Eye-catching styling, great fuel economy, sporty handling and a starting price of $21,350. What’s not to like about the 2014 Hyundai Sonata, which has just been named a best overall mid-size sedan by Consumer Reports.
Power and fuel economy – Sonata continues to be powered by Hyundai’s award-winning Theta II GDI 2.4-liter direct injection four-cylinder engine, which packs more power and better fuel efficiency than bigger engines from other manufacturers. It kicks out 190hp, more than larger 2.5L engines in the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, VW Passat and Nissan Altima, and is EPA rated at 24mpg city, 35 highway and 28 combined, almost identical to Camry.
There’s also a four-cylinder 2.4L Turbo engine, which kicks out more horses than the 3.5L six-cylinder engine available for the 2014 Toyota Camry. And – surprise – both get nearly identical mileage ratings from the EPA, which is 21mpg city, 35 highway and 25 combined. There’s also a Sonata Hybrid.
Styling – The Sonata reminds me of the flagship Mercedes-Benz CL 550, at more than three times the price of the Sonata. That’s outside. Inside, there’s a new eight-inch navigation screen, plus Xenon headlights and LED taillights not usually found on vehicles in this price range.
Safety features – Rearview camera and driver’s blind spot mirror are standard on all but the lowest priced model, and the computerized tire monitoring system is standard on all models.
Connectivity – Hyundai’s industry-leading telematics services program, is included for three years on all 2014 Sonatas, providing such services as enhanced roadside assistance, automatic diagnostic notification and a monthly vehicle health report. There’s also an in-vehicle app that connects with your Apple, Android or BlackBerry device for addiitonal features.
Price range: Sonata ranges from $2,350 to fully loaded at $28,650, and at any price point, you are getting a lot for the money.
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