Hyundai got its toehold in the United States with inexpensive little cars, and it's now reaching up both in size and quality with its all-new midsize Sonata. This 4-door sedan will have to compete with the likes of
Toyota Camry,
Honda Accord,
Ford Taurus and a host of others.
That may seem like stiff competition for Hyundai, but the Sonata definitely has its own attributes: It may be more car for less money than any other midsize sedan you can buy.
Additionally, the people at Hyundai - both in Korea and the United States - have made great efforts to bring quality up to par, and the current lineup reflects the results of that work. Current Hyundai cars are solid, respectable products.
The Sonata is available in three trim levels: base, mid-range GL and upper-crust GLS.
From the outside, the Sonata is cleanly styled and well proportioned, although somewhat on the bland side. But it's also handsome in a quiet way.
The base engine is a 137-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. It is available with a 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic.
We think many buyers will prefer the 3.0-liter V6, available as an option on the GL and standard on the GLS. It makes only slightly more horsepower - 142 hp - but a lot more torque, which is what gets a car away from a stoplight and up to freeway-merging speed.
Furthermore, the V6 is a lot smoother and makes driving more effortless. The V6 is available only with an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic.
Safety features include Hyundai's innovative dual airbag system, which utilizes a single sensor located under the dashboard. This eliminates the multiple sensors of other arrangements and their lengthy wiring.
According to Hyundai, this simpler system offers superior reliability. Of course, it stands to reason that if a vehicle requires repair, a less complicated system is less likely to be serviced incorrectly.
Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are available as an option, but only on cars fitted with the V6 engine. The ABS utilizes four channels - one for each wheel - unlike some ABS systems that treat the rear wheels as a single entity.
The new Sonata is built on a frame that's measurably more rigid than that of the previous model. This keeps things straighter and tighter, longer. The all-new chassis features a MacPherson strut front suspension, while in the rear is a new multi-link layout that contributes to improvements in both ride and over-the-road handling.
With the 4-cylinder engine, the Sonata has disc brakes in front and drums in the rear. With the V6, you get a 4-wheel disc system.
