Hyundai Sonata discontinued from India

2015 Hyundai Sonata unveiled during New York Motor Show 2015

Hyundai unveils new Sonata in Korean car market

Hyundai Sonata Review by Expert

The New Sonata is another incarnation of Hyundai’s fluidic design that takes it to an all new level. Smooth flowing lines and an exterior impression as if the car is flowing even if it is stationary is what the 2012 Sonata is all about. The currently launched version of Sonata is the sixth generation sedan and it was way back in 1985 that the first Sonata came into production by the Korean car maker. Since then it has seen several makeovers and is considered the most premium sedans across the globe and in Korea. Known as Hyundai i40 in Europe and some other markets the car is specially acclaimed for its brand, comfort, and convenience besides the looks and most important its value for many factor.

In India, Sonata was launched as Sonata Gold in 2001 after which it was replaced by Hyundai Sonata Embera in 2005. After Embera was discontinued in 2009, Sonata Transform was available till 2011. Out of all the predecessors the newly launched Sonata Fluidic is certainly the best.

New Hyundai Sonata is now available in with single petrol variant with choice of manual and automatic transmissions. The 2012 Hyundai Sonata gets a new higher-resolution touch screen inside and a panoramic sunroof in limited editions. The engine of the new Sonata has also been fine tuned to be more frugal and performing compared to the Hyundai Sonata Transform 2011. On the outside, the 2012 Sonata gets 17 inch alloys, Xenon lamps with washers for better visibility, new front and rear fog lamps, ORVMs with indicators, chrome work on door handles and dual exhaust vents. On the inside, the new Sonata gets dual tone beige interiors with LED illumination, a lot of leather work on steering and seats, wood finish on the doors and a solar glass.

On the safety part, the new Sonata will have dual front, side curtain airbags, and passenger detection system that assess the position of the passenger and acts accordingly. There is a rear view camera for parking assistance as well proximity with other cars. Cruise control as well as a paddle shifter besides a 10-way automatic adjustable driver seat along with tilt and telescopic steering wheel makes the ride even more comfortable than ever. In addition to this, the new Hyundai car in India will have 2-DIN audio system with 6 speakers with audio controls on steering wheel ensure that there is entertainment unlimited inside the new Sonata sedan. Bluetooth connectivity is a big plus for those who have their songs stored on iPad or iPod. These besides other features, equip new Sonata in India to have bright prospects over its rival cars.

 

New Hyundai Sonata Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

The 2.4L GDI petrol engine in the new Hyundai sedan delivers 201 PS but is at the same time is fuel efficient as well. The Hyundai Sonata with 6-speed manual transmission is frugal and can deliver a decent mileage of around 12 kmpl on the highways and nearly 10 kmpl in city conditions. Whereas, anything above 8-9 kmpl can be expected when automatic gearbox comes into picture in both city and highway road conditions.

New Hyundai Sonata Models and Features

Compare Hyundai Sonata Models

New Hyundai Sonata Engine, Power and Performance

New Hyundai Sonata has got a 2.4L GDI petrol engine that is technologically advanced than earlier 2011 model. The new engine has two things that are worth observing - fuel efficiency and extremely low exhaust gases. This is made possible following the use of pressurized injection of fuel directly into the pot coupled with the dual Variable Valve Timing.

The 2.4L petrol powered engine has a maximum power output of 201 PS at 6300 rpm while it has a peak torque of 250 Nm at the rate of 4250 rpm, these numbers signal that the Hyundai Sonata is capable of handling the city traffic well and will also perform good on the highways. This sole engine, which is mated to 6-speed transmission, is available with choice of either manual or an automatic transmission.

Hyundai Sonata Pick Up and Acceleration

With a 2359cc petrol D-VVT engine producing 201 PS power at 6300 rpm one can expect power at its best in this premium sedan by Hyundai. Utilizing a torque of 250 Nm of torque, the new Sonata attains 100 kmph speed in approximately 9 seconds from still, whilst it takes 7 seconds for same when driven with automatic gearbox. The top speed of the car is nearly 220 kmph. With a decent torque rate of 4250 rpm the new Hyundai car handles the traffic easily with its smooth manual gearbox and magical automatic transmission.

Hyundai Sonata Interiors and Features

The new Sonata interiors are primarily translation of the fluidic design outside on the inside. Leather work on the steering and seats is at its best in class. Clad in dual tone beige, the interiors look awesome with the Blue LED illumination inside. Other features in the new Sonata include a new Navigation package a new ultra high resolution touch screen display that is much improved than the 2011 edition of Sonata. In addition to it, there is a rear camera for reverse assistance and there are Infinity speakers and amplifier to step up the extent of in-car entertainment. These are connected to the 2-DIN audio system that has Aux, USB and Bluetooth connectivity that comes with 6-CD Changer and 6-speakers.

