[ad_1]
The eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata was finally launched in Malaysia. This time only one variant is offered, the 2.5 Premium. It is completely imported from South Korea and is sold at retail RM 206,888 (with 100% full SST). However, the first 50 units will be sold at an introductory price of RM 189.888 (with 50% SST).
In terms of design, the new Sonata is the first car to be based on Hyundai’s Sensuous Purity design language. Features include a large cascading grille, air curtains built into the front bumper edges, automatic LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights that “soften” along the chrome stripe on the hood. When the DRLs are turned off, the strips appear as chrome, and this is achieved by laser etched perforations.
At the rear, it has full LED taillights with a continuous LED strip along the trunk, integrated fins above the LED lights, roof-mounted third brake light, an integrated ducktail spoiler, the Sonata lettering. and an integrated diffuser. Also featured are 18-inch multi-tone and dual-tone alloy wheels (wrapped with 235/45 Continental PremiumContact 6 tires), a subtle leading edge and side skirts.
Six colors are available, including White Cream, Shimmering Silver, Nocturne Gray (pictured here), Oxford Blue, Midnight Black, and Flame Red. Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia (HSDM) also offers three interior color schemes, but these are dependent on the choice of exterior color.
White Cream, Nocturne Gray and Midnight Black will get the Camel two-tone interior theme you see in these images, while Shimmering Silver comes with the Greige two-tone cabin (a color between beige and gray) with white leather seat upholstery. For those who want the usual all-black affair, they will have to settle for Oxford Blue or Flame Red.
Inside, the Sonata has a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a head-up display screen projected onto the windshield, an eight-inch Display Audio touchscreen head unit with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, control of Dual-zone automatic climate, electronic parking brake, and a four-button wired shift selector. There is also a Qi wireless charging pad with a cooling function.
A drive mode switch is standard, allowing you to choose between Smart, Comfort, Eco and Sport modes. Other features include a large panoramic glass roof, electrochromic rear view mirror, eight-way power driver’s seat with two-way lumbar adjustment and memory function, four-way power front passenger seat, and rear air vents. There are two USB ports at the front and one at the rear.
In terms of dimensions, the Sonata is arguably the largest car in its class, measuring 4,900mm long, 1,860mm wide, 1,445mm high, and has a 2,840mm wheelbase. The trunk space is 510 liters (without electric trunk) and the rear bench folds into a 60:40 split configuration. There is also no spare tire, just a tire repair kit.
For the powertrain, the Korean D-segment sedan is powered by a 2.5-liter Smartstream gasoline engine. It is a four-cylinder MPI unit that produces 180 hp and 232 Nm of torque, with traction sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission (with shift paddles). There is a GDI direct injection version of this engine that is sold in other markets, offering 193 hp and 245 Nm of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic. It is not available in Malaysia due to fuel quality issues, we were told.
On the safety side, it has six airbags as standard, ABS with EBD, ESC, hill start assist, and vehicle stability management. Unfortunately, the Sonata does not come with the Hyundai SmartSense suite of advanced driver assistance systems, so the autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control (although there is passive cruise control), lane departure warning are lost. or lane keeping assist.
However, there is a 360 degree surround view camera, as well as a blind spot vision monitor. The latter uses the two side cameras (each with a 50 degree wide-view lens) to project a video stream onto the instrument panel when turn signals are used. This is like Honda LaneWatch, except better.
Again, the price for the first 50 units of the Sonata is RM190k. Each purchase comes with a warranty coverage of five years or 300,000 km. You can explore CarBase.my to get a more detailed look at the specifications of the new Sonata. You can also compare it to the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Volkswagen Passat, and more. So what do you think of the Sonata? Sound, below.
GALLERY: Hyundai Sonata Official Press Photos
[ad_2]
