Test drive Hyundai Sonata 1998 - 2001 sedan
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The first Sonata appeared in the fall of 1988. This pyramid of three boxes on Mitsubishi licensed units had a good sales in Europe as the largest of cheap (and cheapest of large) family sedans. The second Sonata debuted in 1993 and was evidence that the Koreans finally discovered the design. At least some hint of aerodynamics appeared in the shape of a car, and it could already be called a car without Korean epithet. In 1996, Sonata III made Sonata II. After thorough restyling, it might seem that Jaguar XK120 went to its distant ancestors, and there was more than one Classic Car behind the shoulders of the Hyundai designers. And now, for no reason, in the spring of 1998 (that is, after less than two years), the fourth Sonata was drawn. Thus, in less than 10 years, Hyundai has launched four generations of one model. (For comparison - before the fourth Golf, 23 years passed in the bowels of the Volkswagen concern, 23 years ...) Koreans in the search. On the one hand, it is commendable. On the other hand, this search is already painfully chaotic. The proof is that each new Sonata was outwardly radically unlike the previous one (if you do not take into account their general tired image of inexpensive cars), and that even in the short time that was released by each generation, he manages to become obsolete.
So while this fate has not befell the fourth sonata, we must get to know her as soon as possible. Moreover, our hands and legs did not reach the third ... The design of a fundamentally new body is not burdened with moldings and chromium - only careless strokes of stamping are members of the surface of the sidewalls, and this gives the silhouette swiftness and lightness. It is unlikely that when looking at the new car, something in it will remind you of the cheap pomp of the predecessor model. The new Sonata looks exactly as much as it stands. And from this she only wins.
The salon does not demonstrate any special delights. Everything is simple, democratic, spacious and ... gray. The finish and maintenance of the dashboard is quite stingy. On the part of the ergonomics, Sonata does not impress the shortcomings - the minimum of instruments and buttons located in the right places with understandable algorithms does not split attention.
Inside, large and comprehensive ranges of adjustments of the front seats and a steering column were found, which is rare for Koreans of all classes. Naturally, the list of standard equipment of this class of this class should include (and includes) a full electric package, climatic installation and a good audio system.
The car is not a carrier of truly new engines, transmission and, especially, electronic stabilization systems. The machine is trivial both in form and in content. It seems that Koreans do not yet see sufficient grounds to complicate the design and offer their customers something more than just ABS. And thank you for that.
About the modification we have inherited with a 2 l 125-horsepower engine and a 5-speed manual. The engine thrust is present in the entire speed range, starting with one thousand. The car is very easily and at ease. The engine is so elastic, which allows you to weave at a speed of 30 km/h on the fifth and accelerate to 90 km/h per second. And even in the latter case, the tires will dominate among all the components of noise - the designers reacted so seriously to the soundproofing of the motor compartment and salon, as well as aerodynamics. The switching mechanism with a fairly short lever has finally gained the corresponding moves and was spared from the previous duration and cosse-controlled movements (on the previous Sonata, the lever walked almost diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis). The suspension is harsh. But this is almost the main advantage of Sonata models over the moderately impressive coin neighbors: Kia Clarus and Daewoo Leganza. In any case, having bitten the resistance of the Sonata suspension to large rolls, the driver immediately tunes in a more active driving style. This cannot but like it.
The rest and the whole Sonata remains not so much advanced as an improved, capable of waging local market wars against other Korean machines for another two or three years. But he is clearly far from the level of modern Japanese models. Consolation of Sonata to the owner of Sonata can be that this is the best of everything that is more than the middle class and at the same time lower in price. Do not discount relatively small operating costs. At least this attracts many. Source: Motor magazine [No. 10/2001]
