Review
The Sonata demonstrates how far Hyundai has come in the last few years - it's a vastly better car than the version it replaces. Yet despite acceptable design and excellent standard equipment, it's still hard to see much of a point for it in brand-obsessed Britain, especially when poor residual values are taken into account.
Design owes much to the previous generation Audi A4 among others, but overall the Sonata is a respectable enough looking machine. The cabin feels a bit more old-fashioned, with lots of cheap-feeling plastics and some fairly cheesy trim materials, but it's spacious and comfortable. Equipment levels are excellent - even the most basic 2.0 CDX gets climate control, stability control, satnav and leather trim. The boot is massive, too.
Driving dynamics come as a distinct let-down, though. The Sonata suffers from wallow-prone suspension and a frequently crashy ride, making progress over rougher road surfaces feel far from comfortable. Grip levels are modest, and keen drivers will search in vain for anything to get excited about on a "B" road.
Three engines are available. The basic 2.0 litre petrol unit is brisk enough considering the chassis's modest talents, and apart from outright speed it's hard to make any case for the range-topping 3.3 litre V6. The 2.0 CRDT diesel version is respectably rapid, but it gets loud when worked hard.