The 2015 Hyundai Sonata’s Engine options are uninspiring and somewhat unreliable. But, there is a clear winner. Thanks to its exclusive seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the 1.6-liter offers an excellent 31 mpg combined and the best overall performance of the three options.
Key Points
- The 2015 Hyundai Sonata features a 185 hp 2.4-liter as its base engine. Sonata Eco is the lone trim offering the turbocharged 1.6-liter, making 177 hp. Lastly, the top trims attain 245 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine.
- The 2.4-liter is the slowest engine to 60 mph, making the trip in 8.2 seconds. The 2.0-liter turbo reaches 60 mph in 8.0 seconds, and surprisingly enough, the Eco’s 1.6-liter is the quickest, taking 6.7 seconds.
- 2015 Hyundai Sonata’s most fuel-efficient engine is the 1.6-liter turbo, earning an EPA estimated mpg rating of 28 city/ 36 hwy/ 31 combined.
- While the specs of the three 2015 Sonata engine options are decent overall, they’ve each struggled heavily with issues like stalling, oil consumption, and vehicle speed control.
2.4-liter Base Engine Delivers a Respectable Output of 185 hp and is Available in Three 2015 Sonata Trims
The base engine in the 2015 Hyundai Sonata is a 2.4-liter making 185 hp and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s an all-aluminum inline-four-cylinder engine utilizing Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology. It also features a Dual-Overhead-Cam (DOHC) design and sports Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT- intake timing only).
It’s not very peppy but manages to make 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds. Furthermore, it reaches 100 mph in a sluggish 22.5 seconds. Lastly, it propels the 2015 Hyundai Sonata to a 1/4-mile time of 16.5 seconds.
The engine is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission which also offers a manual shifting mode. It earns a 24 city/ 36 hwy/ 28 combined mpg rating from the EPA in the Sonata SE trim. Sonata Sport and Limited trims see a slight drop to 34 hwy/ 27 combined.
Where maintenance is concerned, everything is pretty easy. Hyundai recommends 4.9 quarts of 5w30 oil. Oil changes should be conducted every 9,000 miles, and valve lifters should be adjusted every 60k miles.
Overall, the 2.4-liter is a decent engine. It should do just fine for the average commuter and give you respectable gas mileage and power.
2015 Sonata’s 1.6-liter Turbo Engine Makes the Most of its Dual-clutch Transmission to Pump out 31 mpg Combined and a 0–60 Time of 6.7 Seconds
Next up is the 1.6-liter GDI turbo. This engine is found only in the Sonata Eco trim. With a central focus on fuel efficiency, the 1.6 is paired with an innovative seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This combination helps to achieve a 28 city/ 36 hwy/ 31 combined rating from the EPA. Hyundai recommends regular gas at the pump. However, many owners state their engines perform much better running mid-grade or premium.
The engine makes a respectable 177 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. Power is made through a twin-scroll turbocharger feeding the intake while gasoline is injected directly into the cylinders. The engine helps the Sonata Eco to a 0-60 time of 6.7 seconds, the quickest of the three engine options. The model’s 0-100 mph and 1/4-mile are made in 18.4 and 15.3 seconds, respectively.
The 1.6-liter turbo used in the 2015 Sonata is based on the naturally aspirated Hyundai engine of the same displacement. It features all-aluminum construction, unique pistons, a new 9.5:1 compression ratio, and an air-to-air intercooler. Hyundai specifies 4.76 quarts of oil and changes every 9,000 miles.
Despite its Performance-based Marketing, the 2.0-liter Turbo Narrowly Beats the Base 2.4-liter to 60 mph by Just .2 Seconds
Last in the 2015 engine lineup is the 2.0-liter GDI turbo. Like the other engines, this 2.0-liter features an aluminum head and block, DOHC, CVVT, and GDI technology.
Power ratings are the selling point of the 2.0 as it makes 245 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. But despite the power and torque upgrade, the 2.0-liter turbo is slower to 60 mph than the economy-focused 1.6-liter engine – 1.3 seconds slower, to be exact. This is primarily due to the 2.0-liter’s pairing with the sluggish six-speed automatic transmission. 0-100 mph is timed at 22.2 seconds, and the 2.0-liter makes the 1/4-mile in 16.3 seconds.
Fuel economy in the Sonata Sport 2.0T is acceptable at 22 city/ 31 hwy/ and 26 combined on regular gas. In the Sonata Limited 2.0T, fuel economy drops to 21 city/ 30 hwy/ 24 combined. Once again, owners recount better performance on higher octane fuels. Oil maintenance intervals are the same as the previous two engines, and oil capacity sits at 6.13 quarts total.
Other notable features of the 2.0-liter include:
- Ladder frame-reinforced bottom end
- Forged connecting rods
- Lightweight aluminum pistons
- Stainless steel exhaust manifold
- Two-stage oil pump
The 1.6-liter Turbo’s Single Trim Offering doesn’t Negate its Clear Edge in Performance and Fuel Economy
There’s a bit of a conundrum when looking at the 2015 Sonata engine options. The 2.4-liter is serviceable. It’ll get you where you need to go, but that’s about it. There’s no other redeeming quality. With the 2.0-liter turbo, we have an engine that’s supposed to be the sporty one of the bunch. Yet it’s still, rather embarrassingly, as slow as the 2.4-liter while consuming more fuel. Finally, we arrive at the 1.6-liter turbo. This engine earns top marks for fuel economy. And as we mentioned earlier, it is the quickest of the three engine options thanks to its dual-clutch transmission. But there’s a catch: you can only get it in one trim – Sonata Eco.
Sonata Eco is not a lousy trim by any means, but it’s slotted just above the base SE. By default, you’re missing out on some excellent features by opting for the 1.6-liter turbo. Nevertheless, we still think it’s the best engine of the bunch thanks to its efficiency and quickness. You can always find a Sonata Eco with a few upgrade packages if you’re worried about missing out on features. We think the 1.6-liter engine is worth any extra time spent searching.
Photos: Hyundai
