Hyundai Sonata Problems

Hyundai paved the way for the Korean carmakers to enter the local market and in many ways paid the price for it. When Alan Bond first brought them in back in the 1980s they were cheap and cheerful cars that were written off as inferior with poor build quality, hand-me-down technology and uncertain durability.In many ways they’re still carrying that tag even though the cars they’ve been selling in recent times are vastly improved.Hyundai is also regarded by some as the ‘Excel’ car company; it was the model they used to gain a toehold in the local market, even though they’ve worked hard to grow beyond the small car segment.The Sonata is a far cry from the Excel, but it is still thought of as cheap-and-cheerful.MODEL WATCHHyundai had been so successful with its marketing of the Excel to cash-strapped buyers with its innovative drive-away pricing policy it became a victim of its own success when everyone came to expect the same deal with all of its models.It became a problem when the company wanted to move beyond the small car segment and sell larger and more sophisticated models like the Sonata. For a time they simply didn’t sell, buyers perceived them as being of an inferior quality than the cars they were being sold against in the medium segment.While car companies often promote minor upgrades as being “all-new” Hyundai had every right to label the 1998 Sonata new for just about everything was renewed in one way or another.Most of the significant changes took place under the very Korean skin where it featured a new platform, new wishbone front suspension and a whole new family of V6 engines.The combination of wishbone front suspension and multilink independent rear was right up to the minute in technology terms, it was the perfect package for good ride and handling, which for the most part it turned out to be.Unfortunately much of the good work on the suspension was brought undone by the steering which had more kickback than had been seen for many years.Hyundai offered a choice of four-cylinder and V6 engines, the latter a responsive double overhead camshaft 2.5-litre unit which gave 127 kW at 6000 revs and 230 Nm at 3750 revs and ensured it had plenty of zip.The V6 was all new and got good reviews for its performance and fuel economy, while the double overhead camshaft four was carried over from the previous model and was also rated quite highly for its performance with 103 kW at 6000 revs and 180 Nm at 4600 revs.All of that power was channelled to the front wheels through either a five-speed manual gearbox or, in most cases, a four-speed auto.If the mechanical specification was praised there wasn’t the same ready praise for the Sonata’s styling, which tended to polarise opinion. Some loved it, others loathed it, as is the often the way with styling.While still very Korean the Sonata was a little less challenging to western eyes than earlier models. Its lines were cleaner which made it more appealing.The 2.0 GLE opened the range with plenty of standard features, including air-conditioning, keyless central locking, cloth trim, power windows and mirrors, 60/40 split-fold rear seat, and six-speaker sound.When you ticked the Classique box you also got alloys, six-stacker CD sound and a rear spoiler.The 2.5 GLS opened the V6 range and got everything the GLE got plus the V6 and a CD player.At the top of the range sat the 2.5 Levant, which came with dual airbags, ABS, leather, power driver’s seat and cruise.IN THE SHOPHyundais are generally quite reliable; they suffer few problems with the major mechanical components. If there is a consistent problem area it’s the electrics, which seem to be of a slightly inferior quality to their Japanese rivals.Owners often report misfiring, sometimes even a complete flameout to mechanics, and it’s usually traced back to the ignition leads. Replace them and the problem goes away, but it can be a costly business to replace the rear leads, which are tucked away at the back of the east-west mounted V6.Look for oil leaks around the engine, which can be costly to repair.Also ask for a service record as some owners tended to by Hyundais because of their low price and ignored their need to be serviced.IN A CRASHHyundai beefed up the body structure, doors and roof rails to better absorb the energy in a crash.It also fitted a lap/sash seat belt to the centre rear, which is often just a lap belt in other cars, and driver and passenger airbags were standard on the top range Levant.Other models missed out, which puts a dampener on the Sonata’s safety picture.OWNERS SAYRichard Kenny’s 2000 Sonata GLS V6 manual has done 69,000 km with few faults apart from the ignition leads, which required replacement at the 65,000 km service. He says he consistently gets a little over eight L/100 km around town, and it’s even more economical on long trips.Lindsay Morgan’s 2000 V6 Sonata has done 98,000 mostly troublefree kilometres. So happy is he with it that he rates it the best car he’s owned. His only gripes are that the suspension needs to be beefed up for use in the bush and he’s not keen on the look of the grille.LOOK FOR• Challenging looks• Good performance from four and V6• Sound engineering overall• Annoying kickback in steering• Good ride and handling• Electrical woes• Airbags only on top modelTHE BOTTOM LINEGenerally reliable, feature-laden, mid-sized sedan with mostly good road manners and performance.RATING65/100

