Car & Driver review of 2011 Sonata 2.0 at 40,000 miles

[bonsai]

Bonsai! Bonsai! Bonsai!

I fear I've naught to add about the twelve model. I'm coming up on two years/13k on mine. I gave up on Hyundai fixing the left pull. It's not as bad as once though I'll wager it's more from scrubbing rubber off the tyres than anything the not so vaunted Hyundai Service Centre performed.

After the traveling buffoon of Hyundai service finished w/mine I was red flagged and prohibited service on the pull by any dealer. I did have a sympathetic service manager over a hundred miles away that tried, but was denied by Hyundai.

Basically, what they performed was decreasing the effort of the electric steering through the MDPS setting. Naturally this resulted in me having to wrangle the armstrong "power" steering as opposed to the former silky smooth and easy steering.

Whilst at it they loaded up on the left side requiring twice the effort of steering as opposed to a right turn. Then they refused to change the settings back. I never asked for the steering to be adjusted and even though I purchased the car Hyundai refused to honour my requests.

Through personal persuasion I managed to convince a different dealership to restore nothing save my old/default MDPS settings in the parking lot no less. No paper trail and it was never in the shop/service bay.

C&D are correct in their assessment. Though Hyundai finally acknowledged an issue w/left pull and produced new guidelines I have not returned. They are not to be trusted from what I have witnessed and they have little regard for the owner's opinion.
I've no interest in a faux manual rack and pinion setting, as it's merely an illusion and a poor one at that, and to introduce harsh steering when unwanted and refuse to change to default, what I experienced when I purchased, is beyond irresponsible.

I wouldn't allow those chowderheads to check the psi in my tyres.
Now, the car runs fine except you cannot convince the engine to spin unto redline. However, since a couple of OC of Shell Rotella T6 and running ethanol free regular I've long since forgot about the little engine knock that rose it's ugly head at times in cooler weather.

Realizing that I've yet to reach one third of the miles that C&D logged I'm still optimistic, but only time will tell.

[RubySonataYF20T]

My 2012 has almost 4,000 miles, I haven't had any issues with the steering, and love the car, especially the feel/sensitivity of the steering, the handling, fit and finish, interior quality, acceleration, styling, and the list goes on and on. I definitely am impressed with my Sonata and definitely would buy another. I also would definitely recommend the car to buyers, at least the 2012-2013 model.

[swatpup102]

14k on my 2012 after 20k on a 2011 I had originally and made the dealer take back.

The 2011 had left pull, brake switch not starting, and fuel smell problems that all never went away.

The 2012 has had no problems so far.

Every no and then in the 2012 I get a whiff of that fuel smell but it's gone right away, and only happens when starting the car real soon after shutting it off, so that's gotta be the turbo. Nothing like the problem getting me in the 2012.

I think what has sold me on this car more than anything is a trip I took to Florida from Ohio with 4 full size adults and all luggage in the trunk the whole way, and getting 33mpg doing so while cruising around 85mph the whole time.

Hard to do much better than that in just about anything and still have enough power to pass someone.

[STEKICAR]

I have Sonata GLS 2012 and uneven front tire wear after 10k miles. After those grease-monkeys at dealership concluded that everything is OK I filed a complain with BBB Auto Line and today they called me and told me to bring the car to inspect the alignment. Would not recommend this model to anyone. Too many problems with steering/suspension.