Overview
HYUNDAI is soldiering on with its largish Sonata 4 door ICE coupe/sedan from $55,500 excluding on roads regardless of the shrinking phase being completely dominated by Toyota’s Camry (Hybrid) that in comparative Ascent spec’ is priced from $51,417 + ORC.
There’s just one Sonata variant, the N-Line with all of the bells and whistles so aside from on roads, the one factor a purchaser can add is premium or matte paint the previous at $595 the latter a grand.
Hyundai actually minimize free with the newest Sonata N-Line leaving nothing on the shelf throughout security, infotainment, ADAS and luxurious.
In our opinion, that’s how vehicles needs to be bought.
Amongst an intensive package listing, the modern wanting Sonata N-Line, now resplendent with household Hyundai Robocop frontal styling, is supplied as customary with: column kind shift-by-wire gear selector, twin 12.3-inch curved panoramic show screens throughout the sprint, clever pace restrict help, tyre strain monitoring system, 6.6-inch contact kind local weather management interface, acoustic laminated entrance glass, LED ambient temper lighting and entrance and rear USB-C shops.
However as they are saying “That’s not all” as it’s additional outfitted with LED ‘Seamless Horizon’ positioning lamp, dynamic welcome lighting, hands-free good energy boot-lid, LED rear mixture gentle with “H” fashion gentle bar, Apple and Android telephone join, Bluelink connectivity together with Over-The-Air (OTA) updates.
In luxurious phrases you’re looking at Nappa and suede leather-based, Bose 12-speaker sound, wi-fi telephone charging, LED ambient lighting, HUD, electrically operated heated and ventilated entrance seats and heated outboard rears, heated wing mirrors, dual-zone local weather management with rear shops, a panoramic sunroof and (a lot) extra.
With out resorting to a different boring listing of security options let’s simply say the brand new Sonata N-Line with Hyundai SmartSense leaves nothing to be desired within the newest lively and passive security space and is bestowed with a five-star ANCAP security ranking (final mannequin).
There’s no ignoring the good-looking new styling that could be a tweaked model of the earlier mannequin and far simpler on the attention whereas making the newcomer look greater. Hyundai provides it extra zhuzh with gloss black physique components, new 19-inch alloys, a boot lid spoiler, quad tip exhaust and a complete bunch of funky lights together with the headlight “bar”.
Dimensions are 4910mm lengthy by 1860mm huge by 1445mm excessive with a 2840mm wheelbase and it weighs in at 1675kg with a braked trailer capability of 1400kg.
Multi-mode sporty dynamics are supplied by the potent mill, slick auto transmission, strut entrance and multilink rear suspension, electrical steering with a moderately helpful 2.6 turns lock to lock and 345mm entrance and 325mm rear disc brakes. The Conti’ rubber is a fats 245/40 however solely an area saver spare is within the boot.
Drive is to the entrance wheels by way of an eight-speed moist twin clutch transmission along with the automobile’s 2.5-litre, direct injection turbocharged 4 cylinder rated at 213kW and 422Nm. the identical as earlier than.
Hyundai reckons you may get 8.1 litres per 100km out of the Sonata N-Line however we couldn’t. Not less than it’s glad to drink 91RON unleaded or E10 with minimal deleterious results to efficiency.
The automobile has a regular five-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee and servicing is priced at $350 a pop for the primary six at 10,000km intervals.
Driving Impressions
Aside from the anticipated overzealous ADAS and the fiddly gear selector below the blinker stalk, we actually appreciated this automobile on quite a lot of scores – its seems, rollicking efficiency, options and sharpish dynamics.
As soon as preferences had been chosen, switched on/off or initiated, driving the purple take a look at automobile was akin to the nice previous days when you possibly can truly have interaction with the automobile, really feel it chew the highway floor, hook round corners, flick up and down the gears, hear it growl when pressed and customarily have a fantastic previous time.
Thoughts you, its days are numbered as Hyundai rushes in the direction of full electrification “yesterday” however within the meantime, the Sonata N-Line is right here to place a smile in your face in “quaint” ICE-style so no worries about the place to recharge, how far you will have left, will I get there or creating a espresso dependancy ready round.
It seems gorgeous on stroll up virtually as large as an previous Falcon or Commodore however decrease and sexier with an arcing coupe-style roofline, lengthy nostril and sloping boot complemented by the aggressively styled grille and full width LED tail-lights with a diffuser and quad ideas down beneath.
The stance screams sporty as do the brand new 19-inch alloys and excessive efficiency Conti tyres backed by multi piston brake callipers over giant diameter discs.
And because the look suggests, the Sonata gives up first rate dynamics contemplating its 1675kg weight and all its energy going by way of the entrance wheels, tamed to a sure extent by a braking perform.
However as is the case with all bum draggers grip limits are clearly outlined eventuating in a spinning entrance wheel or two below heavy throttle software exacerbated when cornering exhausting.
Out of curiosity, we tried to push the Sonata as exhausting as slightly entrance wheel drive race automobile in our storage which “lifts a leg” (inside wheel) on the cornering restrict however the Sonata’s electronics put paid to that little trick.
Energy supply is linear constructing to a crescendo at round 4500rpm and carrying on to a contact over 6000rpm. Torque is well accessible on a regular basis facilitated by the eight-speed auto which at all times appears in the suitable gear for any given state of affairs. Or you’ll be able to paddle shift it and “play race” altering gears with the automobile wanting over your shoulder to make sure no naughtiness.
The mill is clean and quiet however may do with some snap, crackle and pop so as to add an additional measure of enjoyable to the Sonata N-Line’s drive expertise.
It’s simple to drive and park with all of the on board aids contributing and the cabin is nice for 4 adults, 5 in the event that they’re small within the again seat. Entry is low as a result of low roof however as soon as aboard, the Sonata’s luxurious comes into its personal providing up a powerful twin curved display sprint, supple upholstery, customisable inside options, spectacular audio and a variety of luxurious accoutrement.
The boot is an honest measurement and although a pano’ sunroof is fitted, headroom is sufficient, however we’d drop the roof given an opportunity… who desires sunburn?
Trip high quality is selectable by way of softish to firmish and with all settings on “full noise” the Sonata N-Line adopts a extra frenetic really feel. Dial all of it again and it reverts to luxo European sedan mode.
Bother is, the newest Sonata is sort of invisible within the phase as patrons plump 9 instances out of 10 for a Camry. It may very well be time to boost your life slightly…