Cars - Hyundai Sonata

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	Cars - Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata is a midsize sedan built by Hyundai for the North American and Indian markets. Production started in 1989, with redesigns in 1993, 1995, 1998, 2000 and 2004.

1989

The original Sonata (Y1) was part of Hyundai's expansion in North America after the success of the Excel, which had engines derived from Mitsubishi Motors units. The exterior was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign. The vehicle received a mid-term facelift in 1991. It replaced the Stellar for the Canadian market, since the Stellar was not sold in the United States. Some Sonatas were built in Korea, and in Bromont, Quebec, Canada.

The Sonata was a Hyundai design, but still featured some Mitsubishi engineering, including its 2.4 L 110 hp (82 kW) I4 engine as used in American-market models. Other markets received 1.8 L (95 hp) and 2.0 L (131 hp) units. A 3.0 L V6 arrived in 1990.

The US received the 2.0 L engine in 1992, replacing the original 2.4 L.

1993

The redesigned Sonata (Y2) featured a more modern shape, remeniscent of the Honda Accord and especially the Mazda 626. The base US engine was a 2.0 L 126 hp (94 kW) I4, but there was a 3.0 L, 142 hp V6 option in some markets. This generation continued after the demise of the Bromont, Quebec plant in 1994, and today, all Sonatas are built in Korea.

1996

A much-needed 3.0 L 142 hp (106 kW) V6 was added for the Sonata (Y3) 1995. The four-cylinder engine was up to 137 hp (102 kW) that year as well. A relatively adventurous facelift for the 1996 model year saw the exterior style begin to look more upmarket, with Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz styling cues in the headlight area. The rear end also began to look more upmarket—only the central section was retained. Sales were up 25% that first year.

1998

A new model came in 1998 (1999 in the US), launching the (EF) series. The styling was slightly less aggressive, and modelled more on a Hyundai show car earlier that year. This redesign kept the German influences, but bore an unintentional resemblance to the Ford Taurus as well.

Engines were a 1.8 L 134 PS, 2.0 L 149 PS, 2.4 L 149 hp (111 kW) I4 and an impressive 2.5 L 170 hp (127 kW) V6. A special 10-year warranty, along with even more upscale touches and a still-low price, boosted volume considerably in the US.

2000

A very Mercedes-Benz E-Class-esque look was added to the old underpinnings for 2000, the new model debuting in the American market for the 2002 model year (Sonata EF2). The V6 was now up to 2.7 L but output remained at 173 hp (127 kW). Sales reached 104,000 for 2004.

The Kia Optima (called the Magentis in parts of Europe) was based on the platform of this generation of Sonata and shared its doors and some other panels.

The Sonata is the basic design for the Hyundai Santa Fe.

2004

A more robust Sonata (NF) was launched in 2004 in Korea and in mid-2005 for the rest of the world. Styling cues come from numerous similarly-sized cars, such as the Honda Accord and Audi A6. However, its twin, the Kia Optima remains the Sonata's 1999-2005 look for 2006.

Engine choices at launch were a 2.0 L 16-valve I4, powered by either petrol or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a 2.4 L 16-valve that produces 163 hp (119 kW), and a 3.3 L 24-valve Lambda V6 that produces 237 hp (175 kW). Acceleration times have also improved to 6.8 sec 0-100 km/h

The latest update brought production to Montgomery, Alabama for the US models, which launched for the 2006 model year. Hyundai is expected to continue to try beat the mainstream competition such as the best selling Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Mitsubishi Galant and Nissan Altima on both luxury and value.

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