The (Potentially) Stunning 2010 Hyundai Sonata

Wow, it's really long and extended. Hyundai is really becoming a luxury brand

Pssh. Hyundai and luxury don't go together. Drive the Genesis and you'll know what I mean.

I test drove one Friday afternoon. It's quiet, comfortable, sufficient power, amenities you would find in a typical luxury sedan. In other words their heading on the right direction. They don't make ridiculous claims and their executing their product very well. Something I can respect. If this is the next Sonata good lord more expensive brands have to watch out! I'm not kidding.

The Lexus version of this car looks better.

I can't believe Hyundai employees aren't totally ashamed of themselves for ripping off other people's hard work.

I'll be happy when I get my way and Hyundai articles are automatically denied based just on ethics alone. I know I'd be pretty pissed if someone copied AutoSpies.com and created 'their' own site.

Agent63-
You're joking, right? I also test drove one. Maybe the different conditions made our test drives so different. I test drove a Genesis 4.8 and was thoroughly unimpressed with it. I have also driven the Lexus GS and Lexus LS, cars that Hyundai, as well as car reviewers, have said the Genesis competes with, so I was expecting the Genesis to match the Lexus in terms of comfort, power, quietness, and luxury. Not only was it in no way a genuine competitor, it is classified out of its league.
The first thing that made me question the Genesis was when the salesman started it up. It didn't have the deep, throaty growl that most V8 engines have. It had a stuttering, very cheap and tinny sounding engine.
When I got in, I will admit that it is upscale, especially for a Hyundai. But once again, in no way comparable to a Lexus interior. The leather wasn't high quality like you would find in a Lexus and the wood paneling was fake. The Genesis I drove didn't have a navigation system. Instead, it had a blue LCD screen. I test drove it at night, and that screen is positioned just right to be a major distraction.
As I drove it, I was incredibly disappointed in all of the outside noise coming in. It wasn't luxury car quiet, it was Honda Accord quiet. The engine was also underpowered for a V8. Sure, it had sufficient power, but for a V8, it was just pathetic. Especially for the size of V8 and the amount of power and torque it has. I also didn't like how it handled. It was very bland to say the least. All in all, I wouldn't pay the $42,000 price sticker because it's a car that just isn't worth that money. It had a lot of features, but nothing you can't find on a Toyota Camry or Toyota Avalon for the same price or cheaper. Hyundai has advertised the Genesis as being the same as a Lexus LS for half the price, but in all honesty, I can see where they've cut corners. They shouldn't call it a luxury car when they've cheapened and eliminated the luxury features. If you take the luxury items out of a car, it's just a car. That's what the Genesis is, just a car. A boring, overpriced, underpowered car. I realize that everyone on this website is a Hyundai junkie, but that is my honest opinion. Deeboosting me won't change my opinion.

I could not agree more. After all the fuss with the Genesis, I test drove it and let me tell you, it wasn't worth $25,000, let alone the MSRP of $42,000.

You Guys sound like a bunch of jealous little girls!!

its ugly, and it look like Galant

It looks like something Toyota would build. Hyundai needs a little thing called 'originality'.

looks like the old Lexus ES or camry solara.







gahhh!!! the deboosters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

looks awesome for a hyundai. good job. bright future ahead.

Don't blame me for seeing this (and I'm not implying that it's anyone's trademark)...but...

- The hood and headlights looks BMWish
- The characteristic line on the side is very Merc-ish
- The surface between the belt line and the characteristic line looks Lexus-ish
- The side mirrors look very Lexus/BMW/GM...etc -ish x]
- The front bumper looks Merc/BMW -ish
- The rear bumpers look MOST Lexus-ish
- The entire extent of the side windows look very VW-Audi-ish
- If viewed from the front quarters, the side panel looks very Lexus-ish.
- If viewed from the rear quarters, it looks like a combination of the Lexus GS and the overall BMW and Merc designs.
- and the whole care is very Genesis-ish xD

A bit aggressive yet elegant and forgiving, the car is a great combination of all the best auto designs out there...
BBBBUUUUUTTTT!!!... in the end, I sort of feel guilty for what I said 'cause it's...idk...

I guess it's just kudos to Hyundai!

Although I am pretty curious in how the rear windows' mechanisms work 'cause it sure doesn't look like they can come all the way down. (;

"Although I am pretty curious in how the rear windows' mechanisms work 'cause it sure doesn't look like they can come all the way down."

Those will be refered to as "child-safe" and sold as a feature...

