2003 Hyundai Sonata Review (continued)
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Walkaround

The Hyundai Sonata is strikingly handsome, expressive without being oppressive, with graceful lines and rich details that one would expect on a far more expensive automobile. The Sonata's overall shape suggests the feline form of a Jaguar; while its sophisticated headlight treatment could have been borrowed from a Mercedes-Benz. It's better looking than the Kia Optima, which shares the Hyundai's architecture.

The waterfall grille is formal but not pretentious. Chrome trim around the grille, over the doors and on the trunk is well placed, and like jewelry tastefully worn, it enhances rather than distracts. The bold headlight design is more than stylish. The small low-beams are halogen projector lamps that produce a uniformly bright pattern, and the complementary high beams are very bright. Good headlamps are extremely important, especially on dark and stormy nights. The Sonata's are excellent.

The Sonata's pull-type door handles feel solid. They don't feel as though they'd break if you needed to force open a door that had frozen shut. The doors close with a solid thunk. Sonata comes standard with a keyless remote fob.

Interior Features

Climb into a Hyundai Sonata and you do not feel like you're sitting in a second-rate car. It's quite nice. The interior materials are of good quality, and vastly superior to what's found in the new Saturn L-Series sedans. The interior is nicely finished, again better than the Saturn. The interior is conservative in appearance and sitting in a Sonata while parked is a positive experience.

The front seats are broad for maximum comfort, and lightly bolstered, making it easy to slide in and out. A pair of knobs on the driver's seat permits adjusting the seat bottom from cushy to firm for good support to the legs and posterior. Both the leather and cloth upholstery are comfortable and of decent quality.

It's easy to operate the Sonata without taking your eyes off the road. Switchgear is clearly marked and easy to operate. Radio controls are big, clearly marked, and easy to operate. HVAC is straightforward with two rows of big buttons and knobs that are easy to discern and operate. Window switches are conveniently mounted on the doors, but, alas, are not illuminated. Gauges are clearly marked.

The upper and lower portions of the instrument panel are dressed in contrasting shades of vinyl. The plush fabric on the seats is repeated in the door panels. The GLS and LX also have a two-compartment center armrest. The glovebox opens with a firm feel. Only the ashtray feels flimsy. There's a nice rubber-lined spot ahead of shifter for my wallet.

Hyundai has wrapped the Sonata's wheel in a leather-like urethane that's buttery soft and wonderful to hold. It's characteristic of the attention given to detail throughout the Sonata's interior. The ignition switch is on the dash, rather than plugged into the steering column.

A splash of artificial wood around the center stack of the GLS and LX won't fool anyone, but looks somehow appropriate anyway. A frame of burnished aluminum surrounds the automatic shifter quadrant, with the Shiftronic manual-override slot alongside. Illuminated Shiftronic manual shift indicators were added for 2003.

Carpeted floor mats come standard for 2003. LX models now offer a HomeLink remote system and electrochromic inside rear view mirror as options. Hyundai added electric switches for the trunk and fuel door releases for 2002. Placed on the driver's door, the power releases are easy to reach and operate.

The back seat offers good room for two adults, with sufficient legroom and comfort for a long trip. The rear seat folds 60/40, allowing long items to pass through from the trunk. The seat itself is contoured for two passengers, with a folding center armrest between them, but Hyundai has provided three-point seat belts for three people. Map pockets on the backs of the front seats add useful storage space.

Changes made to the rear suspension for 2002 allowed Hyundai engineers to increase the Sonata's trunk volume to 14.1 cubic feet. Articulated trunk lid supports stay out of the trunk itself, so you don't have to worry about groceries or luggage being crushed by conventional trunk hinges.