Background: While the slowing economy throughout the past year has presented new challenges to the auto industry, Korea’s largest automaker is setting personal sales records. Many other automakers are now offering zero percent to stimulate activity. At Hyundai, however, sales have boomed without dangling this no-interest carrot. October sales in the United States were up 88 percent from the same period last year. Calendar year sales in 2001 are projected to reach 335,000 units, its best sales year to date.
Hyundai predicts the good times will continue rolling in 2002 with sales reaching approximately 370,000 units. This from a company that sold only 90,000 vehicles in the United States in 1998. Hyundai owes its reversal of fortunes to a management shakeup in 1999. When first entering the U.S. market in 1986, the upstart automaker made inroads by selling small cars at low prices attracting first time shoppers and those desiring a new car over pre-driven ones. But Hyundai was dogged throughout most of the 1990s by questions concerning vehicle quality and sales slowed. By the last 1990s management had addressed many of the craftsmanship issues, but the general public still was not buying. To convince potential buyers the company was back on track, Hyundai put its money where its mouth was and offered one of the industry’s longest and most comprehensive warranty programs while expanding its product lineup.
Our test vehicle of the week, the front-wheel-drive, 2002 Sonata is Hyundai’s mid-size sedan targeting the same audience as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, two of the most popular-selling vehicles in the industry. The Sonata, however, has a distinct price advantage over Accord, Camry and most mid-sized competitors. Both Camry and Accord are marketed in coupe and sedan versions while Sonata is a four-door exclusive vehicle. For 2002 Sonata receives several upgrades including refreshed exterior and interior styling along with handling enhancements. Sonata has been around longer than any other vehicle in Hyundai’s lineup. Hyundai’s 2002 roster consists of subcompact Accent hatchbacks and sedans, compact Elantra hatchbacks and sedans, the Santa Fe compact SUV, Tiburon sport coupe and full-size XG 350 sedan.
Currently, all Hyundais sold in the United States are assembled in Korea. However this scenario will change soon. Hyundai announced recently that a new production plant will open here in the States. The exact location will be revealed early next year. Hyundai opened for business in Korea back in 1967.
Trim level/Engine: Sonata is now available in three trim levels, returning Base and GLS versions and a new for 2002, top-of-the-line LX edition. Sonata also offers a choice of four or six cylinder engines. Base editions are marketed only with the smaller, four-cylinder engine while GLS and LX feature six-cylinder powertrains exclusively. The 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine delivers 149 horsepower while the 2.7-liter, double-overhead cam V-6 engine motivates 181 horses, up 11 from 2001 V-6. Both engines include multi-port fuel injection. Five-speed manual transmission comes standard while four-speed automatic is optional across the trim level board.
Price: Hyundai supplied the Daily Herald with a well-equipped, mid-level, 2002 GLS with four-speed automatic transmission. Base price checked in at $17,499. The only extras were carpeted floor mats ($86) and mud guards ($75). After factoring in the $495 destination charge, the bottom line added up to a very reasonable $18,155. The same model with five-speed manual transmission checks in at $16,999
The lowest-priced Sonata, a Base model with five-speed manual transmission lists for $15,499; with automatic transmission, the price jumps to $15,999. The top-level LX lists at $18,324 with manual transmission and $18,824 with automatic. The lowest-priced Camry sedan, a four-cylinder LE version starts at $18,970 while the lowest priced Accord DX sedan lists at $15,500. Keep in mind, however, Sonata comes with more standard features than either of its main competitors from Japan.
Standard equipment: All three levels of Sonata include: power windows, power door locks, air conditioning, power side-view mirrors, four-wheel independent suspension, power steering, cruise control, adjustable steering column, intermittent front windshield wipers, day/night rear view mirror, power-assisted rack and pinion steering, rear window defroster, front fog lights and AM/FM stereo with compact disc player. The mid-level GLS adds heated power mirrors, cassette player, retractable antenna and larger tires. The top-of-the-line LX adds GLS equipment plus power driver’s seat and heated mirrors. Sunroofs come optional across the board.
Interior: Our GLS test-drive vehicle included walnut trim on arm rests and along the center console. Trunk and fuel door release buttons are found on the drivers door. Also on the door are power outside mirror controls, power lock buttons, power window buttons controlling all four doors and a child-safety button locking the power window controls on three doors.
