Hyundai’s wide-body Sonata family sedan has just
added cruise control to its four-cylinder model, the latest in a string of
recent feature upgrades to Hyundai’s locally longest-lived name-plate.
The inclusion of cruise control—activated by steering wheel thumb tabs—on the
2.4 litre four-cylinder Sonata equates it with its 2.7 litre V6-engined
stablemate.
In March, Sonata V6 rolled out on elegant new 16” 10-spoke alloy wheels shod
with Michelin Pilot 205/60 VR 16 tyres, replacing 15” steel wheels and dress
rims.
Both models also recently increased their safety factor by adding as standard
equipment four-channel ABS anti-skid brakes with EBD (electronic brakeforce
distribution), a front passenger airbag to augment that for the driver, front
fog lights and lumbar support adjustment on the driver’s seat.
Sonata joins all other Hyundai models with the pioneering inclusion of MP3
capability in its CD/FM/AM audio unit.
Sonata’s cabin gets a lighter and airier look and feel by replacing its
previous black and charcoal interior with light beige patterned seat trim and
door inserts and medium tan dash and door trim plastics in all but silver
exterior models.
The cruise control adds just $495 to the Sonata 2.4, bringing it to $25,485*
while the V6 remains $27,990*, both including air-conditioning with pollen
filter, remote central locking with alarm, power windows and door mirrors, front
seat belt pre-tensioners and load-limiters and security-lockable 60/40
split-fold rear seat backs.
Free for a limited time is Sonata’s automatic transmission with sequential
manual mode.
A boon for ride comfort and handling prowess is Sonata’s sophisticated fully
independent suspension which features double wishbones up front and a multilink
setup at the rear, both aided by quality German Sachs gas dampers, a step above
the strut systems on most of its competitors.
Hyundai first launched the Sonata in Australia 15 years ago as its then
second model. Whilst always a niche seller in the high volume medium car
segment, a total of 42,822 Sonatas have been bought by Australians up until the
end of March.
Like all Hyundais, Sonata reassures owners with its industry-leading five
year/130,000km new car warranty.
*recommended retail, plus on-road costs
