Sedan Manual Hyundai Sonata 2.4

Hyundai’s all new Sonata should be causing its opposition some sleepless nights. Consigning its predecessor’s quirky aesthetics to history, the newcomer’s 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-conditioning’s simple rotary switches. Only the fuel cap and boot release might take a bit of finding, situated above the driver’s door pocket. Put simply, if you don’t know where everything is in five minutes, you haven’t 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 hasn’t 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. There’s 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 paint’s 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 Liberty’s 93.5 result. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ENGINE Type Alloy DOHC 4 cylinder Capacity in litres 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 16”x 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