The last time we did this drive we procured a then-new ultra-low-sulfur-diesel-sipping 2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec. Back then we were cautiously optimistic of clean-diesel’s future, and indeed our test car managed an impressive 33 mpg over that round-trip jaunt. These days, gasoline direct injection, downsizing, and transmissions with six or more ratios are closing in on diesel’s efficiency for way less money.
So to optimize both comfort and fuel costs on this year’s trip we chose Hyundai’s 200-hp Sonata SE, powered by a 2.4-liter GDI engine mated to a 6-speed paddle-shifted automatic. By comparison with the earlier Benz, it’s similar in size (slightly smaller outside and larger inside), almost a second slower, 750 pounds lighter, and rated better by the EPA — 22/34 mpg city/hwy versus the E320 Bluetec’s 22/32 (on the 2008 scale; today’s E350 Bluetec rates 22/33). Our results were similarly impressive. Our overall trip average was 30.2 mpg, which included a 9.5-hour blast to Atlanta driven at an indicated average of 77 mph during which we averaged 30.2 mpg. Those figures led to some equally impressive range figures: We drove 597 miles on one well-topped-off 18.5-gallon tank.
As for comfort, we found no fault with the seats after 12 hours, the manual climate control was easily manipulated to maintain a comfortable temp as exterior temperatures gradually rose from hat-and-gloves to shorts weather. Between the armrest tray, the deep bin beneath it, the center console and glove boxes, and door and seat-back pockets there was plenty of space for all our stuff. Two 12-volt sockets allowed us to plug in both the Escort iQ and one recharger. Interior noise levels and sound-system brilliance are in keeping with the Sonata’s $26,050 price point (which is to say, no match for the Benz’s). Our biggest refinement complaint was with the engine note which sounds a bit thrashy and cheap when accelerating from low speeds with little wind or road noise to mask it.
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