Hyundai Sonata Embera Review

If you want to be chauffeur-driven in the city and want a lot of space along with a comfy ride, the Sonata has it all.

DESIGN

Long of beam, with flowing lines, Audi A6-like headlights and a rear like the earlier Accord's, the Sonata takes clues from all over the place. But the design works convincingly well.

The cabin lacks that necessary luxury feel and it is here that it really loses out to cars like the Honda Accord, with which the Sonata diesel is priced to go head-on. However, the Sonata rides far better than the Accord and feels more spacious inside too.

CABIN

The Sonata's dash feels clearly low quality. You do get a two-tone interior and the dash has a good sweep to it, but things like the instruments, door handles, air con controls and gear lever knob are built of poor quality plastic. Also an odd-looking music system coupled with the small vents and cheap stalks mean it really feels out of its league for quality and build.

If space and comfort are what you seek, this is the car to be driven in. The Sonata without difficulty has the most width, there are acres of legroom here and the rear seat is comfy enough to give an Accord a complex. There is a lot of thigh support, the backrest is inclined rightly and even a third passenger will be very comfortable here.

ENGINE

Under the hood is a 1991cc, common-rail, single overhead camshaft engine of similar lineage as the Elantra. The engine breathes through 16 valves - that's four valves per cylinder - and uses a variable geometry turbocharger to improve low-end responses. However, considering the Sonata's heavier kerb weight, Hyundai has added a bigger, higher-flow Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) and new injectors and fuel is now delivered to the cylinders at a higher pressure than on the Elantra's motor.

Power is up from the Elantra's 112bhp to this car's 142bhp. Torque is up to a good 33kgm and a six-speed manual transmission sends power to the front wheels, the extra gear ratio helping spread the torque out better.

RIDE AN HANDLING

The Sonata rides is pretty permeable at low speeds, it handles bumps with ease. With its long wheelbase and 60 profile rubber, the suspension is quite silent too. However at higher speeds, the suspension feels loose and though directional stability is decent even at speed, this is a car that almost shies away from corners. The steering may be hydraulic, but in a corner feels like soggy cardboard.

The car rolls a lot on the soft suspension and generally is no fun to drive fast. The Sonata features independently sprung wheels, discs brakes on all four wheels and ABS as standard. The Sonata's diesel four-valve cylinder heads and Variable Geometry Turbo put out a considerable amount of boost allowing it to make a very healthy 142bhp. The Sonata has a six-speed manual gearbox. The difference in torque, however, is considerable too.

FACT FILE  Wheelbase 2730mm Type 4 cylinder, 1991cc Fuel Diesel Installation Front, transverse, front-wheel-drive Valve Gear 4 valves per cylinder, SOHC Power 142bhp Torque 33kgm