:07pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
I've only driven my 2011 Sonata Limited a little over 1000 kms. (620 miles) but am extremely impressed.
I rated the interior a 5 and, except for the low passenger seat, that is true. Driver's seat is amazing for my 6'3 height. A power passenger seat is not necessary, set it to suit my wife and only adjust it for another passenger if necessary. In fact, adjusting a power seat for legroom is slow but a manual seat moves quickly. The manual seat back adjustment is fine.
The Navigation GPS vocal instructions are sometimes difficult to interpret, maybe something to do with our Canadian highway signage but after a while, I have learned to make sense out of it.
I have had a bit of a problem downloading my "Contacts" from my cellular phone through the car's Bluetooth system, but this is probably more of a function of my being 75 and technically challenged on some issues.
Over all, love the car, the exterior design is a masterpiece. If I am still around when the odometer turns over 200,000 kms., I'll really know how good a car this is.
Cons: How would you improve 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Really only the passenger seat issue and that's not the end of the world, a driver's seat adjustment memory would be nice and I'm sure that will be in the 2013 Model.
I found the Dealer's Business Manager a bit too aggressive, selling a 75 year old an 8 year Extended Warranty package does not make sense but I could have refused, thought maybe one of my children will end up with the car.
By shawn276
Submitted Jul 27, 2010, 11:18am
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Quality of workmanship with interior (fit and finish).
Good balance with ride and road feel (not too stiff not too soft).
Nav/stereo upgrade is worth money.
Looks like a car costing $10k more.
Center console cubbies have rubber bottoms so items don't slide around.
Easy access to ipod hook-up.
Great gas mileage on freeway.
Lumbar in driver's seat is a very nice addition.
Is very quiet on smooth surfaces.
One can feel the interior quality compared to the newer Camrys.
Cons: How would you improve 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Gas mileage goes down quickly when city driving.
Someone missed the cheap plastic on doors around window controls.
No power seat option for passenger.
Would be GREAT IF the GLS had the SE seats.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Review:
When sitting in the 2011 Sonata, one can quickly see that attention was paid to detail in workmanship along with where everything was placed.
So, with a quality interior, sharp exterior design, good balanced ride and very nice power/mpg ratio, one is only left with crossed fingers in hopes this very attractive car is able to rack up the miles with a reliable engine--like one can expect when purchasing an Accord; if it can, then we have a winner. Time will tell.
By GUEST
Submitted Mar 23, 2012, 04:16pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
2011 Hyundai Sonata Review:
My husband and I love the Sonata. However, I wish an option was given to us for power passenger seat. As many have commented on, it is too low. I am short in stature and it is difficult to be comfortable without seating on a pillow ( which I hate). I have asked if a power seat can be installed and got a negative answer. How about a manual pump installation; better than nothing? Love the car, but the power seat is very important to me. It may be a factor in deciding our next selection when we purchase our next car.
By GUEST
Submitted Oct 25, 2011, 03:30pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior: 
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Exterior styling looks good like a Toyota Solara.
4 cylinder Good on Gas.
Interior styling looks new.
Good pick up when accelerating.
Cons: How would you improve 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Seats are too hard.
Manual "pumping" of seat is weird.
Plastics feel cheap and are not finished, Bits of untrimmed plastic everywhere.
Plastic easy to scratch.
Dash pieces don't fit together.
Interior seems too small because of swooping design.
Pillars block visibility.
Noisy on Highway, wind noise.
Engine is rough at low speeds.
Transmission hesitates at 2nd/3rd. (not smooth)
Horn sounds like it's from a compact economy car (clown car/kid's bike).
2011 Hyundai Sonata Review:
I rented this car for 2 weeks. It was a nice vehicle. looks new. Some downsides though. Needs more work from the manufacturer. Not as refined as I expected. Rough on the interior edges. overall feels cheap to the touch and cheap when operating the vehicle.
Not as expected from reading reviews from magazines and online articles like motortrend, autos.ca, road and track and car and driver, etc.
Those articles only speak of what Hyundai wants to hear not the consumer.
By Russell_Ulrey
Submitted Sep 1, 2011, 06:38pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Runs very well.
Drivers seat comfortable.
Very nice car.
Cons: How would you improve 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Need power seat for the passenger seat.
The seat heat switches should be placed in a place so they would be harder to accidentally turn them on, like our dog does.
I was disappointed when I was told that I couldn't order a power seat for the passenger side.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Review:
A very nice car for the price, just a few changes it would be a great car.
By Lori901
Submitted Jul 19, 2011, 10:15pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2011 Hyundai Sonata?
Great interior space.
Easy to drive.
Great features.
Nice exterior.
Excellent head form.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Review:
Fantastic car, this is our 3rd Hyundai and the 6th within our family and definitely not the last.
Displaying 10 Reviews - Read More
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