The all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata has been named to Automobile Magazines annual All Stars list as one of the most outstanding cars of the year.
The critical acclaim and recognition from experts like the editors of Automobile Magazine is gratifying, said John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. Sonata is a game-changing car that has surpassed everyones expectations. The All Star award is recognition that the record number of customers who chose Sonata this year made a great choice.
Each fall, Automobile Magazine tests new model cars and its reigning All Stars before selecting 10 vehicles that stand out among all others in the market.
The Sonata has emerged as an unquestioned leader in a segment thats bursting with excellent automobiles. Painstakingly conceptualized, designed and engineered by Hyundai, the Sonata meets and exceeds the varied needs and wishes of demanding American buyers, writes Automobile Magazine. The editors conclude, The Sonata is a car that sells purely on its merits rather than on its warranty, and increasing numbers of savvy Americans are beating a path to Hyundais door.”
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata was introduced earlier this year. Sonata brings to the market a number of breakthroughs previously unheard of in the mid-size family sedan segment including standout design, a standard gasoline direct injected engine that delivers 35 miles per gallon on the highway, an optional 274-horsepower 4-cylinder turbo and a hybrid model that will go on sale in the U.S. in January.
Through the first 11 months of the year, Sonata sales are up 65 percent over last year on the strength of the new model, which, is manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Sonatas breakthrough 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine, 2.0-liter turbo GDI and 6-speed automatic transmission also are manufactured in the United States. Hyundai Motor America sold 500,000 new vehicles in the U.S. for the first time ever, this year. Sonata has been the most shopped midsize car in the market for six of the past seven months as measured by Compete, an automotive market analysis firm.
The complete story on the Automobile All Stars is available in the February 2011 issue of Automobile Magazine and at www.automobilemagazine.com. The February issue will be available on iPad on December 20 and on newsstands on January 4, 2011.