Category: Large Family 
Price Range: No data available
Sharp-suited looks, generous equipment, voluminous space, praiseworthy build quality
Jangling ride, lack of initial diesel option, soggy cornering, traditionally high deprecation
Faced with the twin drawbacks of being a petrol saloon in a class that favours diesel hatchbacks, the latest Sonata fights back with a crisp design, generous equipment and a keen price. Well built and spacious, it still can't shake off its unsophisticated US driving style.
Long gone are the days when Hyundai's low budget was reflected in the shiny dash plastic. The deftly constructed Tuscon off-roader showed how far the company has come and the Sonata builds on that. Like the majority of manufacturers, Hyundai plays it canny by hiding its poorer quality plastics in places not touched in everyday driving, like the sides of the centre console. On 'customer facing' surfaces, soft-touch materials are as much in evidence as they are in, say, a VW Golf.
As for reliability, the company now lies 18th in the UK JD Power owner satisfaction survey, which is neither an overwhelming vote of confidence nor a damnation. They can take comfort in knowing the 15 manufacturers below it include Mercedes and BMW, whereas drivers can find peace of mind in the firm's unrivalled five-year/unlimited mileage warranty.
