Behind Hyundai's decision not to offer the new, 2011 Sonata with a V6 engine is the claim that they've sold lot more I4 Sonatas than V6.... This sound weird to me, to a point of being false.... I know only the American/Canadian Sonatas had a V6 option, so maybe if comparing their sales WORLDWIDE, they sold a small percentage of V6, but still....... I can't complain about my car's power, but still, this is America, where people drive powerful, large engines, and to me this decision sounds silly....

...Especially when looking at the new car that seems large and heavy... I can't imagine a 2.4 Liter engine pulling it....

Is there a way to find out how many 4th generation I4 Sonatas were sold here vs. the V6?

Not sure, but I find it hard to believe as well, especially since the MPG difference is almost negligible.

According to the now more stringent EPA standards. 22/32 vs 19/29

Okay, over the course of a 100,000 miles that WOULD make a noticeable difference in cost of ownership I suppose. Someone else can do the math for me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif)

Dont know where you got the info that the V6 is sold in Canada/US only. Because over here in Saudi Arabia we have the 3.3 V6 available too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yes, thanks for the update. Of course, in a country where they sell gas for the price of WATER, nobody would buy an I4.

Still, all over Asia and as much as I know Europe too, they haven't offered the V6.

That percentage Mama was 85/15, according to the article with the V6 not the winner. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/trophy.gif)

I always thought Hyundai cranks out NF V6 Models Worldwide? It's not like its a U.S Product only
http://global.hyundai-motor.com/index_text.aspx


Not too long ago a gallon of Sparkletts cost more than a gallon of Gas. That I am positive of!

Just drive around. Nearly every Sonata I see anymore's a 4-banger. I know people purchase these cars for economy or than performance. Really, it's much the same for many other cars. I had a Challenger try and pass me; I realized it was very plain and only had a single exhaust. I later confirmed it does in fact have the 3.5 V6. BLEH!

I disagree with the OP.

Almost every single Sonata I see is a single exhaust 4 banger, very few are dual exhaust 6's. I own a 4 banger Sonata and do not see a point to the six.

As Darren said, how may Challengers, Camaros and Stangs out there are actually V8's. Most I see are 6's.

This post has been edited by elwaylite: Oct 3 2009, 08:18 PM

They move mostly base models which have the i-4 standard. And maybe perhaps all that power isn't needed in a family sedan.
The 175hp I have now is enough honestly, and the DI 200hp in the next one will be as well.

Even so I do think at least not offering the v6 may be a mistake...

That's what I see as well probably at least 3-1 or 4-1 single exhaust when I see other 4G Sonata's

On top of the economy a couple grand off the sticker price as well is the most likely incentive.

I know I would never go back to a four or to less than 250 horse unless unless economic conditions forced me to.


BT

This post has been edited by BasicTek: Oct 3 2009, 10:11 PM

Around my neck of the woods, from what I have noticed, It is like a 2 to 1 ratio. 2 four bangers for every six. Even the other day when parked in the lot at wally world, there were four Sonatas parked in a row (a kodak moment when I did not have a camara) 3 were white and one black. One of the white and the black Sonata had the V-6. I think it would be a travisity if they did not offer the V-6 in the new model.

Europe indeed also offer the Sonata V6-3.3 option, Germany have it + the Azera V6, and in Denmark, where i live, we can buy the V6 (but not the Azera at all). Well here in Denmark the V6 is not seen very often.
I live in a city with around 120.000 citicens - I think there is < 10 V6 in this city - and i have the two of them. and i love them both - especially because of their engines. I have a NF from juli 2005 and the faceliftet from februar 2009. I would be really dissapointed if they not offer a V6 option at all. We cant get the Azera in Denmark and not the Genesis in whole Europe.
If Hyundai wont offer a V6 option for the YF - i might seriously consider getting my older changed to the faceliftet 09 3.3 version.
But lets see - Really hope they offer a V6 option...

I don't think Hyundai is dumb enough not to offer the V6. They are at direct competition with a lot of the japanese car brands. All of them offer a V6. If they want to compete they will likely offer a v6 with a little bit more horsepower than the rest of the other brands.

Where Hyundai has really dropped the ball is not getting into the diesel race which is just over the horizon (late 09 and early 10). They say they have plans but are still years away. A turbo 4 cyl in the Sonata getting 50 mpg would be an instant winner. And before you guys say diesels are slow, noisy, and smelly, drive one in Europe! They are amazingly fast and quiet and 50 mpg is EASY TO GET.

I remember reading somewhere that most Camry's and Accords are 4 cyl cars. Sonata is in the same family. I bought my 4 cyl 2008 Sonata when gas prices were near 4$ a gallon. The car is a nice, comfortable, reliable, efficient, attractive car that takes me from here to there. It does it's job well. I rented a 6cyl last year for a 1,200 mile trip out west. It was more fun to drive, but the cheaper, easier to repair 4 cyl seems to work for me and most other drivers.

I was shocked when I read that over 1/2 European cars are diesel, aside from the fact that diesel is practically mud compared to unleaded gas it's pretty amazing we can even get cars to run on this stuff. Did you know you can use a cup of diesel to put out your cigarette? How does this stuff burn?

Anyway I went looking to see why diesels are not popular in the US and here's what I found...

"So, why haven't diesel powered cars become popular in the US - apart from taxation reasons?

* Diesels are heavier
* A diesel engine costs more than a gas engine for the same power
* They're noisier
* Diesel fuel is less readily available than gas"

Source

Find a diesel with 250 HP that is quieter than my Sonata AND costs less then we'll talk. Until then you can take my gas driven car when you pry it.....

Also to note in Florida Diesel is more expensive then unleaded

BT

This post has been edited by BasicTek: Oct 7 2009, 09:32 PM

Diesels have come a LOOOOONG way. Well still not as quick, current turbo diesels can be pretty close to similarly spec'ed "petrol" engines. They have also gotten tremendously more quiet and tend to get higher mileage than gas engines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iirqc9fcECs

* Diesels are heavier
* A diesel engine costs more than a gas engine for the same power
* They're noisier
* Diesel fuel is less readily available than gas"

I must disagree...and just because you found the "source" that does not have to mean that they are legit.

Diesels last longer - fact
Diesel is less refined product of oil than petrol - therefore it MUST cost less than petrol to produce
They are noisier but the difference is negligible today.
Diesel engine costs more for Hyundai than for WV because they do not have as much engineering experience as their German counterparts.

i definitely agree with you there. I think that diesels are the immediate future in the alternate energy market. i know its not that alternative but it is more efficient to run and produce.


And it does cost less to make because it is only refined once but the expense comes from the lack of diesel that is produced. A lot of diesel refineries converted to gas refineries because gas ones make more money.


diesel fuel will ignite if it gets compressed enough.

Check your neighborhood gas station.... Last time I bothered to check, Diesel was MORE EXPENSIVE than Unleaded 87.

Last longer than what? I'm pretty sure just about all motors today will last 100K at least if you do nothing more than change the oil. If you want a car longer than that... more power to you
and it should be less but explain this and this
So lets see a volkswagon sold in the US for under 20K with 250 HP??? How about under 25K?, and honestly with 4K incentives my GLS V6 can be had around 18K
All in all it doesn't matter what peoples opinions are about diesel. They don't sell in the US no matter what reasons some random blogger wants to list. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/offtopic.gif)

Getting back on topic I know Hyundai probably is more concerned with their 80% 4-banger buyers than people like me, but I won't buy a Sonata again without a V6 GAS engine (no hybrid nonsense either)


BT

This post has been edited by BasicTek: Oct 8 2009, 06:14 PM