Is anyone else as impressed with hyundais jump in engine tech? Their new 4 is about as powerful as their old 6 was! The new 6 is no slouch and puts out better numbers then most of the domestics (except for Chrysler and the GM I6). For a low end company they seem to be able to get the R&D done. They really are the new Japanese and are the real market share threats in the future. Letting them bottom feed and gain a war chest is exactly what put the Japanese in the position they are in today.

 

The new Sonata is very impressive. Quality has improved greatly, powertrain has improved just as much, and they still have their standard 10 year 100k warranty and represent good values.

They've impressed me a great deal over the last year. This is why i have high hopes for the upcoming Rwd Tib coupe.

 

Reality check:

Hyundai's new engines aren't very impressive - unless you're making a comparision with Ford or some of GM's dismal mainstream offerings.

Compare Hyundai's 3.3 and 3.8 liter V6s with the latest 3.5 liter V6 engines from Nissan and Toyota. It's pretty obvious that Hyundai is still a couple of years behind the curve.

Basically, Hyundai is playing a very good game of "catch up," and that's all.

 

I don't see anything "impressive" about the new Hyundai Sonata. Despite all of the hype, it's still behind the class leaders in performance. Of course, the styling of the Sonata has transitioned from "grotesque" to merely "generic." Is it an improvement? Sure, just about anything would have been an improvement over the old Sonata.


There are still plenty of reasons why you shouldn't buy a Hyundai.

It should be obvious that a 10 year powertrain warranty is a brilliant marketing gimmick - but not all that useful in the real world. It also should be obvious that Hyundai might have lost its reputation for producing junk, but a few postitive quality surveys haven't turned it into a "got-to-have" brand. Having a Hyundai (or Kia) in your driveway still sends all the wrong meassages.

In the end, potential Sonata shopper would be well advised to buy an Accord, Altima, Camry or Passat. The cost savings in buying a Hyundai isn't great enough to make up for the dull product, the dull experience or the dull image.

 

Really Redzed, the Sonata is impressive. Look at thier 2004 lineup and you cant help but be impressed.

 

10/100 warranty is only for the powertrain and it is not transferable. Standard bumper to bumper is 5/60. (GM/Honda/Toyota/Ford could crush them with the same warranty).

I have a 10 year 250,000mi internal engine warraty free from quakerstate when I bought my truck.

The only think impressive about hyundia is how far they have come. They have a better product, but it is still behind the mainstream pack.

 

The new Sonata is impressive, but only when you compare it to the old Sonata. In reality, the general design and execution of the brand spankin' new Sonata approaches that of the current, soon to be replaced Camry. Just wait until CY2006 when the new Camry appears, and the Sonata will seem very old for a year old design. The same goes for Hyundai's new 3.3 liter V6 - and excellent match for Toyota's soon-to-be-replaced 3.3 liter but nowhere near the 280hp 3.5 liter that's already in the Avalon.

Of course, the Sonata is a revelation compared to the Chevrolet's very clumsy Malibu. It's also safe to say that it will be able to hold it's own against Ford's upcoming Fusion. That's faint praise.

 

Well, I had a M6 Z28 1995 and sold it, Right now I am very happy with my Tiburon V6, for daily driver, and my Z28 A4 wich I will never sell

 

The fact that they even come close is impressive enough given where they stood just a year or two back.

As far as playing catchup and making strides, none is doing a better job right now imo. They deserve some credit for that if anything.

 

Well owning a elantra 2005, I can say my engine is relitively spirited... although gutless for speed, i've put over 700lbs of stuff in the back seat and it doesnt slow down one bit. this is with a 2? liter 4 banger... with an astranomical 132 hp...

But I cant say much for there v6, I dont know of their new technology, although I did test drove a Tiberon v6 that broke traction in second gear... i was impressed with again an astranomical 185 hp who would want a sports car like that?

V8's for all!...

 

I'm overall very impressed with the progress Hyundai is making in such short time. True their cars are still playing catch up, but with the amount of money they are investing in the US I can't help but be glad to see such determination out of a car company. Whether or not the Sonata is on par with the future Camry, I wish GM had this much determination (no thanks to Zarella).

 

Consumer Reports named the '04 Sonata the most reliable vehicle made ahead of the second place Civic, so they are apparently doing something right, especially for the price.