Sonata intends to make inroads into the ‘D’ sector (22% of new car sales) using the value for money ticket that has been so successful for the Korean manufacturer. In a short period it has gained 4.1 % of the Irish market purely by offering well specified cars at competitive prices.
The new car initially is available in just 2.4 litre petrol form. Now before you say ‘yikes’ they won’t sell many of them in our VRT burdened car market - get this the five-speed manual costs just €28,495! That is serious value per cc.
To put the price in context it competes directly against 1.8 and 2 litre rivals and is cheaper than most. The volume sellers will of course be the 2 litre versions. The 2 litre petrol unit is due this November/December and a diesel 2 litre is expected in time for the 2006 model year. The CRDi will also feature a new six-speed manual gearbox that I’m sure will be a runaway seller.
Hyundai is openly taking its styling cues from European luxury brands (thank goodness). Hyundai says the benchmark is Lexus but from the look of the new Sonata I’d say its more like Audi.
The exterior is smart and substantial. The Sonata is a big car with clear styling cues from Audi (Side view/headlights/rear), Honda (Accord’s rear), Saab (bonnet leading edge) and Volvo (bonnet creases) all together the elements combine to make a handsome machine that lacks the downright ugliness of some past Asian offerings.
Inside the cabin is plush with a general improvement in the plastics and trim used. There is greater interior space and a superior level of sophistication but my pet hate (with all Hyundais) is still the present - the aftermarket stereo. At least the VDO unit is an improvement with the on off volume button actually usable. Hyundai’s integrated stereos do not feature RDS (which is not used in Korea) but I am assured they are working on the problem as the CD unit lets the dashboard down.
Sonata features some nice kit like soft leather seats, cruise control, airbags everywhere plus a passenger airbag deactivation switch (only the master key works it), tasty 17 alloys and a five-speed manual gearbox. The best option is the automatic gearbox (€2,000), which unlike the latest fly by wire European luxury boxes is a basic but smooth four-speed unit. The new Sonata is a gentle cruiser that will swallow the miles without fuss. Back road bumps are evened out quite well also. Spirited back road driving is best avoided as it is not the car’s forte.
Hyundai is targeting buyers in there mid 30s/40s who are ambitious managers/professionals. Unfortunately I can only see accountancy mangers licking their lips at the ownership prospect thanks to the super retail price.
The Korean industrial giant is on track to be one of the top five car makers in the world by 2010. Here next year Hyundai expect to sell over 600 Sonatas.
Michael Sheridan
