Nobody's perfect.
This 2021 is my second Hyundai Sonata. My first Hyundai Sonata was a 2015.
In almost every area, my 2021 improves over my 2015. Some details:
* Headlights--win for the 2021: The 2015's halogen headlights provided marginal illumination. The 2021's LED headlights provide brilliant illumination. The auto-dimming "magic eye" feature of the 2021's headlights is great.
* Engine--win for the 2021: The 2015's Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) system, while providing more power and better fuel economy, also could carbon-up the intake valves, requiring occasional cleaning services. The 2021 has both GDI and a conventional multi-port fuel injection that runs periodically to keep the intake valves clean. The 2021 produces 191 hp vs the 2015's 185 hp. The 2021's oil dipstick is easier to find than the 2015's oil dipstick. The 2021 shares a spacious engine compartment with the 2015 so service should be easy. Changing the oil on the 2015 required unscrewing fourteen fasteners to remove the under-engine splash shield to access the oil filter and drain plug. The 2021 has two separate access covers, one for the oil filter and one for drain plug. Only two fasteners need be removed. Changing the 2021's cartridge oil filter is a much cleaner process than changing the 2015's canister oil filter.
* Fuel economy--win for the 2021: At its best the 2015 returned 32 mpg on the highway. The 2021 consistently returns 34 to 37 mpg on the highway.
* Transmission--win for the 2021: The 2015 has a conventional six-speed transmission; the 2021 also has a conventional transmission but with eight speeds. On long, step interstate grades, the 2015's transmission would hunt for the right gear. The 2021's transmission finds the right gear and stays in it. The extra two gears seems to give the 2021 a little better acceleration off the line.
* Steering/handling/ride--win for the 2021: The steering in the 2015 always seemed a little vague; more like I was operating a joystick. The steering in the 2021 is much more precise, with much better feedback. The handling of the 2021 is much more precise than the handling of the 2015. The ride of the 2021 is firmer than that of the 2015, without degenerating into harshness.
* Rear view camera--win for the 2021: The 2021's rear view camera provides a much more panoramic view than the 2015's rear view camera. I can back up with more confidence.
* Side view mirrors--win for the 2021: The shape of the 2021's side view mirrors does a much better job of eliminating blind spots than the 2015's side view mirrors.
* Transmission shift lever and transmission gear selection--win for the 2015: I very much dislike the push-button transmission control. Push-button transmission controls were a bad idea in the 1950s when tried by Ford and Chrysler. They are still a bad idea today! The provide no feedback and require me to take my eyes off the road. The 2015's shift lever allowed me to select gears when going downhill. No such luck in the 2021. If I could change one thing in the 2021, it would be to bring back the gear shift lever of the 2015.
* Noise--win for the 2021: The 2021 is noticeably quieter than the 2015. I'm not sure this is due to the 2021's Michelin tires or better soundproofing.
* Adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert, lane keeping features--big, game-changing wins for the 2021: None of these features were available in my 2015. These features, once understood, make the 2021 a much easier and safer car to drive.
* Owner's manuals--a big loss for both the 2015 and 2021: I am a retired technical writer who wrote operating manuals for high-tech equipment. The 2015 and 2021 manuals need a serious reworking. Both manuals seem to have been written by native Korean speakers with excellent command of English. However, strange constructions and strange word usages occur frequently (the "room light"). These can be charming but they can also end up being annoying. These manuals should be reviewed by a native English speaker. There are also too many warnings. Black text on every page really slows reader comprehension. The active safety features (adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, forward collision alert) deserve serious re-writing. Hyundai spent millions developing these wonderful systems, and they should spend some money on educating users on how to use these systems. Users need to know, in simple words, how these systems operate, why they should use them, and how to use them. I think the best possible solution would be some simple videos that would display through the infotainment screen.
These manuals have too many ridiculous warnings that clutter the pages with black, bold type and end up being road blocks to readers.
A final note: My 2021's passive safety features were put to their ultimate test on January 28th, 2021 when a 1997 Acura going 35 mph ran a red light and hit the left front corner of my car, which was probably going 30 mph. My front passenger air bag, front passenger seat air bag, and left curtain air bag went off. I was traveling alone. No right side airbags went off. The accident scattered a large of amount of my Sonata across the intersection. I was shaken up but basically uninjured.
I will be buying another 2021 Sonata but probably in a "luckier" color.
Recommended
Verified Owner
