Hyundai announced a base price of $21,960 today for the all-new 2015 Sonata, and while the car itself may be named for a musical movement, Hyundai seems to be more in the mood for a tap dance as there’s been considerable shuffling of models and content. Last year’s five trim levels are consolidated to four—SE, Sport, Limited, and Sport 2.0T—with new option packages making up the difference. The base engine is a 185-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and a six-speed automatic is standard on all models.
The GLS model has been eliminated from the lineup and content of the SE has been reduced to fit the entry-level slot. While it is priced from $21,960 (which is actually $300 less than last year’s GLS and a whopping $3150 less than a 2014 SE), it’s an SE in name only. The specs are based on the previous GLS. There are still some niceties such as remote keyless entry, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and an iPod adapter. The $1200 Popular Equipment Option package adds back in automatic headlamps, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a touch screen with backup camera, Blue Link telematics, and a temporary spare tire.
The next step up is the Sport ($23,985). It fills the mid-range slot and adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, a unique front grille and fascia, chrome-trimmed side skirts, chrome exhaust tips, heated seats and side mirrors (with turn-signal repeaters), a stitched hood for the instrument cluster, and chrome interior door handles. There are two option packages for Sport:
• Premium package ($1700): Includes blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, chrome exterior door handles with welcome lights, proximity entry (including hands-free opening for the trunk) with push-button start, sport seats with cloth inserts and leather bolsters, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, dual automatic climate control, and auto up/down front windows.
• Technology package ($1750): Requires the Premium package and adds an eight-inch navigation system with voice activation, Sirius XM Travel Link, a seven-speaker upgraded audio system, a 4.2-inch color multi-display with electroluminescent gauges, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink and compass, and Blue Link telematics.
The Limited ($27,335) returns this year and adds blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change protection, LED taillamps, chrome door handles inside and out, proximity entry (including hands-free opening for the trunk) with push-button start, woodgrain interior trim, heated front and rear leather-trimmed seats, a power passenger seat, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, dual automatic climate control, rear air vents, rear side-window sunshades, metal doorsill plates, an auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink and compass, auto up/down front windows, and a seven-speaker premium audio. For you hedonists out there, there are two option packages:
• Technology package ($3500): Includes panoramic sunroof, high-gloss window surrounds, HID headlamps, an eight-inch navigation system with voice command, Sirius XM Travel Link, a 10-speaker Infinity audio system, a 4.2-inch color multi-info display with electroluminescent gauges, memory driver’s seat and mirrors, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and Blue Link telematics.
• Ultimate Package ($1550): Requires the Technology package and adds adaptive cruise control, lane-departure and forward-collision warnings, 12.6-inch front brakes, an electronic parking brake, automatic high beams, and rear-park assist.
And at the top of the range is the Sport 2.0T ($29,385) which takes the Sonata Sport with the Premium package and adds a 2.0-liter turbo four, 18-inch aluminum wheels, paddle shifters, rack-mounted dual-pinion electric power steering, a sport suspension, 12.6-inch front brakes, HID headlamps, LED taillamps, a rear diffuser, and chrome-tipped quad exhaust. Inside it’s a mixture of Sport and Limited with a sport instrument cluster, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and sport shift knob, rear air vents, sport leather seats with piping, an auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink and compass, and what Hyundai calls “3D appearance interior trim.” And for those who are never satisfied, there is indeed still one more upgrade:
• Ultimate package ($4950): Includes panoramic sunroof, high-gloss window surround, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure and forward-collision warnings, an electronic parking brake, automatic high beams, rear-parking assistance, the eight-inch nav system with voice activation, Sirius XM Travel Link, the 10-speaker Infinity audio system, a 4.2-inch color LCD display with electroluminescent gauges, memory driver’s seat and mirrors, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and Blue Link telematics.
- Hyundai Sonata Research: Complete Pricing, Specs, Reviews, and More
- 2015 Hyundai Sonata Photos and Info: Genesis-Gilded, Nürburgring Nurtured
- 2014 Mazda 6 i Sport Tested: Family Athletics
The reorchestrated Sonata covers a very wide range of the giant mid-size market. The newly contented SE is slightly above the base 2014 Passat 1.8T with the five-speed manual ($21,815) and undercuts all of the other major players—even the 2015 Mazda 6 i Sport ($21,985) and 2014 Honda Accord LX ($22,745) models with six-speed manuals. Meanwhile, the Toyota Camry L with a six-speed automatic clocks in at $23,235.
It’s worth noting that the Accord, Camry, and Passat offer both four- and six-cylinder models, while Hyundai is taking a volume approach and offering only four-cylinder-equipped models. The Sport and the Limited appear to be targeted right at the heart of the market, which is precisely the place that the Korean’s value equation tends to shine the brightest.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/1ol5wc1
via IFTTT