It looks like an Accord with a Chryslercedes grille. I wish they would stop trying so hard to emulate the higher-end makes, and just build their own stuff.

from the side it looks like the spy shots of the comming Audi A7.

While they might be making appealing cars, they are still run by some government. There was no Timmy Hyundai who yearned for the day of making economy cars. Hyundai's still will never have soul/passion, thus cannot make 'stunning' cars.

And so what, most cars actually don't look that bad today and, lets face it, it isn't as if this car is actually that drophead gorgeous, it just was more than we expected.

To people who are complaining about the Genesis: I would never buy a Genesis over a BMW 5 Series or a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Why? Because the 5 and E both are from a manufacturer which specialises in building higher-end, luxury cars.

Toyota didn't specialize in building higher-end luxury cars but they gave birth to Lexus. What do you have to say about that? Just because its a Hyundai doesn't mean they can't accomplish anything. Lexus wasn't taken seriously and to this day it still isn't in many parts of the world. America has embraced it as it's own Japanese-American brand and look at it!. With the same great marketing and product execution and some time Hyundai could be making some pretty respectable cars. The Genesis sure is sending them off on the right foot.

Lexus started off as a Luxury brand. Thess Hyundai badged vehicles will always be equated with cars from $9000 and up.
The BMW brand was never considered a luxury brand in the earlier years. The 3-series saved them and now they are considered a sport-luxury brand. Hyundai will always be considered a value brand
same as a Honda, that's why Acura was created.

Luxury cars for Hyundai is great direction.
Since luxury consumers tend to buy new car and sell it after a year, they won't face the mechanical problems of the Hyundai:
1. Replacing engine every 5 years
2. Replacing gear every 3 years
3. Replacing plastics every 4 years
4. Replacing tyres every 2 years.
5. ...

I think that my father rebuilt his Hyundai several times during the last 10 years. Wish he was like my uncle who sold his Hyundai after a year.

lexus sales just droped 25%

You guys are in dreamland if you think people would cross-shop this with a Lexus. Maybe a Honda, Toyota or VW.

The only turnoff on this car is the little corner window on the C pillar, behind the passenger doors. Sharp angles like that look cheap for some reason.

agreed. i personally find it disturbing. idk why

Whatever Dude!

There are currently 40 comments and 40 votes, which seems pretty balanced to me.

All you ever do in here is whine about this or that.

Stop HATING because you don't agree with the comments/votes, and find something more constructive to do.

Looks good to me. I've driven an '08 Sonata and while I found the engine underpowered (it was a 4 cyl) and the transmission next to useless, the interior material quality was very high, the ride was decent, and it was pretty quiet inside. Compare that with a Sonata from 10 years ago, which had awful interior quality, but still had a decent ride. I can't wait to see how the new model further improves upon an already rapidly improving car!

Impressive from Hyundai. I like their new design philosophy.

Why are there so many downvoted comments in here? Usually, a negative comment goes down a few points and that's it. CAN'T IMAGINE WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE SO EXCITED OVER HYUNDAI!!!!!!!!!!OMG HYUNDAI!!!OMG

Badgewhore,

And you say you don't start trouble? For your information I work 15 hour days and I have better things to do. What do you do? complain about people being badgwhores for driving expensive cars yet you admit you drive those one of those cars just to get ladies.

I know what I do during the weekdays. Perhaps you should go look for something better to do than putting blame on me. I was done with you and you have to bring me into things again. Shows how mature you are. It's not my fault you're deboosted so quit crying like a baby and move on. It's just a website.

Fact of the matter is you are upset because people are deboosting you. It has nothing to do with me. You're a pretty funny kid though i'll give you that. Not only are there trolls (as you said), they bring humor to this website too.

Badgewhore - 12/16/2008 12:45:23 PM
It's agent63 working his trollish magic.

I'd call that crying and whining like a girl. But hey that's just my opinion :). Please stop making comments that aren't related to the article. I'm not being a hyprocrit, just responding to your comments. Anyways, if you like men that's fine but I don't stray away from the straight road. Go and find Michael "Troll" Taylor, I'm sure you can impress him with your "badgewhore" mobile, easy pickins for you!. Cut it out.

Have a happy holiday badger.

So Hyundai now makes a better looking Mercedes E-Class than Mercedes does.

Lol! I keep saying the new E Class reminds me of a Hyundai Sonata. With this beautiful new design I have to stop that nonsense so I don't insult the Sonata.

The sad part is that the 2010 Mercedes E is really lacking in the looks department IMO (e.g. it looks like convoluted poo!).

If the next Sonata does look like these pics, then Hyundai really really be onto something.

