2002 Hyundai Sonata Review

2002 Hyundai Sonata

Slicker styling.

by: Dan Jedlicka

Slicker styling makes the $15,499-$18,824 Sonata one of the most attractive compact cars. This is no sports sedan but is generally fun to drive, with a revised all-independent suspension that delivers a smooth ride. Stopping distances are OK, but anti-lock brakes are optional. New items such as gas-charged hood and trunk struts make it seem more expensive than it is. So do features once put only on upscale cars, such as new link-type hinges that let the trunk lid yawn wider to provide an even larger opening for better access to the big, enlarged cargo area. Rear seatbacks fold fairly flat for more cargo room, but the pass-through opening from the trunk is only moderately large.

The Sonata's new dashboard has easily read gauges and conveniently placed controls. Seats are comfortable and the quiet interior provides adequate room for four 6-footers--although leg room is tight for a passenger behind a tall driver who shoves his seat all the way back. The front-drive Sonata comes in Base, GLS and LX models and is well-equipped. Even the Base model's items include air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD stereo, keyless entry and power windows, door locks and mirrors.

Safety items include side front air bags. The GLS adds a V-6 engine, along with a CD player, heated mirrors and alloy wheels. The LX has items that once never would have been considered for any Hyundai, let alone a mid-range model such as the Sonata. They include a power driver's seat, automatic climate control, 16-inch alloy wheels and leather upholstery.

Hyundai is aggressively gaining ground on rivals with such upscale items, although its trump card is long warranties, which include a 100,000-miles powertrain (engine and transmission) coverage. The V-6 has been enlarged from 2.5 to 2.7 liters, and its horsepower is up 170 to 181. Performance is lively with either the improved five-speed manual or responsive four-speed automatic transmission, which gets a new Shiftronic manual shift control. The carryover 2.4-liter, 149-horsepower four-cylinder engine provides good performance in town and adequate acceleration on highways with either transmission. The V-6 is stronger, although it's still small and thus calls for high revs to provide the best acceleration. Fuel economy is good with either sophisticated engine: 24-25 mpg in the city and 33 on highways with either transmission.

Prices
$15,499-$18,824
Likes
Restyled inside and out. Larger V-6. Roomy. Well-equipped. Best warranty in industry.
Dislikes
Low resale value. Small engines need high revs for best performance.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour television specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka was a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the country, from 1995 until 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Consumer Digest magazine's auto experts panel that gave Best Buy new vehicle recommendations.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.

Jedlicka has owned 25 classic cars, including 1950s and 1960s Ferraris and 1950s and 1960s Porsches, a 1965 Corvette, a 1967 Maserati and a 1957 Studebaker supercharged Golden Hawk. Jedlicka resides with his wife, Suzanne, in the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district of Oak Park. They have two children, James and Michele.

For more reviews from Dan, visit Facebook.