The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a potential game-changer for the popular midsize sedan class, and will go head-to-head with industry stalwarts, the 2010 Toyota Camry and 2010 Honda Accord. Hyundai plans to take a different approach to power delivery and will offer a smaller, more fuel-efficient engine in their midsize sedan as opposed to large-displacement, fuel-thirsty V6s found in both the Accord and Camry.
The engine residing between the fenders of the Sonata will be a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder power plant producing 198 horsepower and a very solid 184 lb/ft of torque while getting fuel economy of 23 mpg in the city and potential class-leading fuel economy of 35 mpg on the highway. For those who (including us) pine for even more horsepower, a turbocharged variation of a similar engine will be available approximately one year after the initial release of the ‘11 Sonata, which would produce around 250 horsepower. Pundits & purists needn’t worry, as a Hybrid model is also in the works.
The 2011 Sonata will grow in size compared to the outgoing 2010 Sonata, and will be classified by the EPA as a large car, which is exactly what happened when Honda released the new Accord back in 2008, but the Sonata will best it by boasting a class-leading 120 cubic feet of interior volume (both the Camry and Accord have 101 cubic feet by comparison).
After seeing and driving the 2010 Hyundai Genesis, we are adamant that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata will be a surefire hit when it is released later this month because it will offer the midsize car shopper more value than anything available in its class.
For more click to the dedicated Hyundai Sonata website.
Check back later tomorrow for CarsDirect’s Top Ten Cars to Look Forward to in 2010: #2…
