Hyundai Sonata NF 2004 test drive - 2008 sedan

On the league above

A clean calm silhouette, restrained-cold squint of the headlights, a strict drawing of a slightly upturned stern. Nothing particularly memorable, no revelations, but the general impression is an absolutely clear respectable modern European.
Hyundai NF
The sixth generation of sonata debuted at the Seoul Motor Show 2004 as Hyundai NF; Under the same index is sold in Russia.
Sedan body, front drive.
Engines: gasoline 2.4 liters (160 hp) and 3.3 liters (233 hp), in 2006 a turbodiesel of 2.0 liters will appear.
Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 4- or 5-speed automatic.
Set of configuration: three options.
Price in Russia (so far only with a 2.4 l engine): $ 28 23030 680.

Hyundai Sonata
The fifth -generation sonata has been produced since 2001. For the Russian market, the car has been assembled at the Taganrog Automobile Plant (ZR, 2004, No. 10) since the spring of 2004
Sedan body, front drive.
Engines: gasoline 2.0 liters (133 hp) and 2.7 l (172 hp).
Gearboxes: 5-speed mechanical, 4-speed automatic.
Complete: GL and GLS.
Price in Russia: $ 17 83025 180.

No worse than others?
The glass of a parked nearby chord slipped down:
Is this a new SAAB?
No, Hyunde ...
– ?!
Honestly, at first he bought it himself: when he saw NF for the first time, he took him as a European. A clean calm silhouette, restrained-cold squint of the headlights, a strict drawing of a slightly upturned stern. Nothing particularly memorable, no revelations, but the general impression is an absolutely clear respectable modern European.
Is this good or bad? It's not the same for everybody. An eminent brand with a long pedigree must prove that it has the right to install its canons, and for this the machine must be recognizable, stand out among these. But the brand that only breaks from the second echelon in the first league will first have to play according to generally accepted rules. The number one task is to prove that you are at least no worse than others, and the external resemblance to strong rivals is superfluous to confirm this. Hynde fulfilled her: if the origin of the previous, fifth sonata can be recognized as a mile or a small fragment of the interior, then only emblems give the nationality of the NF. By the way, under this (essentially worker) index the car is sold in Russia and in some places; In most markets, this is just a new sonata. It’s not enough to say that the novelty is no worse than others in which it surpasses them.
For six generations of sonata, it has grown so much that it surpasses Honda Akord and Toyota Avent in length, respectively, by 135 and 170 mm, and the BMW three and the Mercedes S-class is almost 280 mm! Therefore, more appropriate comparison with the models of a prestigious business class: the novelty did not reach the Bavarian five by 90 mm, to the Mercedes E-class only by 55, and to Toyota-Kamri by some 15 mm, by the way, by the way, the last two models in width in width . Most likely, such an inter -class size was made with the calculation: it is better to be the first among strong rivals than the last of the strongest.
FROM SCRATCH
In addition to the name, little sonatas of the fifth and sixth generations are not united by the novelty created almost from scratch. The front suspension retained the scheme with double transverse levers spaced in height, but significantly changed, and the lower levers received lighter (aluminum) end parts. The double -leaf back suspension gave way to multi -link with the effect of steering. As an option, AGCS is offered an active geometry management system. In the turn, electric drives change the rear wheels from the negative at low speeds to a significant positive at high. In the first case, to reduce the radius of rotation, in the second to reduce the departure and better stability.
According to the sensations, the pendants became worse than the balance of comfort and controllability shifted towards the latter. The steering wheel with an amplifier of a variable productivity was slightly heavier. By the way, the steering wheel was dissolved: now from the stop to the stop 3.3 turnover, the previous 2.7 turns, in addition, without noticeable resistance, were not in the best way combined with a soft suspension. However, do not think that NF has acquired sports features. This is still not provoking an aggressive riding a soft comfortable sedan. But now rather European than Korean or American.
Completely changed the line of engines. Instead of the previous four 2.0 l with a capacity of 133 hp. and V-shaped 172-horsepower six 2.7 liters developed G4KC 2.4 liters, 160 hp. Series Theeta and G6DV 3.3 L, 233 hp series Lambda. Aluminum units with four valves on the cylinder, balancer shafts, adjustable phases of gas distribution, and the latter with the intake manifold of variable geometry. So far, cars will only be supplied to Russia with a 2.4-liter engine. This is exactly what is on a test car. According to the manufacturer and subjective sensations, it is slightly inferior to the former V6. Acceleration to 100 km/h occupies, respectively, 10.4 and 9.7 s, and the maximum speed is 202 and 210 km/h. However, the matter is not only in the motor, the car became a hundred kilograms heavier, and the four -stage hydromechanical automatic machine, like the main transmission, was not changed.
