2011 Hyundai Sonata test drive

This is the new Hyundai Sonata saloon, which has just gone on sale in right hand drive form in South Africa after a successful introduction in the US last year.

This car is a 2.0-litre petrol model, allied to a 6-speed auto ‘box. There is a new 1.7-litre turbo-diesel with three different outputs planned: 115bhp, 140bhp and a ‘higher output’ version. The lower powered ones will both put out less than 120 g/km of CO2. There will also be two different petrol engines on offer; direct injection units of 1.6 and 2.0-litre capacity, good for 140bhp and 180bhp respectively.

So what’s it like? There's no doubt that the new Sonata is a handsome car in the metal, continuing the great strides the Korean manufacturer has made lately with design. The progress is the same on the inside too, as it has a smart fascia, space comparable to rivals such as the Mondeo and a good deal of comfort.

That said, as it stands it doesn’t feel as robust, or as classy, as the best of the European and Japanese competition and there are plenty of small design and material flourishes that could be improved. Still, the fundamentals of driving position and comfort are blameless.

However, we got the feeling that plenty of attention needs to be paid to dynamics. It’s a comfortable, quiet cruiser and does a good job of staying tied down over large crests and the like. But it’s too easily flummoxed by bad roads where plenty of lumps and bumps filter through into the cabin.

It’s not that engaging to steer through corners either. It doesn’t feel edgy or unstable, but vague steering and body lean hardly reward you when you up the pace.

Should you buy one? It’s too early to tell whether the Sonata is going to persuade you to forgo the saloons it will be competing with. And for some in this market the badge and lack of a hatch option will always be a reason not to. However, Hyundai’s generous equipment levels, smart styling, economical diesels and the five year warranty programme are going to make it quite tempting. If some improvements are made to dynamics and interior quality, it does, at least, deserve to get on your radar.