- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.4i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
138kW, 241Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 8.3L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2018 Hyundai Sonata review
Traditional sedans are fast becoming forgotten options for modern families.
But Hyundai has renewed its commitment to the class with its updated Sonata, a car that questions why you’d need anything more.
The South Korean car maker has given its flagship sedan a nip and tuck – both the car itself and the range – with fresh styling, additional features and a revised line-up that now consists of just two distinct variants - an affordable entry-level Active and the full-of-fruit Premium while the previous mid-level Elite has been dropped altogether.
Both feature new front and rear bumpers that look more contemporary with the brand’s latest signature ‘Cascading Grille’ that was first introduced on the i30 hatch, as well as vertical daytime running lamps and sleeker headlights. At the back, the bootlid has a raised lip to balance out its stance and a clever hidden release button in the H logo, while the modified bumper now houses the number plate holder and integrated exhaust tips for a cleaner, wider look.
Inside, both models receive a larger 8.0-inch touch screen with sat nav and smartphone mirroring as well as a new-design three-spoke steering wheel.
While that might not sound like much, the small changes contribute to elevating the appeal of the Sonata beyond its rather invisible current status.
The Active continues to be one of the best value sedans in its segment. Costing just $30,890 (plus on-roads) – which is around the same coin you’d shell out for a mid-level hatchback – it comes generously equipped with dual-zone climate control, keyless entry with push-button start, cloth trim, a reverse camera and rear parking sensors.
The cabin doesn’t have a lot of flair in its design or layout, but all the controls are logically positioned and easy to use while there’s decent small item storage, clear instruments and plenty of adjustment in the comfortable front seats to suit most drivers. A blight on its copy book is the awkward foot-operated park brake, which eliminates having a foot rest and can cause lower leg injuries in the event of an accident.
Apart from that, the cabin is spacious with good head room and vision for all occupants with a generous amount of leg room in the rear, enough for adults to sit comfortably on long journeys. The 510L boot is large enough to swallow luggage for four, although its shallow aperture will restrict loading larger items.
Under the bonnet, the Active’s 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine produces 138kW and 241Nm and drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic while consuming a claimed average fuel consumption of 8.3L/100km – numbers that don’t set any benchmarks against its competitors.
However, it shouldn’t be immediately dismissed by its outputs as, in the real world, it is a well-sorted powertrain for everyday suburban duties. Sure, with peak torque only arriving at 4000rpm it needs to be worked a little harder than more modern turbo rivals, including its Premium sibling, and it can sound a little raspy higher in the rev range, but for the most part it is smooth and unobtrusive when dawdling around town or cruising on the highway.
The smooth six-speed auto helps, as it is intuitive enough to find the right gear at the right time, while the superbly-calibrated suspension – tuned for local conditions by Hyundai Australia – offers excellent compliance over rough surfaces and sure-footed, if a little uninspiring, dynamics through the bends.
The Sonata Premium is a more convincing proposition on the road but, at $45,490 (plus on-roads) its value equation is more debatable, especially as it lines up against genuine semi-luxury rivals like the Mazda6 GT, Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb.
It’s 2.0-litre turbo charged four-cylinder, with 180kW and 353Nm, is quicker off the mark, more relaxed at highway speeds and generally more refined, and the new in-house eight-speed automatic amplifies its greater breadth of abilities, even if the powertrain combination is marginally less efficient with a claimed average fuel consumption of 8.5L/100km.
The Premium’s larger 18-inch alloys with top-quality Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres offer more purchase in the corners without ruining its compliance over the bumps, making the Sonata a surprisingly competent car to drive enthusiastically.
But it’s more likely to spend most of its life dawdling around the city and suburbs, where the convenience of its generous list of standard features will be appreciated, from the heated and cooled front seats, the leather trim, a wireless charging pad for mobile devices, blinds on the rear windows and its panoramic sunroof, while the added safety of having active cruise control, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring and a driver attention alert offers greater peace of mind. Both models miss out on autonomous emergency braking though.
All in all, while it’s a relatively minor update to the Sonata, Hyundai’s flagship sedan remains one of the most under-rated family cars in its class. At one end, the Active is an affordable, comfortable and spacious machine while, at the other, the Premium adds plenty of go and gear without compromising its everday practicalities.
2018 Hyundai Sonata Active Price and Specifications
Price: from $30,890 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 138kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 241Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 8.3L/100km
2018 Hyundai Sonata Premium Price and Specifications
Price: from $45,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 180kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 353Nm at 1350-4000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 8.5L/100km