TheCarConnection, the easy-to-use car shopping site that reviews cars and the best of the Web, today named the 2011 Hyundai Sonata its Best Car to Buy 2011. Announced at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2011 Sonata topped TheCarConnections numeric ratings among all vehicles with a base price of less than $50,000, including destination. In earning this distinction, the Sonata beat out luxury competitors including the Acura TSX, the Infiniti M37 and the BMW 5-Series, among others.
TheCarConnections Best Car to Buy Award was chosen from a field of 40 nominees. The winner came from reviews written by the sites editors, who road-test nearly every new vehicle introduced each year. Editors rated each new vehicle for performance, styling, utility, features, safety, and assigned a green score, then incorporated opinions from the around the Web in each review. The result is a unique, one-stop car rating and review that makes car shopping easier for consumers.
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a stellar value in all its forms – standard, turbocharged, and hybrid, said Marty Padgett, editorial director of High Gear Media. The Sonata changes the midsize sedan game. Exceptional safety, fuel economy and standard features make it a must-drive for any new-car shopper.
The all-new 2011 Sonata represents a modern approach to the traditional midsize sedan segment by using only advanced four-cylinder engines, emotional design and luxury features offered with Hyundais strong value proposition. The Sonata features a new Theta II 2.4-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine and an in-house six-speed automatic transmission, delivering class-leading fuel economy of 22 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 198 horsepower standard. The all-new Sonata raises the bar when it comes to features and technology offered within the midsize car segment. In addition to standard XM Satellite radio, the Sonata boasts segment-first standard Bluetooth hands-free phone system, available HD Radio Technology with multicasting (allowing the broadcast of alternative side-band content on HD stations) and heated front and rear seats. The Sonata is also the first vehicle in its segment with advanced touchscreen navigation available on all trim levels.
Hyundai also offers consumers turbo and hybrid versions of Sonata. The turbocharged 2011 Sonata 2.0T produces an unprecedented combination of segment-leading fuel efficiency and power with an estimated 33 mpg highway rating and 274 horsepower. The Sonata Hybrid features Hyundais breakthrough Direct Hybrid Blue Drive architecture using Lithium Polymer battery technology and is projected to deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of 40 mpg, while also offering outstanding city fuel economy of 36 mpg.