Vehicle safety data is provided by IIHS, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an independent, nonprofit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries on the nation's highways.
The 2010 Hyundai Sonata is a fuel efficient full-size sedan with a medium-size price tag. The Korean manufacturer’s best-selling vehicle blends the beauty of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata with the power of his Symphony Number 9.
There are two ways to play Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata: slow and soft, or hard and fast. Similarly, you can play the 2010 Hyundai Sonata in two modes: fuel efficient 168-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline-four cylinder with PZEV rating, or with the robust 249-horsepower, 3.3-liter V-6. Both come with a five-speed automatic transmission. With these two engine options, the Sonata achieves 19-22 city mpg and 29-32 highway mpg. Power and fuel economy numbers are competitive with the best in class, such as the Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima.
To complement the great powertrains, Hyundai offers a great host of standard and optional features. On the base GLS model, you get a leather steering wheel, XM Satellite Radio with three months of service included and interior trim with the appearance of alloy metal. Options on the GLS include a sunroof and Infinity premium brand speakers. The top-of-the-line Limited model makes those options standard, and includes dual zone automatic climate control, a 360-watt stereo, and leather on everything from seats to the shift knob. A navigation system is also optional on the Limited model.
Where the Japanese brands have been leaders in safety and quality, Hyundai is bursting into the lead like a bull, aided by quality products like the 2010 Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata received Five-Star crash-test ratings all around for front and side impact – not even the mighty Honda Accord achieved this. The Hyundai offers a full set of airbags, but their crash test results are a testament to improving their structural design prowess. Antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, traction and stability control systems are all standard equipment.
An attractive upscale interior and exterior, best-in-class V-6 fuel economy and crash test ratings, and a symphony of options make the 2010 Hyundai Sonata a real force to be reckoned with.