Why did they leave long gear? Firstly, the motor with adjustable phases is not so demanding of their choice, secondly, they provide less fuel consumption, and thirdly, it is expensive to change everything at once. By the way, the fifth sonata of the half -shaft of equal length with an intermediate support on the right, which excluded the occurrence of a turning moment (led to the side) during acceleration. In the NF transmission, a more simple and cheap solution of the semi -axis of unequal length.
A machine with a mechanical gearbox is noticeably more dynamic (hundred 8.9 s, 212 km/h). A new five -speed automatic box is also placed with the new V6 engine. In 2006, a two -liter turbodiesel will appear with the Skmon Rail power system. The pair will be compiled by a completely new six -speed mechanics or a four -speed machine.
What are rich?
Compared to the familiar Hyundai NF sonata, it is noticeably (53 mm) higher, the height of the cabin increased by as much as 65 mm. Easier is the landing, and the range of driving the driver's seat is vertically just giant. The steering column is now adjusted in length. But with my 180 cm and an armchair lowered to the stop, I have to raise the steering wheel almost to the upper position. True, even more than 10 cm remains above his head, so a much more tall driver will fit, but to see the devices, he will have to look under the wheel.
It became much more spacious behind: the ceiling does not press the top of the head, and a soft comfortable sofa and two tens of centimeters in front of the knees do not limit the passenger in choosing a pose. It is a pity that the folding armrest lost its former clarity of fixation and limply drooping on the pillow. Hyundai NF is quite a practical car: parts of a split back can be folded by opening even more spacious than in the fifth sonata, a hatch to the trunk, and transport something useful for example, a bicycle.
The air two -color interior is modern, but, like appearance, does not bear national signs. The audio system of the original configuration to steal such a point. In the test car of the radio, to order a six -disc chainer. Two comfortable handles changed their dissipation of climate control buttons, alas, as before, inseparable. In the former sonata, this was perceived as a sign of budgetary, but in a rich European, which NF looks like, expected to see a smart two -zone installation. Ceiling pens with microlifts appeared, and in both anti -loner visors additional drawers and mirrors with backlighting. Little things, but comfort is made up. Apparently corrupting: they say, here the steering wheel is more sympathetic, and the steering wheel switches are more likely In a car of this class, I would like not to put pressure on the buttons of electric windows, as in an accent, but only to touch them. And the machine gun selector would not have prevented the lock opened by the ignition key or the brake pedal. In general, you look like a load
Marketing tricks
Let me remind you that in Russia, so that there was no confusion with the Taganrog Sonata, which they continue to produce, the novelty is sold under the name Hyundai NF. The Tagaz model has an attractive price: a test machine in the maximum configuration costs only $ 25,180 with a V6 engine and automatically, with xenon, skin and electric packet, four pillows, ABS and traction control. The novelty is much more expensive: even with four, the price reaches $ 30,680. But in it, except for the skin and machine gun, a complete set of safety devices from the stabilization system to six pillows. And also a modern appearance and interior without discounts on origin. In general, the league is higher.
SUMMARY
Hyundai Nf a confident step towards more eminent European brands. But the demand from the car is now different.
+ Modern appearance and interior, very spacious interior and trunk, comfortable suspension, good dynamics, good set of safety products, 92nd gasoline, large road clearance, full-sized spare wheel.
- Some budget features in equipment, too light steering wheel.

SUMMARY
Hyundai Sonata is one of the most attractive offers for those who need just a large comfortable car, and not a means of self -affirmation.
+ Spacious salon, soft comfortable suspension, excellent sound insulation, powerful motor, good dynamics, attractive price, 92nd gasoline, large road clearance, full-sized spare wheel.
- outdated appearance, some poverty of equipment, an uninformative steering wheel, a low salon from behind.
 

  
 
 

 



Yuri Nechetov
 

A source: The magazine "Driving"