The instrument cluster and central console has combination of blue and white illumination. The white illumination on the speedometer and tachometer as well as instrument panel is illuminated in white and called as ‘High Visibility Supervision Cluster’ by Hyundai for the driver while the central console controls are illuminated in blue for the co passenger to control. On the steering there is the pedal shifter that ensures that there is smooth gearshifts without taking your hands off the tile and telescopic enabled steering that has audio and cruise control on it as well. The interiors have wood inserts while the door handles have slight chrome work on them making it look truly sporty.  

The seats are all ventilated and have temperature control and can be programmed for 10-way seating positions. There is dual zone fully automatic climate controlled air conditioning that ensures that the temperature inside remains cool and comfortable.

Hyundai Sonata Exterior and Features

Hyundai Sonata has undergone a drastic change since its first launch in 1985. Gradually adapting itself to the new design theories of Hyundai, the Sonata has finally arrived in the sixth generation. Now that ‘Fluidic Philosophy’ is the latest design philosophy of the Korean car maker, it has started transforming every new car of it into fluidic framework. The 2012 Sonata is the car that has imbibed fluidic nature in toto, even better than the Hyundai Verna fluidic that initially debut-ed the fluidic design.

All along the exterior of this car, fluidic lines are prominent and in fact these shape the new Sonata very well. The new front grille poses as if a natural waterfall is in motion with the water flowing down the bonnet to the air dam. The front headlamps too are swept back type and shaped as an eye of a cat. The HID Xenon headlamps have washers built in ensuring that there is clear visibility even in foggy or dusty weather. There are multi reflector clear glass bezel type fog lamps integrated on the front bumper ensuring clear visibility in dark nights and foggy conditions.

Come to the side of the car and the crush on it will soon turn into love, as the sides are as mesmerizing as the front. The fluidic lines on the side doors continue to pose the new Sonata as if it is flowing like water. Apart from this, the 17 inch alloys with dual five spoke wheels just capture your imagination and you could not resist entering the car. The electrically operated ORVMs that have side indicators on them and chrome handles just capture your sight before you step in. The rear of the new Sonata is as appealing as the front and sides and does continue the fluidic design. The rear view of the car is largely governed by the big slanting rear windscreen that has small black lines of defogger on it running parallel to each other. The three headrests and the woofer behind it are visible through the windscreen. Next to it is the twin exhaust clad in chrome. Apart from this is the wraparound LED combination tail lamp that really poses that new technology has found its best avatar on earth. Overall, the new Sonata did preserve the characteristic look it had.

 

Safety Features in New Hyundai Sonata

The new Sonata safety features in totality make it much more than a secured cell, a cocoon for the occupants. Dual airbags at the front with side and curtain airbags, in total six air bags will be there to the protect the passengers and the driver. Besides, there is active head rest that not only gives support to your head but also protects your head against injury in case of an impact. The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Control (ESP) together with Traction Control System (TCS) play a greater part in passive safety aspects of Sonata.

Hyundai Sonata Driving and Handling

Driving the new Sonata is much more than pleasure as it has the features that a fully grown premium sedan should have. Cruise control, paddle shift, tilt and telescopic steering are some features that further emphasis the point. Besides this, the new Sonata has a powerful 2.4L GDI petrol powered engine in place that ensures that you get power in toto when you need it. The manual transmission isn’t stressful and the automatic six speed transmission is like a feather to drive. With high torque at low rpm, you can be sure that the car moves on without you pressing your right leg on the accelerator too hard. With tilt and telescopic steering and 10-way adjustable seats with memory function you can be sure that you get the perfect height to take control of this awesome piece of art. The new Sonata takes the curves well and accelerates well on the highways as is proved by new Sonata test drives and the reviews.

New Hyundai Sonata Accessories

The new Sonata comes loaded with so many standard features that the car buyers will need only few add on accessories for it. New Sonata accessories include 2-DIN Mp3 player with Infinity six speakers and amplifier with Aux, USB and Bluetooth connectivity. There is a MT Shift indicator with the new Sonata MT and the Eco indicator with the Sonata Automatic besides a foot type parking brake option.

Hyundai Sonata Conclusion

New Hyundai Sonata’s re-entry in India with a promising change is significant both from the point of view of Hyundai and the premium sedan buyers in India. Also there is much of increase in number of premium car buyers these days. The major role play in the success of this Sonata will surely be its aggressive pricing at Rs 18.52 Lakh for Manual Transmission (MT) and Rs 20.61 Lakh for Automatic Transmission (AT) version. Hyundai had been lacking a true luxury sedan in their arsenal to counter the premium attack from Japanese trio of Nissan, Toyota and Honda along with German Skoda. Now, with Sonata’s launch it will surely have an upper hand over its challengers as it has got the trust of its brand and wide service network across the nation along with world class repute.