I think it looks sort of like a ES350 or a 05 ES300 with its own little touches

Hyundai is doing awesome.

It really wasn't that long ago that it was offering a steady stream of crap (remember the Scoupe?).

The Genesis is sweet and this thing looks great.

I think what I like most about Hyundai right now is that it seems like they have held on to the mindset of having to prove everyone wrong.

I agree.

Not if individuals are shopping price point.

MIK= NO NO AND NO

Impressive.

Hyundai is showing the same "seriousness" for their design language that Honda & Toyota showed in the late 90's. It's like they've borrowed the Japanese playbooks and are executing each play just as they were done a decade ago except with more robust engineering and designs that are rivaling Lexus, BMW, and M-B.

Hyundai is showing the kind of pursuit of "perfection" that we expected Cadillac, Buick, Lincoln, and Mercury to have mastered by now.

It looks like a toyota in the front. The new grill on that van/suv thing they have.

I like this a lot. I see lots of Genesis (sedan & coupe) influences in there with a hint of 4-door coupe in the greenhouse. If this really is the next Sonata I'm impressed, would be in my top 3 mid-size.

Wow Look, Hyundai's copying Lexus now. What a surprise...I thought it was an IS! First Merc, now Lexus. What's next, Audi? Where's the LED lights?

looks like a stretched and lowered genesis. Nice. In fact looks to good to be the new Sonata. Hyundai is definately on the right track. If new Sonata would look this good, i can only imagine how good the new Azera and next Genesis would be.

JUGNU

I kinda think it looks like a Lexus ES personally.

Not bad at all, definitely better looking than the Germen cars.

and if it was priced against the camry, accord and altima, I think it would kill them if it looks like this ofcourse.

Kudos for trying! In this day and age where some "mighty" car companies are now dying, killed by their own ego (read GM) Hyundai is doing what every car company should do - build attractive cars. As I agree that in their design they clearly copy many elements of other manufacturers - they've done it for years and they've improved their quality to a hard-to-believe levels. As they would never drive like Audi, M-B or BMW, they do a very nice job in the segment they compete. If they find originality eventually and price their cars in a way that they don’t have to constantly put huge incentives on them - thus improving resale, it would be a make for others to measure against. Congratulations with another good looking car. Many of the people here with negative responses should stop being kids and approach this with more mature comments.

It's OK, but it looks like a dozen other cars already out there.

I know I wouldn't buy one.

If he can't afford a Hyundai, he obviously can't afford a car. They practically give away used Hyundais and a new one is under $10,000 at the cheapest.

"It's OK, but it looks like a dozen other cars already out there.
I know I wouldn't buy one."

But we all know that if it had a German or American name you would say that you'd be the first in line and that it would be your next car.

^That's an original comeback. Mind if I write it down?

It looks quie nice.

WHAT LUXURY BRAND? Hyundai competes with Honda and Toyota, not Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Lexus. Honda is more of a luxury brand than Hyundai is. GOOD CRAP PEOPLE!

Not to mention Hyundai builds $10,000 cars. Name one luxury brand that sells a car for less than $25,000.

Hello : Thanks to Mercedes to create the CLS then all copy the same thing, now this artifacts is a low copy of the New VW Passat, please could be possible just one day to make theirs owne things.
That's why BMW , Mercedes, Audi,VW and also Porsche impose theirs ideals in the whole market. Then everybody just follow lol lol the 7 series Butt was augly but how many cars used now lol lol lol
That's all.

This looks like the 2010 Hyundai Azera to me.

lol is it me or is there a lot of Hyundai "fans" de-boosting anything that's mildly against Hyundai

Totally.

Hyundai's are derivative cars, they even put Toyota to shame.

I've never seen a comment read, "Wow, looks like a nice Hyundai", with a +40 boost before, until now.

Look at the Venza grille first and tell me that this is not a total copy of the Lexus IS, Venza, and Camry!

http://p.webwombat.com.au/motoring/images/toyota-venza-2-big.jpg

Don't get me wrong, it looks great; it's just that this is a total DIRECT rip-off of other successful design elements..

soooo many fanboys here

sticks and stones may break my bones, but deboosts will never hurt me.
even from the hyundaii lover fanboi droolers.

Looks very good, like a Lexus IS with previous generation Acura RL size. Great job Hyundai.

Do you know what's funny? The IS and the previous generation RL caught hell on this website for being ugly. Why is Hyundai the exception to all of the rules? Seriously, this website needs an enema.

kut17-

enema...lol. that's a good analogy. too bad half the fanbois dont know what that is.

