- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.7i, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
132kW, 245Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 9.7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
5 Yr, 130000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Sonata sweetener
An improved ride makes the upgraded Hyundai Sonata a better package.
For: Well equipped for the price, rides and handles better than previous model, good seats, looks quite nice.
Against: Lack of pulling power from engine, unresponsive automatic.
Score: 3 stars (out of 5).
You get the feeling the people at Hyundai probably weren't cracking the champagne at the start of the new year.
Despite replacing virtually every model and introducing a couple of four-wheel drives and a people mover, sales are nothing like those of the days when the Excel was king.
So for a New Year's resolution they could have done worse than repeat the line ''we must sell more cars''.
But how? Rather than rely on the Accent (a better but slightly more expensive car that replaced the Excel), the idea is to diversify and concentrate on all those new four-wheel drives, two MPVs, the Grandeur, the Elantra and the new Tiburon coupe.
And, of course, the recently upgraded Sonata.
This is actually Hyundai's oldest current model name in quite a short corporate history, offering a good-value alternative to other mid- to large-size sedans with either a four-cylinder or V6 engine.
It has received quite a comprehensive facelift incorporating new front and rear styling with a somewhat awkward look that falls somewhere between the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Jaguar S-Type.
The Sonata's suspension has also been tuned for a better ride and handling compromise, and the previous 2.5-litre V6 engine has given way to the 2.7-litre from the Santa Fe and Trajet.
A four-cylinder has been re-introduced, and again the 2.4-litre unit comes from Hyundai's small off-roader.
We've driven the range-topping V6, the price of which starts at $25,990 and includes a host of standard equipment including air-conditioning, remote locking, cruise control, power windows and CD player. A four-speed automatic adds another $1990 and an anti-lock brakes/passenger airbag ''enhanced safety pack'' is $2190, taking the price to slightly more than $30,000. Not bad for a well-equipped, six-cylinder sedan.
Speaking of engines, the Sonata's 2.7-litre V6 has the full array of twin-overhead camshafts and 24 valves but, despite this, its outputs aren't up there with ''traditional'' - read locally-manufactured - big sixes.
This one manages 132 kW of power at 6000 rpm and just 245 Nm of torque at a rather high 4000 rpm.
Granted, it only has around 1400 kilograms of car to lug around and the result is performance that, from a standing start at least, is quite sprightly. The four-speed auto has smooth upshifts and the V6 makes a nice rasping noise, perhaps hinting at a few sporty driving delights to come. Well, they don't really.
That low torque figure manifests itself as a big lack of pulling power in the middle of the rev range, meaning that once on the move there's precious little acceleration available in high gears at low speeds, or even in second gear on a suburban 90-degree right-hander.
The lack of urge is exacerbated by the auto being indecisive about kicking down a gear, although there's a Tiptronic function for manual changes if the driver wishes.
A lot of work has gone into giving the Sonata better handling, and measures such as a wider rear track, plus wider tyres and gas dampers have gone along way towards fixing the old car's problems of a jiggly ride and floppy handling.
Now there's more body control and less unwanted movement of the car on the suspension. The ride manages to be quite comfortable without being soggy.
Still, there are some pretty tidy driver's cars in the Sonata's league - the Holden Vectra springs to mind - and the Hyundai still doesn't quite hit the mark.
The tyres don't offer great grip and, while it is not unusual for a front-wheel-drive to understeer in tight corners, the Sonata seems to reach its limits earlier than it should.
Of course, not many Sonata owners are likely to have a crack at the suburban Grand Prix title, so there is much to like about this car.
It is actually quite big, with more width and about the same wheelbase as a Mitsubishi Magna, although the Hyundai is a little shorter. So there is quite an amount of interior space, with plenty of elbow space in the front, and room for three kids in the back and three lap-sash seat belts to keep them restrained.
Two adults in the rear will find headroom is adequate and leg room quite spacious, and the long rear windows afford excellent views.
The boot is wide, though perhaps a little shallow. Still, details such as the full-size spare tyre and proper gas struts to hold the lid open are more than should be expected given the Sonata's rock-bottom pricing.
The feeling of quality and class could be improved, but overall the Sonata feels more refined than most Korean-built cars. Certainly, everything in this particular one was properly glued together and nothing fell off - don't laugh, it happens - and the interior plastics, seat trim and switchgear all seemed solid and ergonomically sound.
It is all very much as if Hyundai has looked at the problems of this Sonata's predecessor and gone about fixing them; the company should be applauded for that. There is plenty of value in the new Sonata and also a spark of quality design and engineering. A brighter star in what has been a tough time for Hyundai.
Nuts 'n' bolts
How much? $25,990 (manual), $27,980 (auto), plus on-road costs.
Insurance: Premium $736 (RACV, wholly owned, driver aged 30-plus, rating one, medium-risk suburb).
Warranty: 5 years/160,000 km.
Engine: 2.7-litre, 24-valve, DOHC V6. 132 kW at 6000 rpm and 245 Nm at 4000 rpm. Front-wheel drive.
Transmission: Five-speed manual.
Steering: Rack and pinion, 2.8 turns lock-to-lock. Turning circle: 10.8m.
Brakes: Ventilated discs, front; discs, rear; ABS optional.
Suspension: Front: Independent by double wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar. Rear: Independent by multi-links, coil springs, anti-roll bar.
Wheels/Tyres: Steel 15 x 6.0-inch, 206/65.
How heavy? 1398 kg (manual).
How thirsty? 11.0L/100km average. Unleaded, 65-litre tank.
Equipment: Standard: Front airbag, air-conditioning, central locking, CD player, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, cup holders. Optional: ABS, passenger airbag. Not available: Climate control.
Interior Notes: Single-disc CD stereo is easy to use. Ventilation controls are uncomplicated. Automatic has Tiptronic gearshift. Cruise control buttons are on the plastic steering wheel. Steering column adjusts for rake but not reach.
Competitors
Kia Optima SE V6: $25,990 (auto), 3 stars.
Offers lots of equipment and space for the money, but ride and handling not up to the competition.
Mitsubishi Magna V6 Executive: $28,290 (auto), 4 stars.
V6 engine is strong, smooth and well matched to clever auto transmission, while cabin is quiet and comfortable despite a tight back seat. But it's starting to look old.
Toyota Camry CSi V6: $28,900 (auto), 4 stars.
Powerful and refined V6 engine impresses, as does sharp handling and roomy interior. Can't say the same about the plain-Jane styling and sparse equipment levels.