‘From beauty flows performance’, a catchphrase used to describe Hyundai’s newest sedan.
The Sonata’s looks got my neck turning whenever it drove past me. Enticed by its exterior beauty, I’ve decided to take the 2.0-litre engine with dual CVVT out for a test drive and see whether its performance matches the beauty it exudes.
Before I took the long-awaited drive, I could not help but be in awe of the car’s looks from a distance. Close up and my first thought of the coupé was that it incorporated the same minimalist approach that Apple had taken in designing its products. I loved the dynamic motion it expressed even when the vehicle was at a standstill.
As I came into contact with the interior sphere, I could sense the lavish sensation that the automaker wished to display with this new model. Its leather furnished seats along with its leather bound steering wheel made me feel substantial. Its spacious inner volume combined with its push-button and smart, keyless entry helped to produce that swanky feeling.
When it came to driving out of the city, I’ve always preferred to shift to a manual mode and Sonata’s six-speed manual transmission was appealing. Contrary to other reviews written on this car, I felt that the acceleration for this model on manual transmission was a tad slow for my liking.
Considering that this baby had a bigger body that the Toyota Camry, I did not feel the weight weighing on me when I drove it. It felt light and easy. The sound insulation for the car was great as I could not hear the engine rev up as I sped through the roads, let alone feel the bumps as I travelled on. All in all, it was a smooth ride.
Other details that impressed me during the test-drive was its hill-start assist control that prevented the vehicle from slipping backwards for up to two seconds. This was certainly a breath of relief for me as I’ve never been very good at controlling my manual car from moving backwards during my stop at a traffic light on a hill.
The Hyundai Sonata might seem big and weighty to move through small and narrow corners, but its large side mirrors proved handy on the road. Although the car did not come with a rear view camera, I was able to manoeuvre a three-point-turn easily, thanks to its larger than average side mirrors.
However, one setback was that I could not get a fuller rear view because its rear passenger seats were rather high, making it slightly difficult for a small-framed driver like myself, especially driving out from the parking lot.
Regardless, I did like that the vehicle’s steering wheel which was easy to handle and its foot parking brake made it effortless to drive the car. What drivers in my opinion would appreciate most was that the model came with a 300,000-kilometres or five-year warranty. An added insurance if you ask me.
My most memorable experience during the test-drive however was its panoramic sunroof that looked beautiful and was reminiscent of a convertible model.
Putting all the analysis aside, I guess what I loved most about the car was that it appeared to be a vehicle made easy for its drivers. The convenient technology it offered, along with its sleek and solid design put it, in my opinion as one of the top contenders in the sedan segment.
My verdict on Sonata? Let me paint you a picture: As the engine is revving, I switch on my favourite Coldplay song and tune up the air-conditioner to full blast. With the cool breeze swooshing, I leave the sunroof open to let the sunset rays illuminate the inside of the car. Putting my shades down, it really feels like I’m driving a posh convertible. That’s what it really is – true luxury.
