Nothing.
Oh my gosh, we love this car! Our 1997 Taurus Sedan was a great car that had 100,000 miles on it, but when we saw the Sonata for the first time, we ran over to the Hyundai dealer to trade the Taurus in for the Sonata LX Sedan. Our Sonata is silver, and believe me when we say this, but if you think that the old Sonata was nice, this one is awesome!
Everything about it is great! It's so roomy, comfy, very powerful, and even our 3 sons love the car.
So, if you're in the market for one of these, please go to your nearest Hyundai dealer and test drive one. Chances are that you'll fall in love with it like my husband and I did. Trust us, you'll be glad you got it. No wonder why it's getting rave reviews from the public.
I rented one while on vacation. I was surprised at all the little goodies in the car. Had good steering, good acceleration, and a great V6 sound when hitting the 3500-5500 RPM range. Good fun, I abused it being a rental. However I know what this car is and how it got so good. The koreans simply copied the camry/corolla and the civic/accord and added some things to it, and called it a sonata. Really, that's what I think they did, which would make good business sense.
Actually I was in a store, came out to my rental car, hit the unlock button, pulled on the door handle, nothing, didn't open. wtf, so I hit the button and tried the door a few more times, then stood back and realized I was trying to get into someone else's toyota camry! They look so alike is what I thought as I sheepishly walked over to the sonata and jumped in.
But the only problem I have is, well that car felt very bland and not like a real car to me. Sure its good to get around in and all, like camry's and civics, but I'll take my jetta with its 5 speed any day of the week to feel a real attachment to road and machine.
The only appraisable point in Japanese cars is Mechanics! But when it comes to design I truly find the Hyundais more attractive and well designed than most Toyotas and Hondas, let alone the Mazdas! For example compare the last models Corolla and Accent.
One thing I really dislike and consider as a weak design in most Japanese cars is their overly useless long front hood giving more space to the engine hence less for the passengers, at the same time making the car longer and less practical both in and outside. Here's a few Sedans Passenger Space Capacities to compare:
2007 Toyota Camry = 101 CuFt.
2006 Honda Accord Sedan = 103 CuFt.
2006 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE = 103 CuFt.
2006 BMW 7 Series 760i Sedan = 104 CuFt.
2006 Hyundai Sonata = 105 CuFt.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS = 106 CuFt.
2006 Hyundai Azera = 107 CuFt.
As for durability, well in my country there are many 1992 Accents still running as good as new, yet much less Civics and Corollas!!