About the Hyundai Sonata
Semyon Denenberg purchased this Hyundai Sonata new for $51,000 (including all on-road costs). Semyon Denenberg would buy this car again because: “The car exceeded my expectations and has relatively few vices.”
How reliable has your car been? Tell us about any issues.
So far no issues with anything with any part of the car.
What do you think of the ownership experience with your car?
So far so good. No hidden issues or negative surprises.
How has the purchase and aftercare experience been with your car?
During a difficult time for the industry (lockdown and supply issues), the correspondence with the dealer have been first class.
Easy to communicate with, they kept me up to date with any delays. When the vehicle finally arrive they did everything possible to have it go through pre-delivery in just 24 hours.
Are you happy with the price and features of your car?
Very happy either the features it has based on the price. It’s easier to list the features it’s missing.
Auto parking, remote start, ambient lighting, adjustable dampers, and a limited-slip differential are the only things missing, but would probably add $5-15k to the purchase price.
Apart from the LSD I can’t say I’m craving any of the other missing features.
What do you think of the performance and economy of your car?
The car is now properly run in with 5000+ km. What has surprised me the most is the fuel economy.
I am averaging 7.6-7.9L per 100km with a mixture of freeway and city driving. For a car of its size and power I’m shocked. Also, now that the car is run in I can finally notice the lack of LSD.
Prior it it being run it it didn’t appear to be an issue, however when I set the ECU to any of the sports setting, the car will light up the front tyres on anything more than 1/2 throttle, let alone adding a turn into the equation. Better tyres may help this.
What do you think of the technology in your car?
HUD, very good radar cruise with stop/start function, and excellent lane-keep assist is helping turn me into a lazy inattentive driver.
The factory info tech appears to be as good as the reviews say it is. No lag, decent connectivity, fingers crossed they can workout the wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto sooner rather than later so the inductive charging can be used for what it’s intended.
Initially the camera in the digital dash that shows your blind spot was a nice touch. However after having for a while now I rarely look at it and rely on the blind-spot monitor on the HUD more, and can’t get out of the habit of doing a head check anyway.
What do you think of the ride comfort and handling of your car?
The suspension set up is excellent for those that prefer a firmer ride without being overly harsh. Friend who have been in it say it feels very similar to their WRX setup. My wife doesn’t complain about it being too firm (like she did with our old Force 6 FPV). Mechanical grip is great, just missing that LSD.
Do you have any additional comments about your car?
The car really has exceeded my expectations. If the local cars were still available I would have purchased a XR6T with luxury pack and missed out with how nice the car is to drive and live with.
I have tests driven a Stinger GT ($14k more and wait time would be 8 months more), Octavia RS (similar spec is $11k more, car is a class smaller, slower in a straight line but very very pretty car and a nicer drive on a nice road – but colleagues and friends experiences with VAG cars haven’t been great).
The car truly feels like driving a friend’s A6 Audi, with far more features and performance just with a more tacky interior. In many ways it’s a little sad these will not sell well due it it not being a SUV, however the styling really appeals to me (I also like the Lexus styling so I’m more than likely in the minority) and it’s nice driving around something that is different and relatively rare.