With an original (if slightly retro) design, quality engineering and manufacture, and a price that won’t be laughed out of court by too many of you, a good case can be made for the Hyundai Sonata being one of the top all-round performers in its class. The smooth 2.4 litre and 3.3 litre engines are responsive and powerful units that offer near bullet proof reliability. Hyundai is now making seriously decent vehicles that will make a few of its more silver-haired competitors begin to feel a little shaky on their lofty platforms.

If your immediate point of reference on seeing the Sonata for the first time is another quality car, Audi’s A6, that’s not terribly surprising. From the outside, the Sonata’s suave, low slung looks are more than vaguely reminiscent of the A6, which is decidedly a compliment. The tear drop roof, coupled with the rugged, angular nose, gives a refined but slightly dashing edge to the overall appearance. Staring the Sonata straight down the nose, the dominant force is the assertive structured placement of the headlights, while the front air dam is an intelligent place to position the driving lights, and one I suggest might be profitably employed by a number of similar vehicles. At he opposite end, the tail lights are contoured nicely and suggest a single swooping line of influence running the length of the unified vehicle.

Seating is comfortable and supportive, and the interior trim comes in very pleasant tones while being pleasing on the eye. You’ll fit five in here, although it’s not as though it’s the Titanic in dimensions precisely – however, on the plus side, it ought to be a fair bit safer. Even the base model, the Hyundai Sonata SLX, has top items like six airbags, height adjustable seat belts that are pretensioned with load limiters – the Titanic didn’t even have enough life boats to go around. The safe and secure is leavened with the fun and modern in the form of an MP3 compatible CD system with six speakers, as well as (in a return to the staid and useful) central locking with keyless entry and an engine immobiliser to thwart any might-be thieves.

Out on the highway, the sonata is confident in its skin and of its abilities, and is comfortable, responsive and fleet of foot. It takes corners well, and everything is in tight, ship-shape order when it comes to emergency stops and the like (I had some fun inducing a couple of these in the higher name of research, dear reader.)

There are four different strokes of Sonata for all you different folks. Sent out to bat first is the SLX 2.4L powered sedan, which can be upgraded to an Elite sedan that comes with the same engine. For those after a little more in the trouser department, the SLX with its big, chunky V6 engine ought to suffice in getting your rocks off. Lastly, the V6 Elite sedan rounds out the quartet and is basically the quarter pounder with the lot of the sonata range. As the name implies, the two Elite versions comes with a few more goodies in the bag – leather seating, or a seven speaker sound system, say. Rear reversing sensor is a little more strictly utilitarian, for those to whom actually turning around in their chair in order to back up sounds like a fairly steep order.

The Hyundai Sonata is an efficient front wheel driven car. The 2.4 litre motor is an unobtrusive and responsive four cylinder unit offering plenty of power for everyday driving. The larger V6 motor has 173 kW of power available at 6000rpm and a healthy 304 Nm of torque at a handy 3500rpm. Translation: put the foot down to pass slower traffic and the Hyundai Sonata V6 responds effortlessly.

All things held in balance, you could do a lot worse than the Hyundai Sonata, and you can be fairly pleased with either exertion or luck if you exceed its remit by much.

Specifications:
• Engine: 1991cc SOHC four cylinder (24 valve)
• Power: 110kW @ 3800rpm
• Torque: 305Nm @ 1800rpm
• Induction: Turbo Charged Common Rail
• Transmission: Six Speed Manual
• Driven Wheels: Front
• Brakes: Disc with ABS, EBA & EBD
• Top Speed: 200 km/h
• 0-100km/h: 11.65 seconds
• 0-400m: 17.54 seconds
• Fuel Consumption: 7.0 litres / 100km (Combined)
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• ANCAP Rating: Four Star
• Airbags: Front, Side & Curtain
• Safety: ESP with TCS
• Spare Wheel: Full Size Steel
• Tow Capacity: 1,100kg (Braked)
• Turning Circle: 12.0 metres
• Warranty: Five year / Unlimited Kilometre
• Weight: 1,711kg (Tare)
• Wheels: Alloy 16 x 6.5?