2015 HYUNDAI SONATA SPORT 2.0T
Exterior view of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.
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The Hyundai Sonata has been capturing a lot of attention because it packs in a lot of standard features and conveniences into a nicely styled car, and that is always nice on a family-sized budget, writes our automotive editor Sally Miller Wyatt.
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I don’t envy those parents in the hunt for an upgrade to their mid-sized sedans. If you’re looking for something new because the family is growing in number or size, you’re in for quite a shopping trip, because this market segment is packed with choices.
Among them is the Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata has been capturing a lot of attention because it packs in a lot of standard features and conveniences into a nicely styled car, and that is always nice on a family-sized budget.
Standard safety features are usually technologically advanced, which is terrific. They’re on board already, without you having to pay more.
It should be no surprise then, that the 2015 models have many basic family-friendly features, particularly for the growing family. These include a wide rear seat that is as comfortable for the rear middle passenger as it is for the ones at the window seats. Headroom is good even your tallest passengers. Having a good-sized trunk is important because families always seem to carry around a lot of stuff, whether it’s strollers, tons of groceries for the ever-hungry tribe, or ice coolers to hold after-game snacks for the Little Leaguers.
The Hyundai Sonata’s 2015 redesign offers an update to its exterior design, now dubbed “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0.” It has a long and low look, with a high belt line and sleek roof. A larger, more refined grille has a wider air intake. A coupe-like roofline is balanced by larger windows, which is an improvement over previous version’s more sloped ones.
That flowing feel is carried out on the interior, with a sloping look to the instrument panel and follow-through center console. Even though the roof is sloped, it does not compromise interior dimensions.
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T – our test car this time around – featured an even more aggressive-looking front grille and bumper, and side chrome molding. It was powered by a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine with quad exhaust tips, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The powerful engine was immediately responsive and, even with a turbo feature, offered an average of 26 miles per gallon.
The Sonata Sport 2.0T has other interior touches that further set it apart, including a D-cut steering wheel, and paddle shifters, and a sport instrument cluster.
Designers worked on cutting down on noise inside the cabin, and added sound-deadening materials in the dashboard and bulkhead, as well as in the floor pan and underbody. That’s helpful because you do want to be able to carry on a conversation with your rear seat passengers.
Standard safety features on board the 2015 Hyundai Sonata include all the top-flight braking features: Vehicle Stability Management with Traction Control, ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist. There are seven air bags, including front, front side impact and side curtain air bags, one for driver’s knees, and front active head restraints. Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-traffic Alert lets you know when another car is in your blind spot when you use your turn signals, or behind you as you back up, and LED Daytime Running Lights help others see you on the road.
Creature comforts include keyless remote entry with push button start, power driver’s seat with lumbar support, steering wheel-mounted cruise, audio and phone controls, air conditioning, an AM/FM radio with CD player and MP3-compatibility and six speakers. The SiriusXM radio comes with a free 90-day trial.
It’s hard to beat all that is available in the Hyundai Sonata, and that’s no different in the 2015 models. The vehicle is sharp looking, comfortable and accommodating for your growing family.
