Hyundai Sonata (2015)

[Nonewposts]

The latest optima seems very stingy in terms of features and equipment

Edited January 28, 2016 by Nonewposts

[Kennethoka]

Yes, compare to previous generation, the current generation that C&C brought is lack of features.

[Kennethoka]

I think Sonata and Optima don't share the same engine. Sonata is using nu engine mpi d-cvvt and Optima is using nu engine mpi cvvl

From the paper CVVL is superior than D-CVVT. Actually most of the car manufacturer (honda, toyota, etc) has this Variable Valve Lift (VVL) technology ( more info please search wiki). even though CVVL has higher horse power but CVVL and D-CVVT have the same torque.

 

Further more on paper Optima has lighter body weight so that might be the reason why optima has a faster 0-100km/h result.

 

I guess one of the reason why optima has higher OMV might be the engine. Funny things is previuos generation of Optima also using CVVL engine but why Hyundai still using D-CVVT for their new Sonata? Cost effective? 

Sorry, I think i had made a mistake here below are the engine used for Sonata, Tucson and Optima

 

Sonata - Theta II 2.0L MPI

Tucson - Nu Engine 2.0L MPI D-CVVT

Optima - Nu Engine 2.0L MPI CVVL

 

Theta II or Nu is superior, i don't know but I know on paper Nu (in general) is 9% lighter in weight and 3% better fuel efficient. 

[teomingern]

The Nu is newer generation I think. That may account for the significant difference in power and 0-100 kmh and fuel consumption figures.

[7hm]

Sorry, I think i had made a mistake here below are the engine used for Sonata, Tucson and Optima

 

Sonata - Theta II 2.0L MPI

Tucson - Nu Engine 2.0L MPI D-CVVT

Optima - Nu Engine 2.0L MPI CVVL

 

Theta II or Nu is superior, i don't know but I know on paper Nu (in general) is 9% lighter in weight and 3% better fuel efficient. 

 

The Nu engine is newer and generally more efficient, so it's better for sure.

 

The i40 Estate 2.0L they brought in was the only Nu GDi (Gasoline Direct injection, instead of MPi, (MultiPort injection) they brought in for quite a while, and imho that was a strong factor for someone to consider the i40.

 

Unfortunately the current Sonata VIII is still using the Theta II engine.

Edited January 30, 2016 by 7hm

[Forte3737]

The Nu engine is newer and generally more efficient, so it's better for sure.

 

The i40 Estate 2.0L they brought in was the only Nu GDi (Gasoline Direct injection, instead of MPi, (MultiPort injection) they brought in for quite a while, and imho that was a strong factor for someone to consider the i40.

 

Unfortunately the current Sonata VIII is still using the Theta II engine.

Not an issue as long as engine is reliable

[Kennethoka]

If I'm not wrong US is using Theta II turbocharged. But not too sure if Europe is using Nu or Theta II turbocharged. Since Europe has a stricter policy on engine emission and that is why Hyundai came out Nu engine to address that.

[Daniu82]

I just went for test drive for the Sonata cos got an invitation from them and can get free cashcard, umbrella and car vouchers, so I think why not. Not many ppl there, maybe ppl waiting for COE bidding next week. Found my SE and went for it. The look both interior and exterior are good to me, but the car like no power and not responsive, dunno is the engine or gearbox problem. The road noise and body roll are low and the car is quite stable.

[Kennethoka]

when you test drive, do your SE switch the drive mode to 'sport'? Because the drive mode determine the willingness of rpm respond. For Sport mode, when you depress a bit acceleration, the rpm can go up to 4K easily.  

[7hm]

Not an issue as long as engine is reliable

 

If both are reliable, why not just have the newer and more efficient engine? It's probably a matter of cost to Komoco more than anything else.

[Kennethoka]

If both are reliable, why not just have the newer and more efficient engine? It's probably a matter of cost to Komoco more than anything else.

I think Komoco don't have the power to choose Theta II or Nu to use on the car. It is Hyundai and KIA business strategies.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Theta_engine#Theta_II

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Nu_engine#Applications_2

 

Interesting fact. 

