- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
3.0i, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
107kW, 231Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 9.6L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
1998 Hyundai Sonata GLS review: Quick drive
Date of publication: September 6, 1998
The Sun-Herald
CAR: Hyundai Sonata GLS
PIGEONHOLE: Korea's V6 Camry.
PHILOSOPHY: Very good copy of current Japanese technology.
WHO'S BUYING IT: Money enthusiasts, value-conscious families, mature couples.
WHY YOU'D BUY IT: An outstanding improvement over the old model in every area: engine smoothness, noise suppression, body rigidity, running refinement and - the clincher - price!
WHY YOU WOULDN'T: Ugly strikes in Korea don't make for a motivated workforce or consistent assembly quality (see build). Styling is an acquired taste.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT: Air conditioning, remote central locking, alloy wheels, power steering, electric windows and exterior mirrors, tinted glass, cup holders, rear arm rest.
SAFETY: No air bags, anti-skid brakes or pre-tensioner type seat belts. There is an inertia reel lap/sash belt in the centre of the rear seat for safely mounting kid seats, but not much else.
CABIN: Roomy, especially in the rear. Major improvements to the quality of plastic finishes with smoother operation of all buttons, dials and switch gear. Back-to-front heater dial (designed for left-hand drive) can catch you out but all other controls are well laid out and typically Japanese, er, Korean. Plenty of storage pockets and a centre console. Solid fit and finish. Illuminated ignition and glove box, remote boot and fuel releases, 12V power outlet for accessories.
SEATING: Front buckets are middle-of-the-road for comfort but there's plenty of adjustment. Rear bench offers loads of leg room. Split-fold feature for load through to the boot.
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ENGINE: New 2.5-litre V6 borrows its twin-camshaft, 24-valve blueprint from Japan's latest crop of smoothies. Refined, quiet and free-spinning it's a revelation. The only problem: a big hole in the delivery of torque (pulling power) below 3,000rpm.
GEARBOX: New five-speed manual is geared too high to punch the car away from rest. Synchromesh can be slow until it warms up but otherwise has a slick shift. Four-speed automatic features the latest technology and is a better engine match.
STEERING: Michelin tyres help. A major improvement for Hyundai with better road feel and less front-wheel-drive kickback. Slowish ratio means there's not enough on-centre feedback but plenty of assistance for parking. Reasonable 10.5m turning circle.
HANDLING: Not bad at all. Good balance and fail-safe manners but don't expect the flat, tight cornering of a European chassis. Ride is comfortable, if a touch floaty over bumps.
FUEL: Add 15 per cent to official 10.5- litre city cycle for the auto and 6.6 on the highway. Not much different for manual.
BRAKES: Four-wheel discs ventilated at the front but no anti-lock. Average.
BUILD: Two test cars, two different results. Up-scale Levant was tight and rattle-free with few quibbles. GLS showed the same good body rigidity but squeaks and rattles developed after a week, along with a heavy plastic odour. Recommend an NRMA pre-purchase inspection.
WARRANTY: Three years/100,000km plus free 24-hour roadside assistance.
ANTI-THEFT: Engine immobiliser.
AUDIO SYSTEM: Six-speaker AM/FM radio with six-stack CD player. Electric aerial. Middle-of-the-road sound quality.
COST: Here's the closer: $26,990 for the manual. Auto adds $1,895. Both prices are drive-away and include air conditioning.
VERDICT: A big leap forward for Hyundai. The Sonata now competes with the Japanese on technology and refinement. The quality is sound enough and the price is right.