Hyundai Sonata 2005 Review

What we liked
>> Lively new V6
>> Value for money
>> Good road manners

Not so much
>> Four-cylinder is lack-lustre
>> Standard velour trim
>> Four-speed auto in 2005?

OVERVIEW
Styled, designed and built to position the company to take on the established imported and local Japanese marques' mid-sized models, the NF is bigger, smarter, safer and better built than any car to wear the stylized H in the middle of its grill. It is the car Hyundai hopes will change your mind about the 'Made in Korea' label.

Developed at a cost of around $A330million over almost four years, the new Sonata features a comprehensive safety package, high levels of standard equipment and fresh engine - one a 173kW 3.3lt V6. Yet it is priced almost identically to the car it replaces.

Hyundai says it is serious about establishing itself as a builder known for quality: a quantum leap in image from the "$12,990 Driveaway, no more to pay" strategy that established the brand Down Under. If US quality and owners' satisfaction surveys are anything to go on, it may well be on its way - Hyundai's Tucson softroader and Accent hatch recently claimed segment victories in the 2005 Strategic Vision Total Quality Study and the maker fared well in the long-established JD Power poll.

Sonata is the first new car to debut since Hyundai's "advanced quality program" was initiated in 1999. This program has seen the maker invest heavily in R&D and boost its quality team eightfold to 865 people.

"Since the nameplate's global debut 20 years ago, Sonata has always been one of Hyundai Motor Company's key models, establishing itself as Korea's top-selling car, traditionally introducing new technology to the range and of late, demonstrating the success of HMC's intense focus on absolute quality and resultant customer satisfaction," CEO of Hyundai Motor Co Australia BG Lee said at the Australian launch of the car in Hobart last week.

Indeed, Lee has laid down the challenge to Aussies car buyers to "seriously and without bias" look at the new Sonata. He contends the new Sonata "will change their mind and place the brand firmly in their consideration set as at least the equal of the best in class."

Which ever way you cut it, them's fighting words...

FEATURES
Just two models launch the NF Sonata along with the choice of two engines. As noted above, the level of standard equipment is impressive - particularly given the pricing of the new car.

At $25,490 plus ORCs the manual (five-speed) four-cylinder 2.4 kicks off the Sonata range. Auto (four-speed) is a $1500 premium on the 2.4, with metallic or mica paint adding an extra $225 across the range. Opt for all-new the V6 engine and you're paying $29,990 but Hyundai throws in a more sophisticated five-speed auto with a manual mode dubbed Selectronic by the maker.

At the head of the Sonata family (for the moment -- look for a sporty range-topper in early 2006) is the Sonata Elite. Offered with a choice of V6 or four-cylinder power (auto only) the Elite 2.4 gets leather and a host of equipment upgrades (see Comfort below) and retails at $31,490. The V6 model is $3000 more.

The NF is larger in than the EF Sonata it replaces in nearly every dimension. It's has a lower stance but at 4800mm overall is 53mm longer -- 30mm of which is accounted for by a wheelbase stretch. Width is up 12mm with track growing almost twice that amount front and rear. Weight is also up - especially on the V6 model. Hyundai claims the new Sonata is the widest car in the medium sedan segment and offers more front leg and head room than its competitors and, even, Commodore and Falcon sedans.

Interior space measurements are one of the most hotly debated statistics in the automotive world. Our seat of the pants impression is the car is a touch roomier than, say, Honda's Accord Euro or Mazda's 6, but will not match the yet-to-be-released PS41 Mitsubishi Magna replacement.

NF Sonata's design is well wrought and handsome - even in the cooking model sans the Elite's 17-inch alloys. Hyundai says: "prestigious presence with elegant proportions and tasteful detailing while evoking a hint of sporty athleticism." Styled with input from the maker's Russelsheim (Germany) European Design Studio, it is undoubtably much easier on the occidental eye than previous offerings from the maker and, variously, has a hint of Audi A4, Subaru Liberty, Honda Accord Euro and even a little of Euro Ford Mondeo about it in the metal. Derivative it may be, but it's good looking nonetheless.

COMFORT
Comfort has taken a step forward over the older model with cabin upgrades and serious does of attention to noise, vibration and harshness. Generally it shapes up as a surprisingly refined package - even in four-cylinder form - with little suspension or mechanical noise intruding (although one test car we drove did have an annoying occasional squeak on the drivers side).

