Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata is a produced since the beginning of 1985 four-door notchback sedan of the Korean car maker Hyundai, which is located in the middle class. The model name is based on the word sonata.

• 3.1 facelift
• 3.2 engines
• 3.3 Security

• 4.1 Sales Strategy
• 4.2 engines 4.2.1 1991-1996
• 4.2.2 1996-1998

• 5.1 Sales Strategy
• 5.2 engines
• 5.3 Security
• 5.4 reliability
• 5.5 Relationship Model

• 6.1 engines
• 6.2 Safety
• 6.3 reliability
• 6.4 facelift
• 6.5 Special

• 7.1 engines
• 7.2 Markets and body styles
• 7.3 Safety
• 7.4 reliability

History

In Germany, the Sonata is offered since the summer of 1991 and has been available since the beginning of the entry of Hyundai brand in Germany.

As of spring 2010, the sales to Germany paused demand-driven. In the summer of 2011, the sale to the based on the Sonata Hyundai i40 has continued.

Within the model range of the Sonata marked by the appearance of the upper middle class vehicle Hyundai XG in the fall of 1998, the top model.

Sonata (Y, 1985-1987)

Hyundai Sonata (1985-1987)

Beginning of 1985 appeared the Sonata, first exclusively for the Korean market.

The first generation was a luxury version of the Hyundai Stellar under his own name with there not available features. Such was the only one available engine in the Stellar available from 1987 Sirius engine ( 4G63 ) from Mitsubishi with 2.0 liters of displacement.

The shoe was designed by Giorgio Giugiaro. The vehicles were equipped with power steering, air conditioning, cruise control, electric windows all round and an electric tilt-adjustable rear seats.

The car was only available in the South Korean market and has been manufactured in Ulsan. How the Hyundai Stellar based the vehicle on the rear-drive Ford Cortina in 1979. Was not until the second generation joined Hyundai was the first Korean manufacturer to front-wheel drive in the middle class.

One year after the setting of the Y Sonata Stellar returned in a revised version back into the spotlight back: as the official vehicle of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.

Motors

This Hyundai Sonata ( model code internally Y) had neither airbags nor ABS. It should however be remembered, that were not yet standard in the period of its market presence, these security features in most vehicles, the middle class. An ABS for example, was first time in 1985 in the Ford Scorpio Series scope, the Sonata with the Y3. This also airbags were added.

Sonata (Y2, 1988-1993 )

Hyundai Sonata (1988-1992)

The Hyundai Sonata second generation was one of the first models, which was developed by Hyundai partially independently. From 1982, the South Korean manufacturer had collected with the Hyundai Pony first experience in independent automotive and then gradually released from licensed aircraft such as the Ford Cortina.

The design, interior and body were from Hyundai, the platform was based on the Mitsubishi Galant, and the engines were from Mitsubishi. The development costs were still 375 million dollars and included one million kilometers of testing, which should specifically meet the expectations of export markets. A first in automotive was made ​​of Xenoy impact body in the bumpers of the vehicle, which primarily serves to protect pedestrians, and is now used as the Smart. Exceptional also are automatically investing belts on all four seats.

The premiere of the second generation took place on 1 June 1988 in South Korea, near the production site Ulsan. Encouraged by the surprising demand desPony or Excel in Canada and North America, added in 1989 also the first foreign plant of a Korean car manufacturer in the Canadian city of Bromont ( Quebec ) production capacity. The success of the Excel remained in the non- competitive stronger middle class at that time, however, unattainable. So the new plant was closed in 1993 again.

Facelift

In the spring of 1992, the Sonata was revised. The design was designed by Giorgio Giugiaro. With the initial offer of a V6 engine positioning against Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore was announced in 1990.

The Sonata is the only Hyundai model, which has been offered for a long time ( since 1987) under the same name. A comparison of these first generation available outside of Korea with the current, not available in Europe, is available here.

Rear view

Motors

A six-cylinder petrol engine at the time was essential for a long- term existence on the U.S. market that had been envisaged just as a market during the time of the first generation model. The disadvantage was the high fuel consumption.

• A diesel engine was not offered.

Security

This Hyundai Sonata ( model code internally Y2) did not yet have airbags, but an ABS was now available, even if only optional for the V6. It should however be remembered that these security features were not installed by default in most vehicles of the middle class during the period of its market presence. The chassis is designed to be very comfortable and was not changed with the facelift in 1992.

