Ok, am I the only one that thinks the Sonata rides like crap? It's very harsh. I feel every little bump as I vibrate down the street. This thing has a terrible suspension.

I test drove a 2010 Fusion the other day and the difference is remarkable.

I really regret my decision. I love the looks and features, but I don't enjoy driving this car.

 

Hmmmmmm...what was it you particularly liked about the Fusion's ride...the rebound, damping or handling and body lean in a corner?
I think that the 2011 Sonata rides GREAT. It is just the right blend of rebound firmness and overall ride quality...no, not one complaint here....I think that the car even handles well in the corners for what it is...and the steering, which is admittedly very light at slow speeds firms up terrifically at highway speeds (and the car tracks like its on rails!)....

 

The Fusion has a softer ride. It absorbs bumps better. It doesn't handle any better than the Sonata, but the steering does feel a little better.

I agree that the Sonata does great on the freeway, and it handles fine, vague steering notwithstanding. It is on the surface streets where I feel every little bump and vibration. I have lowered the psi to 32, but all that has done is reduce my MPG.

My Sonata is a GLS, but I have the 17" Limited Rims.

Overall, the Sonata is a much nicer car than the Fusion, but to me, there is a big difference in the way each one rides.

 

That might be the issue. Have you even owned/driven a car with 17" wheels? Compared to the 16" wheels and tires the sidewalls are stiffer and ride will feel more harsh. Did you buy the car that way or did you change the wheels? Going back to 16's might help.

 

I bought it with the 17s. It was a Spring Edition special. Also got the power driver seat, chrome interior, etc. Great deal.

But the Fusion I test drove had 17's as well, and it is just flat out smoother.

Trust me, I'm not Ford fan. I hate it that they build the things in Mexico. But it handles the road better.

 

WISH MY se "TRACKS LIKE IT'S ON RAILS" I had a much worse problem before I took it back to the dealer They let the air out of the tires to 35psi-much better ride but still has that "sports car ride" Steering is better but I had a 2001 Mits Galant before and don't remember even thinking about the steering--I jsut drove along doing things I probably shouldn't have been doing and it kind of steered itself. the only thing I really zeroed in on when test driving the 2011 SE was parking ability, It does have that.

 

I also reduced psi to about 33. Made a slight difference, but reduced my MPG.

The Fusion's ride absorbs the bumps better. It has more of a creamy ride. Softer turning, with a easier feel.

However, the Sonata holds the road great, perhaps better. Overall it is a stiffer car. Tighter turning circle, firmer steering. Body rolls a bit more in the turns, but not a big difference.

My overall opinion of Hyundai is that they don't totally understand driving dynamics yet. Suspension and handling are not their strong points.

Of course it's not going to be a BMW for $20k, but they don't quite have the same refinement and sophistication of their competitors. Yet. I'm sure they will soon. They've made great progress over the years.

 

If you drove a BMW you wold really be complaining. BMW is sport suspension.. no cusion. Hyundai has a semi-sport suspension on the new YF sonata. They are a litle stiff but for the price its really as good as it gets. Hyundai has come a long way on everything. Their suspension is latest in technology. Now you cant compare a fusion to a sonata... mazda is in with ford but they have really stiff suspensions. Its their zoom-zoom affect. They use negative camber for this effect. Overall sonata is probably one of the most popular vehicles right now and I havent heard any complaints on suspension or ride.

 

I drove both cars over the same roads and found that the Fusion absorbed the bumps better.

No big deal. The Sonata beats the Fusion in EVERY other category.

The service manager at my dealership told me he has had others comment about the firm ride of the 2011 Sonata, and the Genesis as well. He told me that's just how they ride.

I only have 3,000 miles on the car, so I'm sure the suspension will settle a little bit anyway.