2009 Hyundai Sonata: hits share of high notes

BRIAN EARLY FOR THE TORONTO STAR

The Sonata’s makeover for 2009 includes changes to the front and rear fascias and lights, as well as a redesigned interior.

Brian Early

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

It's hard to believe that the Sonata has been around for 20 years, but it's true: Hyundai moved into the mainstream sedan market with its first model – the Mitsubishi-based Sonata for the 1989 model year.

Serving as Hyundai's flagship, the original Sonata offered Korea's take on luxury – velour-covered window pillar trim and all – while benefitting from the price point afforded in part by the Korean automaker's lower production costs.

A lot has happened since then. Hyundai built its first North American assembly facility in Bromont, Que., to manufacture Sonatas (shuttering it just a few years later when sales failed to meet expectations and – depending on whom you ask – build quality or labour relations soured). Then the Korean automaker slowly emerged from beneath its umbrella of building other companies' designs under licence as its engineering prowess and experience grew. It has once again begun building Sonatas on this continent, this time in Alabama.

Price remains a Sonata strength, with base four-cylinder GL models starting at $21,995. My test vehicle represented the opposite end of the range: a fully loaded Limited model equipped with the optional 249 hp, 3.3-litre "Lambda" V6. It stickered for $31,495, though my particular tester was fitted with roughly $150 worth of exterior accessories, primarily moulded splashguards, an item which some cars in this class include as standard equipment.

Since 1989, the Sonata has grown in size, and it's now classed as a "large car" by the U.S. EPA. But it really slots best into the crowded mid-size sedan segment, where it dukes it out with such Japanese stalwarts as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima, as well as domestic players like the Chevrolet Malibu and Impala, Ford Fusion and Chrysler Sebring, to name just a few.

The Sonata has received a mid-cycle makeover for 2009, with changes to the front and rear fascias and lights, as well as a redesigned interior that uses better materials, looks richer and repositions the centre dash vents to a more useful location.

Thankfully, Hyundai has left the handbrake in the centre console where it belongs, regardless of transmission choice.

The new look is handsome enough, but I'm still waiting for Hyundai to establish a corporate identity that's more than just a grille.

Limited models, like my "Natural Khaki" tester, include dual-zone electronic climate control and a very nice Infinity-branded audio system.

All Canadian Sonatas get heated seats, XM radio and an in-dash trip computer, in addition to a full complement of power equipment and cruise.

All but the base GL have steering wheel audio controls.

As the EPA classification would suggest, the Sonata is a roomy car, with good rear-seat legroom and a fairly large trunk with non-intrusive external hinges, augmented by split/folding rear seats. The comfortably firm front seats could use more lateral support, and while the driver's is powered, it lacks a memory function.

A few short stints in a couple of four-cylinder Limited models suggest that Hyundai's 175 hp, 2.4-litre "Theta" engine is more than up to the task, subjectively equal to the base fours in automatic versions of the Camry and Fusion, if not a little off the pace of the Altima equipped with a continuously variable transmission.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard in the base GL, while all other Sonatas use a manumatic equipped five-speed automatic.

Still, power corrupts, and the V6 moves the Sonata along with much less effort and considerably more refinement – at idle, only the tachometer reveals that it is running, and it has a pleasant note under hard acceleration.

The penalty is roughly a litre per 100 km (4 m.p.g.) in estimated fuel economy, though at least the V6 drinks regular grade fuel.

While wind and road noise are well controlled, there's a slight harshness to the Sonata's suspension at times – likely exacerbated by the Limited's 17-inch tire size (also fitted to Sport models) – that suggests that Hyundai is still a few degrees of separation away from the fine-tuning know-how of the other major players, even if it's closing the gap fast.

Handling is competent without being overtly sporty; buy an Altima or a Mazda6 if corner-carving prowess is your priority.

Well equipped for the price – and that's before factoring in any of the many incentives that the Korean brand might be bandying about – the Sonata no longer requires the compromises in quality and badge perception that it did in its early years.

Freelance auto reviewer Brian Early can be reached at bandb.early@sympatico.ca

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