Sonata (Y3, 1993-1998)

Hyundai Sonata (1993-1996)

Sales strategy

The South Korean manufacturer, which offered from 1991 ( Hyundai ), 1993 ( Kia ) respectively 1994 ( Daewoo ) for the first time their cars in Europe, pursued the same sales strategy as the Japanese carmaker 30 years previously. They tried to win the customers are mainly due to favorable prices in conjunction with comparatively extensive comfort features.

So decreed the V6 model of the Sonata, which has now been offered, from May 1993 also in Germany, already has a comfort - equipped with air conditioning, heated seats and leather interior, at a similar price as the base model of a VW Passat with four-cylinder engine.

Motors

The engines were already as those of the first generation (Y2 ) older structures. The use of simple technology yet, along with the high mileage vehicles, provided they did not have to meet the highest performance over a longer period. As for the engine at high speeds correspondingly higher temperature of the cooling circuit respectively, the condenser was not designed or too small. All drives meet the emission standard Euro 2

The V6 was offered primarily for reasons of prestige and was necessary for success on the U.S. market. His strengths included a high refinement, adversely was like the four-cylinder high fuel consumption of 10 l/100 km. Hyundai Engine Code G6AT

Therefore, the Sonata was from June 1996 in revised form, both visually and technically, offered.

1996-1998

• As with the previous model generations no diesel engine was also for this offer.

Rear view

Security

The optional in previous ABS was now standard, as the first built-in airbags, which now protect the driver and passenger.

Crash tests were conducted outside of the development centers of the manufacturer for this Sonata. The American Traffic Safety Administration classified it as just as secure as its main competitor, a Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Other than these, the Sonata was also tested at the side, where he also still due to lack of side airbags very high in the chest area load for driver and passenger caused (one or two stars). The head and legs were not then measured in U.S. NCAP crash test pages.

The test procedure was founded by insurance IIHS showed a einknickende at the roof line security cell in the head-on collision with a semi- staggered vehicle on the driver's side contact with the Sonata (cf. Sonata 1996 and 2006 at the end of the page or video). Their stability was assessed as the driver's footwell as bad. The front passenger, as well as the head and chest area of ​​both front seat occupants, however, received the highest possible rating. By yielding safety cell, the vehicle was still written down to the lowest level of security, which he also the higher-lying VW Passat informed the platform- related Mitsubishi Galant. Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were slightly or significantly better results, but overall, with the same strengths and weaknesses. A side or rollover test was then not performed by the IIHS.

Reliability

A Canadian car magazine rated the Sonata Y3 with a 3 as below average reliably. Reviews by Consumer Reports and J. D. Power are either not readily available or have not been conducted. The usual problems of the model concerning the automatic transmission of the model years 1995 to 1997. During manual circuit, the reverse gear is engaged can lead to accompanying sounds, which are solved by the incorporation of revised components ( 1995 and 1996). In all years after a maintenance not properly installed battery cover shortens the battery life by continuously flowing stream.

Sonata (EF / EF -B, 1998-2005)

Hyundai Sonata (1998-2001)

With the fourth generation presented in March 1998, the South Korean car manufacturer tried to adapt the vehicle more to European tastes. However, since this model was designed primarily for the home market in South Korea, and the North American market, where the comfort of a vehicle are taken important than technical finesse and sporty handling, the great success was on the European market. The same applies to almost identical Kia Magentis, who began the use of the Sonata platform for other models (cf. model relationship ).

In October 2001, a first revision of the front end.

Rear view

Already in the autumn of 2002, learned the Sonata is another more profound facelift front and rear (type EF -B). Instead of the American front it resembled designs from 2002, the Mercedes C-Class, the stern of the Jaguar S -Type. In addition, the noise insulation has been improved, extended the interior, enhances the body and the handling of the exchange of the twin-tube shock absorbers Korean production by Sachs Gaßdruckstoßdämpfer direct. The brakes are spongy after repeated heavy use, come according to the test report of their task but unabated after. According to the ADAC, the braking distance is the facelift model satisfactorily, tracking good and the braking force very finely adjusted. The car is here described as a handy, its steering react quickly and sufficiently direct, allowing the driver 'm well informed on the road. Only larger bumps giving the chassis hard on to the occupants. The interior noise is low, the tested four-cylinder very quiet and refined. Its consumption is 8.3 liters in everyday life at 100 km, of the six-cylinder 9.7.

