2011 Hyundai Sonata Outperforms Lexus ES350 AND Mercedes C300 In Independent Tests?

I'm not really sure if what you said is true (I'm too lazy to check), but I love how these press conferences are always about the improvements in specific criteria - it's a new car; it's not too hard to tweak the engine and suspension settings! I hope auto critics are weary of the bias.

Don't get me wrong. Better is always... better. aha

Its great to pick and choose the criteria to compare, while conveniently leaving out the ones that may not have won...

"And if they included the C300, why not the IS350, and the 330i?"

Because Mercedes-Benz has the C350 that competes with the IS350 and 330i. The BMW 328 competes against the C300, not the 330i (which I'm not sure is even being produced anymore, or at least in the US it isn't) and not the 335. You seem to have your car comparisons mixed up.

Hyundai caters to people who can only afford the cheapest monthly payment, that aren't shopping for Lexus or Mercedes. Anyways, if you want driving dynamics, you should get the 3-series BMW.

Hyundai needs to focus on their brand image and dealers. It's still very much at the bottom-end and lower income segments.

"Hyundai caters to people who can only afford the cheapest monthly payment, that aren't shopping for Lexus or Mercedes."

I thought Lexus was for people who didn't want to pay the extra premium for benzes? Wouldn't that put Hyundai in the same category?

Joe Limon- You took the words right out of my mouth. Lexus built a brand based on "almost as good for a lot less". Now I find great humor when they are challenged with the same mantra and scoff at the very thought.

009, Lexus isnt' scoffing at anything, the users commenting on this site are.

Have fun cleaning up all that mini dog poo

But we're in a recession.....so they're the only ones gaining market share. Totally awesome.

"GM plant closed so I have no job and GMAC took my Saturn but I still need wheels and low payment. Can you get me done?"

So many smart car companies today, namely KIA and Hyundai. Nowadays Merc seems to be the lowest percentile of yardstick for defining value, quality and luxury. An easy, achievable standard for KIA, Hynudai, Honda and the likes... Hopefully, there will be more ambitious companies like Audi.

Does anyone really believe in the depreciation slide?

Both Mercedes and Lexus are V6 but MB is rear wheel drive. So a four cylinder front wheel drive sonata beating both in 3 important categories is impressive.

JUGNU

Change the tires in any of those cars and the slide would look completely different!

Great marketing slide I guess it is targets at those who don't know much about cars! These stats are meaningless with qualifying how the tests were done!

Clever marketing.

This is only an Accord/Camry/Malibu/Kia something challenger.

They should compare it to the VW CC and the Mazda 6 However seeing it beat out high end cars is pretty funny. I know they are more luxury turned but still! If they are gonna do that compare it to the numbers of at least the Mercedes CLS 550!

The Sonata....does nada for me. Hyundai has a ways to go before real enthusiast take note.

Guys a .89 G on the skid pad is nothing to laugh about! What other 4 door sedans do that? The BMW 3 Series and maybe just maybe the infiniti G37? The Lexus Is250/350 can't that is for damn sure! What does the Dodge Charger SRT8 do on the skid pad? It is around there too.

People! Honestly... How hard is it to outperform a C300 or a Lexus ES350? The Mercedes Benz C300 and Lexus ES350 are horrible cars when it comes to performance. Anyone who eqautes the Lexus ES350 or the MB C300 with performance is retarded. In other words; it isn't hard for a competing company to make a competing car that outperforms those cars.

I really don't see the point in this. First they pick the stats they want to compare and these cars will never be cross shopped with the Hyundai.

"We the experts" 3rd person.....you must be an expert. I mean if having a computer with internet access makes you an expert then I'm the Doctor of Porn.

Unlike most of the others here, I like all kinds of cars so I'll wait until I drive it to give an opinion.

Kudos to Hyundai for working hard and providing better cars for the masses unlike the few "luxury" brands that overprice their cars for profit and their marketing to brainwashed many(see above) that they are their friends for doing so.

Well times are tough and a car blog has to make ends meet. So yeah, Sonata "is" better then "insert hig end competition here" and "insert another high end competition here" cause its "mentioned" in an erm.. study <omit any details of this study as "cough cough"..niece is still working on it> .

To those who are offended, or feel their <insert brand here> is being tarnished, next month is another matter :).

Well the study is up for all of you to see in a nice powerpoint. Its AMCI in BRIGHT BLUE FONTS :D ... you know the friendly trusted brand which have a huge independent testing and valuation policy ...or something like that ...or not..<High five niece here ...slipping her a 20 >

Y didn't they do Acceleration tests? The ES 350 would've easily done 5.8 sec. to 60mph with TRAC off and nice motor sound, not harsh 4 cylinder sound.

not bad marketing and good numbers but the real numbers go to ES350, which outsells Hyundai entire line-up....FACT

The "average buyer" gets an extra boost of confidence when seeing this type of stuff. I guess they drive off the lot feeling like their hard earned money didnt just buy them metal and wheels. The reason they dont show all the numbers for the tests against these cars is just to simply prove a small point. Im sure you guys dont need that point explained but if you do, Im with the wrong group of "car guys". Never (probably ever) is the Sonata suppose to go HEAD TO HEAD with an ES350 or C-class. Why is this being discussed?

I remeber there was some a-hole trying compare the Hyunday Genesis to the BMW 5-Series.

The Hyundai Sonata is just a goofy lookin' front wheel driver.

I test drove honda accord, Toyota camry, Prius ,Fusion and Hyundai Sonata Limited, I got to tell you Hyundai Sonata was the best drive to my surprise. It had all the features that i am looking for leather, gps, rear view camera, heated seats, moon roof, infinity system, bluetooth, 18 inch chrome wheels all for under 28K plus 3 year bumper to bumper and 5 year transmission plus it looks sleek. The car is designed in Southern California and assembled in Alabama . This is the best time to buy car and I want the best car for my buck. I tell you drive this car and your opinion will change

I sell Hyundai's for a living, and I went to a sonata convention down in boston earlier in the week, and I must say theses really are impressive cars. If you look at what you are getting for under $30,000, you can't really bad mouth hyundai. People that say hyundai makes junk you need to test drive a 2011 sonata. They are anything BUT junk. Is the new sonata a BMW or a lexus? Absolutly not. Is the Sonata a great car loaded with luxury features and a 200 hp 4 cyl 6 speed engine that gets 35 mpg that the average consumer can afford? ABSOLUTLY! I have had a number of people trade in their BMW's and Benz's for a new Sonata. If you haven't test drove one of these cars yet, stop snubbing Hyundai and just drive one already!
Nicholle

I love to hear a bunch of 14 year olds complain about cars they couldn't afford without help from dad.
They would be perfectly happy riding in the back of a 2010 Sonata.
If dad buys them a Sonata for sweet 16 they better get the front windows tinted so nobody will see them enjoying the ride.
Keep an eye on the reliability history and recalls. Last six years look pretty good. Even the used ones are probably a good deal now too.