Hyundai Sonata’s value quotient is impressive

The fight to achieve parity in the fiercely competitive automotive industry has not been an easy one for Korean manufacturer Hyundai.

But the company has slowly and steadily risen from the ashes of the Hyundai Excel, an inexpensive compact that marked the company´s first entry into the United States back in 1985.

The Excel initially received an enthusiastic reception among Americans, but buyers soured on it and the entire Hyundai brand after it turned out that cheap and cheaply made were pretty much the same thing.

Persistence, a significant improvement in product and an industry-leading warranty eventually turned buyers´ heads back in the company´s direction and today Hyundai automobiles enjoy favorable comparisons with the acknowledged industry leaders in a number of market segments.

One of the toughest is the mid-size family sedan market, a segment in which most manufacturers have an entry and Japanese manufacturers Toyota and Honda have been the leaders for a long time.

Hyundai´s entry is the Sonata. The fourth generation model of the front-wheel-drive, four-door sedan was introduced as a 2006 model. For 2009, the Sonata has been given a rather comprehensive freshening, although you would never know it just to watch one pass by.

That´s because exterior changes are minor, consisting mainly of a new front grille, revised bumpers, headlights, taillights and moldings. In addition seven new colors and alloy wheels have been added to the mix.

The heavy lifting was done under the hood and in the passenger cabin, two areas that were in need of upgrading for Hyundai to keep its nose on the tail of the Japanese front-runners.

The base 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine gets variable valve timing and a power boost from 162 to 175 horsepower. Torque increases from 164 pound-feet to 168. In addition, the automatic transmission is upgraded to five speeds, from four, and accounts for a one-mile-a-gallon increase in fuel mileage to an EPA-rated 22 city/ 32 highway. A five-speed manual shifter is still available for the do-it-yourself types.

The 3.3-liter V-6 engine is rated at 249 horsepower, up from 234. Torque is up three pound-feet, to 229. The engine of choice for about 30 percent of Sonata buyers, it falls 19 horsepower short of the leaders, but is about equal in fuel efficiency with a rating of 19 mpg city/29 highway. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission available with this engine.

Upgrades to the independent suspension improve handling in the entry-level GSL and Limited models, but they still don´t move the Sonata into sporty territory. A third model, the SE, gets even more serious suspension tuning, but I did not have an opportunity to sample it.

Inside, where 121.7 cubic feet of space make it the roomiest sedan in its class, the Sonata has been given a complete makeover.

Trim and fabric materials have been significantly upgraded, the front bucket seats have been improved for additional support and comfort, the center console has been modernized to make room for a touch-screen navigation system and the instrument panel has been revised. In addition, there is Ipod and USB connectivity.

I spent limited time in a V-6-powered Sonata and a whole week with a four-cylinder model. In both cases, the extra power was much appreciated, and made both cars more enjoyable to drive. In the four-cylinder car, I averaged between 18 and 28 miles per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.

Still, despite the suspension and engine improvements, the mainstream Sonatas have a workman-like demeanor that is devoid of any sporting pretensions.

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