I know there are a host of appealing cars you can buy for around 300 grand at the moment. The trouble is that most of them look the same, offer the same limited excitement and in some cases scream ‘I do a school run’. So how about a new Hyundai for the same money? Well, If you can live with the minor impracticalities of having people stare in awe as you glide past with the sun roof open, it’s much more interesting than a hot hatch. Isn’t it?
This is the all new Hyundai Sonata. The exterior is so outrageously sexy, you would be forgiven for staring and believe me staring there was..The Sonata’s swoopy exterior design marks the start of new things for Hyundai. What the Mercedes-Benz CLS did for luxury sedans—bring coupe-like style to the segment—Hyundai hopes to do for midsize family sedans. Yet I honestly see this car as a serious competitor for Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Lexus in terms of it’s ‘Exterior Styling’
Hyundai also took far more risks here than with previous models. An arching roofline, a couple of strong, curving character lines, and a ribbon of chrome trim that connects the beltline to the headlights could have combined in the side view to form a complicated mess. And yet these design elements manage to form a whole that is both stylish and zen like, it just completely stands out on any crowded road.
From every possible angle this car is an attractive shape and there’s everything terribly distinctive about it, like the details. The big sun roof and Bi – Xenon headlights with auto dim, the perfectly rich sound that resonates from the car sound system, good proportioned seats with great ride height and the auto adjust front drivers seat – not at all shabby for a contender within this segment!
Inside, a designer has picked up on VW’s cool blue backlighting in a big way. the new Sonata’s interior is stylish. The instrument panel includes some artful curves, but is cleanly designed. All of the buttons are easy to reach, and they helpfully vary in shape and size. As with the exterior, Hyundai appears to have benchmarked luxury .
At 131kw the Sonata has enough power and torque output to keep drivers entertained, but the real kicker is how smooth the engine is! Push to start, yes that’s correct – it has keyless entry. Slot ‘D’ with the slightly diminutive gear lever – and ease off. The throttle is lively from pull off, to fifth. I very quickly found myself throwing the whole length of this car into corners to encourage those 17’s to take evasive action proving that the Sonata’s steering, while nearly as devoid of feel, isn’t light but rather nicely weighted, and has a clear sense of direction. As a result, the Hyundai is more engaging and fun to drive.
The Sonata has a relaxed character, sharp styling and an appealing price tag. If this ticks your boxes, the all new Hyundai Sonata is a compelling proposition worth serious consideration.
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