MOTOR RIVALS

The award-winning Hyundai Sonata lineup heads into 2016 offering more features, minor styling updates, suspension upgrades and improved fuel economy on models equipped with the 2.4L engine. The 2016 Sonata starts at $21,750, excluding $835 freight charge, and is arriving in dealerships now.

Following its launch last year, the seventh-generation Sonata has garnered such accolades as being named “Best Midsize Car for the Money” by U.S. News & World Report and “Most Affordable Midsize Sedan” by Cars.com.

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 and standard on Limited trims. Limited 2.0T models also add a heated function for the D-cut steering wheel.

To reduce unsprung weight and improve handling, some of the Sonata’s suspension components are now crafted from aluminum instead of steel. The steering knuckle and the lower control arm in front and the upper control arm and assist arms in back are now aluminum.

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata continues with its all four-cylinder engine lineup. A 2.4-liter Theta II GDI engine producing 185 horsepower and 178 lb. ft. of torque powers the SE, Limited and Sport models.

A 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI motivates Sport 2.0T and Limited 2.0T models 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. Both Theta engines are paired with a six-speed SHIFTRONIC ® automatic transmission.

The Eco model remains the fuel economy champion of the non-hybrid Sonatas with its 1.6-liter turbocharged Gamma four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 195 lb. ft. of torque paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Eco models receive a 28 mpg EPA fuel economy rating in the city and 38 mpg on the highway for a class-leading 32 mpg combined.

Standard features include remote keyless entry with alarm, body color heated exterior power mirrors, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise control and Bluetooth hands-free phone system. Premium features such as HID Xenon headlights, panoramic sunroof and 10-speaker Infinity® 400-watt premium audio system with subwoofer are options. To simplify the Sonata lineup, the black leather interior with orange accents and brown leather interiors are no longer available and Urban Sunset exterior paint has been discontinued.

Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Sonata lineup includes Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control System, seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, four-wheel disc brakes and ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with indicators for each tire. Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Smart Cruise Control with spot/start capability, Rear Parking Sensors, Blind Spot Detection (BSD) with Rear Cross-traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) are available as options.

Depending on model grade, the Camry offers a variety of audio and Navigation packages with either 6.1-inch or 7-inch touch-screen displays. For 2016, the XLE and XSE upgrade from the 6.1-inch display to the 7-inch. Camry XLE and XSE grades equipped with 4-cylinder engines also gain the new Connected Navigation Scout® GPS Link App. (This Entune Multimedia feature is optional for the LE and SE grades.)

Long admired for being the standard bearer for quietness and ride comfort in the midsize sedan class, the Camry dialed up the sportiness factor in last year’s redesign. So, in addition to evolving to become the best-handling and most comfortable-riding Camry ever, it also became the most agile and engaging to drive.

The LE and SE models are powered by the 178-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the XLE and XSE offer the four-cylinder, or a 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 – one of the few sixes available in the midsize segment. Both Camry gasoline engines employ Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (Dual VVT-i) which controls valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts for optimal performance and efficiency at all engine speeds. Each engine comes teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission, a combination that resulted in an EPA-estimated 25 MPG city / 35 MPG highway fuel economy ratings for the four and 21 MPG city / 31 MPG highway for the V6.

Like all 2016 Toyota vehicles, the Camry comes standard with the STAR Safety System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. It also features the Smart Stop Technology brake-override system.

The 2016 Camry offers in-demand advanced safety features in the available Technology Package which includes Pre-Collision System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Alert with Auto High Beam. A Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert is also available on select models. So equipped, the 2015 model earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ rating. That’s in addition to the 10 standard airbags that include dual-stage advanced SRS front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver’s and front passenger’s knee airbag.

The available Safety Connect™ telematics system on XLE grades (with a one-year complimentary trial subscription) covers four safety and security features: Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), and Roadside Assistance.