2011 Hyundai Sonata: Four-Cylinder Only?

[The Critic]

While it isn't official for the North American market, it would not surprise me if Hyundai decided to drop the V6. Ever since Audi decided to drop the V6 in the their A4 (in favor of the 2.0T), I expected other manufacturers to follow suit. As the article states, most buyers opt for the four-cylinder over the V6.

Of course, the manufacturers are partly to blame for this as they often mandate a ridiculous amount of additional options with the larger engine. However, most of us can agree that buyers in this segment are not after performance and the newer four-cylinders are more than adequate. So, given the current economic climate and the future of gasoline, dropping the V6 makes sense, doesn't it?

What do you guys think?



Quote:
Just a few days ago we saw the first images of the all-new Hyundai Sonata as it was introduced in South Korea. The Korean press release only mentioned two powertrain options, a 2.0-liter four cylinder and a 2.4-liter direct-injected four. No reference was made to a V6 such as the one offered in the current-generation Sonata. Ward's reports that they have been told even the North American-market Sonata will go four-cylinder only.

The current Sonata V6 only accounts for just 15 percent of total sales, and with the DI engine becoming standard in the new model, the larger engine likely be even less popular. We checked with Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore, who responded "We have officially declined to comment further on that report." Bedore did tell us that further announcements would be coming at either the Los Angeles or Detroit Auto Show when the US model is revealed. The one thing we do know for sure is that a Sonata hybrid is coming later in 2010. Thanks for the tip, Derrick!


http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/27/report-2011-hyundai-sonata-wont-offer-a-v6

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

So are they trying to force the 15% who buy the v6 to go onto a higher end model? Will the Azera still be around? If not then the next car up that has a v6 would be the Genesis.

I think they should still offer a v6. Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Ford have v6s in comparable models. They'll be losing the people who would want the power of a v6 but don't want to pay for a higher priced car to get it.

 

[crinkles]

downhere, they scrapped the V6 about a year or two ago. so now you can only get a 2.4 L petrol, but, the V6 was replaced with a 2L turbo diesel engine. i would seriously consider a diesel sonata.

 

[spursfan600]

it sounds like they want people who would want the v6 to fork over a bit extra to upgrade to the Azera or possibly even the low end Genesis

 

[Nayov]

If the coming 2.4 DI makes more power than the current 6 then it makes perfect sense. But you know something, I can't believe only 15% opt for the bigger engine.

 

[JTK]

Sounds reasonable. having driven both the late model Camry and Accord both w/ the 4cyl, I can't imagine why anyone would pay the extra to have a V6 stuffed under the hood.

Joel

 

[StevieC]

As a Hyundai Fan, I could see the Sonata getting along just fine on the 4 cylinder. Hyundai's 4 Cylinders although not the strongest in the HP segment are pretty peppy off the line and have no problem passing from the ones I have driven so I think that they don't need a V6.

Most people drive in stop-go traffic or on streets where a V6 isn't needed.

I too would consider a Diesel Sonata if it were offered.

 

[Nick R]

Doesn't seem like a problem to me.... Four cylinders are increasing in power. They are starting to replace V6s in alot of applications, and V6s are starting to replace V8s.

 

[parimento1]

Yea I think it is more than reasonable and I think other car manufacturers should follow suit. You hardly see any V6 Camrys, Accord, or Altima's on the road. And in all honesty, what do you need it for? To get to the grocery store faster. Let's not mention it costs more to insure a V6 then 4 cylinder, plus maintenance is usually more expensive and parts are usually harder to find, since the v6 models are often slightly different than the 4 cylinder models. I think it is a good idea all around and think that all the other companies (including Ford and their Fusion with 2 V6 engine offerings) should jump on the bandwagon and simplify their assembly/manufacturing and save money on things that most people don't really want or care about anyway. Save the V6 for your luxury and performance cars, not your grocery getters.

 

[Nick R]

Fords engine lineup (what it SHOULD look like anyway)

Ford Focus: 2.5L I-4, Ecoboost I-4 SVT
Ford fusion: 2.5L I-4, Ecoboost I-4 Option, Ecoboost V6 Sport
Ford Mustang: Ecoboost I-4 Base, 6.2L V8 GT
Ford Escape: 2.5L I-4, Ecoboost I-4 Option
Ford Explorer: Ecoboost V6
Ford Expedition: Ecoboost V6 Base, 6.2L SVT
Ford F-150: Ecoboost V6 Base, 6.2L V8 Upgrade/SVT
Ford Ranger: 2.5L I-4, 3.5L Duratec V6
Ford Edge: Ecoboost I-4 Base, 3.5L Duratec V6 Option

 

[parimento1]

I agree why does ford need: 3.5L V6, (2)3.0L V-6s, 2.5L I4, 3.5L TURBO, 2.5L TURBO, 4.6L V8 (2V AND 3V), 5.4L V8, 2.0L I4, 4.0L V6, 2.3 I4). Ford needs to consolidate this in a hurry! It is bad business to need tooling for all these different engines. As far as I am concerned there should be no such thing as the 4.0L, 3.0L OHV, and 2.3L I4. Even having the 4.6 in 2 and 3V versions is wasteful.

