In an all-out bid to gain better recognition (and consequently better sales) for its current Australian flagship - the Sonata - Hyundai has come up with a brand new model just two years after the last major update version was released.
This time around, the Sonata gets a sleeker and classier look (the styling of the previous model wasn't to everyone's liking), and a reputedly stronger body and chassis. The interior has been revamped and there's a good range of standard equipment (but no airbags or anti-lock brakes on the base models).
On the mechanical front, a new 2.5 litre double overhead camshaft V6 replaces the previous 3.0 litre V6, and the 2.0 litre four cylinder engine has been revised. The automatic now has 'fuzzy logic' and a manual is available for the first time with the V6. Both the front and rear suspensions are new, and the brakes have been upgraded.
Three Sonata models are available in the new line-up; a GLE four cylinder, a base GLS V6 and the top-of-the-line Levant V6. The Levant comes only with automatic transmission; the other two can be bought with auto or manual.
Sonata prices start at $24,990 for a GLE manual and top at $34,990 for the Levant. The manual GLS costs $26,990, with automatic costing an extra $1,895 on the GLS and the GLE.
Korean rivals for the Sonata include the similarly priced Kia Credos and Daewoo Leganza, while Japanese and Australian-built rivals include the Mazda 626, Subaru Liberty, Mitsubishi Magna, Toyota Camry and Holden Vectra.
Features and Equipment
Apart from a six stacker CD player and 15 inch alloy road wheels on the GLS, its equipment levels are basically the same as for the GLE. Both come standard with air conditioning, central locking with keyless entry, power windows and power mirrors, remote boot and fuel lid releases, height adjustable driver's seat and a 60/40 split fold rear seat.
The Levant adds the previously mentioned dual front airbags and anti-lock brakes, plus electronic traction control, cruise control, front seatbelt pre-tensioners, leather-trimmed seats, steering wheel and gear knob, power adjustable driver's seat and front fog lamps.
Body and Finish
Hyundai has sculpted a brand new, dare-to-be-different look for this latest Sonata that at least makes sure the car won't go unnoticed. Though the styling is perhaps a bit fussy for some tastes (particularly the vertical slat front grille), the overall look is generally sleeker and classier than the previous models.
It's noticeable that with each new model from Hyundai (and indeed, other Korean manufacturers as well) the standard of finish gets better and better. Both of the Sonatas tested displayed quite good panel fit and paint finish, and generally only minor items, such as the quality and appearance of some interior trims items and boot trim, could still be improved upon.
The Sonata's bonnet is rather large and without the assistance of gas struts, is quite heavy to lift open.
Comfort and Space
The new Sonata's body is a touch longer, wider and taller than before, and the designers have been able to allocate a little more space for occupants and their luggage.
There's plenty of leg room up front and head room is satisfactory. However, I didn't find the front seats to be particularly comfortable and they lack effective lateral support to hold you securely when cornering.
It's a similar situation in the back seat, with good leg room and satisfactory head room, but comfort only rates as fair in the two outer occupant positions and just tolerable in the centre position.
Suspension settings have obviously been chosen with ride plushness in mind and this allows some bouncing on potholed suburban roads, and even some bottoming of the front spoiler or towing eye if speed humps aren't treated with suitable caution.
Boot space in the Sonata compares well with counterparts in both the medium four cylinder and six cylinder model segments. The boot is long and wide, though not particularly deep, and the low rear lip allows easy loading.
The 60/40 split fold rear seat gives around 1.8 metres of load length for those longer items and the seat back sections can be key locked for extra security.
Behind the Wheel
The Sonata's instrument and control layout is fairly conventional and well laid out for ease of use, but I had trouble finding a suitable driving position in the manual version.
When I positioned the driver's seat forward enough to fully depress the clutch pedal, I was then too close to the steering wheel and my knees fouled the under-column shroud. The gearshift has the typical Hyundai notchiness in its operation and when selecting second, fourth or reverse gears, my elbow often struck the armrest. Naturally enough, none of this is a problem in the automatic version.
Though the control layout is generally straightforward and easy to use, the ventilation heat control can trick you as it operates in the reverse direction to what is the industry standard.
On the Road
Both the 2.0 litre four cylinder and 2.5 litre six cylinder Sonata engines are efficient in terms of power produced relative to their capacities, but as expected, the six is clearly the stronger performer.
The 'six' can even match it with the 'big boys' such as Commodore, Falcon, Camry and Magna on standing start acceleration, though it doesn't have the torque of those cars' larger capacity engines to provide as good in-gear overtaking performance.
With its manual transmission, the six cylinder test Sonata felt a bit coarse when starting off and a practised technique was needed for nice smooth starts in traffic.
Performance of the four cylinder test Sonata also compared favourably with its 2.0 litre opposition, though it would feel a bit livelier if maximum torque could be produced a little down the rev range.
Though it's said to incorporate the latest in mechanical features and electronics, the automatic transmission (at least in the four cylinder test car) isn't always a happy unit, changing up and down with irritating frequency and occasionally flaring between changes when cold.
With the four cylinder test car being an automatic and the six cylinder a manual, a comparison of fuel consumption is not conclusive, nevertheless the consumption penalty of the 'six' over the 'four' appears to be only small.
Predicably, the 'six' used more fuel in city running, but it turned the tables on highway driving to record almost the same overall consumption. If you load the manual six's figures by 10 per cent (which is about the usual difference between automatics and manuals) there's still not a lot in it.
Part of the design objective for both six and four cylinder engines was to reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) and along with the benefits of stronger body construction with features such as one-piece side panels, these objectives have obviously been successful as both models are up with the best in their classes on interior noise levels.
Handling isn't an aspect where these Sonatas are class leading, but the Koreans are continually learning and improving their cars in this regard. Neither Sonata tested gave any cause for concern in the way they handled or gripped the road, it's just that they don't communicate to the driver what is happening at the wheels as well as say, European-bred cars do, or provide the same levels of satisfaction for the discerning driver.
Equipping these cars with high quality Michelin tyres is a smart move by Hyundai as I'm sure they alone contribute much to the handling.
Without the benefits of anti-lock braking, neither test Sonata put in a spectacularly great braking performance, with front wheel locking inhibiting the application of full pedal pressure during emergency braking tests. However both cars displayed good resistance to brake fade under heavy use and only a light pedal effort is required for normal stops.
Summary
Though these new Hyundai Sonatas still don't match the best of the Japanese in some areas, they're well ahead of their domestic rivals and arguably rate as the best cars yet to come out of Korea.
The additional refinement in these latest Sonatas, plus the all-new look, good equipment levels and attractive pricing, can be expected to draw a lot more buyer interest than did any previous models.
Test vehicle supplied by Hyundai Australia.
