Hyundai sticks with 4-cylinder power, naturally aspirated or turbocharged, as its seventh-generation 2015 Sonata midsize sedan attempts to move up from its 10th place position in car sales in this country.
The Korean maker is betting on its smaller-block power, though most competitors offer an optional V-6 engine.
Dressed up in white pearl exterior and black leather sport seats with orange piping, the 2015 Sonata Sport four-door sent my way was equipped with a 2.0-liter, twin-scroll turbo and 6-speed automatic transmission. The ride was quieted through increased use of sound-deadening materials in the dashboard, and enhanced the finely detailed interior.
One of the most attractive colors I’ve seen in the new year, canyon copper, adorned another Hyundai driven recently, the 2015 Santa Fe Sport AWD. This color is striking enough to steal away some looks from, say, a silver-finished Toyota Highlander.
The Sonata sedan and Santa Fe crossover are two of Hyundai’s three most popular models. Only the Elantra compact outsells them.
The sleek style introduced by the Sonata in 2011, known as “fluidic sculpture,” has been softened somewhat in the new look for 2015. The Sport version features a low-slung exterior with sharply raked windshield and rear window.
Though horsepower and torque have been lessened in the Sonata’s 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged engine, the sport setting in drive mode choice with paddle-shift use will increase response and tighten steering feel for a more satisfactory performance level. The drive mode’s normal set offers smoother shifts and acceleration; a mild-mannered eco mode is available for ultimate fuel mileages. The turbo’s horsepower has been reduced to 245 from last year’s 274 and the torque drops to 260 lb.-ft. from 269. The Sonata’s base engine is a 185-hp, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder.
The front-drive Sonata Sport with the turbo power carries an EPA estimate of 23/32 miles per gallon; my overall average was 24.7.
Highlighting the interior, in addition to the orange piping on the seats, is a panoramic sunroof, a high-tech center stack angled toward the driver for easier-accessed controls and a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel. The front seats are heated and ventilated and power control has been added to the passenger side; for years, Hyundai has caught grief for a low-positioned front passenger seat without height adjustment.
Good headroom and legroom add comfort to the rear-seating area, where the flat-cushioned seats are heated. Manual sunshades are part of the rear side windows.
Price of the Sonata Sport jumped from $28,575 to $34,460 with the addition of an ultimate package, including such items as the sunroof and navigation, Infinity audio speakers with subwoofer and amplifier, electronic parking brake and a safety group – smart cruise, lane-departure and forward-collision warning, blind-spot detection and rearview camera.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder in the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport all-wheel drive delivers 264 horsepower; there is some lag in low-end acceleration. The 6-speed automatic transmission offered no paddles. The 3,600-pound Santa Fe averaged 23.2 miles per gallon; its EPA rating is 18/24.
A button on the steering wheel moves steering feel through normal, sport and comfort levels.
Perforated leather seats are part of a well-designed interior, contrasting light and dark finish with wood trim. A power liftgate at the rear opens up 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space; the spare tire is underneath the vehicle.
Navigation, 12-speaker Infinity audio, panoramic sunroof, heated seats and power liftgate pushed sticker price of the Santa Fe Sport to $38,350.
The Santa Fe Sport is 9 inches shorter and 300 pounds lighter than the bigger Santa Fe.
Here are the specifications for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T:
- Capacity 5-passenger sedan
- Wheelbase 110.4 inches
- Length 191.1 inches
- Width 73.4 inches
- Height 58.1 inches
- Curb Weight 3,575 pounds
- Track 62.9 inches front, 63.1 rear
- Ground Clearance 5.3 inches
- Turn Circle 335.8 feet
- Drivetrain Front-wheel-drive
- Engine 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
- Horsepower/Torque 245/260
- Transmission 6-speed automatic
- Steering electric-assist rack-and-pinion
- Suspension MacPherson strut front, multilink rear
- Fuel mileage estimate 23/32
- Fuel mileage average 24.7
- Fuel Tank 18.5 gallons, regular unleaded
- Wheels 18-inch
- Tires Kumho Solus 235/45R18
- Cargo Volume 16.3 cubic feet
- Warranty 5 years/60,000 miles basic, 10/100,000 powertrain
Competitors Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, VW Passat TSI Sport, Chrysler 200, Mazda6
Assembly Plant Montgomery, Ala.
Parts Content U.S./Canadian 41%, Korea 51%
Base Price of Lowest Model $21,150; Base Price of Review Model $28,575; Destination Charge $810; Sticker Price $34,460.