- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.4i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
138kW, 241Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 8.3L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2015)
2017 Hyundai Sonata Active new car review
Like most mid-size sedans the Hyundai Sonata has a big problem - the Toyota Camry.
The Camry has been the dominant force is the medium sedan market for more than a decade, out-selling all of its rivals by a huge margin. That success was in large part thanks to the Camry being built in Australia, which made it more appealing to government and fleet buyers, and more recently Toyota has been pushing strong sales offers as local production wound down.
But with the all-new Camry now imported it gives the other mid-size sedans, such as the Mazda6, Subaru Liberty and Ford Mondeo a chance to make inroads on Toyota’s advantage.
So the timing couldn’t be better for Hyundai to introduce a freshened up Sonata, with a new look and offering better value.
What do you get?
Hyundai has simplified the Sonata model range with this update, ditching the mid-grade Elite, maintaining the choice of entry-level Active and fully-loaded Premium models.
We’re driving the Active that is priced from $30,590 (plus on-road costs) and comes well equipped. New additions for the facelifted Sonata include an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen that incorporates navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for the first time. The upgraded Sonata also gains dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, hands-free boot opening and chrome-effect door handles.
Other standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth trim, Bluetooth and a six-speaker stereo.
Safety consists of full airbag protection, reversing camera and rear parking sensors. The Active misses out on the passive safety features that come on the Premium, which includes blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control. Neither Sonata comes with autonomous emergency braking.
Like all Hyundai models the Sonata is covered by the brand’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and lifetime capped price servicing program. Thanks to sharp pricing the Sonata only costs $825 to service for the first three years.
What’s inside?
Even in this entry-level Active model the Sonata presents well inside. The design is simple but thoughtful, with plenty of small item storage and there’s a nice mix of materials and trims to give it a pleasing presentation.
The new infotainment system is intuitive to use and all the switchgear is laid out in a straightforward manner.
Where the Sonata really does a nice job is room. There’s good space inside the cabin, especially in the rear, to make it a spacious family sedan. The back seat space is roomy enough for adults to fit comfortably, with generous knee and headroom.
Under the bonnet
The Active may miss out on the more powerful 2.0-litre turbo engine but the 2.4-litre is still more-than-adequate for the task at hand.
There’s decent pick-up off the mark and it feels good in the mid-range, with peak torque kicking in at 4000rpm. Where it struggles at times is when you need a sudden burst of acceleration, then you need to bury your foot to access the best power high up in the rev range. It can take a few seconds for the engine to get into its sweet spot.
The six-speed automatic does a good job keeping the engine working well, with smooth shifts between the ratios.
Using a claimed 8.3-litres per 100km puts the Sonata mid-pack in the medium sedan class.
On the road
Hyundai Australia’s ride and handling program, tuning the suspension and steering to suit the unique local conditions, has paid dividends on the Sonata. Medium sedans may not be in fashion at the moment but the Sonata is an enjoyable car to drive.
The balance between comfort and control is nicely managed by Hyundai’s engineers. The ride offers good compliance over bumps, soaking up the hits rather than jarring. However, there’s still good body control and responsive steering that makes it a pleasant car to drive down a twisty road.
It’s far from a hot hatch or sports car, but compared to a similar-sized SUV the Sonata feels more enjoyable from the driver’s seat.
Verdict
It may be an overlooked car, thank to both the popularity of SUVs for families and the sustained success of the Toyota Camry, but the Hyundai Sonata is worth your attention.
If you’re looking for a good value, spacious and enjoyable-to-drive mid-size sedan then the Sonata meets your criteria.
2017 Hyundai Sonata Active pricing and specifications
Price: From $30,590 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 138kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 241Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: 8.3L/100km
The Competitors
Toyota Camry Ascent Sport
Price: From $29,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 133kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 235Nm at 4100rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, FWD
Fuel Use: 7.8L/100km
Our score: 7/10
Kia Optima Si
Price: From $34,490 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 138kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 241Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: 8.3L/100km
Our score: 6.5/10
Mazda6 Sport
Price: From $32,490 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 138kW at 5700rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3250rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 6.6L/100km
Our score: 7/10