HYUNDAI has taken the competitive mid-size car market fight into its own showrooms, putting new kid Sonata up against its European-styled i40.

Can there be two winners for Hyundai? Will one be sacrificed in a domestic war that recently saw a similar in-house fracas end in tears for one Honda model?

The Honda Accord has, for better or worse, overthrown and sent to the archives its same-class sibling, the Accord Euro.

Hyundai argue that the i40 and Sonata are very different offerings. The former is a diesel (only in sedan) and available as a wagon (petrol or diesel), the latter comes only with a choice of two petrol engines and a single body style. Pricing overlaps, making it even more awkward.

The Sonata is more conservatively styled and reaches almost Camry-like obscurity in city streets. But despite its refrained lines, it’s a rewarding drive with an accent on comfort, space and features.

Outside of the Hyundai showroom, the Sonata is up against the perennial fleet favourite Camry, Nissan’s almost invisible Altima, a new Ford Mondeo, the Mazda6, Subaru Liberty and nothing from Mitsubishi.



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