Two punchy engines; drives well; massive interior space; comprehensively equipped
Conservative (but attractive) styling; slow gear changes in manual
Hyundai is re-doing its mid-size passenger car lineup with the launch of the all-new seventh generation Sonata. The Sonata replaces the previous i45 model and will sell alongside the soon-to-be-updated i40 wagon in Hyundai’s impressively reinvigorated squad.
The all-new Hyundai Sonata sedan – priced from $29,990 – is powered exclusively by four-cylinder petrol engines while the i40 wagon – starting from $36,590 – will be exclusively turbo-diesel propelled. According to Hyundai Australia’s Andrew Tuitahi: “Both cars are critical but the i40 Series 2 coming later this year will be a diesel wagon to minimize the crossover to the Sonata”.
Globally, Hyundai is approaching maximum capacity at its manufacturing plants as its group (including sister company Kia) targets sales of 8.2 million vehicles this year. In Australia, as well as the all-new Sonata, 2015 will see the launch of the good-looking all-new Tuscon SUV and updates for the i30 and Veloster coupe.
Hyundai Sonata Overview
The all-new seventh generation Hyundai Sonata arrives in three model grades offering substantial interior space (more front legroom than a Holden Commodore Hyundai claims), a choice of a naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre engine or a powerful turbocharged 2.0-litre. Standard equipment and technology is impressive –much borrowed from Hyundai’s luxury Genesis sedan.
As we’ve come to expect from Hyundai, styling gets a green ‘tick’ – the second version of its ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2 philosophy. And inside all model grades boast good looks and upscale materials.
Hyundai has launched the all-new Sonata in three model grades – entry level ‘Active’, mid-spec ‘Elite’ and range-topping ‘Premium’ . ‘Active’ models employ the ‘atmo’ 2.4-litre engine while ‘Elite’ and ‘Premium’ score the turbo 2.0-litre.
Over the ‘Active’, ‘Elite’ models add extras such as leather seats (electronic adjustment for the driver), an eight-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation (4.3-inch with no navigation for the ‘Active’), alloy interior trim highlights and a carbon-fibre look for the dashboard.
Steeping up to the ‘Premium’ brings goodies such as 18-inch alloy wheels (17-inch on ‘Active’ and ‘Elite’), Bi-Xenon headlights, front parking sensors, a massive panoramic glass sunroof, rear door sun blinds and an electronic parking brake.
The lineup is:
| Active (2.4l GDi) | $29,990 |
| Elite (2.0l GDi turbo) | $36,990 |
| Premium (2.0lGDi turbo) | $41,990 |
Hyundai Sonata Engine
A choice of two four-cylinder Theta II direct injection engines for the all-new Hyundai Sonata – a naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre unit for the ‘Active’ or a turbocharged 2.0-litre for the ‘Elite’ and ‘Premium’. Both have alloy blocks, dual continuously variable valve timing and variable induction.
The atmo 2.4-litre delivers 138kw of power at 6000rpm and peak torque of 241Nm at 4000rpm. This is a familiar engine but Hyundai engineers have given it a retune for the Sonata –slightly less power but more grunt at the low end.
For the turbo you can chalk-up 180kW at 6000rpm and a handy 350Nm of torque from 1400-4000rpm.
Both drive through a six-speed automatic transmission.
Combined-cycle fuel-consumption is rated at 8.3l/100kms for the 2.4-litre and 9.2l/100kms for the turbo 2.0-litre.
Hyundai Sonata Interior
How roomy is the all-new Hyundai Sonata inside? Roomy enough for the North American market to classify it as a ‘large’ car.
Hyundai says the front leg-room exceeds Holden Commodore and, with 865mm of width, the Korean is wider than both Mazda6 and Toyota Camry. And there’s no doubt rear seat space stakes a claim to be the best in-class.
We liked the driver-focused layout of the dashboard. There’s a ‘T’-shaped centre console with controls smartly grouped by function and above sits a screen (4.3-inch for ‘Active’ or eight-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation for the others) which is angled towards the driver.
Rake/reach adjustment for the steering wheel and plenty of seat height adjustment ensures a spot-on driving position. And the driver scores very nicely presented instrumentation with modern, colourful graphics.
