Hyundai Sonata 2.

4 manual Sedan
September 2005
Report No.758, by NRMA Motoring Information Services

LIKES
Value for money Safety features Interior space Ride quality Hyundais all new Sonata should be causing its opposition some sleepless nights. Consigning its predecessors quirky aesthetics to history, the newcomers larger, more attractive euro style is just the ticket to generate some showroom traffic. Mix typical Korean value for money with an impressive list of standard safety features, and you have a package set to tug at the purse strings of medium and family car buyers.

DISLIKES
Clutch action Front seats lack support

VALUE FOR MONEY

PRICING Kicking off the four cylinder range is our manual test car at $25,490. Add $2,000 for the auto version. Next is the Elite 2.4 (auto only) at $31,490. With high levels of standard equipment the only option for either car is metallic or mica paint at $225. Bear in mind the solid colours are limited to Ebony Black and Noble White. STANDARD FEATURES For the money you receive air-conditioning, power windows on all doors, cruise control, 6 speaker CD, MP3, cassette audio system, remote central locking, front foglights and leather trimmed steering wheel.

Wide and tall, the cabin provides excellent rear head and shoulder room. Comfort in the centre seat is the usual compromise, but the outer seats are nicely shaped and supportive. A centre armrest is another plus. ERGONOMICS The broad expanse of dash is as simple in its layout as it is to use. While it may not have trendsetting style, its blend of function over form makes life easy. Straightforward instrumentation sits ahead of you with the centre dash sound system mounted above the air-conditionings simple rotary switches. Only the fuel cap and boot release might take a bit of finding, situated above the drivers door pocket. Put simply, if you dont know where everything is in five minutes, you havent been paying attention. Vision front and rear is very good, the large rear screen providing a good view when parking. SAFETY At the time of testing the Sonata hasnt received an ANCAP rating, but there is no denying that for the money its list of features is extensive. Standard across the range are dual front and side airbags, plus front and rear curtain airbags. Active front head restraints and front seat belts with load limiters and pretensioners complete the package. Assisting primary safety are four wheel disc ABS brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and traction control only appear on the V6 model. Theres no ignoring the seatbelt warning chime, its volume nagging you to buckle up. BUILD QUALITY & FINISH If a vox-pop is anything to go by, Hyundai are on a winner. The car always drew favourable comment from passers-by - most convinced it was a new model from Europe. Overall fit and finish is well executed, although the metallic paints glossy surface was marred by some inconsistent colour. Light grey trim is almost de rigueur in this category, but the Sonata has enough differing textures to keep it interesting, and the contrasting dark gr ey door cappings and dashcover lend some relief. Of course pale upholstery and kids are grime magnets, so keeping the interior sparkling might take some effort. SECURITY As tested by NRMA Insurance the Sonata scores 65.5/120 for security, putting it just ahead of the Mazda 6, but well behind the top scoring Subaru Libertys 93.5 result.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE Type........................Alloy DOHC 4 cylinder Capacity in litres...................................2.359 Induction................................Sequential EFI Fuel recommendation ............................ULP Claimed max. power.. 118.5kW @ 5800rpm Claimed max. torque..... 219Nm @ 4250rpm TRANSMISSION Type.................................Five speed manual Driving wheels ......................................Front WHEELS ............................. Steel 16x 6.5 Tyres ...... Hankook Optimo 215/60R 16 95V Spare ............................ Full size on steel rim STEERING Type................Power assisted rack & pinion Turns lock to lock...................................3.28 Turning circle (measured)....................11.2m DIMENSIONS Mass...................................................1470kg Length..............................................4800mm Width (incl. mirrors 2055mm).........1832mm Height ..............................................1475mm Ground clearance (measured) ............165mm Seating capacity...........................................5 Fuel tank capacity............................. 70litres TOWING Max. towed mass (trailer incl. load)....1700kg Max. towball download (laden trailer)....170kg NRMA INSURANCE THEFT RATING Points on 0-120 scale (high score best)......65.5 WARRANTY.................... 5yr / 130,000km MANUFACTURED IN ......................Korea

