Hyundai Sonata GL 1000km Road Test

Hyundai's latest Sonata, like the company's other vehicles, offers a lot of car for relatively little money. The latest model reintroduces a four-cylinder engine as a cheaper alternative to the 3.0 litre V6.

Value for money

Pricing

The manual Sonata GL 2.4 litre four is priced at $23,990; the GL 2.7 litre V6 is $25,990. A four-speed sequential automatic is a $1,990 option on both models.

Warranty

Five years/130,000 km - the best on the market.

Standard features

At the price, the Sonata is very well equipped. Airconditioning, a CD player, power windows and mirrors and remote central locking are standard. The V6 adds cruise control.

ABS brakes and a passengers airbag are an expensive package option at $2,190.

Retained value

Glass's Guide has the Sonata GL at 54 per cent after three years, which is slightly above average.

Design and function

Ergonomics

The driver's seat has two-way height/tilt adjustment for the cushion and the wheel is also height adjustable. Vision is clear around the car, but short drivers may find the high dash and sills restrictive. Swathes of dark grey plastic add to this impression.

The dash is well organised and straightforward.

Innovation

There are no technical innovations in the Sonata, but the five year/130,000 km warranty is an industry first.

Safety

A driver's airbag is standard, and Hyundai claims that the body has been engineered for significantly improved crash protection over the previous model. The front seat belts have pretensioners and load limiters. Three lap/sash belts and head restraints are fitted in the back seat. The doors automatically unlock in a crash to aid access to occupants. The ABS option includes automatic maximum braking power when sensors detect high pedal pressures. The previous Sonata scored three stars out of five in ANCAP crash tests.

Security

An immobiliser plus an alarm are standard.

Comfort

The driver sit on a large, flat seat with good lumbar support and long travel. More substantial side bolstering would be useful, as would a tilt adjustable head restraint - it is too far back from your head to offer proper protection in a rear end crash. The Sonata's back seat is wide enough overall for three adults, though contoured for two and more comfortable with this number on board.

Space and practicality

The Sonata is significantly wider across the back seat, and more generous in legroom, than mid-size four-cylinder rivals like Holden's Vectra and Mazda's 626.

It more accurately fits into the smaller end of the family car class; overall cabin length, for example, is greater than Magna and Camry, while width is comparable.

Practical touches includes a gear position indicator, three child restraint clips (most other makers supply only one) on the parcel shelf and long range radio reception, although sound quality from the AM/FM/CD system is nothing special.

Rear seat access is easy and leg room is generous; tall passengers may run out of head room.

The Sonata's boot also longer and wider than its competitors. Access is via an internal electric release or key tag button. The rear wheel arches intrude deeply into the front section; on the credit side, hydraulic struts replace the previous model space-eating hinges and a power outlet is provided. The rear-seat back is split 60/40 for extra capacity. A full-size spare is under the floor.

Build and finish quality

The new Sonata body is substantially stronger than the previous model, and interior fit and finish is comparable with Japanese rivals. The test car had no significant faults.

On the road

Fuel efficiency

The Sonata's more solid body and larger engine makes it a relatively heavy car by four-cylinder standards. On the highway, the automatic Sonata's 9.5 litres/100 km is thirsty for a four cylinder; around 13 litres/100 km in town is also more comparable with a six.

Performance

The 2.4 litre's 104 kW of power is less than expected for this capacity, but 202 Nm of torque, produced at a low 3000 rpm, is at the strong end of the class.

The 2.4 automatic is very civilised, tractable and smooth by four-cylinder standards. Cruising at a lazy 2200 rpm it's as refined as a six, but acceleration, like economy, is blunted by its 1400-plus kilos.

It is pretty sluggish from a standing start; the tall gearing means you need third for overtaking or climbing steepish hills. The adaptive sequential automatic is outstanding, with crisp, timely, smooth shifts in drive or do it yourself modes.

Ride

The suspension delivers a supple, comfortable ride, complemented by low noise levels. Fully laden, the Sonata can bounce and float on undulating bitumen, so the damping is a touch underdone.

Handling and steering

The independent suspension runs gas-charged-dampers and firmer springs than previously. Handling is fine for its modest purpose. The Sonata feels solidly planted on the road at normal speeds and is much more secure and controlled than its predecessor on rough surfaces.

Get into a tightish corner with 'sporty' intent, or attempt a rapid change of direction, and you'll find excessive understeer - the tendency to lean hard on the outside front wheel and run wide - accentuated by a high centre of gravity, below average tyre grip and relatively indirect steering.

On choppy bends, some steering rack shake and rattle is also apparent. 

Braking

The test car's optional anti-skid brakes pulled it up quickly and straight. In normal use, pedal pressure is slightly higher than average, but feedback is good.

Smoothness and quietness

Excellent by four-cylinder standards, with minimal road noise and a very refined engine.