Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2015 Hyundai SONATA VS 2015 Ford Taurus Near Phoenix, AZ

The Hyundai Sonata has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Taurus doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.

Both the Sonata and the Taurus have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Sonata is safer than the Ford Taurus:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Sonata is safer than the Ford Taurus:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal impact, side impact, rear impact, roof-crush crash tests, an “Acceptable” rating in the newer small overlap frontal crash test, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sonata its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2014, a rating granted to only 52 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Taurus has not been fully tested, yet.

The Sonata comes with a full 5 year/60,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24 hour roadside assistance. The Taurus’ 3 year/36,000 mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Sonata 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Taurus. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Taurus ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Sonata’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Taurus’ (7 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sonata first among midsize cars in their 2013 Initial Quality Study. The Taurus isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2014 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th.

On the EPA test cycle the Sonata Eco gets better fuel mileage than the Taurus 2.0 ECOBoost (28 city/38 hwy vs. 22 city/32 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Sonata Sport 2.0T gets better fuel mileage than the Taurus 2.0 ECOBoost (23 city/32 hwy vs. 22 city/32 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Sonata uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Taurus SHO requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Sonata stops shorter than the Taurus:

The Sonata Sport 2.0T handles at .84 G’s, while the Taurus Limited pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Sonata’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the Taurus SHO’s (35.8 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The Sonata’s turning circle is 3.7 feet tighter than the Taurus’ (35.8 feet vs. 39.5 feet).

The Hyundai Sonata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 700 pounds less than the Ford Taurus.

The Sonata is 11.8 inches shorter than the Taurus, making the Sonata easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Hyundai Sonata amounts to more than styling. The Sonata has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Taurus (.32 to .33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Sonata get better fuel mileage.

The Sonata has 3.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Taurus (106.1 vs. 102.2).

The Sonata has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear headroom and .3 inches more rear hip room than the Taurus.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Sonata offers cargo security. The Taurus’ non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sonata’s available trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Taurus doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Sonata has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Taurus doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Consumer Reports rated the Sonata’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Taurus’ headlights, which were rated “Fair” to “Good” (depending on model and options).

The Sonata’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Taurus SEL/Limited/SHO.

When the Sonata is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Taurus’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the Sonata, connecting the driver and passenger’s cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Ford only offers wireless connectivity on the Taurus SEL/Limited/SHO.

The Hyundai Sonata outsold the Ford Taurus by over three to one during the 2014 model year.