GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Hyundai - Sonata - GLE sedan

Our Opinion

We like
Space, affordability, practicality
Room for improvement
Below-par handling, steering, ride, performance and refinement, quality niggles, auto transmission longevity, vague manual gearshift

18 Jun 2003

HYUNDAI has made its name from producing sound, good value for money cars.

They may not have had the latest in suspension technology or electronic gadgetry but buyers on a budget have made Hyundai's small car, the Excel, a runaway success.

Hyundai's three-year/100,000km warranty and major services stretched out to every year or 15,000km demonstrated faith in the product and kept running costs as low as possible.

The introduction of the Sonata to Australia in 1989 moved Hyundai upmarket from the small car sector to the medium-sized bracket.

The formula of lavish equipment for your money in a package which was one generation old was successful and the Sonata sold fairly well.

Hyundai released the next model Sonata to Australia in October, 1993.

The all new sheetmetal was longer and wider with much more modern, better looking styling over revised mechanical components with a new rear suspension system.

The new Sonata was a big leap forward in the quality of panel fit, assembly and paint finish over the previous model and rivalled the Japanese manufacturers.

There is enough interior space to seat four with sufficient extra room in the rear to carry another adult-sized passenger.

Hyundai marketed the Sonata with three levels of equipment - the entry level GLE, GLS and the top of the range Levant.

Compared to its competitors, the GLE is very well equipped and this was the biggest single attraction for most new buyers.

A driver's airbag, electric windows, power steering and central locking are all there plus a four-speaker AM/FM radio/cassette.

The 2.0-litre engine was new for the Sonata and has twin overhead camshafts, 16 valves, multi-point fuel injection and balance shafts to reduce vibration. The result is a very competitive power output of 102kW at 5800rpm.

The high power output is at the expense of bottom-end torque which makes the Sonata feel sluggish at low engine speeds and, consequently, it need to be worked hard to deliver its best.

Transmissions are either the standard five-speed manual or an optional four-speed automatic.

The manual's vague cable-operated gearshift combined with lots of gear changing to keep the engine on the boil make the automatic the better choice.

On the road, the Sonata's handling is safe and neutral with gradual build up of understeer as speed rises. The ride is on the firm side and does not match the best in the class. Road noise transmission to the cabin was also an area where Hyundai had some catching up to do.

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new Sonata

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Sonata pricing

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here