New Hyundai Sonata: No V6?

by Edward Niedermeyer

Published: September 28th, 2009

Wards Auto World reports that Hyundai won’t be offering a V6 in its much-hyped, next-generation Sonata sedan. A direct-injection version of its Theta four-cylinder is expected to be the only engine option, making Sonata the first DI four-pot midsized sedan on the market. The V6 option will also be yanked from the Tucson cute-ute. Though the Sonata will be one of the few mid-sized sedans on the US market without a V6 option, don’t expect it to be a problem even for ostensibly torque-obsessed Americans. According to Wards, 85 percent of the current generation of Sonatas are built with four cylinder engines. 76 percent of Accords and 90 percent of Camrys on the market are four-bangers as well. With CAFE standards climbing rapidly, the era of the four-cylinder family sedan is clearly upon us.

Edward Niedermeyer

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Vento97 on Sep 29, 2009

Being a driver of 4-cylinder cars for over 30 years, its about time everyone else catches on... B.T.W. - Hyundai's message to Honda & Toyota: "WATCH YOUR ASS"....:)

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Dougjp on Sep 29, 2009

Torque is the essence of life ;) Without it, while driving it may be necessary to open the door, get out and check your pulse. Just to make sure you are still alive. :) So, no turbo or no V6? No Hyundai. Don't care what the grannies, or greenies, or people who view a car as an appliance say. Life's too short, and living the days while feeling short changed by your car's performance feel, will get awfully long indeed. The thing is, that discomfort won't be felt until after you have parted with your money.

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Dolorean23 on Sep 30, 2009
Hyundai is becoming the new Honda. Based on that, I’d say they want to be the new Toyota. You really think so? I still see the styling department at KDM looking over someone else's successful design and incorporating it into its own. The new Kia Forte for example looks enough like a Civic to confuse at a glance. Honestly can't say that they've found their own style yet. As well as I can say for the build quality. I like smaller, efficient cars and am always happy to test drive anything, and constantly find the Korean cars lacking in something intangible. I can't quite put my finger on it, but every Hyundai and Kia feels cheap somehow, to the point where you're thinking it justifies the price. 2Goldens: ‘Bought an ‘09 Sonata Limited during Cash For Clunkers. The 6 was about $3k more. I fretted that I’d miss the horsepower and torque. I’m perfectly happy with the 4…fully loaded at $16,500. For my purposes and budget, this was a great buy. I couldn’t get Ford, Toyota or Honda dealers to deal below the $4,500 off the sticker. Not quite true. You COULD buy a four cylinder, 5 speed Fusion for less than $16K - modestly appointed, but no penalty box - with the added Ford bonuses; however, Americans hate to row it themselves so they are extremely hard to find. The one I did find had sat at the dealers lot for so long the parking brake had rusted. I had to have the sales-dude give it a good shove to pop it. Absolutely agree that 4 CYLs and 6 speeds go together like Peas-n-Carrots, but you have to take into account a cars weight to HP ratio, its cruising level at speed, and if you plan on moving a lot of cargo or use the car for towing before you choose over the V6 option.

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Sammy Hagar on Sep 30, 2009

2Goldens: "I’m perfectly happy with the 4…fully loaded at $16,500. For my purposes and budget, this was a great buy." What part of the country are you in? Up here (Pacific Northwest), 4cyl Sonatas were going for $16K and the corresponding Optima for $14K. Had I been able to get our local Hyundai dealer to negotiate closer to the Kia price, I would have pulled the trigger. But since they weren't hurting for sales, I had no luck. Unfortunately, I just couldn't commit to the Optima, as our Kia dealership doesn't inspire me with owner confidence.

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