 

Theta II engine is a joint venture between Chrysler, Mitsubishi Motors, and the Hyundai Motor Company. In 2009, Chrysler bought out Mitsubishi and Hyundai's stake in the joint-venture, however each company retained rights to build the engines.

 

The Hyundai Nu engine was introduced in the 2011 Hyundai Elantra to replace the previous Beta engines. It was designed to fill the gap between the new Gamma 1.6L and the 2.0L Theta II.

 

so if the Wiki is right. That means Theta II engine is for 2.0L to 2.4L car and for Nu engine is for 1.8L to 2.0L car. And based on the application of the engine, Hyundai will use Theta II engine for mid to high power/torque car like Sonata, Genesis, Sorento and Santa Fe, And as for Nu engine, Hyundai will use it on low to mid power/torque car like Elantra. And I also notice Hyundai slowly shift most of the non turbocharged to use Nu engine like Optima, Sportage, Soul and i40.

 

so to simplified the classification of which engine to use.(i can be wrong, please correct me if i'm wrong) For market like US, they will use Theta II engine as american like powerful and not so environmental friendly as their europe counterpart and as for Europe market, they will us Nu as it is more environment friendly but with the expenses of power.

 

Who knows the next generation Sonata might be using Nu engine.

Edited January 31, 2016 by Kennethoka

[7hm]

I think Komoco don't have the power to choose Theta II or Nu to use on the car. It is Hyundai and KIA business strategies.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Theta_engine#Theta_II

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Nu_engine#Applications_2

 

Interesting fact. 

 

Theta II engine is a joint venture between Chrysler, Mitsubishi Motors, and the Hyundai Motor Company. In 2009, Chrysler bought out Mitsubishi and Hyundai's stake in the joint-venture, however each company retained rights to build the engines.

 

The Hyundai Nu engine was introduced in the 2011 Hyundai Elantra to replace the previous Beta engines. It was designed to fill the gap between the new Gamma 1.6L and the 2.0L Theta II.

 

so if the Wiki is right. That means Theta II engine is for 2.0L to 2.4L car and for Nu engine is for 1.8L to 2.0L car.

 

On the other hand, the 2.0L Nu engine is in use in current Optima and Sonata elsewhere in the world, so it seems to me it is some sort of other reasoning. The Theta II is the base of the turbocharged engine used by the Hyundai group though.

 

Personally I find the more curious question of why they do not bring in GDi engines for any of the cars in the range. Only the i40, the outsider, was blessed with a 174hp GDi engine.

[teomingern]

On the other hand, the 2.0L Nu engine is in use in current Optima and Sonata elsewhere in the world, so it seems to me it is some sort of other reasoning. The Theta II is the base of the turbocharged engine used by the Hyundai group though.

 

Personally I find the more curious question of why they do not bring in GDi engines for any of the cars in the range. Only the i40, the outsider, was blessed with a 174hp GDi engine.

 

That is really the million dollar question isn't it? And it isn't as if they have had reliability problems with it overseas in US or Europe... in fact, my SE was showing me that KIA was ranked No. 2 in the JD Power consumer satisfaction report for reliability... so it would seem that the GDIs are pretty reliable too...

when you test drive, do your SE switch the drive mode to 'sport'? Because the drive mode determine the willingness of rpm respond. For Sport mode, when you depress a bit acceleration, the rpm can go up to 4K easily.  

 

Hello Kenneth,

 

I remembered test driving the sunroof model the last time around... but I didn't recall anything about the three modes... did you play around with the three modes? Cos when I switched to Sport on the Optima, I didn't think it made a lot of difference... but then with such a short drive, it's next to impossible to tell... all I know is that for the Optima, the engine revved really easily past 4000 RPM. I was on Eco mode on the way out and after the standard U-turn, I switched to Sport mode and manual transmission... the engine was pretty rev happy... but it isn't good for consumption lar...

[Kennethoka]

That is really the million dollar question isn't it? And it isn't as if they have had reliability problems with it overseas in US or Europe... in fact, my SE was showing me that KIA was ranked No. 2 in the JD Power consumer satisfaction report for reliability... so it would seem that the GDIs are pretty reliable too...

