Hyundai Sonata 2001 test drive - 2004 sedan

A familiar motive

It seems that the main thing for the Hyundai Motor Company to maintain the continuity of your models. One way or another, but the leitmotif of the Sonata sedan is well recognizable in his new, fifth in a row, generation.

Despite the obvious connection of times, in the fifth of Sonata, novelty is felt. Individual features are in appearance, and in the interior, and in the habits of the car. At the same time, the Jaguar motives are traced in the hood profile, the adapted headlights are associated with Mercedes-Benz, the rear racks are echoed by the BMW body style. However, thanks to the collective image, Hyundai Sonata V has become harder and more solid than before.

The back of the car was especially successful. A dull radiator grill lubricates the impression of a slightly impression, but still, in terms of external data, the model rightfully occupies one of the highest steps of the family pedestal.

The salon, in general, is all the same as a comfortable dwelling for five with a well -established life. It is not felt that the current Sonata remained in almost the same dimensions and with the same wheeled base, only symbolically adding several millimeters in length and height.

The instrument shield and the central console were redeveloped. Large scales of the speedometer and tachometer are now spaced along the edges of the shield, and the temperature and fuel sensors are grouped in the center. In our opinion, it has become easier to read operational information. The weather block and an audio system changed places on the central console, which also seems rational.

Apotive electric package is extensive. Only the seats (by the way, with electric heating) have to be customized manually, but this is not labor. The trunk, although the middle peasant in volume, is capable of big things with a folded back of the rear sofa.

Sonata No. 5 is equipped with a V-shaped 2.7-liter six or, as in our case, a more economical two-liter four-cylinder engine (131 hp, 179 Nm). In the mixed cycle, the motor requires 9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers.

With such a heart, Sonata easily adapts in the surrounding transport environment. At the wheel of the Korean sedan, of course, you will not achieve the title of the king of the road, but if you drown from the heart, then at least two -thirds of the militant transport rivals will remain behind.

A living four -speed automatic helps the motor to reveal the potential. As if playing up with a temperamental driver, the automatic transmission makes the engine spin on the whole coil. Switching in the slaughter mode of movement occur at revolutions above 6000 min-1, while at a calm pace the box eludes the next step noticeably earlier. If desired, the car can be made even more, since this machine, unlike the previous one, is equipped with a manual mode.

However, Sonata V does not welcome. The steamed sedan expresses its dissatisfaction with the sound of the motor in increased colors and sharp transmissive shocks during switching. The new Hyundai wants to live in its elements moderately fast driving, where he is ready to show itself from the best side.

The flexible disposition of the car allows you to go without tension and enjoy the convenience of seats and controls, acoustic and domestic comfort of the cabin. A trifle, knocked out of a thought -out layout, a central armrest, too shifted back. To lean on it, you have to remove the right hand from the steering wheel.

How good the brakes are, it is difficult to convey in words. Disk, with a civilized anti -lock system, they guarantee an effective slowdown not only on dry and clean, but also on wet or dusty asphalt. An extremely informative pedal allows you to dose force and, accordingly, inhibition with pharmaceutical accuracy.

As for the steering, the steering wheel itself and the responsiveness of the car to its turn left a favorable impression. But the large radius of the turn puzzled. It significantly complicates maneuvering in constrained urban conditions. One consolation, due to a small angle of rotation of the wheels of the CV joints, should live for a long time.

A completely independent suspension made under Europe determines the approximate behavior of the sedan in corners. Moreover, the absence of scanning and high exchange rate stability is not the only virtues of Sonata V. The presence of anterior and posterior reptile stabilizers minimizes the body rolls in high -speed turns.

Small and medium flaws of the road surface for this car are not a problem, it calmly straightens with them, dissolving in the elements of the chassis. Only on serious bumps in the suspension does some instability manifest. In addition, the deficiency of elasticity characteristic of many foreign cars causes muffled tapping in the joints of the chassis on irregularities. Although, perhaps, this is a programmed norm.

We liked the new Hyundai Sonata. I was pleased with its price from $ 15600. A very moderate amount for such a well -equipped sedan with secular deposits and a friendly disposition.

Hyundai Sonata

Body 4-door sedan number of places, people. 5 equipped mass, kg 1320 dimensions (length/width/height), mm 4747/1820/1422 Max. Speed, km/h 200 acceleration time to 100 km/h, C 10.5 counter. fuel consumption (mixed cycle), l/100 km 9 engine 4-cylinder., Row, 16-valve.; working volume, cm3 1997; Power, L.S. at MIN-1 131/6000; Cool. moment, NM at MIN-1 179/4600; Transmission 4-Test., Automat., With a man. The size of the tires 205/60r15 Wheel suspension of the wheels, springs, from stub. Cross. Ust.; Front on double piercing. levers; rear non -vomiting, multi -winged. brakes with ABS; front disk., ventilation.; rear disc. The steering gear-rake, with a hydraulic wiper.

Text: Igor Kuznetsov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [09/2001]