Hyundai details its all-new Sonata

THE mid-size Hyundai Sonata is making a return to the Australian market with a starting price of $29,990, before on-road costs, when it launches in early February.

With an opening price less than rival front-wheel drive mid-size sedans including the Mazda6 ($33,460), the Kia Optima ($31,490) the market-leading Toyota Camry ($30,490), and the Ford Mondeo ($31,490), Hyundai is pricing the new Sonata aggressively on the Australian market.

The Sonata is Hyundai's second mid-size sedan on the market, following the i40 which is offered with both petrol and diesel powertrains as well as wagon body-style, and kicks off from $31,990 in base Active petrol sedan guise.

Having dropped the Sonata nameplate in 2010 in favour of the i45 sedan, the all-new Sonata will make a return after the tepid reception of its alpha-numeric cousin.

Available with a choice of two engines and three equipment levels, the 138kW/241Nm 2.4-litre naturally aspirated engine propels the base Sonata Active, while the more potent 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine powers the mid-tier Sonata Elite and top-spec Sonata Premium.

Both engines will be mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox with a sequential manual shifting mode.

Borrowing design elements from its Genesis sedan sibling, the 2015 Sonata receives a similarly styled front end with an aggressive grille, bumper design and LED accented air intakes.

According to Hyundai, the restyled front-end contributes to the all-new Sonata's low 0.27 drag coefficient, the same as the Mazda6.

The seventh-generation Sonata will also benefit from local suspension and steering tuning done in-house, tweaked specifically for Australian roads and conditions.

According to Hyundai, “new front and heavily revised multi-link rear suspension – both augmented by locally re-specified damper, spring and sway bar combinations – integrate with a dual mode 32-bit motor drive power steering to deliver impressive stability and driveability.”

All Sonata variants will benefit from a host of standard safety features, including six airbags, reversing camera, rear park assist, automatic headlights, daytime running lights and a comprehensive electronic stability control system.

The entry level Sonata Active, priced at $29,990, also includes 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, a 4.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and cruise control as standard.

Moving up, the mid-spec Sonata Elite adds electric folding mirrors, an eight-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, and carbon-fibre effect dashboard from $36,990.

The flagship Sonata Premium will cost $41,990, but gains 18-inch alloy wheels, front parking assist, bi-Xenon headlights, heated and ventilated front seats, automatic wipers and panoramic glass sunroof in addition to the equipment found in Active and Elite variants.

Hyundai Sonata pricing*

Active (a)	$29,990
Elite (a)	$36,990
Premium (a)	$41,990

*Excludes on-road costs.