Overdrive’s July 2005 issue has featured an exhaustive Roadtest on the Hyundai Sonata Embera 2.4 Auto. What is different about this particular variant of the Sonata is its maturity in design, and better driving performance. Actually, to cut a long story short, let’s just say that Overdrive believes the Sonata Embera is a finer model of its previous counterparts, which perhaps explains the whopping 4 / 5 rating!

What follows are excerpts of their Roadtest.

PROS:

1. The new Sonata Embera 2.4 Auto has undergone a complete makeover and looks nothing like its older sibling. The changes in styling aren’t in-your-face, but aren’t bland enough to pass by unnoticed. There are some unmistakable similarities to other Hyundai siblings; though, for instance, the tail-lamps match those of the Accord. However, all of this only enhances the overall beauty of the Embera.
2. Hyundai’s reputation for the build of all their cars is unblemished in the Sonata too. The car is somehow extremely solid, which was hitherto unnoticed in a car of Korean parentage.
3. The 2.4 L engine has an impressive output, almost in the league of the 2.7 L V4 delta engine that powered the older Sonata! And that’s not all. The engine is the most refined among all Hyundai cars manufactured so far, and has loads of power to match. What’s more, no noise creeps its way into the cabin, too!
4. The performance of the Sonata Embera is better than expected, considering the weight it has to haul around. It attains around a 100 kmph in about 11 seconds. Not bad at all. Its great driving the Embera, and renders a ‘sporty’ feeling to the whole driving experience, the ride quality is also very good on poor road conditions.
5. The interiors are spacious and rear passengers are blessed with more knee room, while front leg room remains comfortable, as before.
6. The boot of the car is considerably large enough for a family vacation at 523 L of luggage space.
7. The Embera’s fuel efficiency is pretty decent, with an overall efficiency of 9.1 kmpl.
8. Hyundai have taken good measures to ensure passengers’ safety, with six airbags, dual front seat belt pretensioners, ESP, not to mention a four-channel ABS with EBD.
9. To sum up, the Sonata is definitely top-notch and is competent enough to cook up quite an impressive competition with its rivals.

CONS:

1. Despite the striking features of the car, it is evident that it will take some hard work to establish itself in the Indian market.
2. The styling, although refined and decent, isn’t attractive enough to make a lasting impression at first glance.
3. The gearbox is a tad disappointing. It is pretty alright at lower speeds, but greater acceleration gets it muddled. An annoying shrill shriek startles you when the gearbox is constantly shifted.
4. The interiors look nice, although there is an element of plastic in them, which makes them look slightly tacky.