Whether the Hyundai Sonata sold in big numbers or not, it has always been in the news. Since the launch of the fourth generation Sonata in 2001, the brand has had great recall. Frankly, even a lot of premiumness has been attached to it, though that didn't quite translate into an increase in sales for the brand over the years. Somewhere along the way, the Sonatas that came later couldn't cash in on the magic and the fifth-gen and its facelift have had a tough time even in the used car market.

The new YF or i45 or the sixth-gen Sonata has many reasons to be in the news again like its predecessors. But by the looks and feel of it, this just might make the headlines for turning around the market performance of the brand.

Design

The new Sonata represents a successful new packaging of design and performance. Joining Hyundai's range of cars that already conform to the Fluidic design philosophy, the new Sonata has actually managed to take it one step forward and bring coupe-like allure to what was previously a relatively simplistic design.

That is not to say that the new Sonata's design is entirely pure and free of any of the excesses that some of Hyundai's designs have been known for in the past. There are a few hints of that in the new Sonata too, like the in-your-face, oversized chrome bonnet grille and the over-emphasised shoulder line.

But, overall, the new Sonata's design is more modern and aggressive. The front of the car is the busiest with its peeled-back wraparound headlamps and the grille. The coupe-like roofline flows neatly into the tight design of the rear. The rear spoiler integrated into the boot lid design, the dual chrome exhaust pipes and a better sorted combination for the LED tail-lamps gives the new Sonata's rear a European flavour and is the more likeable side to view.

The front and rear glass are large and though the shoulder line has been raised to improve privacy for occupants, the cabin of the new Sonata is still well-lit and airy. The 17-inch alloy wheels fill out the wheel arches nicely and the ground clearance is at 155mm, the same as the Honda Accord and a bit higher than the Volkswagen Passat.

The new Sonata has also grown in proportions compared to the predecessor, with its length at 4,820mm (up 20mm), width at 1,835mm (up 3mm) and its wheelbase at 2,795mm (up 65mm).

Interior

The cabin of the new Sonata is quite pleasing to the eye. Perforated leather seats in beige and the cabin itself sporting a beige and creamy grey dual-tone finish gives it an upmarket feel. The quality of knobs and panels are clean and finish quality matches the other cars in the segment. The four-spoke, partly leather-wrapped steering wheel is a bit of a funky design, and has a number of controls mounted on it. But, the steering wheel did feel a bit oversized. Bits of chrome and wood inserts add to the luxury quotient of the cabin.

Hyundai engineers have focused a lot of attention on the seats to give it the feel of a luxury car and to make the occupants feel comfortable. All the seats are ventilated and cooled. The front driver seat is 10-way adjustable with a memory function and the two front seats are also offered with seat warmers. There is dual zone fully automatic airconditioning and there are separate vents for the passengers at the rear. There are steering mounted audio controls, but the rear passengers also get controls on the arm-rest. What's missing is a sunroof; Hyundai could have offered it as an optional addition.

Some additions are the cluster ioniser for ensuring that the air inside the cabin is fresh, cruise control, and there is the smart key with a push button start. Other features include automatic headlight on and control, rain sensor for the wipers, an electro chromic mirror with an inbuilt LCD screen, which is paired with the rear view camera, stainless steel scuff plates and a follow-me-home headlamp system.

Safety equipment includes ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, six airbags, traction control and an electronic stability program and active headrests.

Performance

For the Indian spec Sonata, Hyundai has chosen its famous GDi petrol engine. The 2.4-litre direct injection engine is very refined and quiet during idling and has a nice gasoline growl under hard acceleration. The choice of the engine again seems to have been made to ensure that the package is loaded and compelling.

The 2,359cc GDi engine powers up in a linear fashion and offers a peak output of 201PS at 6,300 rpm. The peak torque available is about 250 Nm at 4,250 rpm.

Hyundai's GDI engine comes loaded with tech. Dual variable timing valve train (D-VTVT) allows independent control of the intake and exhaust valves and the system is designed to optimise the opening and closing timing for the intake and exhaust valves based on the engine rpm levels and the load. It is also teamed with a variable intake system that controls the length of air travel to the engine and the volume being fed to improve engine performance.

Like the name suggests, it is a direct injection petrol engine with a high pressure fuel system. Similar to a common rail diesel injection system, in the GDI engine, petrol is compressed by a high pressure pump to a maximum of 135 bar and then injected into the cylinders. Together, the high pressure fuel injection system ensures that performance and combustion efficiency are both improved. The system gives the engine a compression ratio of 11.3 compared to the average 10.1 that you'll find with other engines resulting in better charge efficiency during under various conditions. There is more tech in the form of cooled pistons and a roller chain for more precise valve timing.

Hyundai had organised a test drive of the new Sonata from Chennai to Pondicherry and I joined the group for the experience. Though the new Sonata is offered with a six-speed manual transmission, I got to drive the six-speed automatic gearbox variant only.

Very quickly into the test drive it became clear that the engine and auto gearbox pairing has been chosen to suit a city-dweller buyer. The engine's power delivery feels smooth, but the auto gearbox feels less agile. Shifting up at times seem slow and the lag seems to be more when I use the steering mounted paddle shifters than when I stomp the throttle in full auto mode.

I am guessing that the engine paired with the six-speed manual gearbox will be more fun to drive, since time taken to engage can be expected to be lower and shift quality can be expected to be good. The auto gearbox is not a bad option though if you are going to be largely driving the car within city limits.

On the highway, a bit of getting used to might be needed if you are going to try and extract a more agile driving experience from the new Sonata. The fact that the steering is over smooth and light is another giveaway that it is tuned for city driving. The feedback from the steering wheel is also lower than some of the other cars in the segment, though at higher speeds the steering in the new Sonata does tend to stiffen up a bit.

For the suspension, Hyundai engineers have chosen McPherson struts with a coil spring and a H-subframe combo for the front and the rear gets a multi-link set up. A special amplitude selective damper has been chosen to optimise damping performance. Based on the size of the wheel stroke (basically quality of the road), the selective damper changes the suspension's reaction to ensure better comfort and retention of control. At the rear, the new Sonata's suspension manages to offer one of the most cushioned rides for a car in this segment. Hyundai has managed to get rear seat comfort right with most of its cars.

Bottomline

Hyundai India officials say that according to the company's market research, the buyer in the Sonata segment drives or is driven in his car for less than a 50-kilometre daily average. The officials point out that given this statistic, a diesel option in the Sonata will not be missed.

But, that hasn't stopped buyers from choosing diesel when the option is available for example with cars from the VW stable like the Passat and the Skoda Superb. Cars in the luxury segment above the Rs 22 lakh price segment too tend to sell diesels. The Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry are currently only available with petrol engines and they do suffer for want of a diesel option.

So, while the new Hyundai Sonata has what it takes to bring the brand some much needed road presence in the form of higher numbers and visibility, Indian buyers will miss a diesel option in the car. Hyundai doesn't currently offer a diesel engine in the car anywhere.

But, when the car's price is announced later this month (post-budget), if Hyundai can also ensure VFM pricing is part of the package, then the Sonata will have been better tuned to take on its competitors.

>muraliswami@thehindu.co.in

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