Hyundai says it has paid particular attention to eliminating noise paths into the cabin and has opted for thicker side glass and an upgrade in sound insulation. On the open road wind noise is well controlled thanks in part to redesigned mirror housings and weather sealing strips.

Equipment on the standard Sonata includes rake and reach-adjustable leather-trimmed steering wheel, air-conditioning with pollen filter rear ducting, cruise control (with steering wheel controls), remote entry with alarm and power mirrors and windows. A six-speaker MP3-capable CD/FM/AM/Cassette is fitted.

Height and lumbar adjustable seats are standard for both driver and front passenger with the entry-level trim a rather dated velour. The split-fold rear seat features a central armrest, three low-profile head restraints and 30mm more legroom and 24mm more hiproom than the EF.

The Elite raises the ante with all of the above plus leather trim, eight-way power driver's seat, "carbon fibre-look" or "rich dark walnut-look" dash accents, 17-inch alloy wheels (shod with 225/50R Dunlop SP Sports), a six-disc in-dash CD stacker (with sub-woofer and 200W external amplifier), auto climate control, reverse sensors, stainless sill plates and chrome door and window sill trims.

Best of all, none of the above looks tacked on. With the exception of the standard car's velour trim, the interior features materials that would not look out of place in cars with much more 'fancied' nameplates. The dash is well integrated with clear, logical HVAC and audio controls and the front seats are well-shaped, if a little flatter than this tester would like.

Storage is well thought out too - the shopping/hand bag hook in the front passenger well is clever and each door armrest is proportioned to accept a mobile phone. The boot boasts a substantial 462lt capacity - three golf bags and a fullsize spare tyre and wheel says Hyundai. As noted above the rear seat is a 60/40 splitfold.

SAFETY
Hyundai says the Sonata is a stronger and safer car than previously. Crash structure has been developed to incorporate a breakaway front engine/transmission subframe and has undergone extensive testing using computer and real world crashes.

A full complement of six airbags -- dual frontal, front-side (thorax) and full side curtain type - is standard on all models, as is four-wheel discs with ABS and EBD.

ESP (Electronic Stability Program) allied with TCS (Traction Control System) are standard on all V6-powered Sonatas. The ESP is the latest Bosch 8 system and in use is unobtrusive, unlike some older, less sophisticated stability aids still around. The V6 also gets larger front and rear discs (fr/rr: four - 280/262mm; V6 - 300/284mm).

Active front head restraints and seatbelt pre-tensioners are standard, while the Elite also gets reversing sensors. The latter are not offered as an option on the standard Sonata.

MECHANICAL
At the heart of each new Sonata is a fuel-injected Euro 4-compliant petrol powerplant. The two new mills feature all-alloy construction and twin-cam cylinder-head(s), and boast variable valve timing (intake cam only) and zero maintenance Morse chain cam drives.

Sonata's top-line engine is the all-new 3.3lt 60-degree Lambda series V6. Lambda's maximum power is 173kW at 6000rpm with maximum torque of 304Nm delivered at 3500rpm. Hyundai's press kit proclaims this output at "32 kW and 25 Nm more than Camry V6, 18 kW more than Magna ES V6, 17 Nm more maximum torque at 1500 less rpm than Accord V6 and within 2 kW of Commodore V6."

The V6 is mated to a newly-developed five-speed automatic transmission which features a revised new gate-style shifter with 'Selectronic' quasi-manual mode.

The Theta 2.4lt twin-cam four-cylinder engine is also all-new and shares some of the V6's general architecture. A balance shaft smoothes out the vibes with maximum power of 118.5kW delivered at 5800rpm and maximum torque of 219Nm at a comparatively high 4250rpm.

Though smooth and refined this is not the pick of the current four-cylinder crop and could benefit from a serious injection of low rpm torque. Perhaps the five-speed manual version is a little more willing? We'll have to wait to tell you - at this stage we've not driven the three-pedal version.

Australian-bound Sonatas share their suspension settings with those headed for Europe rather than the USA. The tuning of the double wishbone (front) and multi-link rear suspension was one of the biggest surprises of the new car. On the challenging launch roads south of Hobart (Tas) the car was well behaved, striking a good balance between comfort and dynamic ability. See more in On the Road below.

