Comments on: 2011 Hyundai Sonata: More images hit the Web

By: croco

croco — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:43:37 +0000

For 4 yrs. now I’ve been a design engineer for Acura … Give credit where its due … this Sonata looks good as seen in the pictures.

By: CP1

CP1 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:58:10 +0000

All this talk about the CC is ironic considering the CC lifted its roofline/greenhouse from the CLS.

Also, the Sonata’s C-pillar makes it more like a rakish A6/Azera than the CC (in the same vein, the Ian Callum XJ design has a very similar roofline/greenhouse to the Sonata, but even more rakish).

Having said that, the front fascia of the Sonata is a little too busy/overly stylized for my taste – but it definitely has a presence that the Camcord doesn’t have.

@ChuckTown86/leftwingagenda

Kia is supposed to be the more sportier brand (think Nissan) to Hyundai which is more akin to Toyota.

Kia is coming out a large sedan (the VG) which will take on the Maxima and a RWD sports sedan which will be as upscale as the Genesis, just smaller..

@ChuckTown86

The staid Azera will eventually be replaced. The Kia VG sedan is based on the next-gen Azera platform.

Dr. Fill is still a moron.

While Toyota’s quality is still pretty good, it’s been slipping (rash of recent news stories about Toyota’s quality).

@higerhiq

W/ a post like that, your handle seems pretty silly.

By: higheriq

higheriq — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:49:54 +0000

Hyundai still has a LONG way to go to make me forget their early days in the US (think Excel), regardless of the styling, reliability, warranty, performance, or anything else about their current offerings. I lump Hyundai one notch above Kia (current bottom of the barrell in the US).

By: highrisehomo

highrisehomo — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:01:04 +0000

Chuck, Why I think they should keep the Azera is that for all intents and purposes the Equus is more like a long wheelbase version of the Genesis. Back when it came out, it was the Azera which was touted as “having more interior room than a BMW 5 series” and was even billed as the Hyundai Flagship, just as the Genesis is being marketed today, only difference is the Genesis IS actually on par with the LS460 and S Class in terms of interior volume and power. That said the Azera has actually done surprisingly well for how generic it is and I think giving it a refresh like this would make more sense than A) Changing the design of your main bread and butter to something so polarizing and B) Introducing YET ANOTHER completely redundant new model at the top of your line which already seems to have some identity issues

By: triplefiveone

triplefiveone — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:52:47 +0000

But, back on topic! Hyundai is definitely making a run at Honda and Toyota. They are producing a line of vehicles that, IMHO, are of similar blandness, but do it for thousands less. And the only thing you can come up with is “they don’t know how to sell”? That’s it? That’s all you got? Yep. I smell fear….and so does Hyundai.

By: triplefiveone

triplefiveone — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:30:56 +0000

Dr Fill,

Toyota is falling fast in quality and it’s no secret…the quality chirade is over.

GM was king of the hill despite your claims of quality and design, and Toyota could only hold the top spot for how long??? Please. Just opened the door once more for GM…thanks for keeping the seat warm for us, but you can leave now.

Toyota is fast becoming the geezer-mobile. Toyota is not sexy, you’ve never been so right about anything in your entire life. You know it’s bad when a Buick looks 10 times better, in every way, than a Toyota…no matter what model you pull out of your hat.

Toyota is not Walmart either (Walmart is still at the top and has been for some time).

Toyota is just solid? What does that mean? Makes many of the best vehicles for sale here? I don’t care about 15-20 years ago. I care about right now. How is Toyota right now? Faltering in quality. Toyota makes bland, non-sexy, boring cars…period. And that’s an opinion…my opinion…and many others..including your CEO’s opinion (boring).

My analogy was right on. But, I just love the way you changed the topic. I sense you protest too much.

By: A4

A4 — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:47:50 +0000

johnny, Chevy has screwed up the taillights on the Cruze even more.

By: GregMlr

GregMlr — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:25:32 +0000

Make it AWD and I may just have to buy one of these!

By: ConceptVBS

ConceptVBS — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:03:45 +0000

@ RickyB

Wagon version is coming to Europe. However, if there is demand in the US, they will bring that over as well.

By: DrFill

DrFill — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:12:22 +0000

Only difference is Toyota is still at or near the top in quality
GM was monkey crap in quality, monkey crap in design, and was waiting to be taken
Toyota doesn’t have that problem
They make many of the best vehicles available for sale here
And have for 15-20 years

Toyota is not GM
Toyota is not WalMart
Toyota is not sexy
Toyota is not cheap
Toyota is just solid
Solid sells a lot of cars

You guys need to make analogies that make sense
That would be nice
DrFill

By: larsim

larsim — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:36:30 +0000

Hmmm, not sure what to think just yet so I will reserve my comments until I see more pics.

By: triplefiveone

triplefiveone — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:44:13 +0000

Dr Fill,

You sound A LOT like GM did in the ’70’s: These foreign car companies, well, we don’t have to worry about them, hell, we’re GM. Trust me, Dr Fill, that’s exactly the approach that Hyundai wants Honda/Toyota to take. Arrogance and complacency is expensive. Right now, Toyota is asleep at the wheel and Honda’s design team is raiding that stash of acid to gear up for their next Crosstour/crazy bizarre design. Only takes a few years to lose what has been built over decades.

