ep INTH® FREY Ain hr. a |) Dhete bed ad et Phota subsaltted The 1995 Hyundai Sonata offers sleeker styling, roomier interior, more safety features and improved ride and handling. The base price has risen 10% to adi 4,995, still lower than most of its import. competitors. Sedan closes gap with competition while maintaining reasonable price Greg Wilson TEST DRIVE THE iNTERMEDIATE- SIZED Hyundai Sonata sedan, first introduced in 1988, has never enjoyed the popularity of such imports as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, despite the fact that it offers comparahle features and performance for less money. It's difficult to figure out why. Perhaps it’s because there are so many other good cars out there to choose from. Or perhaps it is because Hyundai is a relatively new player in the Canadian market. Or maybe it's because the Sonata’s overall! quality level is not quite as good as some other cars. . Weil, the quality of Hyundai cars is improving, as I noted when the new Elantra was introduced last year. The all-new Sonata is further proof. The new Sonata, already dubbed a 1995 model, is no ionger a fringe- player. ft’s now a real alternative to German and Japanese sedans, some of which cost considerably more, The redesigned Sonata is slight- ly bigger on the outside, or about the same size as the new Honda Accord, The restyted interior is consider- ably roomier, and the new Sonata offers 9% more power in the base engine, improved ride and han- dling, aid more comfort ind safety features. The base price has increased by 10% from $13,645 to $14,995 for the four-cylinder GL model with a five-speed manual transmission. Six-cylinder models, which come only with an automatic trans- mission, start at $16,995. Though the Sonata’s prices have gone up considerably, they are still lower than mos! compurable Japanese and German intermediate sedans. The Sonata's new styling is siecker and more contemporary than the previous model, but still rather generic. All the common styling ele- ments of popular import cars are there: a low hoodline, rounded nose, small grille. larger green- tn house and a high rear deck. In its favor, the Sonata’s wide stance, sleek appearance and lack of unnecessary styling gimmicks give ita clean, tidy look which is likely to last for many yeurs. The Sonata’s new interior is one of its best attributes. Everything, from the easy-to- read, back-fit round instruments to the “soft-touch” rotary and push- button controls, has been redesigned. Standard features on the base model include: AM/FM casscite stereo with four speakers. variable power-assist steering. tilt-adjustable steering column, tachometer, clock, height- adjustable driver’s seat, front and rear head restraints, pull- out cupholders, and an ifluminated ignition keyhole on the console and the driver’s door. (One quibble: the tiny horn buttons on the spokes of the airbag- equipped steering wheel are easy to miss in a panic.) Dual driver/passenger airbags are now available us a $900 option on the base GL model and are stan- dard on the GLS. However, base models do not have a single driver's airbag as standard equipment. Features not seen on the Sonata before include: CFC-free air condi- tioning, side door beams. electrical- ly heated outside mirrors. power windows that work for a few sec- onds after the ignition is turned off and a lock for the optionat 60/40- split folding rear scats, The base 2.0-litre dual overhead .. cam, 16-valve four-cylinder engine has been modified to produce 137 horsepower (1) more than before). The new Sonata is slightly guicker in a straight line than the previous model: 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just over 10 seconds (11.9 seconds with automatic trans- mission/four-cylinder engine com- bination). The four-cylinder engine is rather noisy at high revs, but the V- 6 engine, with more bottom-end torque, requires fewer revs to get the same job done. and is quicter during everyday driving. Freeway cruising is quite com- fortable. Ata steady 100 kni/h (62 mph, the V-6 turns over a comfortable 2,200 rpm while the four-cylinder engine turns over 2,600 rpm — both quite acceptable. Hyundai claims the Sonata's fuel consumption is improved from the previous model. though exact figures were not available. The Sonata’s ride and handling Price as tested: $22,690 Base price: $14,995 four-cylin- der; $16,995 six-cylinder Type: four-door. five-passenger sedan Layout: transverse front engine/front-wheel drive Engine: 3.0-litre V-6, DOHC, 24 valves, multipoint fuel injection have been improved significantly by its (5 cm) lenger wheelbase and (4 cm) wider track, and a new inde- pendent multi-link rear suspension. * The new Sonata is more stable at high speeds, more nimble through the turns, and the ride is more com- fortable, The new variable assist steering (less effort at lower speeds) has Hit- Ue road feel though, and has a strong tendency to wanl fo return to the straight-aheud position, The standard tires are 195/70R- 14 radials, but V-6 Sonatas are available with bigger 205/60R-15- inch radials. Front dise/rear drum brakes are standard on all models and four- whee} disc brakes with ABS are optional. The manufacturer's suggested retail prices range from $14,995 for the Sonata GL 2.0-litre with five- speed manual transmission, to $19.495 for the GLS V-6 with four- speed automatic. Tires: F205/60R-15 all-season radials Curb weigiit: 1.348 kg (2,971 tbs} Wheelbase: in.) . Cargo capacity: 373 litres Fuel consumption: n/a 2.700 mm (106.3 " Warranty: three yrs/60.000 km