Rear view

The Russian TagAZ in 2005 he took on the production of this Sonata model, which is built unchanged to this day. The manufacturer is here recognizable only by the missing Hyundai logo on the grille, at its own labels dispensed TagAZ.

Hyundai even made ​​the Sonata EF -B in Beijing next to the now two parallel successors further revised in 2010 and the exterior.

Sales strategy

The characteristics of the Sonata were still the rich standard equipment, at what is now a safety equipment with four airbags ( front and side airbags for driver and front passenger ) and an anti -lock braking system included, as well as a cheaper price. The reliability improved, but did not yet reach the level of Japanese competitors. The quality of machining and the appearance of the materials Hyundai also joined with the past from: The dashboard was largely backed with foam, and now the black plastic parts and their clearances reached a high level of processing quality.

Motors

Petrol engines:

• 2.0l R4 ( 96 kW/131 hp): Revised Basic performance Sirius II ( hydraulic isolation from the body, dual balance shaft ), based on the Mitsubishi series Sirius used previously.
• 2.5l V6 ( 118 kW/160 hp): 1998 to 2001, from 2002:
• 2.7l V6 ( 127 kW/173 hp): Both newly designed six-cylinder engine with aluminum engine block. This engine was used until 2010 in various Hyundai models (eg Hyundai Tucson or Hyundai Coupe). He also replaced the outdated V6 series from Mitsubishi, but which was still used in the sister company Kia in Opirus.
• The engines reached the emission standard Euro3/D4.
• Also, for the fourth generation of the Sonata no diesel engine was offered.

Security

The Sonata EF received standard side airbags and traction control, but no ESP, as it then was already more widespread.

In the U.S. NCAP tests the Sonata received in front and side tests for driver and front passenger, four stars. The underwriting own IIHS rated the vehicle differentiated. So in the side test of the driver's head was protected as possible, however, classified all other regions of the body in the lowest level of security. Exactly the opposite was the measurement for the rear passenger seated behind. Its head was barely protected because of the absence of curtain airbags, all other areas, however, rated the best possible way. The total Karrosseriestruktur was assessed in side test at the lowest level, also in the front test only one step better with marginal, as they buckled as the predecessor to the roof line (see video). However, the foot area was the front test average reviews, all other areas the best, including the well-controlled movements of the dummy. This stability but the front is slightly below the level of that competition, the lateral stability of the competitors without side airbags.

Reliability

The U.S. consumer magazine Consumer Reports rated according to a survey of 800,000 vehicle owners the 2004 Hyundai Sonata as the most reliable vehicle. The survey was the largest ever independent of an organization carried out. J. D. Power assigns this Sonata as slightly above average reliably, read get it all queried vehicle areas. Each driver's three-year models were interviewed. Up to and including 2003 model especially the automatic transmission problems was affected, then it is considered to be reliable. A difficult operated manual gearbox the model years 1999 and 2000 will be easier switchable by the incorporation of revised components. In model year 2002, by a Slipping air duct temperature sensor of the automatic air conditioning, the interior temperature does not measure and then regulates on the basis of the engine compartment. Unusual noises on the front and rear axle can be solved with vehicles of the same model year with revised stabilizers. 2010 Hyundai has launched a service campaign in which a possibly too strong stainless front axle is replaced free of charge. For this purpose, the thickness of the support at different locations is measured. The originally given against rusting was six years for the Sonata.

Model relationship

The Hyundai Sonata fourth generation ( internal model code EF ) provided the technical basis for the construction of the first crossover / off-road model of the brand, the Hyundai Santa Fe. The Santa Fe was and is on the North American market a sales success and contributed decisively to increase the awareness of the brand. In Europe, the success of this model was remarkable. Further, based on this platform models are the Hyundai Trajet and the Kia Magentis.

Sonata (NF, 2004-2010 )

Hyundai Sonata (2004-2008)

The completely redesigned fifth generation (internal model code NF) was introduced in August 2004 in South Korea, in Europe they came in January 2005 on the market. It has, unlike predecessors and successors no common platform with the Kia Magentis. For the first time with this model is a 2.0 - liter diesel engine is used, as the petrol engines with 2.4 and 3.3 liter engine all complete developments.