DESIGN & FUNCTION

SPACE & PRACTICALITY Theres more than enough interior space, the light grey trim adding to the roomy feel. Dont worry about finding homes for everything there is a good sized glovebox and door pockets plus a useful centre console box. Most importantly a curry hook is standard fit keeping the take-away secure. Luggage is easily accommodated in the huge boot. For longer loads the lockable 60:40 split rear seat provides added room. Unlocking the seat means reaching into the boot to flick the lock, and that is quite a stretch. COMFORT The firm front seats feel a bit miserly compared to the cars generous interior dimensions. Lateral support is sparse, and the lumbar adjustment can be clumsy to use. Some additional width and padding wouldnt go astray. Theyre not uncomfortable, but could be better. Getting the steering wheel just right can be a niggle; the height adjuster moves in definite increments which may not suit everyone. If youre travelling in the rear you certainly havent drawn a short straw. Even with the front seats set at the limits of their travel rear legroom and footspace is excellent.

TEST RESULTS
ACCELERATION (wet conditions) 50 - 80 km/h (in 3rd)........................... 6.4sec 60 -100 km/h (in 3rd).......................... 8.3sec 0 - 80 km/h.......................................... 7.3sec 0 - 100 km/h...................................... 10.2sec 0 - 400 metres ................................... 17.5sec FUEL CONSUMPTION (litres/100 km) Average (ADR 81/01)...............................8.3 BRAKING (wet conditions) Distance to stop from 80 km/h.... 30.5metres NOISE Interior at constant 80 km/h......... 66.3dB(A) Test vehicle supplied by
Hyundai Motor Company Aust. Pty Ltd www.hyundai.com.au

Call Technical Advice on 1300 655 443 for additional information on this vehicle, and for other automotive advice. or visit www.mynrma.com.au .

ON THE ROAD
FUEL On a diet of standard ULP the Sonatas 8.3l / 100km average puts it marginally ahead of rival Toyotas four cylinder Camry which returned 8.8l /100km. PERFORMANCE Certainly no one expects a four cylinder sedan weighing close on 1500kg to scorch down the road, but the Sonata is something of a surprise. Keep the revs above 3000rpm and the all new Theta powerplant has enough mid range urge to provide rapid enough progress. It doesnt lose out in stop start traffic, and bigger hills at freeway speed wont faze it. But overtaking will require a downshift or two. RIDE Compliant and controlled the Sonata easily smooths out most bumps. While poor surfaces will move the car around a bit at higher speeds

youre generally well insulated from the worst of it. HANDLING & STEERING Belying its economical purchase price is the chassis competent dynamics. Australian Sonatas are fitted with firmer European spec suspension. The wishbone front, multi-link rear design gains stiffer springs, Sachs shock absorbers and thicker sway bars. Throttle adjustable understeer is the order of the day with some initial softness from the front as you commit to a corner. Once it settles onto its springs it maintains its line, the Hankook tyres keeping a good hold on the bitumen. Despite its larger dimensions the Sonata has a compact feel. Theres enough feedback through the steering to keep you informed, but it isnt super precise, and across rutted corners you can get some steering rack shake. BRAKING Now with substantially larger brakes than its predecessor, the four wheel disc system did a good job during our emergency brake test. Especially since the surface was slick with

rain. In normal day to day driving they are more than up to the job. SMOOTHNESS & QUIETNESS This i s another area where Hyundai have done their homework. Quiet and roomy the interior makes for relaxing suburban crawling and long distance touring. Spoiling proceedings was the hair trigger clutch on our test car, making smooth starts a test of skill. Once moving everything is fine, the five speeds light shift action an advantage in city traffic.

SUMMARY:
The Sonata is solid value for money. Its stylish shape, extensive safety features, space, and road manners give it some distinct advantages. Buyers who may have resigned themselves to a small or medium size car can now consider something larger and not break the bank. Hyundai have uncorked a genie which other manufacturers would no doubt like to see back in its bottle.