Let's face it no matter what you say Hyundai products have evolved further and better over the last ten years than any of the big three who have given us nothing but more SUV's, trucks and crossovers ad nauseum (and no I don't drive a Hyundai)...at least Hyundai products have been evolving in overall quality, features, price points and model variety. No they are not 'status symbols' but they're giving the public exactly what they want without having to blow and extra $20,000 for something that's really not that much better overall. As far as the accusation of 'ripping off other designs' it seems to me that everyone else is doing just that regardless of brand.

Forgot to mention this new Sonata looks stunning!!...yes you might say a 'Mercedes-Lexus-BMW mash' but it certainly blows the doors off design-wise!!

i must say, it looks good...

http://www.toyota.com/venza/photo-gallery.html

FuRoP,

This is a good example of It's Funny Because It's True!

The Venza and this 'rendering' look nothing alike.

I think what he's trying to point out is the grille. It looks nearly identical to the Venza. Trust me, you can always tell where Hyundai got their "inspiration" for their vehicles.

Thanks!

Passat CC?

I like it.

This actually looks nicer than the Passat CC and I definitely see the similarity.

It's that the Passat CC looks like crap and this looks like some random mish-mash of successful design themes from Lexus, Toyota, and M-B; not that this is revolutionary or anything..

"It's that the Passat CC looks like crap"

Obviously you haven't seen it on the road. You'll be pleasantly surprised. VW fanboys who were bemoaning its existence fell in love with it when they saw it.

I have seen the Passat CC on the road and I just don't like it. On the other hand, I love the Passat. The normal one.

I have seen the Passat CC on the road and I just don't like it. On the other hand, I love the Passat. The normal one.

I have seen the Passat CC on the road and I just don't like it. On the other hand, I love the Passat - the normal one, that is.

I have seen the Passat CC on the road and I just don't like it. On the other hand, I love the Passat - the normal one, that is.

Wow! What a looker!

Look good to me, I love it. It look very sporty, aggressive, and luxury to me. Hey we all have to start from somewhere. If Hyundai just come up with a Luxury name brand, and use this car as their S-Class, 7-Series, Lexus LS version and sale it for 1/2 or 1/3 th price it will sale like hot cake.

But off course they have to improve their quality, realiablitity and increase the horse power as well. Again, I love it, it ver refresh and stunning.

And yes it does resemble a Toyota Camry from the front and Honda from the back. But ha...all auto company borrow design from each other.

Lexus

001,

You gotta kill those video advertising modules that pop-up in this site. If you by-accident click on one they stick around until you go to another page. Even clicking the "x" does NOTHING! All that is accessible is moving the ad, but that does nothing to ease the annoyance. They are ridiculously annoying and may turn away new customers. Me? I will stick around but, they may tick off the "next" guy. You gotta find an alternative to this for the advertising companies.

Mike.

Oh, and by the way, this article - I think - sets a precedent for +-ive/--ive boost ratios!

Hurray! Hyundai, the most (yes, that is good, despite what auto enthusiasts pine for) polarizing auto manufacturer!

I just wish this didn't look like a blatant rip off of the Camry with Hyundai's take on headlights, which looks much nicer than the Camry's, by the way.

Da Harder,

What industry do you do Mech. Eng. for?

It's definitely eye-catching....if it wants to compete the G37/IS-350 etc. it's gotta have a powerful six..........if not then Hyundai is not doing the design justice and it will be another Camry/Accord competitor...
That being said if Hyundai continues this trend they could overtake Japan as the Number 1 imported brand car from Asia...........

never

I must concede, great looking car. Very sophisticated. If Hyundai sells these cars at budget prices, they will get many Americans who want a good looking business sedan for not a lot of money. They are doing the right thing.

Back in the 70s and 80s Ford’s approach was selling rear Drive sedans as knock-offs to expensive Euro Luxury sedans by producing rear-drive look-alikes.
Looks like Hyundai is now beating Ford an taking the idea in a more successful direction.

I’m more impressed with the Sonata over the Genesis Flagship. And I thought if I had to go Korean it could only be a Genesis or Kia Armada with proportions similar to domestics.

I Really need to see the car in real life though. Even then it is hard to tell how good a car will be until You drive it a few thousand miles.

This car might really be the death blow to the big three. Ford is perhaps years behind the ball in delivering a new Rear Drive business sedan.

Whats funny is that the energy crisis made the big 3 pause on Full Size sedans, Ford decides to go Front Drive to market Soccer Moms, and the Koreans come to market with a better mose trap, big and rear-Drive platforms.

Go Figure.