Interior ( here right-hand drive version )

Motors

• 2.4 R4 ( 119 kW/162 hp): This engine was developed in cooperation with the former DaimlerChrysler Group during the three -year-long collaboration (2001-2004). Through this global background, he was named World Engine. It has variable valve timing of the camshaft (then a novelty at Hyundai ). It replaced the 2.7 V6 of its predecessor ( the 2.0 R4 was not offered in Switzerland ), the torque by 31 Nm and the power of 4 kW or 11 hp were lower. ( 2.7 V6: 250 Nm 127 kW/173 hp)

For the first time a very modern common-rail diesel engine with VTG turbocharger Garrett was used in the fifth generation of the Sonata, the Hyundai developed partly in the European Powertrain Center in Rüsselsheim. He is meanwhile used in many other models of the brand and its sister company Kia.

• 2.0 CRDi with inline four- cylinder 1991 cc displacement and 110 kW ( 150 hp) from 2008 to 2010

Security

The safety features of the Sonata was at the time of its launch on the state of the time and can currently only miss optional driver assistance systems. It comprised in March 2005, already six standard airbags ( front and side airbags for driver and front passenger and window bags on the entire side window area ) and for the first time in a Hyundai sedan a standard ESP. In addition, include active headrests and seat belt reminders as standard equipment.

In the Euro NCAP crash test in 2006, the Sonata achieved a score of 27 out of 37 possible points, with 4 out of 5 stars. The re-oriented crash tests of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (see U.S. NCAP ) completed the Sonata with the best possible result out of 5 stars. He remains one of the rating of the U.S. trade magazine Consumer Reports so that the safest midsize cars in the North American market. Still other method utilizes founded by insurance IIHS ( see introduction to this text). It checks, for example not only the flashover probability (US- NCAP ), but executes it. Rear and front stability can be classified by the IIHS in the best category, but determined during rollover referred to as marginal, while actually very good completed side crash, the risk of injury to hip and legs of the driver is considered high, so that the lateral stability is total graded on marginal. The U.S. NCAP tested laterally only in the chest area, the risk of injury, where the Sonata offers good to very good protection. Overall, the vehicle reaches so that an acceptable safety rating in the IIHS test.

Reliability

The reliability achieved at the fifth generation of a very good and thus above-average level. According to surveys of owners through the U.S. trade magazine Consumer Reports and JD Power reliability is very good and on a par with Japanese competitors models. To include the electronics and drive reliability at the top of the class, the body and interior durability but only for the midfield. Be requested from the last point wind noise, rattles, leaks and the condition of paint and interior trim materials. In Germany, the Sonata was rarely sold, to be listed in breakdown statistics.

The rare problems focus on the automatic transmission in model year 2006. Additional problem areas to inaccurate by 5 to 10 ° C outside temperature display in vehicles with automatic climate control his (Model 2006 ), a temporarily illuminated by electromagnetic interference tire pressure warning light (2006 and 2007) and a sensor in the electronic accelerator pedal of the V6 model ( 2006 and 2007), but none performs automatic acceleration defect to a fail-safe program with about 20 km / h maximum speed. For the facelift no abnormalities are listed.

Facelift

In the fall of 2008, the Sonata was revised. Contrary to assumptions, according to which the model should be renamed to i40, the existing registered mark is maintained in Germany. As part of the facelift, the front fascia has been slightly revised. In addition, the Sonata received a redesigned instrument panel and now more significant. The engine range has been revised: The 2.4 -liter gasoline engine was replaced by a new Theta II engine with 2.0 liters of displacement, the performance was virtually unchanged at 121 kW (165 hp). Even the 3.3 -liter V6 with 184 kW ( 250 hp) and the 2.0 - liter diesel engine, now with 110 kW ( 150 hp), gained power.

In the spring of 2010, the sale was set in Germany and the Sonata took a year off for the first time since dortigem market entry in 1991. In other European countries such as Austria, he was offered to the European release by the Hyundai i40.

Interior

Special

In Germany had the previous model with 1,212 approvals in 2004 the status of a niche model for the year 2005 gives a figure of 2,000 was sought for the new generation, but also achieved in 2006 only 1,379 - a twenty - to -fortieth of Ford Mondeo ( 28 108 ) and Škoda Octavia ( 56 745 ). In the U.S., however, this generation was with 100,000 to 150,000 sales the best selling model of the brand. There was, primarily for the production of the Sonata, a new plant in Montgomery, Alabama ( Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama), built.

This generation Sonata has been the only one available with a diesel engine. Like its predecessor it formed the platform for the Santa Fe. The Sonata was part of the fleet for the FIFA 2006 World Cup.