Rear seat passengers score that massive leg-room and the luggage space is also large – 510-litres with the seat in-place.
Hyundai Sonata Exterior & Styling
Styling for the all-new Hyundai Sonata has clearly been influenced by the up-market Genesis sedan. And that’s a good thing because the Genesis is handsomely styled – as is the Sonata.
So we have the overall theme of Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2’ design philosophy and a larger grille than we’ve seen previously from the Korean giant. Hyundai Sonata runs the modern curved roof for a coupe styled look and larger windows than previous generations plus precise lines for a very slick package.
The rear gets a look which seems borrowed from some German rivals – in a good way. Nice modern tail-lights and some rear three-quarter curvature to highlight width are the highlights.
And it’s all very aerodynamic (aided by an underbody tray) with a drag co-efficient of just 0.27.
Hyundai Sonata On The Road
The Tasmanian roads from Strahan to Devonport rank amongst the best in Australia for enthusiast drivers. Not exactly the natural habitat for a mid-size family sedan one would at first think.
In the case of the all-new Hyundai Sonata that thinking would be incorrect. A day for www.carahsowroom.com.au to sample all three model grades showed both the atmo 2.4-litre and turbo 2.0-litre combined with that locally tested and calibrated chassis/suspension has delivered a surprisingly sporty rendition of the family-friendly mid-size sedan.
OK, we did prefer the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine for its pep particularly in the mid-range when accelerating out of corners. But there was a heated debate on this subject at the lunch break and it was a close call - our colleague from the Newcastle Herald and Canberra Times actually nominated the 2.4-litre engine as his preferred powerplant.
And the same for the ride and handling. Yes, over the twisty stuff the extra rubber of the 18-inch wheels on the ‘Premium’ grade provided noticeable extra grip but you’d hardly call the other two laggards.
The fact is Hyundai engineers from Korea and Australia clocked over 100,000kms over 114 days doing prototype testing over a variety of Australian roads to get it right for local and international markets. Some 30 different combinations of spring and damper tune were evaluated and revisions to the cool air intake system also followed.
Hyundai Sonata Issues
Our only real points deduction was for the six-speed automatic transmission which was slow to swap cogs – up or down the range - when changing gears manually. Paddle shifters would have been nice.
Some expressed a point of view that the Sonata’s styling was a tad conservative. Yes it doesn’t break any new ground but nor will it offend.
Hyundai Sonata Verdict
No doubt about it the all-new Hyundai Sonata is a class act. So think about things for a sec - just because you see a lot of SUVs at school drop-off doesn’t automatic ally translate into the default purchase decision for you or your family.
Hyundai Sonata - like some of its newer rivals from Japan and Europe - makes a strong statement about why Australian families and fleet buyers should be looking at the new generation mid-size sedans. The Sonata offers abundant family-friendly interior space, drives nicely and is both easier to maneuver and kinder on the planet than an SUV.
Lots of kit as standard means the Sonata also delivers the hallmark Hyundai value-for-money.
And, Hyundai being Hyundai, the all-new Sonata is superbly screwed together and backed by an impressive suite of after-sales support including a five year warranty with roadside assistance, capped price servicing
Sounds like a compelling argument to us.
Hyundai Sonata The Competition
The mid-size sedan segment really should be divided into two – the Toyota Camry segment and the rest. Priced from $30,490, the locally-made Toyota racks-up strong sales numbers on the back of massive fleet and government sales. No doubt about the Camry’s quality of reliability – those attributes and this model are the backbone of Toyota’s passenger car lineup. Perhaps not the pizzaz of the Hyundai Sonata and other segment rivals.
Ford Mondeo (technically a hatchback, not a sedan) is a Car Showroom Favourite in this league – although as we write the all-new model is due. Priced from $31,490 in petrol form, the Mondeo highlights all that’s right with Ford’s German operations (good design, top-notch technology and obvious quality. For driving dynamics it’s a coin toss between Mondeo and Mazda6 for the best in this class – but try for the 2.0-litre engine if you can.
For supermodel looks you can’t go past the Mazda6. Not the cheapest car in class (starting from $33,460) the Mazda6 is a standout thanks to SkyActiv everything (engines, chassis, transmission). For interior space it has been the best in class but may now have been usurped by the Hyundai Sonata.
