By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos Hyundai Motor America
For 2016, the Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T offers more features, minor styling updates and suspension upgrades.
Exterior
Sonata’s design matures for the 2016 model year with energetic and crisp lines complimented by smooth and subtle surfaces. Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 is a confident evolution of the original fluidic sculpture design language that perfectly expresses Sonata’s premium look and excellent value.
Simple, harmonious lines adorn the exterior while hinting at the improved dynamic performance and human machine connection Sonata provides. Taut, horizontal rocker panels reflect the chassis’ increased stability and surefootedness while the signature Sonata beltline is now stretched tight to accentuate the sedan’s strength. The coupe like roofline remains, but it is balanced by a larger window graphic that emphasizes the roomier interior. Horizontal lines in the rear underscore Sonata’s width and give the car a planted look.
Sonata Sport features a more aggressive front grille and bumper, side rocker extensions and side chrome molding. Sport models powered by the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine feature dual exhaust while Sport 2.0T models feature a unique rear bumper fascia, quad exhaust tips and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Interior
Confident, energetic lines define the 2016 Sonata’s Sport 2.0T exterior and are complimented inside the cabin by a premium interior with a special emphasis on ergonomics. Intuitive buttons and controls are placed on the center stack, which is angled toward the driver to make the controls easier to reach.
Controls are grouped logically and placed in the most convenient position for the driver. To create a unified experience inside the cabin. The height of the display screen for the audio display and instrument cluster are optimized for visibility and reside on the same plane to enhance readability during a quick glance. These ergonomic enhancements help the driver remain focused on the road ahead and provide confidence behind the wheel.
Sonata Sport 2.0T receives a unique interior that enhances its more dynamic personality. A D-cut steering wheel and paddle shifters help provide the confidence enthusiastic drivers expect while the sport instrument cluster with six o’clock needle position hints at the improved performance from the more responsive 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.
For 2016, the Sonata’s interior adds more content including Hyundai’s 7-inch color touchscreen Display Audio system, Android Auto and rearview camera system. In addition, a conventional sunroof is now available on Sport models.
Powertrain
A 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI motivates the Sport 2.0T model with 245 horsepower and 260 lb. ft. of torque. Changes introduced last year are a smaller turbine and compressor wheel helped provide better responsiveness and more torque in the low and mid RPM range. The engine is paired with a six-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission.
Standard and Premium Features
Standard features include remote keyless entry with alarm, body color heated exterior power mirrors, LED Daytime Running Lights, steering wheel-mounted audio, cruise control and Bluetooth hands-free phone system. Premium features such as HID Xenon headlights, panoramic sunroof and 10speaker Infinity 400-watt premium audio system with subwoofer are options.
Standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Management with Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control System, seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, four-wheel disc brakes, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist and Tire Pressure Monitoring System with indicators for each tire. Lane Departure Warning, Smart Cruise Control with stop/start capability, Rear Parking Sensors, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist and Forward Collision Warning are available as options.
Summary
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T offers a more refined look through a new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, stiffer body structure, better ride quality, reduced noise, vibration and harshness and advanced safety and convenience features.
Estimated fuel economy is rated at 23 mpg city and 32 mpg highway with the 2.0-liter Turbo GDI 4-cylinder engine and the 6 Speed Automatic Transmission with Shiftronic & Paddle Shifters, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $29,885.00 including destination charges.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