By: ChuckTown86

ChuckTown86 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:29:16 +0000

^^high: I get what you are saying but why not kill the Azera. I thought the Genesis was made to replace it anyhow. IMO the Genesis is better suited to attack the 5-series. The Equus would be the flagship going after the 7-series.

By: highrisehomo

highrisehomo — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:17:52 +0000

Quite frankly, I’m surprised at Hyundai’s strategy here. Not long ago with the “refresh” of the Sonata, Hyundai execs were quoted as saying that the current Sonata has made major headway in market share and they didn’t want to mess with a good thing. I think they should forget about that gawdawful Equus, keep the Genesis as Flagship, let the current Sonata ride out its success as is and attack the “5-series/A5″ segment with this car as a replacement for the long in tooth Azera.

By: Rodman

Rodman — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:29:57 +0000

Well, this more like it ranther than the FUGHLY!! Honda Crosstour. It may be a little too sleek or racy forthe typical Sonata customer. No wonder Hyundai’s sales are growing.

By: ricky_b

ricky_b — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:48:41 +0000

SEXY!!! Wagon version perhaps?

By: zoomzoomer

zoomzoomer — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:09:11 +0000

Like them or don’t, this (and the upcoming Optima) are the game-changers that HyunKia have long planned to finally distinguish the brands from each other, and make everything else on the road look so “two thousand and late”. Toning down the grille would be a mistake IMO..

By: TruthBeTold

TruthBeTold — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:36:17 +0000

Rich, Poor or in Between, who cares? If this car drives well, looks good (my understanding is that the US grill will be more “relaxed”) is safe and get good mileage numbers – then what more can you ask for at a reasonable price? If labels are so important, just wear all your clothes inside out to feel better about yourself! I’ve never owned BMW’s for what they are, I owned them for what they do and if this car delivers I certainly would buy one. The new Tuscon and a Sonata for one BMW…I just may take that deal. Good-be BMW service department; besides I can always come back if I’m not happy.

By: leftwingagenda

leftwingagenda — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:33:31 +0000

it’s still a symbol, man…i don’t care if it’s on the steering wheel, your eyes should be on the road…99.99999% of the parts of a car matter more to me than a symbol…but that’s just me, i guess…

By: steve333

steve333 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:14:32 +0000

Ford’s badge is really boring and fuddy duddy looking, never liked it either.
Buick’s I don’t mind. I wish caddy would drop the Wreath and just place the crest in a black circle.

By: DrFill

DrFill — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:10:35 +0000

The Pill
Toyota and Honda would be afraid
If they dropped acid all day and night

Hyundai has talent
But not the brains to mess with the best
They learned everything they know from ‘Yota’s TPS anyway

But they didn’t learn how to sell!
Some lessons don’t get taught to the children
Class dismissed!
DrFill

By: brocky

brocky — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:44:17 +0000

This does not look like a cheap car.

By: The Pill

The Pill — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:10:26 +0000

This is a breakthrough design for Hyundai. This is the vehicle that kicks arse and takes name! Toyo/Honda should be afraid.

By: tyler_is_aero_tt

tyler_is_aero_tt — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:02:50 +0000

I like how they’re trying to look different, and it’s not too bad looking either.

By: corona91719

corona91719 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:49:02 +0000

I have to admit that I am big on badging as well. I think Ford has the ugliest. Hyundai isn’t much better but I do like the car. A good example is the new Lacrosse, very nice vehicle….ugly badging! What gets me is that people don’t like it just because it’s a Hyundai. Put a different badge on it, depending on taste, and people will love it. I always wish the auto industry would do a test. Have Mercedes design a vehicle and put a Chevrolet or Kia badge on it and everyone or most will hate it. Do a swap, a Chevrolet or Kia designed vehicle with a Mercedes badge? Well you get it.

By: DrFill

DrFill — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:47:26 +0000

Compete with VW CC: Yes
Compete with Camry/Accord: No

If they’re going to use this to swing at the big dogs, this will swing and miss
More questionable judgement by Hyundai
DrFill

By: anyclearer

anyclearer — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:39:57 +0000

wish it was comin out sooner, im excited for this design to hit the highways, and could find one in my driveway

By: steve333

steve333 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:32:16 +0000

>of all things to get hung up over on a car, the symbol? really? it’s not like you get the symbol tattooed on yer forehead, and they’re pretty small badges in the grand scheme! ;P
<

Its right on the steering wheel in front of my face-deal killer right there, unless it was an American company. Then I would deal with it.

By: Genesis101

Genesis101 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:27:47 +0000

BUT does anyone wanna see the sketch of this car?????

By: Genesis101

Genesis101 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:25:24 +0000

DAMN! wrong post… idiot….

By: Genesis101

Genesis101 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:24:59 +0000

http://www.auto123.com/ArtImages/101609/2009-Jeep-Compass-001A.jpg

And chrysler/dodge/jeep is headed in the same old direction WHY????????

By: aesir

aesir — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:26:16 +0000

These guys are on a roll….

By: AutoCritical

AutoCritical — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:21:53 +0000

Overall, still a positive step in the right direction… Just wait till the next generation of Hyundai’s come out – they should be looking quite nice indeed!

By: desmints

desmints — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:17:42 +0000

I could never buy anything called ‘Hyundai.’

Some of these foreign companies should consider changing their names before selling in America.

By: teahead

teahead — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:10:05 +0000

Not bad at all! Pretty gutsy I must say.

However, if I had to have an import four-door, I’d get a 2010 Legacy AWD turbo-6 speed.