 

Hello Kenneth,

 

I remembered test driving the sunroof model the last time around... but I didn't recall anything about the three modes... did you play around with the three modes? Cos when I switched to Sport on the Optima, I didn't think it made a lot of difference... but then with such a short drive, it's next to impossible to tell... all I know is that for the Optima, the engine revved really easily past 4000 RPM. I was on Eco mode on the way out and after the standard U-turn, I switched to Sport mode and manual transmission... the engine was pretty rev happy... but it isn't good for consumption lar...

Hi MingErn,

 

I did play with the 3 drive modes when i test drove the sunroof model. What i can say is when on ECO mode from idling rpm (which is around 0.5 to 1K) to 4K rpm took around 4s to reached and for the Sport mode, it took me slightly more than a sec to reach 4K rpm. And as for Normal mode will be in between. That is the reason why sport mode consume more fuel than ECO. which is the same reason as heavy footer consume more fuel than light footer. because of high rev.

 

So i think ECO is good for normal driving and when you need to over take then change the mode to sport mode.

Edited January 31, 2016 by Kennethoka

[Runforyourlife]

Teo: if your heart wants optima just get that.

 

You're here cos dad says sonata is more value for money.

 

And you're in mondeo cos it's an overstretched target.

 

Easy and clear choice.

[teomingern]

Teo: if your heart wants optima just get that.

 

You're here cos dad says sonata is more value for money.

 

And you're in mondeo cos it's an overstretched target.

 

Easy and clear choice.

 

You know what... you're just about on the money... hahaha... but I really really love the Mondeo... it's just really so dear... hai...

 

I like the Sonata cos it's got presence... and I looked at it way before the Optima was launched. In fact, at that point, the old Optima was on its last legs or just withdrawn. But I didn't like the drive, the engine particularly.

 

Now that I have tested the Optima, it's really very nice too, but the price is $9000 more. And if the difference is not too large, I don't mind taking the base model. Although the list by Kenneth has made the sunroof model a lot more attractive...

 

And finally, the Mondeo was the first one I looked at for this car size. And it's love at first sight... and the 1.5 L turbo is really very attractive and powerful... you've got to drive it dude... 

Hi MingErn,

 

I did play with the 3 drive modes when i test drove the sunroof model. What i can say is when on ECO mode from idling rpm (which is around 0.5 to 1K) to 4K rpm took around 4s to reached and for the Sport mode, it took me slightly more than a sec to reach 4K rpm. And as for Normal mode will be in between. That is the reason why sport mode consume more fuel than ECO. which is the same reason as heavy footer consume more fuel than light footer. because of high rev.

 

So i think ECO is good for normal driving and when you need to over take then change the mode to sport mode.

 

Oh... hmmm... I must pay attention to this when I go for the comparison test drive. Thanks for being so detailed... you know, I think I'll be on Sports mode all the time... hahaha...

Edited February 1, 2016 by teomingern

[Runforyourlife]

You know what... you're just about on the money... hahaha... but I really really love the Mondeo... it's just really so dear... hai...

 

I like the Sonata cos it's got presence... and I looked at it way before the Optima was launched. In fact, at that point, the old Optima was on its last legs or just withdrawn. But I didn't like the drive, the engine particularly.

 

Now that I have tested the Optima, it's really very nice too, but the price is $9000 more. And if the difference is not too large, I don't mind taking the base model. Although the list by Kenneth has made the sunroof model a lot more attractive...

 

And finally, the Mondeo was the first one I looked at for this car size. And it's love at first sight... and the 1.5 L turbo is really very attractive and powerful... you've got to drive it dude... 

 

Oh... hmmm... I must pay attention to this when I go for the comparison test drive. Thanks for being so detailed... you know, I think I'll be on Sports mode all the time... hahaha...

 

Budget is there for a reason. Mondeo is a great car but if no budget den just drop it like a potato man

[teomingern]

Budget is there for a reason. Mondeo is a great car but if no budget den just drop it like a potato man

 

True true... although in my case, it's more of how long I want to save and how much I want to throw away... buying car is an exercise in throwing money away lar... if I really want to save, I would have settle for a K3 SX right now, and totally optioned out... it's hands-down the best value car now...