VIDEO: Wendy reviews the Hyundai Sonata

The sixth generation of the Hyundai Sonata - the Korean carmaker's big posh sedan - was launched in South Africa in June, with changes so slight, they aren’t even using the word facelift - it’s a “product enhancement”.

 

So how can you tell the new from the old model?

 

It’s got a tweaked grille; new headlights and foglights with LEDs; smaller side mirrors to reduce wind noise, with the addition of indicator lights; new 18-inch alloys, and, under the bonnet, a new, more lively 2.4 litre GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine.

 

The Hyundai website includes a video in which the voiceover artist enthuses: “To step inside is to be immersed in a flowing continuation of the car’s seductive appeal.”

 

Er, yes, it’s nice. Classy. Black leather seats, bits of shiny black accenting the soft-touch matte black bits and heaps of standard spec: a touch screen, steering wheel controls, Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity, heated power front seats, remote keyless entry with start stop, and a three-part, all-glass panoramic sunroof.

 

 

What you can’t see is a full house of safety features, from six airbags to traction control - enough to earn the car a five-star NCAP safety rating.

 

It’s quite a lot more powerful than the engine in the previous model, but less thirsty - Hyundai claims a combined average of 7.9 litres per 100kays, but the car’s display revealed it to be quite a bit thirstier with me at the wheel - closer to 12 litres, but admittedly I was working the engine quite hard.

 

At R380 000, the Sonata is significantly cheaper than the equivalent models in the German ranks - the Merc C Class, BMW 3-series and Audi A4 - and while it doesn’t quite match them in handling and refinement, it’s a class act in terms of looks, performance and spec.

 

 

(Above: Classy, powerful - and with a big boot) 

 

Its direct competition would be its stablemate, the Kia Optima, along with the VW Passat and the Honda Accord.

 

My most fun moment with the Sonata? Watching the ECR head cameraman Kevin casually hop into the boot and order me to close it on him, then re-open - repeatedly - so he could get his shot.  

 

There was enough room in there for two of him.

 

So yes, the boot is big.

 

The Numbers

 

Engine: 2359cc petrol

 

Power: 148kW @6300rpm (previous model was 131kW)

 

Torque: 250Nm @ 4250 rpm (previous model was 228Nm)

 

0-100km/h: 8 seconds

 

Fuel consumption: 7.9/100km (claimed combined)

 

Fuel tank: 70 litres

 

CO2 emmissions: 188g/km

 

Price: R379 900

- Wendy Knowler