Hyundai Sonata SLX CRDi 2008 Review

The Europeans aren't the only manufacturers leaping with enthusiasm into economical diesel models. Following the rave reception given to its little i30 oiler. Hyundai has rushed a thrifty new 2.0-litre CRDi turbo-diesel into the Sonata range as part of the upgraded 2009 model line-up.

The latest Sonata gets styling upgrades inside and out, but the big story is the new diesel, just as fuel prices are forecast to hit $2 per litre by the end of the year. While diesel is priced higher than petrol at the pump (even though it's cheaper to refine), it's usually consumed 25-30 percent slower than in a similarly-engined petrol vehicle. Hyundai's betting on the attraction of miserly consumption and reckons the CRDi will eventually account for about 40 percent of Sonata sales.

A four-speed auto is optional, but the six-speed manual offers a significant advantage in fuel efficiency - officially 6.0L/100km on the combined cycle against the slusher's 7.0. The four-pot petrol comes in at 8.0L/100km (manual) and 8.4 (auto).

The revised Sonata benefits from a suspension tuned for Australian conditions, and more direct steering across the range (from 3.3 to 3.0 turns), collectively providing better dynamics and ride. The steering is pleasingly sharp but accompanied by some rack rattle on bumpy corners.

Standard gear on the base SLX extends to ABS, stability and traction control, frontal, side thorax and side curtain airbags, anti-whiplash headrests, trip computer, air-con, power windows, remote keyless entry, cruise control, auto-on lights, full-sized 16-inch spare wheel, and iPod connectivity. There's also a USB port to play portable audio devices through the MP3/WMA-compatible single CD/radio sound system.

The top-spec Elite model (available only with the four-speed auto) adds 17-inch alloys, revese parking sensors, a trip computer, powered front seats, leather seat trim and climate control.

Occupant security also benefits from HALO (Hyundai Active Locking Operation), a new feature that locks the doors automatically once the car begins moving and unlocks when the key is removed from the ignition.

In pricing, the Sonata sits adjacent to mid-sized rivals the Camry and Mondeo. Hyundai believes its more extensive list of standard equipment will break down any remaining relucatance among Australians to buy Korean cars, which have improved in quality and reliability.

The cheapest Sonata CRDi is the SLX manual at $30,490; the auto $2000 extra. The auto-only Elite CRDi, with leather trim, is priced at $36,990.

The price premium for the diesel, available in both SLX and Elite, is $2500. But CRDi owners do get a free pair of latex gloves thrown in ... to make refuelling less messy, of course.

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