There's no doubt about it, the Koreans are on the rise, and there's no better example of their emergence as carmakers on the world stage than the NF Hyundai Sonata released in 2005.  At the time of its launch it was universally praised by motoring writers who reported that it was a marked step forward from what Hyundai had previously been producing.The new NF Sonata delivered the things that Hyundai had built its reputation on, things like a long features list and a value-for-money deal, but it also delivered a level of refinement and quality that had been lacking in earlier models from the big Korean carmaker.MODEL WATCHHyundai made no bones about it, they were looking to Europe in their efforts to improve its cars, and it showed in the NF Sonata.  It had to, of course, if it was to win sales from respected cars like the Toyota Camry, Mitsubishi 380 and Mazda6, all of which had a proven track record.Bigger, better looking, with six airbags and a choice of four and six- cylinder engines there was plenty to like about the Sonata.It still offered good value-for-money, but unlike earlier models the new Sonata didn't rely on that alone. It was well built, refined and smooth, and drove well.  Beyond the attractive skin the cabin offered ample room for five adults, the seats were comfy soft, and the boot was generous.The four-cylinder engine option was a 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft all-alloy unit that pumped out a solid 118 kW at 5800 revs and 219 Nm at 4250 revs that provided adequate get up and go. For more zip there was the option of a 3.3-litre V6, also an all- alloy unit with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing.That achieved peaks of 173 kW at 6000 revs and 304 Nm at 3500 revs, just a smidgeon short of the Commodore's V6 engine at the time.  The V6 was dropped from the range in 2008, at the same time a 2.0- litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine was added to the list of engine choices in 2008 and that produced 110 kW and 305 Nm.Manual addicts were limited for choice in the Sonata range, as only the base four-cylinder model was available with the five-speed manual. All others had automatic transmissions.When the diesel arrived in 2008 it was available with either a six- speed manual or a four-speed auto. Final drive on all models was through the front wheels.Like its predecessors the Sonata was well equipped with all models boasting an enticing list of standard goodies. The base model had air, power windows, remote central locking and front fog lights, while the uprange Elite had leather trim, alloy wheels, a better sound system, an eight-way power driver's seat and reversing sensors.On the road the suspension tuning was something of a revelation, at least to most drivers who weren't interested in punting it along too hard when its weaknesses showed up. Otherwise it was smooth and comfortable, and most bumps were soaked up with ease, while the road holding and handling were competent.IN THE SHOPLike all cars from the Korean Peninsula the earlier Sonatas suffered from many and varied problems, but the NF substantially raised the bar and there are no serious problems that afflict it.  The improvement is no doubt due to more thorough development and improved build quality. The result is that buyers can do so with confidence.Even so, still look for a service record that can be verified and inspect for evidence of crash repairs.IN A CRASH With six airbags the Sonata was given a four-star rating by ANCAP in 2006.  All models had ABS antilock brakes and traction control, but prior to 2008 it was only the V6 models that boasted the active safety provided by electronic stability control. After that date all models had the important safety feature.UNDER THE PUMPThe four-cylinder Sonata, which was the popular choice, delivered around 10.0 L/100 km on average, the zippier V6 a little more at around 11.0 L/100 km.  Road testers at the time reported the V6 could average around 10.5 L/ 100 km.  The diesel would do 6.0-7.0 L/100 km depending on the transmission used.LOOK FORPleasant looks .Roomy cabin .Improved fit and finish .Economical engines .Smooth driveability .Good value-for-moneyTHE BOTTOM LINE Much-improved mid-sized Korean sedan with newfound refinement, smoothness, comfort and quality is well worth a look. 70/100Have you owned a Hyndai Sonata? Tell us your experience in the comments below.