Sonata (YF, since 2009)

Hyundai Sonata (since 2009; South Korea)

With this generation Hyundai separated for the first time its middle class for different continents. For Europe, a separate vehicle on the platform of Sonata YF was developed, which was released in mid- 2011 as the Hyundai i40. It is based on the 2010 at the Geneva Salon presented Hyundai i-flow.

The development of the sixth generation with the internal designation YF began in 2005 and cost ₩ 450 billion ( € 260 million). Sales in South Korea began on 2 September 2009 with the guarantees given by the previous 2.0 - liter engine with 121 kW (165 hp). The design has been completely revised, Hyundai called the new design language Fluidic Sculpture (as flowing sculpture).

The new Sonata is easier through the increased use of aluminum to 100 kg than its predecessor, and the drag coefficient is 0.29. V6 engines no longer be used, whereby the front subframe can be readily manufactured. These measures contribute to reducing fuel consumption.

Interior ( here right-hand drive version )

Motors

For the U.S. premiere of 2010, a new 2.4 - liter four-cylinder with direct fuel injection was introduced with 201 PS (148 kW) at 6300 min -1 and a maximum torque of 250 Nm at 4250 min -1. This " Theta II GDI " is optionally combined with a 6 -speed automatic or manual transmission and was there until the end of 2010 the only engine. At this time, followed by a turbo version with 2.0 -liter GDI and 201 kW ( 274 hp).

In the short term was postponed to March 2011, the full - hybrid version of the Sonata, which is only available in the U.S. and Canada. The reason was a law passed in January by the U.S. government law that " in the near future," the creation of artificial noise for electric propulsion of cars provides. To avoid a recall, Hyundai decided to immediate installation of such a system. The drag coefficient is lowered to 0.25 in the hybrid, which operated 2.4 -liter engine in the Atkinson cycle. The gasoline engine delivers 124 kW ( 169 hp ), the electric motor 29 kW (40 hp). Combined consumption in the practical North American EPA rating is specified at 6.2 liters per 100 km. Interior replaced a " ecoguide " with blue and red area, the speed scale and rated the driving style on efficiency. Centrally appear notes on the current running state of the hybrid system.

Markets and body styles

In South Korea and the U.S., the vehicle is still available as Sonata, in Australia there has been renamed to i45.

Developed for Europe version has been available since autumn 2011 and is called i40. The production takes place in Ulsan in the world's biggest car plant. For the first time the group developed it for its middle class is also a station wagon version ( " i40 cw " ), which was coordinated by the European Development Center in Rüsselsheim. It will be available later with the hybrid technique described above as a diesel hybrid, which is a world premiere for this body shape. The sedan variant will follow in early 2012.

About a convertible variant of the Sonata is currently being decided. In this standard, especially in North America vehicle category, the comparably priced competitors Toyota Solara and Chrysler Sebring have withdrawn.

Security

The safety equipment corresponds to that of its predecessor and in addition to six airbags includes a standard ESP. Also, tire pressure monitoring system, active front head restraints and Isofix child seat system are included as the previous standard. Other driver assistance systems, such as a lane departure warning are only in Europe, with the Sonata i40 related or larger sedans like the Grandeur not available in Europe yet.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration measures in the U.S. NCAP tests since 2011 more points on the dummy and completed a post test, similar to that of the Euro NCAP, in which the vehicle is pushed sideways to a tree-like post. Hyundai improved thereon towards the Sonata on 2 July and 7 September 2010, according to the front and so improved results from three to four stars. The aspect score, including the pile tests, however, remained at the maximum rating of five stars, to which also improved the overall result. The underwriting own IIHS tests in the front instead of the rigid wall of the U.S. NCAP with a laterally offset, vehicle -like barrier and side NCAP with a SUV like, instead of the limousine same barrier in the U.S.. In addition, it performs a roll and Auffahrtest. All the above tests were completed at all measuring points good with the best possible rating. Thus, the Sonata will automatically receive the Top Safety Pick Award and is recommended by the American insurance to purchase.

Reliability

The only previously available statistics source for this generation is True Delta. Their approach is the continuous entries of problems by the drivers and the making available of these details. Herein TrueDelta differs from J. D. Power, the question only once after three years and publish only one overall. However, DC are two ratings for prior Sonata generations. The model 2011 is located at True Delta in the top group, one step below the class figure. This result is remarkable because it is the first production year of a completely redesigned vehicle.