Edmunds is so full of it....

[Nick R]

Ok, Hyundai, and Chrysler share the same 2.4L 16V DOHC "World" engine. Yet compare these direct quotes from reviews of the Dodge Avenger, and Hyundai Sonata...

Dodge Avenger: "Weak and noisy four-cylinder engine", "The base four-cylinder engine is weak and unrefined", Powering the 2009 Dodge Avenger SE and SXT models is a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated at 173 hp and 166 pound-feet of torque

Hyundai Sonata: "Both the four- and six-cylinder engines have received an influx of power, while raising fuel economy at the same time. That's worthy of a thumbs-up any day", "he standard engine on all Hyundai Sonata trim levels is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine good for 175 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque."

Something smells fishy to me... They completely fail to mention any of the problems they so often extrapolate with the Dodge....

 

[StevieC]

Not because I like Hyundai, but because I'm speaking the truth... Could be that the Dodge has less sound proofing of the engine bay area and/or different gear ratio's in the transmission which make the engine sound noisier. It could also be a different guy that tested each and personal bias. ?!?

From driving the Hyundai 4 cylinder I can tell you it is very quiet and refined and a pleasure to drive... Again this could be my bias...

Also another note that came to mind... Just because each company shares the design doesn't mean their wasn't subtle changes to the engines components to satisfy the company and just the basics are the same... Perhaps this makes up the difference?

Guess the only way to tell is to test drive both for yourself.

 

[SLCraig]

Different intake systems, Different exhaust systems, different cabin insulation, etc.. Lots of differences in what can make an engine "noisy"

 

[sparkplug]

I find car reviews like that are pointless. Any moron that knows car basics can write a review.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: sparkplug
I find car reviews like that are pointless. Any moron that knows car basics can write a review.



+1

 

[spursfan600]

Well I have the older version of the 2.4 engine from Chrysler in my Stratus and I can pretty much say, yes its noisy but who cares? Is there any better sound then engine noise?

 

[KrisZ]

I think they are full of it, while I did not drive the Avenger, I had the 09 Sontata as a rental for a week and I was not impressed with the engine and the transmission.

While the engine was smooth and fairly quiet, it was weak and run out of steam at higher RPM, it also did not feal eager to rev. freely and despite the 5spd auto transmission it felt slow.

These reviews are always biased.

 

[StevieC]

To me that could have been because it was a rental and those don't see proper service and/or care...

 

[eljefino]

Also the motor mounts play a substantial role in vibration etc; I bet they're different.

Still a good catch though.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
To me that could have been because it was a rental and those don't see proper service and/or care...


It's was an 09-how much service or care does a car that new need? I always thought that Hyundai's were a bit more robust than that.

 

[KrisZ]

The Sonata I had for a rental had only 15k KM or so. I seriously doubt that it deteriorated in that short time.

Don't get me wrong, I was pleasantly surprised by the interior quality, the features, even for a rental, and the room this car has to offer and overall it was much better than Pontiac G6 I had the previous week. But that 2.4 or 2.5 (I'm not sure which) Ecotec engine was way ahead of Hyundai's 2.4 engine in terms of power and smoothness, even with the 4 speed auto, G6 felt much eager when pushed and loved to be revved. If Hyundai could put that Ecotec in their Sonata, it would be a winner in my books.

 

[moklock]

Probably has a lot to do with intake, exhaust, and mounting.

The GM Ecotec is also a good example of that from my expierence. I've driven anywhere from an '03 Cavalier that had a fair amount of engine vibes transmitted into the cabin to an '08 Malibu where the engine was so isolated it barely seemed connected to the chassis. The exhaust notes vary quite a bit as well.

 

[sciphi]

I suspect Hyundai used many different features in their version of the engine than Dodge did. It's kinda like a Chinese-built AK-47 compared to a Russian-built AK-47. Same blueprints, differing parts and manufacturing.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Ok, Hyundai, and Chrysler share the same 2.4L 16V DOHC "World" engine. Yet compare these direct quotes from reviews of the Dodge Avenger, and Hyundai Sonata...

Dodge Avenger: "Weak and noisy four-cylinder engine", "The base four-cylinder engine is weak and unrefined", Powering the 2009 Dodge Avenger SE and SXT models is a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated at 173 hp and 166 pound-feet of torque

Hyundai Sonata: "Both the four- and six-cylinder engines have received an influx of power, while raising fuel economy at the same time. That's worthy of a thumbs-up any day", "he standard engine on all Hyundai Sonata trim levels is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine good for 175 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque."

Something smells fishy to me... They completely fail to mention any of the problems they so often extrapolate with the Dodge....


There are so many variables.

You can make two cars from the same car maker sound different by simply changing the exhaust or the intake on that car. So the stock Dodge would sound different than the modified Dodge.

So what are the possible differences between a Dodge and a Hyundai?

1. Different Intake
2. Different Exhaust
3. Different Engine mounts.
4. Different accessories.
5. Different cabin insulation.
6. The different bodies likely have some impact on sounds transmitted to the driver.

I'm sure I don't have it all, but you can mount two engine blocks made in the very same plant in two cars and once you've put all the parts on them that make them a Hyundai or Dodge, there will be enough difference that they will sound different.

 

[BearZDefect]

"...while raising fuel economy..." due to the very tall top gear, which runs the "175hp" engine so slow it can barely accelerate the car...

No wonder Hyundai has programmed the transmission in the Sonata i4 to unlock the TCC for a mere 2% grade uphill - all of a sudden that high-stall torque converter comes to the rescue as engine speed jumps from 1,400rpm to well over 2,000rpm, nevermind that you're now dumping fuel energy into heat in your transmission. What happened to conserving energy now?

Every little hill here in town makes the TCC unlock, in 4th or 5th, with no change to throttle position. My sanity was saved when I found that when the shifter is in manual mode the grade ill-logic is turned off and the TCC remains locked unless you punch the throttle.

I wonder if the EPA fuel economy tests are run on flat terrain. Perhaps they should use moderately hilly terrain to catch the grade logic cheaters.