COMPETITORS
Just a few years ago the idea of a Hyundai taking on the elegant execution offered by Honda's Accord Euro or the sporty dynamics of Mazda's top-notch 6 would have been laughable. It's a measure of how far this maker has come that it can now note these cars as targets without being laughed out of court.

Indeed, the Sonata is aimed four-square at the above models as well as the Accord V6, Magna (and by definition its October-launched replacement), Toyota Camry and Subaru Liberty.

Consider that the cheapest Accord Euro ($33,500), Mazda 6 ($27,690), Liberty ($30,990) are all more expensive than the Sonata V6 and variously cannot match the Hyundai's equipment levels, room and/or performance and you can be forgiven for thinking the brand's on to a winner. Correspondingly the Sonata 2.4 has a handy dollar advantage over the base Camry ($27,500).

Don't underestimate the task at hand, however. As good as the Sonata is on paper it will still have to struggle to overcome the reputation of Hyundai as a builder of 'cheap and cheerful' cars.

For the record, Hyundai also believes the new car will take some sales from the local big sixes. We're not as sure...

ON THE ROAD
While the new 'Theta' four-cylinder engine is refined, the performance it offers in the Sonata is frankly disappointing. Its peak power is impressive and around town it's fuss-free, smooth and quiet, however, the lack of midrange urge makes progress on the open road leisurely and overtaking a chore. The four-speed autobox's tall gearing doesn't help either.

The V6 on the other hand is an impressive step forward from the last generation car. There's a good spread of power and a surprisingly level of sophistication. Hyundai claims a 0-100km/h time of 7.7sec but it is the car's in-gear response that gets your attention. The six romps away from the four-cylinder car in the hills and traffic that exist in real world conditions.

Fuel consumption was not recorded at the launch but we'd hazard that the leggy nature of the V6 will mean you pay only a minor penalty at the standard unleaded pump. For the record, Hyundai claims 10.1lt/100km for the six versus 8.8 for the auto four.

Where the four does shine is in its balance of ride and handling. The six exhibits a touch more understeer but overall is also impressive. Credit should go to the decision to adopt European 'tuning' of the double wishbone (front) and multi-link rear suspension for both versions of the Aussie-bound Sonatas. A sportier set-up than domestic Korean market and US-built Sonata models, the local cars get thicker sway bars, higher spec Sachs gas shock absorbers, firmer springs and suspension bushes and uprated coil springs.

Don't mistake 'firmer' for harsh - overall the ride on both versions is compliant and body movement well controlled. Damping and spring rates were suited to the primarily well surfaced Tassie launch roads and the car was entertaining over a route which hotshoes noted included three Targa Tasmania stages.

The only chink in the armour may be a question mark over the rear suspension set-up -- when pushing on, the car has a propensity to 'walk' a little in bumpy corners. In more typical usage the car was quiet and classy. Note that's "quiet and classy," not "quiet and classy for a Hyundai."

And therein lies the rub... The new Sonata is very competitively priced and good enough in terms of equipment, warranty (five-year/130,000km) and overall performance to attract a host of new buyers into the Hyundai fold. Whether the maker can convince prospective purchasers to put aside badge snobbery long enough to get them to sign on the dotted line is another matter.

Postscript
The Australian media launch of the Sonata was clouded by controversy as this update of CarPoint was posted.

It has been reported that during the closing dinner of the Hobart (Tas) launch, Hyundai Australia CEO, BG Lee, offered the assembled media a special launch "discount" if they chose to personally purchase a Sonata. Further, it has been claimed by some print media outlets that a number of journalists have since taken up Hyundai's revised offer of an extended test period in the new car.

It was intimated that such a discount/agreement could be construed as an inducement to propagate favourable reviews for the new Sonata.

While in CarPoint's opinion the offers were ill-advised, we are confident that there was no pre-meditated effort on Hyundai's part to influence media opinion, nor to offer inducement to propagate favourable reviews for the new Sonata or any other Hyundai product.

In the interests of probity, Trader International Group (publisher of CarPoint) points out that Hyundai is a regular advertiser on CarPoint and a founding sponsor of Trader's RV-related television show, Discover Down Under.