1994 HYUNDAI SONATA Review
Introduction
If you're looking to say nice things about the updated 1995 Hyundai Sonata, simply compare it to the model it replaced. The South Korean car maker's first-generation midsize sedan sang decidedly off-key. No wonder it failed to impress many American motorists.
The newly redesigned Sonata plays a much more refined song. It's better looking , and the interior layout finally makes some sense. From first glance, at least, it appears better-built.
Hyundai's big draw has always been a low price tag, and the new Sonata will remain attractive to those looking for a relatively big car on a small budget. Keeping that in mind, our test vehicle was modestly outfitted. We started with the base package, which included a 2.0liter, four-cylinder engine, a four-speed "fuzzy logic" automatic transmission, dual air bags, air conditioning, front reclining bucket seats, a stereo with a cassette player, front and rear stabilizer bars, and remote hood and fuel door releases. The only option we added was carpeted floor mats for $72, bringing our grand total to $14,151.
With manual windows, door locks and side-view mirrors, we're talking basic transportation. And a bargain compared to many of the other vehicles in the Sonata class. You can expect to pay as much as $2,000 more for other similarly equipped Asian imports. But what we're looking for isn't just a bargain. Here's the real question: Does the Hyundai deliver value for the dollar?
Interior
Inside is where manufacturers are most likely to cut corners. So imagine our surprise when we slipped behind the Sonata's wheel to find a pleasantly refined interior. Gauges were well-marked, well-spaced, and easy to read and operate.
The fact is, you spend a lot more time inside your car than you do watching it sit in your garage, so the car's interior needs to please all the senses. That's something Japanese manufacturers have long understood. The original Sonata was a hodgepodge of different and often cheap looking plastics. This time, though, Hyundai has benchmarked the competition. The materials used for the instrument panel, doors and other plastic components looked and felt solid, and all interior surfaces were covered with the same attractive grain pattern.
Fit-and-finish was generally quite good, with a couple of exceptions. The passenger air bag cover didn't fit well, a problem that seems almost endemic in the auto industry. More frustrating, though, was the fact that when our passenger tried to adjust the three-point seat belt anchor, he wound up pulling off its plastic cover.
If safety is one of your big concerns, you'll be pleased to discover that dual air bags are now a standard feature on this car. The Sonata also meets upcoming side-impact protection standards. It comes with an impact-absorbing steering wheel, a reinforced roof for better rollover protection the bumpers are the 5-mph kind. We only wish that an anti-lock braking system (ABS) was also on that list of standard features. ABS is available as an option, though, and the Sonata offers a sophisticated four-channel system, as opposed to the three-channel ABS found on many competitor's cars.
The Sonata's biggest plus? Room, and plenty of it. Even with a pair of six-footers sitting up front, there was more than enough space left for two friends sitting in back. Statistics can often be misleading, but seat-of-thepants research showed that when it came to interior space, the Sonata compared favorably with almost all of its competition.
It's too bad the seats didn't live up to our expectations. They looked comfy enough, but we found them lumpy, particularly in the lumbar region.
Walk-Around
Remember when economical really meant "cheap looking"? That description may have fit the original Sonata, but not the new one. Exterior styling won't break any new ground, but it has a surprisingly refined look that speaks of a much higher price.
The sloped cowl, raked windshield and under-bumper air scoop suggest Hyundai designers spent some quality time in the wind tunnel. That translates into not only improved fuel economy but also lower wind noise in the passenger compartment.
It took some very picky eyes to find even the slightest flaw in our test Sonata's fit-and-finish-there were only a couple. To most motorists, the quality of the exterior would easily stand alongside some of the better Japanese competitors.
Impressions
Wile Hyundai offers an optional VW 143-hp V6 on the Sonata, we decided to test the base 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, the engine most buyers are likely to opt for. The engine had more pep than we originally expected. There was no reason to hesitate when pulling onto a freeway, and we had plenty of top-end for passing. Hyundai claims to have put a lot of work into this engine, but despite the addition of dual balance shafts, we weren't entirely pleased. The engine was noisier than others in its class, and the buzz could be felt in both the steering wheel and accelerator pedal. At idle, it had what might be described as a muted diesel-like chug.
However, when it came to the conversation test, Sonata passed handily. Good aerodynamics and a rigid body meant an interior quiet enough to allow the transaxle to adapt to a motorist's unique driving patterns. But our four-speed automatic had a tendency to occasionally lurch-sometimes on down-shifts, more often after backing up and then shifting into "drive."
On the plus side, the Sonata offers speed-sensitive, variable-assist power steering, a feature we still haven't found on many vehicles costing thousands more. The new Sonata also has a much-improved multi-link suspension. Handling was crisp, responsive and fairly precise. Body roll was acceptable, though the Sonata scored a little lower than some of its competition on the skid pad. It's clear that Hyundai engineers tuned the suspension with performance in mind. That might not please drivers who aren't worried about tight cornering, though, for the ride is a little harsh on rough roads.
Summary
If a tight budget has you singing the blues, the Sonata might change your score. The new model can certainly hold its own among a crowded field of midsize imports. It's roomy, well-engineered, attractive and a bargain, especially with Japanese car prices rising almost every other week.
Still, potential buyers have reason to be cautious. Since it made its auspicious US. debut in 1986, the automaker's products have been plagued by quality problems and mediocre dealer support. Hyundai executives insist the Sonata will reveal a new, more caring company. It will take another couple of years to prove they're right. The Sonata may be the perfect car to check out if you're willing to take that chance.
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