The mid-size Hyundai Sonata was introduced to America in the 1989 model year and quickly became a hit with the value conscious. The Sonata produces solid gas mileage figures when equipped with Hyundai’s 2.4 liter engine: 30 miles per gallon (MPG) highway with the automatic transmission and 31 MPG highway with the manual. The sedan represents good value for the dollar and has crept upmarket with each redesign. (The Sonata was most recently redesigned in 2006.)American Sonata buyers can choose either a 2.4 liter four cylinder, producing 162 horsepower (HP) and 164 foot pounds of torque, or a 3.3 liter V-6, producing 234 HP and 226 foot pounds of torque.
While Hyundai Sonatas may be fitted with diesel engines abroad, diesels are not currently available in the States. In the UK, Hyundai offers a 2.0 liter common rail turbo diesel that produces 305 foot pounds of torque while delivering 34.4 urban / 56.5 extra urban miles per British gallon when mated with the manual transmission (that’s roughly 28.6 city / 47 highway).
