2009 Hyundai Sonata Embera diesel review, road test

Under the hood is a 1991cc, common-rail, single overhead camshaft engine of similar lineage as the Elantra. The engine breathes through 16 valves — that’s four valves per cylinder — and uses a variable geometry turbocharger to improve low-end responses. However, considering the Sonata’s heavier kerb weight, Hyundai has added a bigger, higher-flow Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) and new injectors and fuel is now delivered to the cylinders at a higher pressure than on the Elantra’s motor. Power is up from the Elantra’s 112bhp to this car’s 142bhp. Torque is up to a good 33kgm and a six-speed manual transmission sends power to the front wheels, the extra gear ratio helping spread the torque out better.

It is quick, taking only 11.5 seconds to get to 100kph, just 0.3 seconds slower than the Skoda Laura, but more on that later. Take it out on the highway and the car is transformed. Stay in the right gear and overtaking is just a flex of your right foot away. At 120kph in sixth gear, the engine is turning over at 2250rpm, right in the heart of its torque band. At this point, it actually surges forward on a wave of torque.

However, the engine’s narrow powerband is quite a letdown; any slowing down has to be clubbed with a downshift, sometimes two, to get back to speed. Even when accelerating, you find yourself shifting up often to stay in the powerband. The car’s taller fourth and fifth gears keep the engine in its powerband for longer though and for long stretches too, so full power is available almost instantly. What the tall sixth gear does manage adroitly is give the Sonata great fuel economy of 12.5kpl on city and highway cycles.