Headlights operate from the turn signal stalk while front windshield wipers activate from a right-hand side stalk. The circular, illuminated ignition cylinder gets positioned on the dashboard just to the right of the steering column. The on-off cruise control button along with a dial monitoring dashboard light intensity is on the far left end of the dash. All other cruise functions are on the steering wheel.
The instrument panel includes a secondary gearshift indicator and large analog speedometer and tachometer displays. Smaller fuel and oil gauges are positioned along the top. Near the bottom is a square digital display with odometer readouts. At night this display glows with white numerals, red needles and black background.
In between the front bucket seats are a hand-operated parking brake, the floor-mounted automatic transmission gear shift and dual in-line cup holders. A stand-alone digital clock surrounded by two air vents sits atop the center dashboard. Nearby is the hazard light button. Below is the stereo with compact disc player. At the bottom is the ventilation system with two dials controlling temperature and fan speed, and two rows of buttons monitoring direction, air conditioning and defrosters.
Seating comfort: Sonata’s cloth interior in GLS and Base models features two bucket seats in front and a bench in back. Leather interior is standard in LX. Three riders can fit in back when needed, but two riders makes the trek much more enjoyable. Rear seats fold down in a 60/40 spilt fashion after buttons on top of the seatbacks are depressed, unlatching them from the locked position. Interior ceiling handles are found above all four doors. Doors swing out wide enough for comfortable egress and ingress.
Exterior: The Sonata possesses a bit more outside flare than the more conservative Toyota Camry and even the Honda Accord. The front hood includes contour lines borrowed from Hyundai’s sporty Tiburon coupe. Oblong front headlights extend up and into side fenders. Round fog lights are below and thin, band-like reflectors adorn both sides of the front bumper. All four doors include body-colored, strap-like handles.
Side-view mirrors that fold in when encountering an immovable object share body color, too. The square, locking fuel door with tethered cap is on the left rear fender. A radio antenna on the back left fender automatically moves up and down when the stereo is activated. Fifteen-inch all-season Michelin radial tires come standard in Base while sixteen-inch varieties with 10-spoke, 16-inch alloy are GLS and LX staples.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
Overall length: 186.9 inches
Overall width: 71.7 inches
Overall height: 56.0 inches
Curb weight: 3,254 pounds
Safety features: All Sonatas include: keyless remote entry, driver and front passenger air bags, front passenger side air bags, rear three-point seat belts, five-mile per hour impact bumpers and theft deterrent system. Traction control is not available in Base editions, but is optional in the two remaining trims. Four-channel anti-lock brakes are optional across the board.
Trunk: The rear cargo region includes shock-absorber-type hinges connecting the lid with body frame, a much more package-friendly design than inside, curved hinges which can scrunch items stored directly below. Sonata upsizes cargo volume by 1.1 cubic feet in 2002, increasing the volume to 14.1 cubic feet. A temporary, compact spare tire rests in a wheel well below a flat-floored design.
Fuel economy: Our six-cylinder engine generated 20 miles per gallon in city travel and 27 m.p.g. highway. The four-cylinder engine bumps up economy to 22 m.p.g. city and 30 m.p.g. highway. Economy is the same whether employing automatic or manual transmission. The tank holds 17.2 gallons of regular unleaded fuel. Camry’s best mileage figures are from its four-cylinder engine married to a manual transmission that generates 24 m.p.g. in city travel and 33 m.p.g. along the highway.
Final thoughts: The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry represent the two best-selling cars in the United States. Hyundai’s Sonata is not quite a best seller, but the mid-size offering has made steady strides since its 1989 introduction. The current model represents the car’s third generation. Workmanship improved dramatically. Doors close tight and with authority and no unwanted rattles creeped up during our week-long drive.
This vehicle is worth a look for the mid-size car shopper on a budget. Hyundai’s extended warranty, one of the best in the business, should also help alleviate most quality concerns. The powertrain warranty is for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Its bumper-to-bumper and corrosion warranties last 5 years or 60,000 miles and Hyundai also includes a five-year, unlimited mile roadside assistance program. |