Updated Hyundai Sonata checks in

HYUNDAI Motor Co Australia (HMCA) has released pricing for its new-look Sonata medium sedan range, with the updated and now two-variant line-up starting from $30,990 plus on-road costs.

The entry-level Active variant has increased by $500, while the range-topping Premium remains steady at $45,490. Deleted from the range is the mid-spec Elite.

Hyundai has added extra specification upgrades over the outgoing model, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen display incorporating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The Active adds dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning (with automatic defog), push-button start with smart key, automatic boot opening and chrome exterior doorhandles.

Additions to the Premium include the fitment of a new eight-speed automatic transmission which helps reduce fuel consumption of its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine by 0.7 litres per 100km, with the official combined-cycle economy figure now coming in at 8.5L/100km.

The eight-speeder also offers four selectable drive modes – Comfort, Eco, Sport and Smart, the latter switching automatically between the other three modes as the situation demands.

Sonata Premium also now has LED headlights, a driver attention alert system and wireless charging pad.

Inside, changes include a three-spoke steering wheel (flat-bottomed for the Premium) with paddle shifters, and rearranged switchgear that now comes with a gloss-black finish.

The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension with selective dampers has been given Australian-specific tuning, as with all Hyundai models bar the iMax and iLoad.

Powerplants are largely unchanged, with the Active still employing a 138kW/241Nm 2.4-litre normally aspirated petrol engine (with six-speed automatic and returning 8.3L/100km), while power output for the Premium remains at 180kW and torque increases slightly to 353Nm (+3Nm).

Standard safety features include the usual raft of electronic traction and stability systems, as well as a rearview camera and rear parking sensors.

Choosing the Premium adds blind-spot detection, driver attention alert, lane-change assist, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent cruise control and front parking sensors.

The Sonata has also undergone a significant change in styling, adopting the ‘cascading grille’ front end seen on the latest i30 hatch.

Narrow headlights set further back into the front fenders, vertical daytime running lights and a chiselled airdam mark the front-end changes, while at the rear the Sonata gets an enlarged and stylised boot, and new tail-light design.

Chrome is used more generously across the exterior, while two new alloy wheel designs are available.

HMCA chief operating officer Scott Grant said the updates to the Sonata would help make it more competitive in the mid-size passenger car segment.

“Previous Sonata models have shown themselves to be exceptional competitors in the medium car segment and this latest version is no exception,” he said.

“With suspension tuned for Australian roads, a powerful turbo engine available in the Premium model and, of course, this striking new design, the new Sonata is now more competitive than ever.”

Through the first three quarters of 2017, Hyundai has sold 766 examples of the Sonata, an underwhelming 44.3 per cent dive over the same period last year.

It is well behind the segment-dominating Toyota Camry (18,441) and others including the Mazda6 (2812) and Ford Mondeo (2355).

2017 Hyundai Sonata pricing*

Active (a)	$30,990
Premium (a)	$45,490

*Excludes on-road costs