I DO like how they consolidated the transmission lineup to 6-speed automatics for both front and rear drive applications.

 

[daves87rs]

V6s are going away quietly, as I see more people worrying about gas prices.....


My local Ford dealer sells twice as many 4 as he does 6s.....

 

[parimento1]

Yes, the V6 should be reserved for very heavy cars or light trucks. Nowadays, 4 cylinders make the power of V6s, maybe not the torque but. For example, I own a 97 Toyota Avalon, with a 200hp V6. All the major brands have 4 cylinder engines that have almost, if not 200hp. Shows you the day of the V6 in regular cars are numbered. The bad thing is however, is that as the 4 cylinders get more powerful they approach the mpg of the V6s and sometimes are less fuel efficient, if you really need to flog it for perfomance.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

I4s don't usually produce the amount of torque a v6 can. You have to rev a 4 cylinder more just to move it. Plus, it's so much easier to merge onto busy interstates with a powerful engine.

 

[parimento1]

People don't want a V6 just to use it once or twice a day to merge. It's nice to have the power, but all it does is raise your insurance and get u tickets. Even my car is way more than I need to merge onto any freeway, and some would call my car underpowered, especially by todays standards. I don't drive like a grandma either, I do drive my cars very hard, but I just see it as superfluous to have a car that can do 0-60 in like 6 secs and have a top speed of 150mph, when the speed limit is 55mph. Also, for people in urban areas, do you really needs 6 cylinders burning gas in bumper to bumper traffic? What I really loved and think are a good compromise are small V6s in the place of big I4 engines. The bigger the 4s get, the noisier and rougher they run. Id like to see a nice, small 2.3L V6 or a 2.5L v6 like used to be in the Ford Contours and Mazda 626s. Those were decent engines that got decent fuel economy and were smoother and more responsive than 4 cylinder engines. I hope we will see those types of engines again in the coming years, but I am not holding my breath.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
I4s don't usually produce the amount of torque a v6 can. You have to rev a 4 cylinder more just to move it. Plus, it's so much easier to merge onto busy interstates with a powerful engine.


That's odd, I don't have issues merging with a 1.6L 4 cylinder engine with 242K miles. So I stay in 2nd or 3rd longer than the guy with the big V6 or V8. But I wouldn't say it's hard to merge with a small car.

Not to mention, any benefits of the large engine are often offset by the higher costs of ownership, perhaps it's a larger car so harder to park, etc.

In fact, since my engine is so small, the spring on the throttle body is one of the easiest I've ever pressed. So I'd say it's pretty easy to merge, It's a lot harder to press down on the throttle of larger engines. LOL

 

[tonycarguy]

Originally Posted By: parimento1
Yes, the V6 should be reserved for very heavy cars or light trucks. Nowadays, 4 cylinders make the power of V6s, maybe not the torque but. For example, I own a 97 Toyota Avalon, with a 200hp V6. All the major brands have 4 cylinder engines that have almost, if not 200hp. Shows you the day of the V6 in regular cars are numbered. The bad thing is however, is that as the 4 cylinders get more powerful they approach the mpg of the V6s and sometimes are less fuel efficient, if you really need to flog it for perfomance.


You're comparing a 12 year old V6 with a 2009 L4? Why not compare a 2009 V6 with a 2009 L4?

 

[tonycarguy]

All engines have gotten more powerful but it's offset by the fact cars are larger and heavier now. For instance the base Accord gained 27 hp in the last 10 years but it also gained 300 lbs.

There will always be a segment of buyers who want performance over fuel economy. Larger engines serve them and they aren't going away

 

[parimento1]

The reason I compared the 12yo V6 is to illustrate just how powerful today's 4 cylinders are. The fact that a 4cyl is making V6-like power now, is an achievement.

 

[Nick R]

The fact that the ancient 4.0L V6 makes nearly as much power as the 4.6L 2V V8 is interesting. Our V6 mustang has 20 less horsepower and 40lb/ft torque less than our expedition.