Hyundai Sonata Review 2015: Hyundai Hits New Heights In Midsizer Market
What’s Hot: Sweet turbo engine, handles well, generous interior space.
What’s Not: Dull cabin design, front parking sensors only on high-grade model.
X-FACTOR: An appealing sedan on many fronts, and bigger inside than some 'large' cars.
Vehicle Style: Medium sedan
Price: $29,990 (Active) to $41,990 (Elite)
Engine/trans: 138kW/241Nm 2.4 petrol 4cyl, 180kW/350Nm 2.0 petrol 4cyl | 6sp auto
Fuel Economy claimed: 8.3 l/100km (2.4), 9.2 l/100km (2.0 turbo).
OVERVIEW
Hyundai’s new Sonata has launched In Australia, replacing the retired i45 as the i40’s stablemate in the midsize segment.
Hyundai’s strategy sees the i40 become its midsize diesel sedan and petrol/diesel wagon option, while the newer Sonata will operate in the higher-sellling petrol sedan category.
Significantly, the 2015 Sonata is Hyundai Australia’s first non-performance car to get a turbocharged petrol engine.
While the entry-level Sonata Active comes with a conventional 2.4 litre engine, the Elite and Premium grades get a 2.0 litre turbo motor that produces more power and torque from less displacement.
Now, having driven it, we can declare it to be a good thing.
What of the rest of the car? We travelled to Tasmania to put the Sonata through the wringer, and the location for the launch is significant.
When the i45 was launched it received so much negative press for its suspension tune that it prompted Hyundai Australia to embark on a local tuning program for every new model it launched.
With no shortage of challenging driving roads in Tasmania, the company is clearly confident that the Sonata won’t have any of the soggy handling that hobbled its predecessor.
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 3.5/5
- Active: Air conditioning, steering wheel audio controls, cruise control, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, power windows, 17-inch alloys.
- Elite adds: Dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, powered driver’s seat, auto-opening bootlid, 8” colour touchscreen with navigation, kelyess entry and ignition, power-folding wing mirrors
- Premium adds: Panoramic glass sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, rear sunblinds, bi-xenon headlamps, front parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers/
- Luggage capacity: 462 litres minimum. 60:40 split fold rear seats allow cargo area to expand.