Hey all you idiots, this is just a photochop of a Hyundai Genesis. You can see remnants of the Genesis grille, the same wheels, same bumper.

Hyundai

Stop boosting up positive comments, and deboosting negative comments about the brand... it must be you :P

lol... you know me - Hyundai's number one fanboy!

There must be something wrong though. I have never seen such rabid boosting for such a worthless cause.

holy crap....even hyundai got deboosted!

Wow. Look at that.

I had no idea just how many Hyunday fanboys were out there.

There seriously must be one Hyundai lover out there who is boosting and deboosting like crazy... There is no other explanation for all the apparent love for this derivative car.

boring.........next



whats with all the love for hyundai? plastic regurjatated crap....buy a lexus if you want japanese luxury. There is absolutely nothing special about this car.


(waiting for the hyundai freaks to de-boost)

Still looks like a Lexus IS. If clones are what turn you on then this is your car.

Americans love a bargain and Hyundai appears to be delivering. Personally, I wouldn't be caught dead in this thing.

It's a photochop of the genesis and mazda 6

36 when you die Im going to personally dig you up and put you in this car take a picture then return you to your final resting place lol
This car is nice but it is a chop of a genesis If Hyundai was smart they would look at this site and design the car to look like this I love it and Hyundai has better product than detroit lol It good for Hyundai bad for detroit

Still, it seems most people today don't want to be caught dead in a car label for mere comoners.

No, they want to be seen behind the wheel of a Mercedes, BMW, Lexus or Bentley, even if the car is beyond thier personal net worth.

Same reason so many avoid driving an American Car.

Its all about spending beyond our means. Looks like the day of Reckoning has come as people scramble in search of higher ground before thier debts puts them upside down and under water.

Whoa!

I'd never have thought this thread would have these kind of 'legs'...

Seems like a lot of raw nerves were exposed here for some (unexplained) reason.

Personally, I really like these renderings, and if the final production Sonata looks even close to this, Hyundai can only benefit from the decision.

Same reason so many avoid driving an American Car.- Negative, People dont drive american cars bc american cars are unreliable and have low resale values due to the unreliability

SIGH!...don't care what ya say....it's still 'stunning' compared to anything made in N.A. (aside from Corvette and Caddy CTS). Fords and Lincolns are boxy, GM's are bland and Chryslers are both. I don't care who there copying..fi this is the next Sonata then they certainly know how to improve on what everyone else is doing!

nice 4 door sedan. I would drive it. If the us domestic supply chain fails this car would have a production advantage with it's low us parts content.
Those of us shopping for new economy 4 door sedans may not have a choice in a few years. What will happen when Hyundai raises prices?

I see some Genesis in that design. Very nice looking sedan.

All the naysayers, have you ever owned or even driven a Hyundai? I own an 06 Sonata LX6 and an 06 Azera Limited after many years with Acura. These are the most reliable cars I have ever owned (senior citizen so I've owned a few). I am not looking for sports cars, just a good riding, nice looking, reliable auto, and that's what I have. The newer Hyundai's such as the Genesis and now the newest Sonata show that Hyundai can do it. You badge snobs can spend your bucks and impress your neighbors.

NEVER? What do you drive?

Another copy is to much. Now they copy the VW Passat CC , so where is theirs brain ?????????
PIG WITH A LIPSTICK IS STILL A PIG. LOL LOL LOL

...and the VW Passat is a copy of the Mercedes CLS sedan...your point is?

...and the VW Passat is a copy of the Mercedes CLS sedan...your point is?

...and the VW Passat is a copy of the Mercedes CLS sedan...your point is?

sorry for the duplication..glitch.

"PIG WITH A LIPSTICK IS STILL A PIG."

You mean,"a polished turd, is still a turd".

Good Obama reference.

There is no denying the similarities of MB and Lexus no matter how you look at it. The same goes for the Genesis. Not saying it is a bad thing since Lexus was modeling their line up to the Germans for years. Apparently Hyundai is following Lexus's foot steps and I am sure it will eventually become a good brand once established.

Not sure why Hyundai is trying to jump into the Luxury segment but it is making a good attempt.

Hyundai is not looking like it is planning on anytime soon to build a luxury division. It has taken them this many years to finally start building eye appealing cars. They just made a new car company, but they went the opposite way, they produced Kia cars. Kia cars are as every one knows, cheaper versions of hyundais'. They are trying hard and are I believe pushing Kia into the market, and today I see a whole lot more Kia cars out there than many other brands. I think once Kia growns to the Hyandai level, and once this happens than you will see hyundai become the luxury brand and Kia there non luxury but in the Honda/Toyota level of company.