The car glides over the asphalt with emphasized smoothness, responds to the steering wheel without haste, and the automatic transmission shifts as if it is always thinking over its actions. Somewhere deep down, you recognize an old acquaintance in this character — the fifth-generation Sonata. It feels like meeting a woman on the street in a strict expensive suit and only after a while realizing that this is the same friend you used to talk to casually.
However, the first impression is deceptive. After the facelift, the car has moved even further away from the image of its predecessor than before. And from its former self, before the update, it differs noticeably. The appearance has become solid without any reservations, the interior has become more comfortable, and the list of equipment is richer. At the same time, the car has not turned into something unattainable: prices are quite democratic for the business class.
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THAT'S THE STUFF! The central console with a large display is the first thing that catches your eye in the cabin. The GLS version has a new dual-zone climate control. The two-liter versions, of course, are inferior in equipment to the 2.4. |
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For our market, two gasoline engines are prepared: 2.0 and 2.4, with 151 and 174 hp respectively. The younger engine is available with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. But versions with the 2.4 engine come only with the new five-speed automatic and in the rich GLS trim. The most reasonable compromise looks like the 2.0 GLS with an automatic. It is for those who do not want to overpay for an extra half-liter of displacement, but at the same time are not ready to give up the convenience of an automatic transmission and a full set of options. And the leather interior, electric seat adjustment, CD changer, cruise control, and sunroof are already for those who do not consider such things a luxury.
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FOR MUSIC LOVERS The NF Sonata does not lag behind the gadget fashion. A small but nice touch: an iPod connector is hidden in the armrest box between the seats. |
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LITTLE THINGS WON'T GET LOST The sedan surprises with a spacious cabin. There is enough room for passengers and all sorts of small items: the box on the central console can compete in volume with the glove compartment. |
The two-liter engine is quite adequate, and the real consumption of about 12 liters is not a reason for panic. The only thing that annoys is the transmission's operation: the gears are long, the shifts are slow, and the car sometimes seems to hang in thought. But the chassis does not contribute to aggressive driving either: the suspension is tuned for comfort, and during sharp maneuvers the soft sedan gives up. However, it treats bad roads almost forgivingly, and driver errors are also forgiven.
The base 2.0 GLS trim already includes fog lights, headlight washers, an onboard computer, climate control, ESP, and alloy wheels. The word "NF" was added to the name to remind of the previous generation and make you feel the difference.
Manufacturer's data
ENGINE
1998 cm3, petrol, 4 cylinders,
151 hp at 6200 rpm,
196 Nm at 4600 rpm
TRANSMISSION
Automatic, 4-speed,
front-wheel drive
DYNAMICS
max speed – 194 km/h
acceleration to 100 km/h – 11.5 s
Alexander Kataev