I just got back from my third time driving a Hyundai through Arizona, a trip I highly recommend to all of you.
I had test-driven the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited and now I had the pleasure of trying out the 2018 Hyundai Sonata SEL.
I found it a little disconcerting that the Sonata had Apple CarPlay rather than a standard navigation system but this seems to be the direction car makers are going. Personally, I don’t like it because you then have to use your phone data to go through a Maps app. I know I probably sound like a dinosaur and I’m sure we’ll all have unlimited data soon, so I took screenshots of the Google Maps directions and went on my way.
The Sonata handled like a dream through the Arizona desert as I drove from the Phoenix Airport to Tubac, a beautiful little artist community about 45 minutes south of Tucson. I found it fascinating to learn, after being confused by these signs, that Interstate 19 is the only stretch of road in the country that lists distances in kilometers rather than miles.
What?! Sorry to diverge, but you have to take a quick look at this video, which explains it all and features one of my new favorite places: Tubac Golf Resort & Spa.
Anyway, the Sonata was roomy and comfy, and I felt right at home driving it. The car is equipped with some of my favorite safety features, including a rear camera and blind spot detection system, plus this one came with the tech package, which includes the Lane Keep Assist System (this ensures that you signal before changing lanes because the beeping can be annoying if you don’t).
I never had to take the key out of my purse thanks to the keyless entry. In fact, my friend and I laughed every time we stood close to the car and the trunk would open. Note: Pay attention to this paragraph. It’s what we writers call foreshadowing.
I had an amazing time at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa and was so blissed out after my spa treatments, I threw my purse into my suitcase, tossed it into the trunk and went to get into the driver’s seat. Well, the door was locked and I immediately realized my mistake. I HAD LOCKED THE KEY IN THE TRUNK.
I mean, I knew I didn’t want to leave, but seriously? How could this even happen? Remember, the trunk had opened every time I was anywhere near it so why wasn’t it opening WHEN THE KEY WAS RIGHT THERE IN THE TRUNK???!
I wished I could just turn the clock back one minute and take the key out of my purse. Instead, I called AAA — which I will be a member of for life — and my new friend got to work.
Now, don’t think this was over when he got the driver’s seat door open. Oh, no, that would be too easy. You see, you can’t pop the trunk button without the car being on and, of course, we couldn’t turn the car on because we still didn’t have the key.
So, my new friend had to climb into the back seat, pull down half of it and crawl into the trunk to reach the latch.
Success! I got into the car, pulled out of Tubac and scrolled to The Bridge on Sirius to calm my stressed nerves.
I thought a lot about this key issue during my two hour drive to Paradise Valley, and am not sure what the solution is. I know this is not simply a Hyundai Sonata problem and I get that it’s good if you accidentally leave the key in the front seat that the car can still lock so no one can steal it. But, car makers, can you maybe make an app for those of us who may occasionally forget that you actually still need a key for a “keyless” car? And would it be terrible for the trunk to be able to open (and windows, too, for that matter) even when the car is not on?
I was happy to pull into my home away from home, The Hermosa Inn, where I could just relax and enjoy the gorgeous property and the delicious food at LONS.
I spent a few very special days visiting some of my favorite Arizona spas (yes, I’m talking about you, JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn and JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge) and the Hyundai Sonata was a great companion.
I would definitely recommend the car but if you are tech-challenged in any way — which, apparently, I am — consider this a public service announcement as well as a review.
That is definitely a flaw that needs to be corrected. It will be interesting to see if an update is in the works. Imagine if this had happened in a remote area. Ugh.
The car looks very comfy and maybe it wasn’t all bad to stay a little longer at Tubac! You certainly arrived in style throughout the weekend, that is for sure!
Perhaps triple AAA should also, in your case , have an acronym for Agile Auto Acrobat. How fortunate your new friend could crawl into the bowels of the Sonata and reach the latch. You always find such good “fodder” on your jaunts.
This looks like a great car! Some cars can really struggle in the Arizona heat so it is nice to know that this car handled well in it.
Arizona in the winter is heavenly…..and I loved this car. So happy you had a great experience and could share it. our son is marrying a wonderful girl from Scottsdale this spring so we are partial!
Kilometers? In Arizona? Perhaps for all the Canadian Snowbirds there!? I would probably do the same thing with a ‘key-less’ car, so I hope the manufacturers come up with a solution.
We had the same experience, rented car & few instructions upon driving off. Husband had planned a 30th anniversary trip to Hudson River Valley, wineries, restaurants operated by CIA grads, hikes along the river, goat cheese tasting. I left the key in my purse and locked it in the trunk! And no instructions in the glove compartment! Luckily, my mate figured out the same trick of going through the back seat. What an adventure but a most romantic weekend. I wrote Hyundai, no response.
Thanks for sharing so I don’t feel like I’m the only one who did that! Glad you discovered it while you were in the car!
This car look so beautiful and so comfortable. I think it’s not a full redesign, but this quiet, comfortable sedan has significantly improved in looks, interior feel and driving dynamics. And I am looking for this kind of car.