Price advantage makes Sonata an attractive package

Greg
Wilson

TEST DRIVE

IT’S A mystery why the
Hyundai Sonata is not more
popular than it is. Here is a
sedan that is as roomy,
powerful and well-equipped
as its Japanese competitors,
but is considerably cheaper.

The base price of a 1992 Sonata
Gh. tmadet is $13,295) (MSRP)
while the Honda Accord and
Toyota Camry start at more than
$17,000, Even a top-of-the-line
V6-powered Sonata GLS wish all
the bells and whistles is priced
under $22,000.

There’s no doubt that Hyundais
have a definite price advantage
over most other import cars, but
Hyundai has been hindered by a
reputation for mediocre quality
which started with the Pony and
Stellar. Assembiy quality and ser-
vice has improved in the seven
short years that Hyundai has been
selling cars in Canada, but the
buying public remains skeptical,
and it will likely take years to
change that perception.

That’s a shame, because the
Sonata is definitely underrated in
terms of value for money. This
fronit-wheel-drive intermediate
sedan is built in Bromont,
Quebee and in South Korea and
it is an extremely practical, if un-
distinguished family sedan.

The exterior styling has been
updated for the "92 model year,
with new front and rear bumpers,
narrower headlamps, new grilie
taillomps, fenders, and hood, but
itis sult rather ordinary, resembt-
ing a lot of other cars in’ this

€ Notwithstanding, it is a
practical, space-efficient design
with reasonably vood fh and

finish and paint quality.

Standard features on the base
GL. model iictude all the things
that most peeple ure looking for:
power-assisted steering with wit

stecring wheel, height-adjustable
front rectining, cloth-covered
bucket seats, an AM/FM) stereo

tt ER

cassette player with four speakers,
variable intermittent wipers, ta-
chometer, and three-point
seatbelts front and rear that are
height-adjustabie. Its five-
passenger interior is very roomy
and the low-liftover trunk is a de-
cent 13.4 cubic feet in size. A
driver’s side airbag is not yet
available, however.

A new, Standard 2.0-litre four-
cylinder engine replaces the
previous 2.4 litre engine. Though
smaller, the 2.6 litre engine with
dual overhead cums and four
valves per cylinder is more power-
ful (126 hp) than its predecessor.
This high-revving engine achieves
maximum horsepower at 6,000
tpm, and features dual balance
shafts to help reduce engine vibra-
tions, and distributor-less ignition
and multi-point fuel injection io
improve reliability.

Curiously, the gas mileage of
the four-cvlinder engine is nat

‘Te

Price as tested (GLS) $14,698
Base price (GL) $13,295
Type five-passenger, four-door
sedan

Layout transverse
engine/front wheel-drive
Engine 1,997 cc inline 4 cyl
der, DOHC 16 valv

front

much better than the optional
3.0-litre V6 engine. Transport
Canada’s city rating of 11.4 litres
per 100 kilometres/25 mpg com-
pares with 12.1 litres per 100
kilometres/23 mpg rating for the
V6 engine. I suspect that real life
driving conditions would give the
four-cylinder engine considerably
better fuel econumy.

The standard transmission is a
five-speed manual overdrive unit
while an optional electronically-
controlled four-speed automatic
transmission is optional on the
base model and standard on the
GLS model. Unlike last year, a
five speed manual is no longer
available with the V6 engine.

The 142-horsepower 3.0-litre V6
engine introduced last year gives
the Sonata notably quick
straight-line acceleration. Hyundai
claims the Sonata V6 will beat a
BMW 735i from 0 to 100 km/h,
and will reach the quarter mile in

multi-port fuel injection
Horsepower 126 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque 121 ft-lbs @ 5,000 rpm
Transmission 4-speed
autamatic overdrive,  elee-
tronically controlled

Curb weight | 401 kg/3,089 Ibs
Wheelbase 2,650 mm/104.0 in
Length 4,680 mm/184.0 in.
Width 1,751 mm/69.0 in.

under 17 seconds. Suffice to say

that the V6-powered Sonata will.

get your groceries home before the
ice cream melts.

Haadling is also pretty good for
a sedan. Four-wheel independent
suspension and standard 195/70R
14-inch radial tires contribute to a
fairly balanced road feel. The
body also feels tight, and noise in-
trusions are minimal. The ride is
quite comfortable for both front
and rear passengers.

In addition to the standard
features offered on the GL medel,

the GLS includes a_ standard
four-speed automatic transmis-
sion, power windows and door

locks, cruise control, 60/40 fold-
down rear seats, and an upgraded
stereo system. Options include air
conditioning, aluminum wheels
with larger !$-inch tires, power

See Four-speed page 31

Height 1,340 mm.53.0 in.

Tires PI9S/70R-14 stvel-belted
radials

Trunk space 379 1713.4 cu. ft.
Fuel economy City 11.4 1/100
kms, 25 mpg: tiwy 8.0 [/100
kms, 35 mpg

Warranty Basic 3 yrs/60,000
kms, Major Comp. 5° yrs/
100,000 kins

Bae