Sonata improves on-base average

A couple years ago, we had a Hyundai Sonata in our driveway for six months. It remains one of my family’s favourite longterm test cars.

With its pleasing lines, comfy interior and excellent fuel economy, the Sonata represented good value for the money in the fiercely competitive midsize sedan segment.

As impressive as that car was (2007 Sonata GLS was named best family sedan under $35,000 by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada), the new version is that much better.

Refreshed for 2009, Sonata now comes with more powerful V6 and inline-four engines, an improved suspension and upgraded interior.

The exterior styling has been tweaked, too, with a cleaner look given to the grille, front bumper and headlamps.

Sonata’s cabin was already one of the roomiest in the segment and now it makes you feel like you’re sitting in a much more expensive car.

Sonata can be equipped with either a 178-hp four or a 249-hp V6. Both are more powerful than last year’s engines – the four by 13 hp and the six by 15. Base GL models with the four and a five-speed manual start at $21,995, but our test car was a four-cylinder Limited that is so well equipped, no factory options are available.

Even base models get power windows/locks/mirrors, remote keyless entry, heated front seats, cruise control, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and six airbags. A power sunroof, eight-way power driver’s seat, heated outside mirrors, 17-inch wheels and a five-speed automatic with Shiftronic are all part of the $27,995 Limited package.

Fuel economy is good around town with the 2.4-litre, DOHC inline four, and excellent on the highway. At 120 km/h the engine is turning just 2,300 rpm and at that speed the Sonata delivers 7.5L/100 – close to 40 mpg!

Because it’s a smaller engine for such a big car the excellent five-speed automatic will drop down a gear or two on long grades and steeper hills. But acceleration in traffic is brisk, shifts are smooth and 0-100 km/h times consistently come in well under 9.0 seconds.

Sonata’s four-wheel independent suspension has grown more sophisticated with dramatic improvements in both ride and handling for 2009. The double-wishbone system up front gets re-valved gas- filled shocks, a beefier stabilizer bar and larger bushings to better absorb road impact. The multi-link system in back has had its spring rates increased by 5%, shocks re-valved and the sway bar thickened to provide better control.

The result is a family hauler that behaves more like a grand tourer when the road turns twisty.

The revised interior features a new center console and instrument panel with cues borrowed from Hyundai’s upscale Veracruz SUV. The Limited’s well crafted passenger compartment has leather seats, attractive pebbly vinyl surfaces and just the right amount of fake wood trim on the dash, shift knob and front door panels. The front seats are terrific on long trips and the spacious rear seat remains one of the best in its class. Throw in a generous 16.3 cubic foot trunk and you’ve got a sedan that can take the whole family on vacation or an extended road trip.

Controls are conveniently placed within easy reach of the driver and can be viewed without exaggerated head movement – something that should be a no-brainer for safety’s sake, but too often isn’t. The eight-speaker Infinity sound system (AM/FM/XM/6-CD/MP3) and the dual-zone automatic HVAC system are clearly labelled and easy to use.

Tucked away in the bin under the centre armrest is a standard 3.5 mm mini-jack and a USB input jack for convenient charging of audio devices such as iPods. Neat.

However, for Canadians the cabin has one major flaw. We love our takeout coffee in the Great White North and a medium cup of Tim’s will disappear into either of the centre console’s cupholders. The only way to retrieve your drink is to grip it precariously by the lid. It’s an accident waiting to happen.

Other than that, it’s hard to find anything to dislike. That’s to be expected, I suppose, because the South Korean automaker has earned a reputation for continued improvements that make good cars better and consumers are no longer surprised by Hyundai quality.

This is a sweet family car – quiet and roomy with ride and handling more refined than its price would suggest. The 2007 Sonata hit a homer; this time the 2009 Limited has swatted a grand slam.